Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid Jessica Marinaccio announced that Columbia will be canceling Days on Campus due to “evolving information about COVID-19” in an email to admitted students Friday afternoon. 

In the email, included in full at the bottom of this post, Marinaccio told the incoming class of 2024 that the decision to cancel Days on Campus programming was made “out of an abundance of caution” and to “ensure the safety and well-being of [the] entire Columbia community.” As of now, there will be no admitted student events scheduled later in April to make up for this cancellation. Admitted students are instead encouraged to join the Class of 2024 Facebook group. She also notes they can access both the Welcome Website, “extensive virtual programming,” and Columbia’s social media accounts for more information about the Columbia First-Year experience.

Columbia Admissions will also be suspending other upcoming spring events, including tours and information sessions until further notice, according to a statement released on their Twitter account and website.

Bwog has reached out to Barnard College to see if similar cancellations are being considered. 

Dean Marinaccio’s full email to students:

We are writing with an important update about campus events for admitted students.

In light of evolving information about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and out of an abundance of caution, Columbia Undergraduate Admissions will not be offering any Days on Campus programming, nor will we host any admitted students on campus in April. We want to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire Columbia community, including our future students. More information on Columbia University’s response to coronavirus may be found on the University website.

We are disappointed that we will not be able to invite you and your family to visit campus next month, but through a variety of touchpoints in the coming weeks, we believe you will still have ample opportunity to picture yourself as a Columbian. Admitted students are invited to join an exclusive Facebook group where you can ask questions and get to know your future classmates. You also will have access to extensive virtual programming and our Welcome Website, and you will receive additional emails introducing you to countless facets of the Columbia experience. For the time being, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for frequent student takeovers, and explore the collection of videos on our YouTube channel.

We remain excited to share the Columbia experience with you. I encourage you to write to us at ugrad-welcome@columbia.edu should you have any questions about Columbia or if we can be of any assistance. 

Best,

Jessica Marinaccio

Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid