Bwog received multiple reports about the closure of JJ’s Place, the Columbia dining hall directly below John Jay Hall, so we delved into these reports to try and gain clarity on this event.

President Lee Bollinger sent an email out earlier today announcing the appointment of Senior Executive Vice Dean Shih-Fu Chang as the new Interim Dean of SEAS.

Dean Boyce announced that the keynote speech at the college’s class day will be given by Rocco Commisso, SEAS ‘71, in an email sent to Columbia Engineering students on Thursday afternoon.

This morning, Interim Provost Ira Katznelson updated the community on the University’s perspective and proposals regarding the ongoing graduate student strike. The union, the GWC-UAW, calls it a “step in the right direction,” but demands further assurances of neutrality in the process.

Columbia University released a list of study and dining accommodations for Muslim students observing Ramadan.

Columbia College announced, in an online news update, that actor and director Mario Van Peebles, is tasked with presenting the keynote to graduating students as this year’s Class Day speaker.

At 2:00 am this morning, two undergraduate students were accosted by two male subjects, who were later arrested by the NYPD.

Barnard and Columbia students will soon be able to schedule appointments at Columbia vaccination sites, given eligibility requirements, according to emails sent out to students this morning.  

President Beilock and Vice President for Student Affairs Joseph Defraine Greenwell sent emails supporting the AAPI community following the anti-Asian shootings in Atlanta.

An email sent by President Bollinger earlier this afternoon shared details about the virtual commencement ceremony and the upcoming fall semester.

In an email to students this evening, Columbia revealed that it will vaccinate all in-person staff due to expanded New York State rules regarding eligibility.

The Graduate Workers of Columbia have officially begun their strike for a fair contract with the University after weeks of unsuccessful bargaining, meaning thousands of graduate workers will cease all instruction, research, and communication through University platforms. 

Columbia will offer COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible community affiliates later this month, according to an email from Senior Executive Vice President Gerald Rosberg and Senior Vice President and University COVID Director Donna Lynne.

An email from Dean Valentini sent earlier today shared that first-year Jackson Coker has passed away.

In a website update on March 9, Barnard College announced a plan for Spring 2021 commencement: a virtual ceremony paired with socially-distanced, outdoor events for individual departments.