Valentini concludes a ten-year residence as head of Columbia’s undergraduate community and will return to teaching chemistry.

Bwog uncovered that President Lee Bollinger as the head of the University administration suggested the possibility of pressuring non-tenure-track instructors, in particular, to teach in person for the Fall 2020 semester. Additionally, we uncovered deep cracks in the administration, exposing tensions between Dean James Valentini and the President, then-Interim Provost, and Executive Vice President.

It’s official: According to this letter from Prezbo, Interim Dean James J. Valentini is the new permanent Dean of Columbia College. According to the Selection Committee, Deantini is the “ideal candidate for the position of Columbia College Dean” due to “the depth of his understanding of Columbia College,” particularly its finances, administrative structure, and financial […]

To further his ongoing efforts to reach out to students and increase transparency in the wake of Moodygate, interim Dean Valentini held a town hall last night. Deantini held the court in the oaken glory of Havemeyer 309, where he’s given countless lectures and even once had one burst out in song. Seasoned Town Haller Conor Skelding sat in. Over […]

As promised, Columbia College’s interim dean, James Valentini, just released a video to the Columbia community. For about ten minutes, he explains why he is dean, his vision for the College, his bit part in this Prangstgrüp video, and how he cringes at some parts of Bwog (don’t worry, we do too). Valentini assures us […]

It’s official: Columbia College has a new Dean, James Valentini. What possibilities! We’ve got PrezBo, KevSho/Ke$ho, and DSpar, and now it’s time to name our dear new Dean. Leave your suggestions in the comments. The winner gets a Milano sandwich, a hug and eternal glory. Let the hazing begin…

Newly installed Dean of Columbia College James Valentini just sent an email introducing himself to all Columbia students. After offering a short biography, Valentini writes that he has been heavily involved with the College ever since he came to Columbia, and strongly values both the Core Curriculum and need-based financial aid for College students. He […]

The USenate’s Student Affairs Committee (SAC) released a statement yesterday supporting Professor James Valentini’s appointment as Interim Dean. In case you’re a little hazy on your Senate background, the mandate of the SAC is to advise on “matters of University-wide student concerns, and to concerns of students in more than one faculty or school.” Their comment […]

Update, 8:15: Dean James Valentini’s wife is Teodolinda Barolini, chair of the Planning and Policy Committee, the new arm of Arts and Sciences created to help navigate “budgetary challenges.” Remember in Dirks’ December 2010 letter introducing PPC, he blamed burdensome financial aid costs incurred by the College. We supposed that this could be related to […]