- Mailing Address
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202 Low Library, 535 W. 116 St., MC 4309
New York, New York 10027 - Phone
- (212) 854-1754
- Email address
- ugrad-ask@columbia.edu
- Website
- https://www.columbia.edu/
- School Information
- Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. Columbia is organized into twenty schools, with four undergraduate schools and 15 graduate schools. Undergraduate students have access to 68 different programs, as well as research opportunities. Columbia University has over 31,000 students across its twenty schools, as well as over 4,300 faculty. (Source: http://c250.columbia.edu/c250_celebrates/shaping_the_world/index.html) (Source: https://opir.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/Statistical%20Abstract/opir_enrollment_history.pdf) (Source: https://opir.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/Statistical%20Abstract/opir_faculty_history.pdf)
- General Information
- Columbia University's individual schools have been asked to draft anti-racist plans, although what the contents of those plans are is unclear. Additionally, the university provided questionable resources to its students, with the university's “Anti-Racism Scaffolding Resources” even asking students to feel guilty and actively "dismantle oppressive systems". Several names of on-campus buildings have been removed. See developments below:
Actions Taken
- Program and Research Funding
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The Center for Science and Society will prioritize "Research Cluster funds for activities that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion."
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The Center for Science and Society will, "Prioritize applications that incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion" and "Create a diversity, equity, and inclusion worksheet for grant recipients."
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The Columbia Climate School will be, "Piloting a funding pool for DEIA programming, open to anyone within the Earth Institute/Climate School community."
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The Columbia Climate School will be, "Funding a DEIA position at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, separating the functions of academic affairs and diversity that were previously undertaken by one person."
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University Life has a "Racial Justice Mini-Grant Program." To receive funding, projects must, "Provide opportunities, such as workshops or training, to educate our student community to understand and unlearn racism, effectively act or advocate to address racism, and understand the intersectional dynamics of oppression," "Broaden the conversation on antiracism. One example would be hosting a panel discussion to highlight new or rising voices on this topic," or "Strengthen our campus culture of inclusion and belonging. An example would be a social media campaign or peer mentorship program."
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- Resources
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University “Anti-Racism Scaffolding Resources” ask students to come in contact with racism, disintegrate their privilege (through guilt), reintegrate, achieve “pseudo-independence,” immerse themselves in anti-racist ideas, and become autonomous by dismantling oppressive systems.
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Club Presidents were required to undergo “Anti-Racism” training.
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University held a five-week workshop for students who are "white-identified" to facilitate the "development of an antiracist lens".
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The university will be hosting an event, "Reading Group: Anti-Racist Pedagogy Theory and Practice". The description reads, "Have you enacted anti-racist practices in your teaching? Are you looking for resources and support for engaging in anti-racist pedgagogical theory and practice? Join the CTL and peer instructors committed to learning more about and incorporating anti-racist pedagogy and practice."
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The Center for Science and Society will, "Create required diversity, equity, and inclusion worksheet for organizers of medium/large-scale events with guidelines for building more diverse and accessible events" and "Consider and address barriers that can prevent both academic and non-academic speakers from participating in events, including childcare costs, transportation, and honorarium."
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The Columbia Climate School will be, "Hiring an Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Bias to work across the Climate School to ensure a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive culture."
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The Columbia Climate School will be, "Developing a DEIA Council, comprising faculty, researchers, staff, and students to consult and advise the new associate dean."
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The Columbia Climate School "hosted a virtual panel discussion on October 13 titled 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts at Columbia: Institutional Lessons for the Climate School.'" According to the school, "the event focused on Columbia’s continued efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and how those efforts can help support and inform the Climate School’s goals."
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The Center for Teaching and Learning held the "CUIMC Anti-Racist Educator Institute (AREI)." The event for the Irving Medical Center was "a week-long immersive training Monday July 26 – Friday, July 30, 2021, 9am – 1 pm each day. AREI will focus on themes based on confronting bias, systemic racism in academic and healthcare settings, and course design and facilitation strategies to create anti-racist change in learning environments. Participants will collaboratively develop pilot school and departmental anti-racist pedagogy training programs."
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University Life held an "Introduction to Anti-Racism" event. Participants defined "terms such as prejudice, racism, intersectionality and anti-racism" and learned "frameworks that explain systemic racism and stratification." They also gained "tools to further learning on systemic racism and anti-racist practice, creating action plans, and joining communities of support."
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Columbia provides "resources for promoting social justice & combating bias". Categories include "Combating APIDA Racism", "Combating Anti-Black Racism," "Combating Latinx/a/o Racism", and "Combating Anti-Native and Indigenous Racism."
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- Symbolic Actions
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Bard Hall renamed after petition to remove medical school founder and slaveholder’s name from building is successful.
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The #CUBlackExcellence initiative "will highlight its most accomplished Black and African American student-athletes and celebrate its rich history of Black Excellence with an on-going virtual and social media campaign."
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The Center for Science and Society will, "Add diversity, equity, and inclusion language to the Center’s by-laws."
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In January 2022, Columbia launched the Inclusive Public Safety Advisory Committee to provide guidance on how to enhance public safety practices and policies and "further foster an inclusive and equitable campus community."
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