Dear Columbia College Community,

As we mark the middle of the Spring term, it is impossible to ignore the climate of uncertainty that surrounds the regular rhythms of campus life. The presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in our neighborhood, recent events on the Barnard campus and the financial implications of last Friday’s announcements from the federal government have only compounded this feeling. Between the current challenges we face and the urgent tasks ahead, we are actively working to ensure that every Columbia College student feels welcome, valued and safe.

I can say with certainty that the College’s fundamental mission remains the same: to provide our students with a transformative liberal arts education grounded in open inquiry, freedom of expression and respect for difference. Our commitment to free speech and open dialogue is unwavering, and we will continue to champion and defend the right of every member of this community to express themselves without fear of reprisal or censorship.

Even as we uphold these commitments, the College does not condone harassment, violence or disruptions of the learning environment. We continue to work diligently to build bridges across our community that uphold our core values of respect and inclusion, and we remain unequivocal in our efforts to address antisemitism or discrimination of any kind. As Interim President Katrina Armstrong has reminded us, our only way to successfully navigate this moment is together, while the University is actively engaged with federal agencies to restore funding and protect our mission.

In this challenging moment, the staff of the College have mobilized to remain in constant contact with students, faculty and University leaders to address the impact of recent events.

• We have and will continue to provide students with the latest information on the array of resources and services available to them — with a focus on direct outreach to members of the community who feel at risk or in need of support;
• I am meeting with student leaders on a daily basis to address and escalate their concerns;
• Staff are organizing gathering spaces for students to bring issues forward and to provide support in real time;
• And we are engaging with faculty to partner in all of these efforts.

The principles that have guided the College throughout its long history are a persisting source of strength and renewed vision in this moment. After all, confronting difficult questions, in the context of community, is familiar territory for all of us invested in Columbia College – students, faculty, staff and alumni.

This moment requires every Columbian both to step up and to pull together, perhaps more so than any other moment in this institution’s history. As we do so, I continue to give thanks for the part each of you plays in this shared endeavor.

With respect,

Josef Sorett
Dean of Columbia College
Vice President for Undergraduate Education

This message was sent to Columbia College students, families and staff on March 12, 2025.