Welcome and New Resources

Dear fellow Columbians:

I am thrilled to welcome our entire community back to campus. As the Deans greet their new students at Columbia’s schools and colleges, it is my privilege to welcome our new faculty, including more than a hundred new scholars. Together, we will be cultivating the free exchange of ideas and critical thinking necessary for creating new knowledge and finding ways of addressing the world’s most complex challenges.

As Interim President Armstrong wrote in her August 23 message to the community, this is a moment to embrace our values that are central to our mission of teaching, creating, and advancing knowledge. She and I share a strong commitment to our principles and the shared governance model that has enabled Columbia to thrive even amid tensions and debate.
 
To that end, it is also important to be reminded of the rules and policies that are written to ensure that everyone feels they can thrive at Columbia. As you saw in last night’s message from the University Senate, your Senators recently endorsed updated Guidelines to the Rules of University Conduct. We are grateful to the Senate and its Committee on the Rules of University Conduct, which worked tirelessly throughout the summer to clarify these guidelines. We recognize and appreciate the Senate as a vital arm in our institution’s shared governance. With broad representation from throughout our community, it is an important component in protecting the mission of the University.
 
In addition to the Rules, there are several policies that address discrimination and discriminatory harassment. The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) led by Vice Provost Laura Kirschstein will coalesce several university functions, including responding to alleged violations of Title VI, Title VII, and other protected classes; Title IX and the University’s Gender Based Misconduct Policy; and other university policies and procedures, like those ensuring equitable hiring and the protection of minors on our campuses. This reconfigured and expanded office is the result of many months of work and represents a major step forward in supporting an environment of inclusivity and respect. Every member of our community deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued. If you need to report an incident, seek advice, or learn more about these policies, please visit institutionalequity.columbia.edu.
 
My focus this year will be on enhancing academic excellence at Columbia, supporting the amazing work happening across our campuses, and facilitating productive dialogue for our community. That will include work with our Faculty Leadership Council, a new faculty advisory body that will provide the leadership team insight and feedback throughout the school year. Our first meeting took place earlier this week and we are already receiving valuable guidance from our faculty colleagues.
 
In the meantime, I want our faculty, staff, and students to know that they have our deep appreciation and support as we begin a new academic year. The Office of the Provost is proud to direct the development and implementation of Columbia's academic programs, plans and policies for academic personnel, as well as seeding new educational and strategic impact initiatives. We support recruitment, retention, and advancement for a broad network of international scholars, and we will continue to support you in and out of the classroom with top-notch pedagogical resources and world-class libraries. In all efforts, we aspire to promote the kind of cross-disciplinary collaboration that expands the individual and collective impact of our faculty, staff, and students. It is our privilege to serve our community in this capacity, and we look forward to being a resource for you throughout the upcoming semester.

Over the summer I have had the chance to meet and connect with so many members of our community, whether one-on-one or in small groups, including exciting tours of some of your labs. It has been a pleasure to get to know you. My early conversations with my fellow Columbians have been incredibly valuable to me, not only for the chance to hear your perspectives and receive feedback, but to see your enthusiasm for your work and for the university. The academic excellence at Columbia is humbling, and it serves as a daily reminder of why we are each called to this campus.
 
The promise of a new academic year at Columbia is the promise of new discoveries, new knowledge, and a new opportunity to achieve the full potential of all this great university has to offer. I look forward to the year ahead and to meeting this moment with all of you.
 
All the best wishes,
 
Angela V. Olinto
Provost
Professor of Astronomy and of Physics