Swine flu put on back burner

In general, most Columbia students remain unperturbed by the recent outbreak of swine flu.

"I am really not worried about the swine flu," said Jordan Hollarsmith, CC'12.

Elizabeth Rice, SEAS'11, said: "In comparison to other diseases and other things you could catch, I don't see it as being any worse."

"Wearing masks kind of gets people nervous and worried; like it's getting really serious but in fact it's not," said Jennie Lee of Teachers' College.

On a scale of 1 to 10, students' levels of concern regarding swine flu were mostly in the low ranges.

"Three."

"Three."

"Two."

"Probably a one or two."

"Three? I mean, mostly because I think I don't want to get sick before Finals."

Some students even feel that swine flu is just another victim of media manipulation, and that reactions to the H1N1 virus have been over-exaggerated.

"I think it's being blown way out of proportion and it's just being used to fuel fear and racist border policies...It's just propagating this idea that 'the Mexicans need to stay out'," said Jordan.

"I'm not reading the newspaper at all, like watching the news when it comes to the swine flu because I know they're going to blow it up and make it sound worse than it is." - ACE, CC'11.

"People are over-exaggerating."

For now, Finals take center stage in students' lists of concerns, with this contagious influenza virus relegated to the back burner.

"Definitely Finals...No question. That is more on my mind than the swine flu." - Jordan.

2010 commencement date changed

In order to accommodate the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, University President Lee Bollinger announced that he would change the 2010 commencement date to Wednesday, May 19th. The Muslim holiday of Ramadan conflicts with the 2018 commencement date, but Bollinger and the trustees have not suggested that they would change the date.

Ann Coulter polarizes Columbia

Despite the clouds of rain over Columbia, students will brave the weather on Monday to attend the lecture from controversial-conservative author Ann Coulter, an event that is sure to generate plenty of protest. Lauren Salz, executive director of the College Republicans, responded to these complaints: "We've run into a lot of criticism that she's a little extreme and that we should have had more moderate speakers, but we have had moderate speakers, it's just people don't pay attention to them. Earlier in the year we hosted the first openly gay senatorial candidate from New York state, we also co-sponsored an event with the moderate Republican Chuck Hagel. We've had a lot of moderate events, they just don't make a big media splash."

Ms. Coulter has made noise at Columbia before, criticizing and mocking the university's S&M group and accusing students of being too liberal with freedom of speech. Nancy Huemer, media director of the College Democrats, sees things a bit differently than Ms. Coulter: "Ann Coulter was once quoted as saying, 'Frankly, I'm not a big fan of the First Amendment.' We, as the College Democrats, disagree. We are big fans of that amendment and her right to free speech under it."

The College Democrats will exercise this First Amendment for Ms. Coulter's appearance at Columbia. Nancy Huemer stated that the College Democrats "will be flyering for an event we're calling a 'Nerdy Sex Party' and it's really just to counter Ann Coulter's previous comments about Columbia."

Regardless of how the event turns out, Ms. Coulter's presence at Columbia has already succeeded in one regard, making students talk. Ms. Huemer argues: "I think the invitation of such an extreme ideologue like Ann Coulter will not help the College Republicans. While it is attention, a lot of attention in their direction, I don't necessarily think it's good attention."

Ms. Salz, however, likes to keep everything in perspective: "If people want to focus the fact that we're bringing in Coulter then they can, but we're still going to hold events that we think are of value to our membership and to the Columbia community and I don't think we can worry too much about our image because we're at Columbia and there's going to be a lot of animosity anyway."

Ann Coulter will be lecturing on Monday at 8 P.M. in Altschul Auditorium, followed by a Q&A session and a book-signing for her latest release. Tickets for the event are no longer available.

All Hail Ceasar

Despite the overcast weather, Columbia's King's Crown Shakespeare Troupe held their spring performance of Julius Caesar this weekend. The troupe interprets Shakespearian drama in an unconventional manner; their performances are held outdoor and has been critiqued as "nomadic," with many of the actors breaking the traditional boundaries of the stage and directly involving the audience.

Columbia professors named Arts and Sciences fellows

Five Columbia professors were named fellows of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences this week. The prestigious honor society was founded in 1780 and honors the leading thinkers in arts and sciences in both the public and private sectors. This year's fellows include Ross Posnock, a professor of English and comparative literature, Aaron Pinczuk, a SEAS professor in applied physics, Dorian Goldfeld, professor of mathematics, Patrick Bolton from the graduate school of business, and Rashid Khalidi, the Edward Said Professor of modern arab studies.

SCEG rallies against Manhattanville

Despite the mild showers, concerned Columbia students and community residents came together on Saturday to protest against the way Columbia University is handling the Manhatanville expansion.

"This student protest is organized by SCEG which is the Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification and a community group called CPC which is the Coalition to Preserve Community."

"We’re protesting against the use of stimulus money from Obama’s stimulus package to fund Columbia’s expansion into Harlem."

"Against a 17 acre eviction plan by Columbia University; a plan to take a West Harlem neighborhood and completely transform it to displace five thousand people over the process of the build out plan, to evict businesses and residences all over."

"This does not mean we oppose the expansion as an idea or a concept. We accept the expansion as a reality, but we think it should be done under the terms a lot fairer to the residents of Harlem."

While protesting has not always been proven as the most effective method, students believe that after awhile, their messages will be heard.

"Our hope is that we will get a large turnout at the rally, we hope the people will then sign up on our online petitions as well as our paper petitions and then we will have a lot of people follow through with their interest."

Community residents who protested next to the students thought that while student activism has been helpful, more could always be done.

"If you have a head on your shoulders and are interested in social issues, then there should be more involvement."

CU Big Apple

With warmer weather, many students spring on to Low Steps and College Walk to take advantage of the numerous events hosted by Columbia's student organizations. In a collaborative effort undertaken by the undergraduate student council's and housing and dining, CU Big Apple was attended by hundreds of students who lined up for hours to indulge in some of the city's most famous street vendors--like Jianetto's pizza, N.Y. Dosas, and Dumpling House--on campus.

CU Gospel Choir sings joy for spring

The members of Columbia's gospel choir sing their way around campus, hoping to spread joy to members of the community. On Saturday, the choir topped off the year with a final performance in Lerner Party Space. The president of the choir, Asia Camp, CC'11 said "We're a Columbia and Barnard University gospel choir. We sing around the campus whenever anyone is needed. We try to spread our ministry through as many sources as possible." The music director, Sasha Thompson,CC'09, said "I thought the performance was amazing. Gospel choir did a really good job. We did not expect this many people. We're just so thankful to the Columbia University community and to the friends of the members of the choir who came out tonight." Columbia gospel choir may not be particularly well known on campus, but the performers put on quite the show - including group songs, solo selections and individual piano pieces. Jasmine Senior, CC'12, said "It was awesome. It was such a blessing. All of the solos were great, the performance was amazing, the song choices were great...I had a wonderful time, and now I'm filled with such joy." Terrell Winder, CC'11, said "When I came to Columbia, that was one of the most important things for me to have a place where I can sing and express myself in a gospel choir, so I really enjoy being a part of it. It's amazing for me." The spring concert is not the end of CU Gospel choir. Next year they plan to expand their organization and to provide more opportunities to perform throughout the community.

Energy frontier research center

President Barack Obama announced to the National Academy of Science this week that Columbia University will receive approximately $16 million dollars in funding to pursue advanced scientific research on solar energy. The center will be one of sixteen centers to be funded by President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will concentrate on developing cost-effective and efficient solar cell systems. Columbia will collaborate with the U.S. Department of Energy, national laboratories, and numerous public-private partnerships.

Just keep swimming

Perhaps second only to the core curriculum as Columbia's oldest tradition, the Columbia swim test is among the school's more eccentric requirements. Many describe the test as a sort of emergency evacuation training, it is said that it originated during the American Revolution as a way to ensure that students could jump in the Hudson and swim to safety in the event of the British attacking Manhattan. CTV News investigated just how well the swim test is preparing us for the threat of a British invasion.

According to Professor Ken Jackson from the Department of History, "From New York, it's serious swimming to swim away from Manhattan Island.The Columbia swim test is not that long."

Professor Jerry McManus from the Department of Earth and Environmental Science agreed, saying, "The requirement, I believe, is 75 yards. It's not nearly to the safe shores of New Jersey."

Barnard Environmental Science Professor Peter Bower explained another reason why jumping into the Hudson might not be the best idea: "We've doing rather extensive studies of the bacteria related to human sewage in the Hudson. We, for many years, watched raw sewage go into the Hudson through these big pipes about every twenty blocks."

McManus echoed the concern, noting, "There are new contaminants that have not been regulated entering the streams, and these flow into the Hudson." He also explained that, though the river is much cleaner now, there were once "long term health concerns: carcinogens, PCBs, lead content..."

Bower, however, thinks that, should the British attack, it is worth braving the muddy waters. "Now, if New York City were to be attacked, I wouldn't worry about the bacteria in the river. If you can swim across, go! Go for it. Watch the currents; be careful with the currents; use the currents, and you should be fine."

Jackson disagreed, saying, "We'd probably take as many casualties doing that as if we decided to stand and fight, because a lot of us would drown. I'm unaware of a single American during the American Revolution who swam to freedom."

McManus echoed the concern: "It's very likely that students would not make it to anywhere near the safety of New Jersey.If every Columbia undergraduate dove into the Hudson River how many might make it across to New Jersey? My guess would be only a handful."

Jackson proposed a more useful swim test: "I guess I could lead an all-night swim where everyone at Columbia could meet at the sundial at midnight and we'd creep toward the river and swim toward New Jersey."

Though it may not be the best method of escaping the British, Columbia's swim test remains a graduation requirement for all Columbia College students. So if you are an excellent swimmer and don't mind some sewage, the good news is you can make it safely across the Hudson. The bad news--you'll be stuck in New Jersey.