Saving Postcrypt

Postcrypt Coffeehouse, located in the basement of St. Paul's Chapel, has been a presence on Columbia's campus since 1964. The coffeehouse is known for its relaxed atmosphere, folk music performances and free popcorn. However, recent clashes with the administration threaten to drive the coffeehouse out of business.

"We can't make coffee. We can't make popcorn. We can't heat anything up for tea. So now mainly we just have soda and baked goods because we're not allowed to have alcohol this weekend."

"We want to work with the university on this. We want to make the necessary concessions. We want to make a sort of compromise to be able to exist. We're just a bunch of kids playing guitar I don't see the huge problem about it."

Students are showing their support by sending e-mails to the coffeehouse that they wish to forward to the administration. Despite all the effort, there is still a lot of uncertainty as to how long Postcrypt will be able to hold on.

"We weren't sure we were coming back this semester. So it's really wonderful we're here on our first night and we want to keep it going."

"We pulled it together but the feel isn't quite as homey and relaxed as it usually is. Everyone's a little more tense tonight."

Although Postcrypt has survived obstacles from the administration before, this time the threat seems more serious and it seems even the performers have something to say.

"Columbia is often known as one of the pinnacles of western culture, as a university. I'd say it's absolutely so. And as part of that it seems like they're trying to stifle free speech is what it seems like to me."

"Is anybody going to put up a fight for this? Or has the fighting spirit of Columbia died. I don't know. Who knows? We'll find out."

Postcrypt is still planning to put on a show next weekend, but there is no guarantee that they'll be able to provide entertainment in the future. Meanwhile, the managers and volunteers at Postcrypt are asking students and friends for support.

"So the main thing people can do is please stay in touch, keep checking postcrypt.org. See about fundraising events and they can always send us e-mails at postcryptcoffeehouse@columbia.edu."

Laptops containing personal information stolen

Administrators announced Friday that thieves broke into a locked Columbia College office and stole three laptops, containing the personal information of 1,400 people. The theft was discovered on January 18th, and the University notified those affected via e-mail and regular mail. People whose information was compromised are being offered identity theft protection services.

The stolen data included names, addresses and Social Security numbers of current and prospective students, as well as alumni and current and former staff.

According to University spokesman, Robert Hornsby, the data was on the laptops temporarily. Columbia Public Safety and the NYPD are investigating.

Some departments at Columbia stopped using Social Security numbers to identify students following an incident in 2008, where a student employed by Housing and Dining posted the information of approximately 5,000 students on a public website.

John David Fernandez, CC '12 passes away

John David Fernandez, a member of the Columbia College class of 2012, passed away on January 16th, due to pneumonia. Fernandez, who was confined to a wheelchair, lived in Carman Hall, and was planning to major in Economics and Philosophy. He was also the Vice President of the Columbia University Libertarians and was well known for his steadfast political views.

On January 21st, Students for Liberty, announced the creation of a scholarship in Fernadez's name. The organization supports students groups that promote libertarian ideas.

Dean of Student Affairs, Kevin Shollenberger e-mailed students shortly after Fernandez death. Friends held a memorial service on Low Plaza on Friday in honor of Fernandez, who was known as JD to his friends.

Brownstone Added to Housing Selection

Students entering the housing lottery can look forward to a new addition for the upcoming year. The brownstone at 458 W113th, which currently houses transfer students will be made available to all undergraduate residents. CTV News sat down with Vice President of Axillary Services Scott Wright to discuss changes in the system, ahead of the 2010 housing selection.

"You know, the brownstone I think is very attractive housing but a lot of it is really set up as an open double. So it doesn't have the privacy that you would typically see juniors and seniors valuing highest in room selection"

The Brownstones includes 8 studio doubles, each with its own lounge area, private bathroom, and kitchen. The building will not receive any additional renovation. Last year, Housing changed the configurations of some suites in Ruggles and rooms in Watt, causing confusion for prospective residents of those halls.

"So we had heard back from Columbia College that their enrollment numbers were going to grow and we got together with a group of folks from both University Apartment and Arts & Sciences, as well as Undergraduate housing. We all kind of sat down to brainstorm what we could do to reallocate some of the use of properties so that graduate beds weren't sacrificed but we had the ample housing in the correct spaces to house the new larger number of undergraduate students. That lead to two main changes, one of them which was the brownstone you mentioned and Harmony hall being added to housing portfolio. So that's how that got into our selection and not as a special interest community or a Greek house or anything like that because it was really meant to be supplementary to the housing inventory." explained Scott Wright

In the coming months, Housing will hold information sessions for students and will lead tours of residence halls. Details are available on the Housing website.

Details are available on the Housing website.

Columbians look for ways to help Haiti

The recent earthquake in Haiti has been making headlines around the world, and members of the Columbia community are looking for ways to help the relief efforts.

The Caribbean Students Organization and the Haitian Students Organization have formed a coalition with the name "There is Hope: Mission Haiti." The mission's main objectives are to bring both short and long-term aid to the region in support of relief and reconstruction.

Columbia's Communications Office reports that six faculty members from the College of Physicians and Surgeons traveled to Haiti to assist in relief efforts. The Medical Center has also donated 43 cases of medical supplies to support organizations on the ground.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake has claimed an estimated 200,000 lives. Despite an outpouring of aid, journalists in Haiti report that quake survivors still struggle to find food and water. Viewers who wish to contribute to relief efforts can find more information on the University website.

McIntyre case adjourned

The case against Lionel McIntyre, an associate professor in the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation has adjourned until March 26th. McIntyre allegedly punched School of the Arts production manager Camille Davis in the face during an argument at Toast, a restaurant on Broadway near 125th Street.

The incident allegedly took place on November 6th, and McIntyre was arrested on November 9th. Police charged him with third-degree assault.

On January 11th, McIntyre failed to appear in court, delaying the case for two weeks. He was released without bail.

CCE helps students find jobs

The Center for Career Education has helped Columbia students find their career paths by hosting numerous counseling services, workshops and career fairs, and advertising job opportunities around the world. But how well do the students actually know about these services? We asked students how much they knew about CCE.

"I know it's the Career Education Center, right?"

"I'm on their e-mail list. I mean, I know they help with resumes and help people find internships, that sort of thing."

"Some people do find CCE really helpful while other people have said that their person hasn't helped them that much. But I mean, the overall feedback is fine."

If you're having a hard time figuring out what to do this summer or after graduation, CCE might have the answer. Resources are available from the CCE website where you can sign up for a resume or interview workshop.

Sports Roundup

The mens' basketball team scored its first Ivy Leave win this weekend, with a 63-51 win over Dartmouth. After some back and forth, the Lions took the lead early in the second half. Columbia's Noruwa Agho scored 25 points in his ninth 20-plus point game this season. The Lions will face off against Brown this Friday in Levien.

The women's track and field team also had success, breaking 3 school records on Saturday at the Armory Invitational Meet. Sophomore Monique Roberts won the high jump event with a personal best of 1.82 meters. The 4x400 squad ran 3:42.60, beating Columbia's previous record by 5 seconds and Sophomore Sharay Hale took first place in the 500m, with a time of 1:11.24, breaking a school record in place since 1986.

In other sports news, Columbia will soon join the rest of the Ivy Leage in having mens' and womens' varsity squash teams. Until recently, club squash did not have the funding to become a varsity sport, and the team's courts in Dodge do not meet international standards. The team will now practice on the StreetSquash courts in Harlem. However, the team will not achieve a full Ivy League schedule until the 2011-2012 season.

Dancing for AIDS prevention

The 10th annual CU Dance Marathon wrapped up only a few hours ago in the Lerner Party Space. This year's 104 dancers pledged to stay on their feet for 28 hours to represent the mental and physical suffering of children with HIV/AIDS.

The event benefits the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and organizers report that this year's dance brought in over $60,000. Organizers say the annual dance is Columbia's largest philanthropic event.

The Foundation supports research and advocates for children's health. It was founded in 1988 and works in 17 countries and over 4,500 sites.

Out-of-this-world visitor at Columbia

Last Wednesday, Mike Massimino, astronaut and Columbia graduate spoke in Roone Arledge Cinema. Massimino graduated from the School of Engineering and Applied Science in 1984 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. During his presentation, Massimino shared how he came to be an astronaut. He also sought to inspire students to follow their dreams and interests, even when they seem unreachable.

"With the cool stuff I've gotten to do, what I hope you would do is that you find something that you love as much as I love what I get to do, as much as I love being part of the space program and being an astronaut. If you have or find something in life that you love that much, that you're so interested in, I would encourage you to pursue it, even if it seems a little bit ridiculous or crazy," Massimino advised.

On his most recent space flight, Massimino and other crew members of STS-125 performed the final upgrades and repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope. During this mission, Massimino became the first astronaut to

"tweet" from space. Before his talk, Massimino met with students and alumni, to sign autographs and share some of his experiences as an astronaut.

"The view of the Earth from a space walk is just magnificent. When you launch into space, one of the first things you want to do is go to the window and look and see the earth or the stars or whatever you can see out there. The earth is just so compelling to look at ... so beautiful," Massimino remarked.

"When Massimino was selected for the flight to the Hubble, Columbia students created signed a t-shirt that he took with him on the Space Shuttle. On his visit to Columbia, Massimino returned the shirt to Dean Feniosky Pena-Mora and the students who had signed it. The shirt will be on display in Carleton Lounge."

"[The shirt] traveled a total distance of 5,276,000 miles, so there's a lot of miles on your shirt. ...[laughter]... Maybe you guys can find your names," Massimino said.

Massimino expressed his hope to return to Columbia in the near future. Columbia boasts two other astronaut graduates, including Gregory Johnson. Johnson is scheduled to make a spaceflight to the International Space Station in August.