President Sarkozy speaks at World Leaders Forum

On Monday morning, students lined up in the rain for over an hour, hoping to see President Sarkozy speak.

Although the French head of state did not read a prepared speech, he did bring his own podium. The Daily Mail reports the 5-foot, five-inch president had a lectern  specially constructed to make him appear taller and more statesmanlike during his address.

Sarkozy's trip comes at a time of falling poll numbers back home. The war in Afghanistan is unpopular with the French people and late last year the French government declined a US request for an additional 1,500 combat troops. At the forum, though, Sarkozy pledged to stand by the US.

"We will stay by your side in Afghanistan, because the fight against terrorism is a fight that we are, all of us, involved in. Not simply the Americans. All of us. Because, I do not want the Taliban to make Afghanistan suffer, nor do I want nuclear weapons to fall in the hands of [terrorists].

While speaking about the economy, the French president joked about American perceptions of France.

"I know that when a Frenchman comes here, he's always a suspect in some way. "Isn't he really talking about protectionism, perhaps? Isn't he a bit of a socialist?""

Despite his humor, Sarkozy had harsh words for bankers and the US financial system.

"What can we tell the unemployed who have no responsibility in this, whose fault it is not, and who see that the world economy was shaken to its roots simply because a few hundred totally irresponsible hotheads did mad things on the stock market, with derivatives and with other peoples' money? Do you think we can defend capitalism, market economy, free trade when there is so much injustice? I don't think so, because it is impossible to defend."

Sarkozy headed to Washington on Tuesday with a message from Columbia. President Bollinger requested a favor of the French president.

When you dine tomorrow evening, alone with President Obama, would you please extend to him our very best regards from his alma mater.

Study Day Updates

On Friday, the University Senate met to hear the joint CCSC-ESC academic calendar proposal for the 2010-2011 school year. To allow students to return home before December 23rd, the plan proposes to start the academic year one week before Labor Day every four years out of ten. James Applegate, Co-Chair of the Education Committee, voiced concerns of faculty members opposed to the calendar change because of conflicts with the new start dates in their childcare schedules and costs.

Though the Senate did not vote on the proposed change, Senate members hope to make a definitive decision by the Senate's last meeting on April 30th.

Admissions letters sent out

High school seniors received admission letters from Ivy League universities on March 31st. Both CC and SEAS have record breaking acceptance rates with CC dropping from 8.92 to 8.30 and SEAS from 14.42 to 13.36. In a repeat of last year, the overall Columbia University acceptance rate was the lowest ever, dropping from 9.82 to 9.16 percent. Combined, the College and SEAS received a record-breaking 26,178 applications from prospective students, accepting only 6,236 of them. The rise in competitiveness comes in spite of the University's decision to increase its class size from 1020 to 1070. Columbia University is among the most selective of the Ivy Leagues, just behind Harvard, Yale and Princeton.

Columbia's got talent

Friday night the Columbia Community Advisors hosted the conclusion to "Columbia's Got Talent" in the Lerner Party Space. The finalists performed for a crowd of 150 onlookers, as they vied for a 500 dollar cash prize. Dean Terry Martinez, Director of Residential Programs Karu Kozuma, and Assistant Director Victoria Lopez-Herrera judged the event on Friday after RAs judged the first rounds, held throughout the preceding week. Surprise winners were the third place swing dancing team but the 2nd place belly dancers, Faith Chang and Joanie Atkinson were a crowd-pleaser throughout the entire competition. Columbia University's local band, "Life Size Maps" took the first place prize and gained status as Columbia's most talented students.

Columbia Updates Meal Plan System

This past week, the undergraduate student councils and Dining Services announced finalized updates for next year's dining plans. As previously reported, Ferris Booth Commons and JJ's Place will become "all you care to eat" locations requiring a meal swipe.

Upperclassmen will have the choice of buying meals by the week or by the semester, either 14 meals per week or 175 to 75 meals per semester. Dining hours will expand and the limit of 2 swipes per day will be removed.

First-years, who are required to subscribe to a meal plan, will have the option of 15 or 19 meals per week, with an additional 15 or 10 floating meals, respectively. Dining options range from 935 to 2200 dollars and all Kosher and Halal plans will receive a 10 percent markup.

Students gauge housing options

Within the next week, Columbia students will have the opportunity to select housing for the coming academic year. With rules such as senior regroup and sophomore pair-up, students try to gauge the housing options that they will have available as a result of assigned lottery numbers.

Most students were fairly content with their numbers. Two juniors said, "Our lottery number for the year is 1480. We're going to try to get a suite in EC, the five person suite with all singles."

One lucky sophomore exclaimed, "264. It's pretty good. We're going to live in Nussbaum, hopefully. Maybe Broadway."

A lucky freshman beamed as he said, "I got number 152 and I think I'm in good shape to live in Furnald next year."

Nevertheless not everyone was happy. A rising senior complained, "2952. It's not great but I won't live in McBain shaft."

This year, Columbia has made many renovations to more fully accomodate students. CTV News spoke with Scott Wright, Vice President of Auxilliary Services, to find out what kind of changes are being made.

In regards to the renovations, Scott Wright said, "There are some summer renovations going on. We renovated the top floors of Wiein Hall last summer and we added ADA baths, single-person-use bathrooms (eight of them) in the buildling for all different floors. We also built three lounges last year on the different floors. This summer we will go through floors two through eight and once again, do bathroom renovations on those remaining floors."

The renovations are attracting some students to consider dorms they didn't before, such as Wein. One student said "I didn't know they were renovating the buildings but walk through doubles in Wein are nice and I really want a double so I guess if those get renovated to be nicer I would consider living there. I don't know anything about Woodbridge, though, so I'm not really sure how that would affect my decision."

Suite selection starts Wednesday at 10AM in John Jay lounge and general selection begins April 20. 

Columbia students will soon be able to cut their ethernet cables in a number of dorms, now that wireless internet will be added in dormitories such as Watt, Hogan, McBain, River, Wien, Ruggles, Woodbridge, and 600 West 113th St next year. These buildings join Broadway in providing Wi-Fi to students.

Sports Roundup

The men's tennis came out on top in Ivy League competition with 3-0 record. The team triumphed over Harvard 5-2 at the opening of the Mens' Tennis season. The Lions continued their campaign as they defeated Dartmouth 6-1 to improve to 13-3 overall. 

Men's crew defeated MIT to win the Alumni Cup this weekend after winning the Governor's and Collins cup this year. The Lions will go on next week to defend the Childs Cup against Princeton and Penn at Orchard Beach.

On Saturday, The men's baseball team came in with a two game win over Yale. Riding on a seven game winning streak, the Lions have started this season at 2-0.

Easter Egg Hunt

On Saturday, the Friends of Morningside Park held their annual Spring Celebration in Morningside Park. Families gathered for the traditional egg hunt and other activities. Members of the community sat in the grass as they enjoyed family picnics while children made hats and decorated paper plates at arts and crafts tables. Attendees waited in long lines for the two most popular activities of the day, face painting and balloon sculptures. Several other children spent the day soaking up sun rays.