Change to the Global Core?

The Columbia College Student Council sent out a survey last December asking students if they feel the Global Core has a clear mission or purpose. The results are in, and nearly two-thirds of students who responded to the survey feel that the global core decidedly lacks focus. Columbia's committee on the global core is contemplating a reduction in the number of courses that will meet the requirement. A reduction in Global Core class size may also be in the works for the 2011-2012 school year. Currently, 120 courses fit the requirement and the overwhelming majority of them are large lecture size classes. Over 70% of the 171 students surveyed said they would like the global core classes to be structured similarly to discussion-based classes such as Lit Hum and Contemporary Civilization.

US News Rankings Create Controversy at the Teacher's College

Widely known for their rankings of undergraduate as well as graduate programs across the nation, US News & World Report is now under scrutiny by many at Columbia's Teachers College. This year marks the first that US News & World Report has released a ranking system for teacher-education programs, giving institutions "A" to "F" grades based on factors such as admissions selectivity and course offerings.  However, many at Columbia say that the ranking system is flawed and does not honestly reflect the quality of Teachers Colleges.  While most agree that an assessment of the institutions teaching our teachers is warranted, some Columbians have suggested that the methodology is not transparent or adequate enough.

Facebook attracts Sex workers

Columbia Sociology professor Sudhir Venkatesh had an article published in Wired Magazine two weeks ago in which he described his experience following sex workers around New York City for a year. Through his interactions with 290 different women, Venkatesh discovered the profound impact social networking sites such as facebook have had in reshaping the sex industry.

25% of advertising for prostitution is conducted via facebook according to 2008 statistics. The rise of facebook has diminished the importance of escort agencies in the industry, as escort agency advertising is down by 9 percent since 2008. Craiglist usage for sex advertising is also down from 2003 numbers. Venkatesh believes facebook is a source of empowerment for female sex workers and will permit them to “control their image, set their prices, and sidestep some of the pimps, madams, and other intermediaries who once took a share of the revenue."

Five Guys Opening in Morningside

Columbians will soon have a new option for good burgers around campus. Within the next month, the popular chain Five Guys will be opening a new location on Broadway and 111th Street. Known for its economically priced meals, Five Guys could become a new campus hotspot for late-night dining. With a new burger joint in the neighborhood, places like Mel's Burger Bar may be in for some competition for students' money.

Glass House Rocks @ Lerner

This Thursday night, students brought Lerner Hall to life for the annual Glass House Rocks festival, featuring dance group performances, activities, and, of course, free food. Hosted by the undergraduate student councils, this year's 1920s-themed event featured an obstacle course in Roone Arledge Auditorium in addition to a cappella performances in the black box theater and dance groups on three levels of Lerner ramps. Students who arrived early were treated to free giveaways and free food even lasted throughout the night.

Morningside Heights Restaurants Receive Poor Grades

According to a recent study done by am New York, Morningside Heights restaurants are the dirtiest in Manhattan.  Out of 50 restaurants in the ZIP code 10026, just to the east of Columbia, ten received a grade of "C" or lower in the latest Health Department inspection.  Factors in the Department's grading system include the presence of pests such as rodents or cockroaches, faulty refrigeration systems and the general cleanliness of the facility.  With Manhattan's average failure rate of 8 percent, Morningside Height's 20 percent makes us wonder: if we are what we eat, then what are we?

Sports Roundup

The columbia men's swimming team finished with a winning record for the first time since the 2006-2007 season.On Friday, the men of Uris pool lost their final home meet against Princeton, despite an impressive showing from Hyun Lee, who broke his own pool record in the 100 meter medley, and from the 400 medley team consisting of junior Johnny Bailey, first-year Matthew Swallow, junior Bruno Esquen, and senior Adam Powell, who broke a Columbia record that had been set in 2000. On Saturday, they beat The Big Green at Dartmouth with 162 total points to 138.

On Friday, Columbia men's wrestling team beat Princeton decisively 32-8, winning eight of the ten bouts. The Lions were put on their backs by UPenn on Saturday however, losing 19-13. Columbia Junior Eran Civan won an upset decision against Penn's Gabriel Burak at 165 pounds, an NCAA championship qualifier last year.

First-Year track and field athlete Jacob Sienko has officially qualified for the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association Cross Country Championships after finishing 11th at the 2011 USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego, this weekend. Sienko will travel to Trinidad and Tobago next week to compete in a grueling six kilometer race, we wish him the best of luck. 

Just when it looked like things were turning around for Columbia women's basketball, they dropped two more this weekend on the road against Princeton and Penn, both losses in the double digits. On a more positive note, Senior Lauren Dwyer became the ninth woman in Columbia women's basketball history to score 1000 points in her career. Even though Columbia's record stands at an unimpressive 5-17, they are still 4-4 against the ivy league. For that reason alone, they remain fourth in the conference standings. The Lions play Dartmouth and Harvard next weekend. 

Andy: Columbia men's basketball came home this weekend, having dropped two on the road against stiff opposition at Brown and Yale. In spite of what their 12-8 record may suggest, heading into Friday's game against Princeton, the Lions had only dropped one game at home- a one-point loss to Elon over winter break. Would their home domination continue against rivals Princeton and UPenn? I bring you the highlights.

Men's Basketball: Lions have 1-1 weekend

The band’s off-key playing to begin Columbia’s game against Princeton at Dodge Gym on Friday was a harbinger for things to come, as nothing went right for the Lions on this occasion. Princeton demonstrated why they are undefeated in the Ivy League this season, beating the Lions to the punch on conservative layups and midrange shooting. The Lions were outplayed in all aspects of the game, and shot a horrible 5 for 36 from the field in the second half. The Lions trotted on many of their backups knowing the game was out of their grasp. Friday’s 76-46 loss was Columbia’s worst loss in over three years. It was also the largest margin of victory in a game between Columbia and Princeton in their 110-year basketball rivalry.

Sporting a new attitude as well as new uniforms, Columbia tried to right themselves the following night against Penn. The Lions and the Quakers were neck and neck for the entire first half. But once the second half began, the Lions started to pull away. Currently the Ivy League’s top scorer, Noruwa Agho padded his impressive statistics for this season with 21 points on the day. Aseno Ampim and Brian Barbour finished in the double digits as well. Columbia won by a final score of 75-62.

The Lions snapped a three game losing streak, are now 13-9 on the season with a 4-4 record in the Ivy League. They square off against Dartmouth at home this Friday.