University Life Discussions
The Office of University Life organizes and facilitates campus discussions for students and faculty across disciplines and all Columbia schools. Learn more about our university-wide conversations below.
WATCH - Citizen Leaders: A Conversation with the Obama Foundation Scholars.
Past University Life Discussions
In Conversation: Exploring Race and Whiteness in America
On March 7, 2018, University Life hosted a candid discussion between author and poet Claudia Rankine (Arts ’93) and Columbia Oral History Master of Arts faculty, research scholar and documentarian of “Whiteness Project” Whitney Dow (General Studies ’86) about identity, race and social constructs in America - with moderator Joy Reid of MSNBC.
Understanding Charlottesville
On September 19, 2017, University Life convened a campus conversation on what happened in Charlottesville, the conditions that gave rise to it, and the challenges for our communities in its wake. Featuring: Jelani Cobb, Ira A. Lipman Professor of Journalism and New Yorker contributor; Suzanne Goldberg (moderator), Executive Vice President for University Life and Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law; Fred Harris, Dean of Social Sciences and Professor of Political Science; Jeremy Kessler, Associate Professor of Law; Stephanie McCurry, R. Gordon Hoxie Professor of American History and Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of "Confederate Reckoning: Power and Politics in the Civil War South;" Van Tran, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Forum on Immigration
Within days of President Trump’s first immigration executive order, University Life convened a campus conversation featuring legal scholars, Global Centers leadership and the director of the International Students and Scholars Office to speak about legal and political issues as well as important resources for Columbia community members affected by the travel ban.
U.S. Presidential Inauguration and Discussion with Deans
University Life provided live coverage of the Presidential Inauguration and Address followed by discussion with deans of Journalism; Law; Architecture, Planning and Preservation; and the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine.
University Life Forum on Free Speech
On November 29, students, faculty and staff discussed addressing and debating controversial ideas while co-existing in a shared university community, with Professor of Philosophy Akeel Bilgrami, Associate Professor of Sociology Shamus Khan and Professor of Journalism Alisa Solomon. Executive Vice President for University Life and Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law Suzanne Goldberg moderated.
Post-Election Conversation with Faculty
On November 11, students, faculty and staff from across the University community discussed the 2016 Presidential election and what’s ahead with Michael A. Nutter, former Philadelphia Mayor and David N. Dinkins Professor of Professional Practice in Urban and Public Affairs; Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science Ester Fuchs, Nash Professor of Law Kendall Thomas, Professor of History Mae Ngai, and Suzanne Goldberg, Executive Vice President for University Life and Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law.
Post-Election Informal Conversation and Reflection
Graduate and undergraduate students from across Columbia's many schools gathered for informal conversation and reflection on November 9, 2016.
Reading Columbia – An Evening with Faculty Authors
Brings university faculty authors, students and staff into conversation about recently published work, creative processes and relevant issues of the day.