Institutional Research Data from the 1960s

The term institutional research data was not in use in 1960, but that is exactly what Director of University Planning Stanley Salmen was collecting and studying. In a recently discovered set of boxes, we found a number of binders from Salmen’s office.  Labeled as “Course Study,” these binders hold enrollment numbers, tuition data, faculty salaries […]

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“In Matters of Religion”

In honor of Columbia’s 20th University President Minouche Shafik, there is a small exhibition in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library’s Chang Octagon on the traditions related to the installation ceremony. The “Charter and Keys” exhibition highlights the two symbols in the transfer of power: incoming presidents receive a copy of the 1754 Charter of […]

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Installation Sights and Sounds

As the Columbia community prepares for the installation of President Minouche Shafik on Wednesday, October 4, we can look back to see and hear her predecessors’ ceremonies. The Columbia University Libraries’ Time-Based Media Initiative focused on converting to digital those at-risk, unique audio and moving image content on analog media. From the Columbia University historical […]

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In Between Inaugurations

It’s been 21 years since President Lee C. Bollinger was installed as Columbia University’s President in October 2002. In anticipation of the inauguration of Columbia’s 20th University President, Minouche Shafik, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, we look back to when the Columbia community waited an even longer time in between these community celebrations.  […]

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