News

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Dear Columbia Community,

We learned late last night about the horrific stabbings at a Hanukkah party in Monsey, New York, and we are keenly aware of the significant increase in hate crimes against Jewish communities in New York more generally. Please know that our thoughts are with the victims of this newest wave of violence targeted at Jewish communities and with those in the Columbia community who may feel especially affected and outraged by this attack in the wake of so many others. We share these concerns and remain a resource and campus partner for all across Columbia. For students seeking support at this time, please do not hesitate to contact your dean of students, any of these resources (https://universitylife.columbia.edu/student-resources), or the Office of University Life. 

https://universitylife.columbia.edu/Response-to-Monsey-Attack

Emad Shahnoushi, born in Isfahan, Iran and raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, Emad’s interests in diversity stem from his drastically different environments growing up. Emad is an Economics and Middle Eastern Studies double major, and hopes to intertwine the two in his travels to Istanbul. Emad is especially excited to get to know the Alevi community in Istanbul, given his upbringing as a Shia Muslim. As an ethnic Persian, Emad is interested in the ethnic minorities in Turkey ranging from the Greeks to the Kurds. Emad is invested in bridging his upbringing with the new knowledge he will develop through this fellowship and experiences. A particularly significant interaction for him will be with the Greek and Armenian Orthodox Patriarchy. Emad hopes to see history come alive in Istanbul through the people and their memories.

Danielle Murad Waiss is pursuing her Masters in International Affairs with a focus on International Security Policy at Columbia University´s School of International and Public Affairs. She is a dual national of both Mexico and Canada with a family history spanning multiple continents that has sparked her interest in International Affairs. She has studied and worked in international government and non-governmental organizations in 11 countries such as the UK Parliament, the NATO Defense College in Rome, the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Israel and the United Nations Headquarters in New York. She has conducted research on disaster recovery in Japan, terrorism in Israel as well as the future of global governance at the United Nations in Geneva.

Hifza Shaukat is a junior in Columbia College studying Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies with a concentration in Sociology. On campus she invests a lot of her time into Columbia Muslim Student Association, in hopes to create an inclusive, comfortable, safe space for Muslims on campus. She is particularly interested in understanding how socio-political history, urban spaces, and religion intersect at the subaltern and affects the relationship individuals have to themselves and their surrounding communities. She is also interested in the politicization and weaponization of religion by international actors and how religion ( spirituality) can be used to to combat injustice. Hifza has interned for the Council on American Relations- NYC and has invested time into the Muslim Student House. She hopes to use her interest in religion, sociology, and history within the Middle East and South Asia to advocate for marginalized communities and identities within both regions.

Ezra Felder is a senior in Columbia University’s School of General Studies where he is studying psychology. He is very active on Columbia’s campus, both in Jewish life and in various groups outside the Jewish community. Most notably, Ezra is a member of Columbia University's pluralistic, coed, Jewish acapella group with whom he travels all around the world. It is through his academic, volunteer, and work experiences that Ezra has developed a passion for both formal and informal education, international development, volunteering, interfaith and multicultural work, and Jewish community. 

Rupal Gupta is a junior studying Economics and Computer Science in Columbia College. She has a penchant for problem solving, which she enjoys doing in her major-related classes. Outside of her major, she has a desire to globalize her education, and enjoys exposing herself to new disciplines, ideas and places. For example, last summer she interned in Israel, which made her inquisitive about the Middle East. On campus, Rupal facilitated dialogues in ROOTED, holds summer program through Symposium, and leads consulting projects in TAMID.

Madeleine Nephew is a junior in the Dual BA Program Between Columbia University and Sciences Po, where she studies American and Ottoman history, political humanities, and Turkish.

Kraft Global Fellows 

The Office of the University Chaplain’s Kraft Global Fellows Program is an initiative of the Kraft Family Fund for Intercultural and Interfaith Awareness. The project, led by Jewelnel Davis,  University Chaplain and Associate Provost. The  mission of the program is to promote interfaith and cross-cultural experience and to provide an opportunity for Columbia University students to add a global perspective to their Columbia University academic experience by utilizing the resources of the Columbia Global Centers, while enriching the Columbia University community by creating opportunities for students to share their research, their experience, and the resources of the Columbia Global Centers once they return.

This fall, six students were selected for the 2020 Kraft Global Fellows| Istanbul . Please help us congratulate the following students:

• Ezra Felder
• Emad Shahnoushi Faroushani
• Rupta Gupta
• Madeleine Nephew
• Danielle Murad Waiss
• Hifza Shaukat

Statement from President of Columbia University Lee. C Bollinger.

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

It is with deep sadness that I write regarding the tragic death of Barnard student Tessa Majors.  As many of you may be learning this morning, Tessa was attacked while walking through Morningside Park yesterday evening. Despite the efforts of the doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital, Tessa succumbed to the injuries she sustained in the attack.

This is an unthinkable tragedy, which took place only steps from the University campus. I personally and members of the University’s senior leadership are working closely with the NYPD and with Barnard to better understand the details of the attack and will keep you updated as we learn more.

We are all deeply affected by this tragic event. Counselors and specialists on the Columbia Morningside, Barnard, and Columbia University Medical Center campuses, as well as pastoral counseling through the Office of the University Chaplain, are available. International students also can seek support or referrals through the International Students and Scholars Office. Please take advantage of these services. Please also see the message President Sian Beilock sent to the Barnard community (below) and the message the Office of University Life posted last night. 

On behalf of the entire Columbia community, I send my deepest condolences to Tessa’s family, the Barnard community, and all who knew and loved her. Columbia stands in sympathy with Barnard.

Lee C. Bollinger

 President Beilock's message to the Barnard community:

Dear Barnard Community,

With broken hearts, we share tragic news about the death of one of our students. Earlier this evening, Tessa Majors, a first year student at Barnard, was fatally injured during an armed robbery that occurred off campus in Morningside Park.

Dean Grinage and I have spoken to her parents and Tessa’s family is enroute to NYC. We are also in close touch with the New York Police Department as they conduct this on-going investigation and seek to identify the assailant in this horrible attack.

Tessa was just beginning her journey at Barnard and in life. We mourn this devastating murder of an extraordinary young woman and member of our community.

This is an unthinkable tragedy that has shaken us to our core. Please know that we are all grieving together and I am thinking of you as we process this awful news as a community.

In these difficult circumstances, it is important for us to take care of each other. The Furman Counseling Center will be open all night tonight and throughout the day tomorrow. We encourage anyone in need of support to come:

Furman Counseling Center: 100 Hewitt Hall, (212) 854-2092

In the days ahead, please know that all of our campus resources are available for you as we mourn this heartbreaking loss together. I encourage you to reach out to the following additional on-campus resources as needed:

Dean of Studies Office: 105 Milbank Hall, (212) 854-2024

After-hours psychological emergency line: (855) 622-1903

International SOS for students who are abroad: +1-215-942-8478

We will provide you with updates as they become available to us. Barnard and Columbia Public Safety are coordinating closely with the NYPD. We remind all students that public safety provides 24/7 escort services and students are free to reach out with any questions or concerns (212-854-6666).

To our entire Barnard community, I am in mourning with you and am here for you. Tonight and in the days ahead, please hold Tessa and her family in your hearts and keep each other close.

With sorrow,

Sian Leah Beilock, President