Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Columbia College's Dean Resigns Right Before New Term Starts
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 23, 2011
Modified Aug 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 23, 2011
Modified Aug 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Columbia University's first female—and first black—dean of Columbia College stepped down over the weekend. Michele Moody-Adams, who was hired in 2009, released a letter firing some shots at the Ivy League school, "It is with a very heavy heart that I send you this news. Columbia University has begun plans to transform the administrative structure in Arts and Sciences. The planned changes will have the effect of diminishing and in some important instances eliminating the authority of the Dean of the College over crucial policy, fund-raising and budgetary matters... I have repeatedly voiced concern that changes of this kind will ultimately compromise the College’s academic quality and
financial health. "
Moody-Adams said her resignation would be effective June of next year, but university president Lee Bollinger released a statement yesterday saying he asked her to step down immediately. It doesn't seem there's soo much outrage over Moody-Adam's resignation—Bwog editor Claire Sabel told the NY Times, "She put in all the regular appearances, but nothing really beyond that, so she didn’t have a lot of enemies but she also didn’t have a lot of champions"—but a Columbia Spectator opinion piece asks undergraduate students to be wary of the school's commitment to the College, "Alumni like their universities, but they love their colleges."
Tagged
Columbia College
columbia university
Lee Bollinger
Michele Moody-Adams
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 11:37 a.m. ET
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
News
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .