Good afternoon, Columbia community. It's Monday, August 25, 2025, and here's what's happening on campus.



Today's forecast for New York City is mostly sunny with temperatures reaching a high of 86°F (30°C) this afternoon. Expect intermittent clouds throughout the day, with temperatures cooling to around 74°F (24°C) by late evening. A perfect day to enjoy the outdoors!



*Data Breach Alert*

Columbia University recently experienced a significant data breach affecting approximately 870,000 individuals, including current and former students, staff, applicants, and family members. The breach, discovered following a system outage on June 24, 2025, involved unauthorized access to the university’s network, resulting in the theft of around 460 GB of data. Compromised information includes names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, academic histories, financial aid records, demographic details, insurance, and health-related data. While there's no indication yet of misuse, Columbia is offering impacted individuals two years of free credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration through Kroll.

*Leadership Update*

In recent developments, Robert Kasdin has joined the university's leadership team. This appointment comes as part of several updates to the leadership team as the university prepares for the fall term.



*Knight-Bagehot Fellowship Announcements*

The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism has announced its new class of ten fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year. These mid-career journalists will take graduate courses at Columbia's Schools of Business and Journalism, attending weekly seminars with media and business executives during the nine-month program.

*Energy Journalism Fellows Cohort*

The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs has announced the cohort for the 2025 Energy Journalism Fellows program. This year's group includes 20 journalists from around the world, aiming to deepen their understanding of complex energy and climate topics.



*Universal Antiviral Therapy*

A Columbia researcher is developing a therapy inspired by a mutation that makes people impervious to viral diseases. This groundbreaking work could lead to a universal antiviral treatment, offering hope for combating various viral infections.

*ALS Treatment Advances*

New findings from Columbia demonstrate that neuron rejuvenation therapy has real potential for treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This research brings us closer to effective treatments for this debilitating neurodegenerative disease.



*Student Clubs and Involvement*

As the new academic year begins, students are encouraged to explore the diverse range of clubs and organizations available on campus. Engaging in these groups is a great way to meet peers, develop new skills, and enrich your Columbia experience.

*Health Promotion Appointments*

For students feeling overwhelmed or seeking support, Health Promotion Appointments are available. These sessions serve as a portal to finding health care and community resources both on and off campus.



*New Deli Opening*

Hajis, a new deli and juice bar, is set to open near Columbia University’s Morningside Campus in late September. Located at 1129 Amsterdam Ave., Hajis will offer a variety of fresh options for the Columbia community.

*Back-to-School Event Support*

Columbia's Department of Public Safety, along with Facilities and Operations' Construction Business Initiatives and Columbia Community Service, is supporting the 9th Annual Back-2-School community event. The university is collecting school supplies to distribute to local students on Wednesday, August 28. Donations are welcome and appreciated.

That's all for today's update. Stay informed, stay safe, and have a great day, Columbia!