News, sports, and entertainment coverage for the Morningside Heights community in New York City since 1877. The Columbia Spectator, founded in 1877, delivers news and information daily to thousands of readers around Columbia, Morningside Heights, and West Harlem.
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Operating as usual
In “Ninjababy,” pregnancy sneaks up on the carefree lifestyle of young cartoonist Rakel. Directed by Yngvild Sve Flikke, this comedy-drama follows the artist as she reframes her unborn child through her own creative powers, imagining the fetus as one of her cartoons.
‘Ninjababy’ is an irreverent comedy on conception and creation - Columbia Spectator Rakel’s list of life aspirations includes being an astronaut, a beer-taster, a globe-trotter, and a comic book artist. Nowhere to be found on her list was becoming a mother. But when an unknown culprit crawls into her womb with superhuman stealth and stays there, undetected, for over six months, R...
Shown at the 12th annual Athena Film Festival, the documentary “I am Belmaya” tells the real-life tale of Belmaya Nepali—how a woman born into the lowest caste in Nepal and trapped in an abusive marriage went on to create award-winning short films exposing patriarchal structures in society. Co-directed by Belmaya Nepali and Sue Carpenter, the film’s autobiographical touch gives it a unique intimacy.
‘I am Belmaya’ tells the tale of a Nepali woman courageously challenging patriarchy through film - Columbia Spectator “You’re always coming with a brain full of cow dung.”
In its opening round of the WNIT, women’s basketball started off strong with an 80-69 win over Holy Cross. Sophomore guard Abbey Hsu had a historic night, scoring 24 points and breaking the record for most threes in an Ivy League season and most threes in a Columbia women’s basketball player’s career.
As women’s basketball wins WNIT opening round, Abbey Hsu breaks record for most Ivy League threes in a season - Columbia Spectator Just one day after falling to Princeton in the Ivy League championship finals, Columbia women’s basketball kept its season alive and accepted an invitation to c...
Princeton’s 19-4 run in the second quarter helped it topple Columbia in this year’s Ivy League championships. Despite an admirable offensive recovery, the Tigers’ consistency throughout the game kept the Lions from biting into the 12-point deficit at the half. Junior guard Jaida Patrick, who went 11-of-13 against Yale, got into foul trouble and was only able to play 25 minutes. The team’s leading scorer, sophomore guard Abbey Hsu, shot just 5-of-19 from the field.
Women’s basketball falls to Princeton in Ivy League Championship Finals - Columbia Spectator Women’s basketball took the court for its first-ever Ivy League championship final after beating the Yale Bulldogs easily in the first round. Looking for revenge against the Princeton Tigers, the Lions fell short for a third time, losing 77-59. Princeton was crowned Ivy League champion, while Colu...
Looking for things to do for St. Patrick’s Day, but not sure where to start your search? Spectrum covers the best restaurants, pubs, and events to explore during this March!
St. Patrick’s Day Events in New York City - Columbia Spectator As someone who goes to school in the middle of a bustling city, you probably constantly hear about exciting things people have done beyond the no-longer-twinkling trees of College Walk. But when you finally decide to take a break from studying and scour the Internet for such fun events, there is so....
Women’s basketball cruised to a 67-38 victory in its Ivy League semifinal matchup against Yale on Friday. After a hot first quarter, the Lions showed no signs of slowing down before earning a blowout win. Columbia will return to the court tomorrow to play for the program’s first-ever Ivy League crown against Princeton’s undefeated team at 5 p.m.
Women’s basketball dominates Yale, clinches spot in program’s first-ever Ivy title game - Columbia Spectator For the first time in program history, the women’s basketball team will compete for an Ivy League championship this Saturday.
In his first column, Stuart Beal, CC ’25, describes his journey with the movie “Call Me By Your Name” and how his view of the movie has been impacted by his personal growth as well as his first-year experience at Columbia. He writes, “I want the media we decide to praise to be a part of that progression, not working against it.”
Coming to terms with Call Me By Your Name - Columbia Spectator Content warning: This article discusses topics of sexual violence.
Columbia track and field earned two titles in the women’s distance medley relay and the men’s 4x800m relay at the Ivy League Indoor Heptagonal Championships, Ultimately, it was not enough for the Lions to emerge as Ancient Eight champions, as both teams finished fifth overall.
Track and field wins two titles at Ivy League Heptagonals - Columbia Spectator After a solid weekend at the Ivy League Indoor Heptagonal Championships on Feb. 26 and 27, Columbia track and field walked away with two titles in the women’s distance medley relay and the men’s 4x800m relay. 13 Lions earned All-Ivy League honors. But in the end, that was not enough for the Ligh...
On Saturday, the No. 16 Lions traveled up to Westchester to face the then No. 63 Nittany Lions (7-10). The Light Blue produced a very convincing win with a score of 5-2. Three straight set single wins from sophomore Roko Horvat, first-year Max Westphal and sophomore Henry Ruger were the day’s highlights. The doubles point was secured early on as well, with the No. 29 pair Westphal and sophomore Theo Winegar earning their seventh win together this season.
Men's tennis dominates Penn State - Columbia Spectator Over the weekend, No.16 Columbia tennis celebrated breaking into the top 20 in national rankings by traveling to Westchester, New York to face Pennsylvania State University, No. 63 going into the match. With a clear display of their doubles prowess, the Lions faced little difficulty taking down the....
The Lions had an accolade-filled weekend at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championship in Ithaca, New York. They placed fifth with a score of 84.5 after a championship performance from junior Matt Kazimir, a second place finish by sophomore Joshua Ogunsanya, and six other podium finishes. This performance tied with the program’s highest finish at the EIWA championships. As a result, three Lions—Ogunsanya, Kazimir, and junior Joe Manchio—qualified for the national championships in Detroit.
Kazimir wins title, wrestling earns fifth place at EIWA Championships - Columbia Spectator Over the weekend, the Lions traveled to Ithaca, New York, to compete in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships. Competing with wrestlers from 17 schools, the Light Blue came away from the competition with three Lions heading to the national tournament, a fifth place finish w...
University President Lee Bollinger issued an official message on March 2 welcoming scholars and students seeking refuge from the war in Ukraine. This marks an expansion of an earlier initiative already set in place to support scholars and students displaced by the crisis in Afghanistan. Relevant University offices will also be providing support for Ukrainian and Russian students.
Bollinger promises to welcome Ukrainian scholars and students - Columbia Spectator In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, University President Lee Bollinger announced on March 2 that the University will welcome Ukrainian students and scholars displaced by the war. This is an expansion of an initiative originally put in place for students affected by the crisis in Afghanis...
The University announced changes to its retirement investment plans for faculty members. While the overall structure will remain the same, investment plan options will be streamlined and will reduce faculty expenses.
University announces ‘streamlined’ changes to faculty retirement investment plans - Columbia Spectator In a recent University Senate meeting, Columbia announced that its faculty retirement investment plans will undergo several changes. The revised structure mirrors recent changes made at peer institutions.
From March 3 to 5, the Barnard theater department presented Lisa Kron’s “Fun Home” at the Minor Latham Playhouse as the department’s first show of the spring season. Directed by Barnard adjunct lecturer Lisa Rothe and adapted from Alison Bechdel’s 2006 graphic memoir, the production balanced highly energetic scenes with moving contemplations on family, sexuality, and death.
Powerful solos and comedic relief on Maple Avenue: Barnard theater department’s “Fun Home” - Columbia Spectator Content warning: This article deals with topics of suicide.
From acting on a hit period drama to being a busy Ivy League student, Taylor Richardson discusses how living in New York City, maintaining a bubbly attitude, and being a GS student have allowed her to juggle everything.
From “The Gilded Age” set to Low Steps: Taylor Richardson on acting, studying, and living in the city - Columbia Spectator Taylor Richardson, GS ’25, strolls into Joe Coffee with a large patterned suitcase, waving enthusiastically. As she sits, she exudes the confidence of someone made for the stage. She talks with her hands and laughs loudly. Every small detail, up to the bumblebee necklace hanging around her neck—...
In a homecoming weekend for head coach Brett Boretti, the Lions won two out of four games against the Davidson Wildcats. Junior infielder Andy Blake and senior outfielder Joshua Solomon hit two home runs each to supplement a number of strong pitching performances. The 3-4 starting record is Columbia’s best through seven games since 2016.
Baseball splits series at Davidson as star players begin to emerge - Columbia Spectator In the team’s second series of the season, baseball held its own against a talented out-of-conference foe.
Women’s squash capped off their historic season playing in the CSA National Championship as one of the country’s top eight teams, but met a disappointing end, finishing eighth in the nation. The men’s team defeated Trinity College, but fell to Harvard and Yale, leaving them fourth in the nation.
Squash fails to reign victorious at nationals - Columbia Spectator After qualifying to compete in the College Squash Association National Championship for the top eight teams in the nation, Columbia’s squash teams hoped to finish their seasons by winning the most coveted prizes in college squash: the Potter Cup for the men’s squad and the Howe Cup for the women...
In its second week of competition, the Columbia softball team is struggling to pick up where it left off two years ago with another losing weekend.
Softball faces a second week of tough losses in weekend tournament - Columbia Spectator After a 3-1 midweek loss on the road to Fairleigh Dickinson University, the Columbia softball team traveled to Towson, Maryland to compete in the TU DeMarini Invitational, where it was slated to play four games. The Lions left the weekend with a 1-2 record after their rematch with Providence College...
The University Senate unanimously approved a new quantum science and technology master’s program administered by the School of Engineering and Applied Science on March 4.
“To say that it's a research frontier is not an overstatement and we are excited to be training students who are proficient with the state of the art of what's coming out from the labs as opposed to just some long ago created knowledge,” Physics Department Chair Dmitri Basov said. “Columbia has played a key role in the quantum revolution one … and we certainly want to lead the way in quantum revolution two.”
University Senate unanimously approves new quantum science master’s program - Columbia Spectator Columbia’s University Senate unanimously approved a new quantum science and technology master’s program administered by the School of Engineering and Applied Science during its meeting on March 4. The joint venture between SEAS and Arts and Sciences, spearheaded by Columbia’s Quantum Initiativ...
On March 3 and 4, New and Original Material Authored and Directed by Students presented their mainstage production, “When I Consider Everything That Grew” by Talia Hankin, CC ’22. The show provided an intimate look at the intersection of joy, grief, and identity.
NOMADS’s “When I Consider Everything That Grew” explores the intersection of joy, identity, and grief - Columbia Spectator Editor’s Note: This article has mentions of school shootings.
On March 7, Bacchanal announced in an Instagram post that this year’s Bacchanal spring concert will be held at Terminal 5, an indoor concert venue in Hell’s Kitchen. This announcement mirrors Bacchanal’s spring 2020 shift to an off-campus venue, which was ultimately canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bacchanal’s spring concert to be hosted off campus - Columbia Spectator Bacchanal announced today in an Instagram post that this year’s Bacchanal spring concert will be held at Terminal 5, an indoor concert venue in Hell’s Kitchen.
How much would you sacrifice to achieve what you want? The short film “Faust’s Facade,” directed by Rishi Chhapolia, CC ’22, follows a young actor’s fall into insanity as he takes method acting too far in an attempt to land the lead role in a film. Released through Vimeo and YouTube, the short film challenges human desire and ambition.
Rishi Chhapolia, CC ’22, explores the limits of ambition in short film “Faust’s Facade” - Columbia Spectator A dark screen appears, three discordant notes from a piano resound, and a door slowly creaks, as "Faust (the classic German legend) sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for wealth and power” appears on screen.
Columbia men’s swimming and diving finished fifth at the Ivy League Championship. Two Lions took home first-team All-Ivy accolades, including junior diver Jonathan Suckow, who set an Ivy League Championship record in the 3-meter dive.
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In dramatic fashion, Columbia men’s hockey won its championship match against Sacred Heart University on Feb. 20. This victory was the first time in the program’s 126-year history that they brought home a title, bringing a trophy to a turbulent and oft-forgotten club team.
Men’s hockey wins title for first time in team’s 126-year history - Columbia Spectator In Columbia men’s hockey’s 126-year history, the events of Feb. 20 were unprecedented.
With New York City no longer mandating masks in public places, the University has set March 14 as the final expiration date for Columbia’s mask mandate. Although some students warn that this is premature, others are excited for a return to pre-pandemic life.
As mask mandates end, students cautiously enter post-pandemic life - Columbia Spectator As New York City loosens pandemic restrictions amid falling COVID-19 cases, the University has marked March 1 as the end of its voluntary affiliate testing and March 14 as the end of mandatory masking. Columbia students will return from spring break to a campus with few COVID-19 restrictions. While....
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