At fireside chat, Bollinger talks fifth-year global study program

Would you spend a fifth year as an undergraduate, traveling among Columbia’s global centers?

That’s one thing University President Lee Bollinger wanted to know at his fireside chat on Tuesday night, where a discussion with about 50 students wandered onto ROTC, “Inside Job,” and Bollinger’s running habits.

Bollinger ended the evening asking his own questions, especially about the possibility of adding a fifth year to the undergraduate academic path for interested students to study issues of globalization.

He said that the year would include students spending two weeks in each of Columbia’s global centers and interacting with major political figures in those locations. Fifty to 100 students would spend this time researching a topic and write a major paper on one issue by the end of the year. Attendees appeared enthusiastic about this idea.

Although Bollinger only asked about students’ interest in putting off jobs or graduate school for a program like that, Kevin Shollenberger, dean of student affairs and associate vice president for undergraduate life, asked about funding—something Bollinger said not to worry about.

Earlier in the night, in response to a question about the return of ROTC after the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Bollinger said he wouldn’t be taking a personal stance.

“Let the community debate and discuss it and see what emerges. That’s the position I’m taking,” he said, later adding that he wants to “see how it unfolds.”

Manhattanville queries were slipped in during the course of the chat, and Bollinger only responded briefly. He mentioned the University’s previous problems of space and the continuing progression of the plan that began when he entered as president.

Attendees also asked about Columbia’s role in influencing public policy, including faculty conflicts of interest—some of which appeared in the documentary “Inside Job.”

Standing next to a wooden stool, Bollinger responded by saying that when it comes to faculty interests, “At the very least, disclosure is required.”

While professors in certain departments are already expected to disclose potentially competing interests, he added that the University is planning a policy that would include professors in economics and business.

The evening began with silence and Bollinger jokingly suggesting everyone continue with the meal instead. But halfway through the discussion, he said, “You’re all asking big, philosophical questions.”

That didn’t preclude questions about Bollinger’s running habits, to which he responded that he runs five miles a day, six days a week.

While a number of students asked Bollinger questions, others said they felt the variety of questions wasn’t wide enough.

“Most of the questions were focused on one field. Most students, I assume were from CC, not from other schools,” Selby Byashimova, GS ’13, said, adding she would have preferred to hear about Bollinger’s thoughts on the future.

Santelli also said he thought some of Bollinger’s answers were weak, such as his answer to what he sees his role of university president entails.

Overall, attendees left appearing satisfied with the evening. “It’s an honor to be in front of such an impressive guy,” Santelli said.

karla.jimenez@columbiaspectator.com