September/October 2009
Letters to the Editor
The Jazz Man
I very much enjoyed your cover story on Professor Robert G. O’Meally in the May/June issue. I was a history major at Columbia who went across the street to take a literature course at Barnard my senior year that was taught by Professor O’Meally. Among many distinguished faculty, Professor O’Meally stood out then to me as an outstanding teacher, and his course was a favorite. I am really pleased to read about him and just wanted to congratulate Professor O’Meally for all of his wonderful accomplishments; Columbia and its students are obviously quite lucky to have him.
Ted Stern ’91, ’94L
Washington, D.C.
A Day Off
I rummage around archives in my day job, or at least as a diversion for which I can claim pay from my dean. This is a terrific find:
Massachusetts Spy (Worcester, Mass.) April 20, 1786
“On the 11th inft. the first Commencement of Columbia College was holden at New York. The Hon. The Congress suspended the public business on that day, to support the important interests of education by their contenance, and grace the exhibitions by their august present.”
Calvin Johnson ’66
Austin, Texas
[Editor’s note: The writer is a professor at Texas Law School. Inft. is an abbreviation for instant, meaning this month. It’s nice to know the business of the nation’s government once came to a halt to mark College Commencement.]
Publishing Online
[Editor’s note: We received many letters concerning our decision to publish the July/August issue online only as a cost-saving measure. Following is a sampling.]
I wholeheartedly support the concept of publishing CCT online only — for this issue, and all future issues. It will conserve paper (doesn’t everybody want to be greener?) and save Columbia’s monetary resources that are surely scarce in this environment. Alumni should consider the sacrifice of a paper copy a donation — both to Columbia and the planet.
Anna Politzer ’07
New York City
I’m afraid it doesn’t work for me. Reading something very brief online is OK. A whole magazine — not possible.
Richard Nochimson ’61, ’67 GSAS
Bronx, N.Y.
I think an online-only edition of Columbia College Today is a great idea, so long as older issues remain available. Sometimes I find myself going back to old editions of the magazine to look something up. Keep up the good work!
Sogol Somekh ’04
Great Neck, N.Y.
I love the magazine. It’s a daily physical presence in our house. I would think of Columbia much less without receiving it. I know the online mag is just an experiment, but I’m sincerely hoping that it does not become a pattern.
James Alexander ’00
Atlanta
I love it! I have received all of my newspapers and most of my mags online for years. It’s good for the environment and I actually read (sometimes scan) pubs that in print days I often would have thrown out unread. Keep them coming!
Ed Botwinick ’56, ’58E
Trustee Emeritus
Linville, N.C.
As one who spends more time at my keyboard and terminal than I’d like, I have to say that I much prefer sitting down in a comfortable chair and leafing through the paper version of Columbia College Today. So, please don’t make a habit of the cyber-edition.
Henry S. Jackson ’69
Suffern, N.Y.
Although I welcome the online edition and am intrigued by the increased wealth of online links and resources, I am not in favor of an online-only edition. The printed page is still the form factor (to use a computer term) that I prefer for reading. I hope that the College and University realize the importance of continuing to both print CCT and place a version online. Alumni are far less likely to throw away the magazine without reading it, whereas only a minority are actually going to explore the online version.
Paul Neshamkin ’63
Hoboken, N.J.
I like the online edition! The Web site is very clean and elegant and easy to navigate. I think that this is an excellent way to save money and paper. I hope that you do not lose too many of the older alumni readers ... but really, the future is online!
Katarzyna Nikhamina ’07
Brooklyn, N.Y.
I don’t know about the wisdom of making it available online only, but I think you should offer everyone the choice of online versus print. I would choose online and forego receiving any more print copies.
Stephen Goldman ’66
Asheville, N.C.
I hate reading something like CCT or newspapers online. However, if costs do not permit paper publication I assume I will have to adapt and challenge my eyesight.
Karl Walter ’53
Colorado Springs, Colo
Must confess, receipt of the magazine is a treat. But if going to the accursed Net offers a financial respite that in some small way benefits the College, I have no choice but to agree with the move.
Nicholas Haddad ’78, ’80
SIPA
Hudson, N.Y.
Liked the online issue but would prefer magazine. However way you go I will continue to support as I find the magazine a good read.
Thomas Bilbao ’59
Maryville, Tenn.
I implore you to continue sending Columbia College Today in print form. Reading online definitely cheapens the experience of reconnecting with our rich Columbia past and degrades the uplifting tactile sensation of flipping through the magazine. Also, I always leave the most recent copy on my coffee table or in my waiting room as a proud affirmation of my Columbia affiliation and so others may peruse Columbia College Today.
Marc Ripp ’80, ’83L
Short Hills, N.J.
I am glad to see you are still publishing a print edition. I get quite weary of all I have to read online and were CCT to come that way I would not bother to read it.
Robert Meyerson ’66
Atwater, Minn.
Please give us an option to opt out of the hard copy and receive the ’zine online only — save trees, postage and landfill space!
Adrian Roscher ’81
Los Angeles
The online issue looks great. However, I’m also a believer in print and hope the magazine continues in that format also.
Jeffrey Harrison ’80
Dover, Mass.