To Be (like Harvard), or Not to Be (like Harvard) - February 1st, 2026

On today’s agenda: A welcoming rock salt headrush, the great concentration debate, and absolutely no mention of REDACTED.

By Rocky Rūb

Welcome back, students of the lowest ranked Ivy League institution! The Blue and White is so excited to get back to school and remind everyone how much better it is to read about campus queer spaces, Columbia Housing tenant violations, and whether woke is back (funnily enough these are all stories published by the GOAT writer, Rocky Rūb) than whatever BULL SHIT Spec is wasting their time on in their ColumbiaXEpstein Files investigation. Maybe it’s the announcement of Columbia’s newest President, Jennifer Mnookin, or all the lines of Rock Salt members of SigEp have been spotted snorting off of the icy streets, but this winter already has us feeling exhilarated! And you can’t spell “exhilarated” without your Columbia College Student Council—no really, they’re worried none of you know how to read. 

In other news, Columbia College Student Council is looking to take advantage of the wintery weather, discussing details for Columbia’s imminent takeover of Central Park’s Wollman Ice Skating Rink on Feb. 17. VP Campus Life, Ale Murat, CC ’27, called out to council members to sign up and volunteer their time to staffing the event. Isn’t it just so sweet that our peers, out of the kindness of their hearts, work these fun, free events for Columbia College students? NO, POLITICIANS ARE NEVER ALTRUISTIC! Arvin Kim, CC ’27, VP Equity, jutted in, “It looks great for reelection!” Shaking my damn head. 

However, updates on the College sponsored snowy outing (not to be confused with a CU Ski party—iykyk) will develop in the upcoming weeks. Instead, the hottest topic was an in-depth debate over a proposal from the Academic Affairs Representative, James Coppersmith, CC ’26, to keep concentrations amongst major declaration choices with majors and minors, which has been unavailable for incoming classes after the class of 2027. When James finished his speech, Class of 2027 Rep., Sean Lee, CC ’27, nearly snapped his computer over his knee with contempt for the proposal. “Uhh, you said a lot of people have concentrations, do you have numbers on that, because I personally don’t know a single person in my grade who is pursuing a concentration while everyone is doing minors and majors,” said Lee. “So, I really don’t think this is necessary at all.” 

But before Coppersmith could respond, CCSC President, Sam Cano Cabrera, CC ’26, cleared his throat and readied his parlay. “Raise your hand if you are a senior or junior with a concentration,” as if ready to slam dunk the f*ck out of Lee’s contest. But unfortunately, Cabrera was one of only three individuals answering the call to action. A few minutes later, after a 1v1 match regarding which other Ivy League schools used concentrations in their academic language (Princeton or Harvard, but definitely not Cornell (losers)), the Alumni Affairs Representative, Sarah Hamerman, CC ’27, added, “Also, I think Brown does concentrations.”

“Boom,” concluded Cano Cabrera; and after a quick vote, the motion passed. 

In case anyone was interested in a lefty coup dress rehearsal with CCSC (we’re less experienced then MAGA!), then we'll have to plan for Feb. 15, as next week’s meeting is canceled as part of the Council’s yearly tradition of recognizing the Super Bowl as the patriotic holiday it was created to be. GO PATRIOTS (said literally the worst person you’ve ever met)!!!