Good afternoon, Columbia community. Today is Monday, August 18, 2025, and here are the latest updates from our campus.
Columbia University has experienced a significant data breach affecting approximately 870,000 individuals, including current and former students, staff, applicants, and family members. Discovered after a system outage on June 24, the breach 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 records, financial aid details, and health-related data. While there's no evidence of misuse at this time, Columbia is offering two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection through Kroll. The university has confirmed that records from its medical center were not affected.
In a landmark agreement, Columbia University has reached a $220 million settlement with the federal government, restoring previously cut research funding. This deal comes after concerns over campus antisemitism led to funding reductions. As part of the settlement, Columbia has agreed to increased federal oversight, including strengthening Jewish Studies programs, reviewing academic balance, and sharing admissions and hiring data for audits. While some view this as a threat to academic freedom, others see it as a model for reshaping higher education governance.
August, an AI startup founded by Columbia alumni Rutvik Rau, Thomas Bueler-Faudree, and Joseph Parker, has raised $7 million in seed funding. The company focuses on automating document-heavy legal tasks for midsize law firms, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The funding round was led by NEA and Pear VC, with participation from notable figures in the tech industry. Based in New York, August plans to expand its team to 25–30 members by the end of the year.
A new documentary titled "The Encampments" has been released, chronicling the 2024 pro-Palestinian campus protests at Columbia University during the Gaza war. Directed by Michael T. Workman and Kei Pritsker, the film features interviews with student leaders and provides an in-depth look at the events that unfolded on campus. Executive produced by musician Macklemore, the documentary premiered at CPH:DOX and is now showing at the Angelika Film Center in New York City.
Claire Shipman, co-chair of Columbia's board of trustees since 2023, has been appointed acting president of the university as of March 28, 2025. This follows the resignation of interim president Katrina Armstrong amid campus protests and federal funding challenges. Shipman has been involved with Columbia's board since 2013 and takes on this role during a pivotal time for the university.
The Columbia Lions football team is gearing up for the 2025 season under second-year head coach Jon Poppe. The Ivy League's preseason poll, released on August 4, places the Lions in the fourth position. Fans are eagerly anticipating the season opener at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.
Currently, it's cloudy with a temperature of 66°F (19°C). Temperatures are expected to rise to a high of 76°F (25°C) by 5 PM, with intermittent clouds in the evening.
That's all for today's updates. Stay informed and take care.