Interim Dean of Columbia College James Valentini will take part in a town hall next Tuesday in another effort to reach out to undergraduates.
The discussion, focused on the future of Columbia College, will be hosted by Columbia College Student Council and Spectator.
Valentini will take questions from CCSC president Aki Terasaki, CC ’12, and Spectator Editor in Chief Samuel Roth, CC ’12. Afterwards, Valentini will take questions from audience members.
“We’re at a kind of turning point in the College’s history and this is an opportunity for us as students to really become engaged and interested in the larger issues,” Terasaki said. “And now we have a dean that’s willing and eager to involve students.”
The town hall announcement comes after Valentini released a video message to students outlining his vision for the College and his goals as interim dean.
Roth said that Spectator wanted to take part in the event because it will spur campus dialogue.
“Providing students an opportunity to hear from and pose questions to Interim Dean Valentini directly supports our efforts to keep our readership informed and engaged with the life of the University,” Roth said.
Terasaki said CCSC will focus on asking Valentini about pressing issues affecting students, from financial aid to the Core and class sizes.
“Our main focus is certainly going to be a lot about what are the changes that are happening to the college, how are they going to affect student life, and what his role as dean is in those goings on and what our role as students should be,” Terasaki said.
He added that he thinks students want to hear Valentini affirm his commitment to these programs as they exist, or hear assurance that students would be involved in planning any changes.
“Students want to hear an authentic individual. They want to hear someone who they know has their best interests in mind,” Terasaki said. “I think Dean Valentini is more than prepared to share that with the school.”
The event will take place at 8 p.m. in Havemeyer 309.
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