James Valentini wants CC seniors to make a pledge—to donate one percent of their income to the College in the three years after they graduate.
Columbia College’s interim dean introduced the “3, 2, 1” fundraising challenge at an event sponsored by Spectator and Columbia College Student Council, during which he addressed about 60 students and took questions. Valentini also discussed issues ranging from the sudden resignation of his predecessor, philosophy professor Michele Moody-Adams, to his views on course evaluations and the Core Curriculum.
“I was expecting honest dialogue,” town hall attendee Jasmine Senior, CC ’12 and CCSC VP of Student Life, said. “And I think we actually got that.”
Valentini was asked by two students to explain the changes that prompted Moody-Adams to resign last month. Valentini reiterated that he does not know why Moody-Adams cited, in her resignation letter, concerns that University restructuring would financially and academically harm Columbia College.
“Nothing that’s important to us is at risk,” Valentini said. “I can’t speak to Dean Moody-Adams’ perceptions or understandings.”
Valentini said he has not spoken to Moody-Adams since her resignation, adding that he cannot explain why that is. He also acknowledged that the lack of information surrounding her resignation is frustrating, saying that administrators who do know the details might be bound to silence by an agreement likely made in the wake of Moody-Adams’ departure.
“I’m not going to be able to say anything to you that’s going to completely allay your concerns,” he said.
Town hall attendee Kevin Zhai, CC ’12 and CCSC VP of Finance, said that he would have liked more details about the resignation, but that overall, he was convinced of Valentini’s “general competence” as dean.
“I think he was as open and honest as he could be given his position. That said, did I receive all the answers? No, but I’m generally satisfied,” Zhai said.
Valentini was hesitant to name new programs and initiatives he hopes to spearhead, explaining that he’s still learning as much as he can about what the college needs.
When asked by University senator Kenny Durell, CC ’12, Valentini said he supports a student-sponsored initiative in the senate to make end-of-semester course evaluations public. He also proposed raising funds to give all students at least one summer of paid research during their four years at the college.
Valentini introduced his “3, 2, 1” fundraising challenge, asking all Columbia alums to donate one percent of their income to the University each of the three years after they graduate and to convince two of their friends to do the same. He said that if many, if not all, students were to do this, it would “send a signal” to wealthier donors.
“It says, students of Columbia College are committed to their institution, and they will contribute what they can, so that I can approach someone who will contribute lots more, and say look … they deserve your support, give me $100 million,” he said.
Eduardo Santana, CC ’13, one of CC’s representatives in the University Senate, said that the “3, 2, 1” challenge sounds “very doable.”
“I think he’s going for volume, just getting as many people involved as possible,” he added.
Brenda Salinas, CC ’12, asked Valentini about the staffing of classes. She said that 40 percent of her classes have been taught by graduate students with no background in teaching, some of whom didn’t speak clear English.
Valentini told Salinas that even tenured professors don’t receive formal education on teaching, but that it is important to ensure that all faculty teach well. He added that he would work on the issue of graduate student teachers not speaking clear English.
“There are some departments in which this is a bigger problem than others, and we’re going to address this,” he said.
Valentini discussed the importance of incentivizing tenured and tenure-track professors to teach undergraduates, especially in Core Curriculum classes.
“If teaching these courses [the Core] is viewed by faculty as more difficult and more time-consuming, then we … have to offer greater rewards to faculty to engage in this activity,” he said. “And in fact we’re already doing that, and we’re going to expand that.”
He added that he has heard from professors who are hesitant to teach in the Core that the curricula are too structured, with not enough room for faculty to be creative.
Asked if he would consider becoming the college’s permanent dean, he said he wouldn’t be able to make that decision until he received an offer. But he knows how he would answer right now.
“If somebody asked me today if I would be dean, I would say ‘yes,’” he said. “No one’s asked me.”
Alejandra Oliva and Kelly Lane contributed reporting.
Samuel Roth recused himself from the editing of this story due to his involvement in the event.
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