Dear members of the Teachers College community:This morning, we shared via TC Alert that all classes at Teachers College will be held virtually today, Monday, April 22, 2024, which was consistent with the announcement from Columbia University. Faculty and staff were alerted that those who can work remotely should do so; essential personnel should report to campus as scheduled. The TC campus and its facilities are open. I have been walking through our halls today and we remain safe. There was some peaceful protest in front of the building. Be assured that we will continue to do everything possible to stay peaceful and welcoming. At TC, we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive campus for everyone and will not tolerate antisemitism or Islamophobia of any kind.Understandably, the ongoing protests, demonstrations, and gatherings of large crowds, both on the Columbia Morningside campus and the surrounding area, may be cause for concern about safety when traveling to and from our campus. Community members should be assured that TC Public Safety is closely monitoring these activities, as well as working closely with Columbia University’s Department of Public Safety and the NYPD. Please know we understand and appreciate community concerns around safety and well-being and toward that end, we are outlining here some of our available community safety and transportation resources:
Increased Public Safety Officers on duty during peak times and at campus access points.
TC Safe App, specifically the “Friend Walk” feature in the app. This feature allows community members to travel the neighborhood by conducting a virtual walk with anyone in their current contacts.
Safe Havens Occasionally, TC community members may feel uneasy about walking home, waiting for a bus, or walking to the subway. If this should ever happen, just look for the Red Lion at participating neighborhood merchants.
On-Demand Evening Shuttle for after-hours transportation that is available FREE of charge to all members of the Columbia and TC community.
As a reminder, CUID-only access to the Columbia Morningside campus has been established with limited campus entry points and will remain in effect until further notice. We recognize these are challenging times and want to ensure that all TC community members are aware of these safety, security, and transportation resources. TC Community members are also encouraged to contact TC Public Safety, 24/7, by telephone at (212) 678-3333 or by email at publicsafety@tc.columbia.edu should they have any immediate on-campus concerns or 911 while off-campus. I want to express my gratitude for everything you are doing to support each other during these challenging times. I am thankful to be part of this community with you all. Let’s continue to work towards creating a safe and inclusive campus environment for everyone so that you can focus on your important work of teaching, learning, and contributing to the greater good.Sincerely, Thomas BaileyPresidentTeachers College, Columbia University
Published Monday, Apr 22, 2024