![]() It is time waiting to be over, so we can resume the lives we want to lead. But the passage of time during a pandemic is something very different. James Taylor sings that “the secret to life is enjoying the passage of time.” And I think his definition of time requires it to be punctuated by rites of passage, holiday gatherings, and seasons that signify nature’s dominion over humankind. The worst COVID-19 impacts are death and illness, but a bit behind that on the grief scale must be these disrupted rites of passage: the weddings, bar mitzvahs, communions, and graduations that are canceled, delayed, or held in cyberspace. But instead of thousands of happy faces, this year there are only a precious few. I don’t think I’m projecting too much to see the pride on the faces of parents and grandparents. The graduates look happy, and a few are actually visiting with their parents, showing them around. I sit in my office in Lewisohn Hall and, in between Zoom meetings, for the second year in a row, I see graduates in their caps and gowns posing for photos on the steps of Low Library and showing their families the campus “live” on FaceTime. His tease only adds to the frustration and the sadness. Nevertheless, I think our damaged, pandering New York State governor had no business announcing that limited live ceremonies could be permitted even though it’s now too late to actually plan and implement them. I also know that our university community will come together in a virtual event that will be moving and memorable. I know there is no choice, and I believe that the university is correct in holding it virtually. Last year, COVID-19 canceled in-person commencement, and this year it’s canceled again. Sadly, for the second year in a row, there are no bleachers and the campus is a movie set rather than the site of a spectacular live event. This year, the campus is lush and green, flowers are blooming, and the sun is shining. The campus is really stunning, and normally this time of year, contractors are busy erecting bleachers and putting up tents for the thousands of graduates and their families that come to celebrate commencement together. ![]() During the winter, trees on the central drive of campus, “College Walk,” are always beautifully illuminated with thousands of small white lights. ![]() New York City never loses the ability to surprise, but I was not prepared for Columbia’s Morningside Campus. ”Where did this come from? And how could I live in New York City for so long and not know this was here?” I suppose it’s a long way from East 59th Street and Avenue T in Brooklyn to Morningside Heights, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised that I was so ignorant. A wide, landscaped plaza appeared before me, surrounded by landmarked buildings. ![]() I emerged from the number 1 train stop on Broadway and 116 street, went through the gates and couldn’t believe my eyes. I remember my first visit in the spring of 1981, during the faculty search process that brought me to the university. The Columbia campus is a beautiful oasis wonderfully maintained by hardworking grounds staff, but it can be something of a shock to the first-time visitor. While I’ve worked at Columbia University for four decades, until recently, I never had an office with a view of the landmarked historic part of the campus. ![]()
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