The Ear

Since the early 1950s, Columbia admissions has rapidly expanded its international student population, which currently totals 36.2 percent of the student body. But have the rest of Columbia’s academic expectations adapted to this change? Should international students be expected to have in-depth knowledge of Western culture? In this episode of The Ear, reporter Kelly Warner explores these questions and how expectations of cultural assimilation affects international students. This episode was produced by Matthew Schwitzer, the theme song is by Coleman Hughes and the illustration is by Natalie Tak.

In this episode, reporter Adrien Wheaton-Schopp investigates the issues surrounding Iran’s recent wave of uprisings. In speaking with both Columbia students and protesters in New York City, he finds that themes of civic responsibility and compassion are repeatedly evoked as motivating factors for the relentless activism. Whether it’s demanding accountability from their University or the administration, Iranian Americans everywhere are looking to have their voices heard and offer solidarity to the protestors on the ground. This episode was produced by Matthew Schwitzer and the introduction was composed by Matthew Lucia. 

Welcome back to The Ear, Spectator’s podcast dedicated to documenting, excavating, and investigating Columbia’s past and present. In this week’s episode, reporter Cyra Paladini speaks with members of the Purple Gang, an unintentional activist group that came into its own in the wake of an attempted murder of Dean Henry Coleman in the 1970s. This episode was produced by Matthew Schwitzer with additional music by Obinna Okoli, Matthew Lucia, and Eva Scholz-Carlson.

Welcome back to The Ear, Spectator’s podcast dedicated to documenting, excavating, and investigating Columbia’s past and present. How can we look beyond the syllabus to change the way we educate about Black history? In this episode, reporters Natalie Goldberg, Claire Schnatterbeck, and Avery Reed explore the history and importance of contemporary curriculum at Columbia Teachers College and its impact on modern conversations about teaching Black history. This episode was produced by Matthew Schwitzer with music by Obi Okoli.

Welcome back to The Ear, Spectator’s podcast dedicated to documenting, excavating, and investigating Columbia’s past and present. In this week’s episode, reporter Andrew Kirdahy recounts the early formation of the Beat Generation on Columbia’s campus, detailing the murder in Riverside Park that shaped the trajectory of the Beats’ lives and literary careers. This episode was produced by Chase Cutarelli with music by Matthew Lucia and Obi Okoli.

COVID-19 has totally changed students’ experience with higher education, and the difficulties faced by international students are especially challenging. Under global COVID-19 restrictions, international students are especially vulnerable to institutional decisions. Failing to receive financial support and assistance transitioning to life on campus from Barnard and Columbia, international students at our institution have had their lives derailed. What are their difficulties? Are they sufficiently supported? Today’s story unveils their journeys and their evolving relationships with the University throughout the pandemic.

Credits

• Reported by Siqi Qin

• Produced by Sam Hyman

• Music by Sam Hyman

• Script edited by Sam Hyman, Claire Schnatterbeck, and Natalie Goldberg

• Illustration by Taylor Yingshi

In this Ear episode, reporter Alan Chen outlines the history of Columbia’s dining halls. From the origins of the JJ’s Place pub to the bygone Wien Dining Hall, on-campus dining has changed over time. But how has the dining experience evolved? And how have the changes to Columbia Dining corresponded with the student body’s calls for change? Listen to find out!   

Credits

• Reported by Alan Chen

• Script Edited by Sam Hyman and Claire Schnatterbeck

• Produced by Matthew Schwitzer

• Music by Jazz at Mladost Club

• Illustration by Noelle Hunter

Columbia Health adamantly encourages students to reach out for care or guidance, however, students are struggling to get the medical help they need from the University. While finding the time to prioritize your personal health is difficult on top of a packed schedule, some students have found that navigating the bureaucracy of Barnard and Columbia health care services makes it all the more worse. In this episode of The Ear, journalists Avery Reed and Claire Schnatterbeck talk to Columbia and Barnard students about their experiences with the discrepancy between the messaging of health care services and the reality on campus.

Credits:

•Reported by Avery Reed and Claire Schnatterbeck

•Production by Joshua Siracusa

•Script edited by Sam Hyman

•Music by Matthew Lucia and Obi Okoli

•Illustration by Noelle Hunter

•Voice Acting by Maria Levit

Content warning: This episode discusses issues of sexual abuse and assault. 

Welcome back to The Ear, Spectator’s podcast dedicated to documenting, excavating, and investigating Columbia’s past and present. In this week’s episode, reporter Annie Cheng traces the history of Columbia’s Navy ROTC program—from its establishment post-World War II to its discontinuation after the 1968 Vietnam War protests—and the contentious debate over the program’s return in 2011. What does the history of the Navy ROTC reveal about Columbia’s relationship with the military? And how does the debate over the Navy ROTC reflect a larger debate over Columbia’s institutional identity? Listen to find out!

Credits:

• Reported by Annie Cheng

• Produced by Patrick Simpson

• Music from Matthew Lucia, Sam Hyman, and "Palm in Mirror" by Disparation

• Script edited by Sam Hyman and Cole Cahill

• Sound effects provided via Freesound and Soundjay

Welcome back to The Ear, Spectator’s podcast dedicated to documenting, excavating, and investigating Columbia’s past and present. In this week’s episode, reporter Natalie Goldberg investigates affirmative action initiatives specific to rural students. When financial strain, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural expectations discourage rural students from attending higher education institutions, how do they overcome these barriers? Is affirmative action really the best course of action for alleviating rural education inequality? Columbia students from rural areas and a rural education researcher from Teachers College weigh in on the idea of rural affirmative action. 

~ Credits:

• Reported by Natalie Goldberg

• Produced by Joshua Siracusa

• Voice Actors: Sam Hyman and Joshua Siracusa

~ Music:

• "Frosty Jack's Supernova" - Doctor Turtle

• "Sandstone" - Ketsa

• "Tumbleweeds" - Ketsa

• "A Kind Face" - Crowander"

~ Sound effects provided via freesound.org.