Supporting the Well-Being of Our Community
Read messages to the community from Dean Gillian Lester following an incident that took place on May 11, 2023.
See both messages below.
From the Office of the Dean: May 12, 2023
Dear members of the Columbia Law School community,
Yesterday’s instance of violence in the Jerome Greene Hall lobby continues to weigh heavily on my mind, as does the well being of our community.
Student Services and Human Resources have been reaching out to those students and employees who were present during the incident. I once again want to encourage all who might find it helpful to seek out assistance and support. And because we know feelings of trauma can surface well after the fact, please keep the resources below in mind in the days and weeks to come.
- Counseling and Psychological Services (Students): Available 24/7 at 212-854-2878
- Employee Assistance Program (Employees and family members): Available 24/7 at 844-636-1260
The incident remains under active investigation by the police, and it will be for the NYPD to determine whether and what additional details to disclose to the public. Preliminary information that can be shared, however, indicates this was an isolated occurrence between individuals who knew one another. They were accompanying a member of our community, but were not themselves University affiliates. The individuals checked in with the Public Safety officer upon entry and were not permitted to proceed farther than the JGH lobby, per the Law School’s standard access protocols. The University and Public Safety are continuously reviewing campus safety protocols in order to keep our community safe.
I want to reiterate that there is no ongoing threat to our community or campus, and once again commend our colleagues for their professionalism and swift response to this incident. I can update you, as well, that the person who was injured is stable and in recovery; our thoughts remain with them.
Sincerely,
Gillian Lester
Dean and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law
From the Office of the Dean: May 11, 2023
Dear members of the Columbia Law School community,
Late this afternoon, the NYPD and Columbia’s Department of Public Safety responded to a physical altercation between two non-affiliates in the lobby of Jerome Greene Hall that led to injury. Because the police have opened an investigation, we are not able to provide further details at this time except to say that there is no active or continuing threat to the community.
There is no doubt that an incident like this—involving physical violence—is jarring and upsetting. I encourage all members of our community to take advantage of the resources and supportive services that Columbia makes available to students, faculty and staff. I also want to extend our collective concern to the person injured, with the sincere hope that they will make a full and complete recovery.
Students who were completing their exams in JGH when the incident occurred will shortly receive guidance from Registration Services. The 116th Street entrance to JGH will remain closed tonight while the investigation proceeds and will resume normal operations at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
I am deeply grateful to the Law School Building Services staff and Public Safety personnel who responded quickly and effectively. They represent the best of Columbia, which is especially appropriate as we begin Commencement Week—a time to come together in a spirit of fellowship and appreciation.
Sincerely,
Gillian Lester
Dean and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law