One of my more hysterical moments as a member of Spectator began, as it usually did, in the early hours of the morning after a long night of production. Then-graphics editor and my current best friend Raeedah Wahid and I had hopped on a FaceTime call to discuss our concern for the staffers we oversaw, the reputation of Spectator, and the inaction of those above us. The paper had been facing backlash from sexual assault allegations lodged against a former member of leadership, one of several complaints that had found their way to Columbia Confessions. A handful of staffers had been questioning whether the paper protected its staffers or promoted a healthy work culture—complaints which were not documented but were rather dealt with in private.

Creating affordable housing in the community has become increasingly difficult as the economy plummets into a recession during the COVID-19 crisis. Affordable housing developers have faced a number of economic challenges—at a time when low-income housing has become even more essential.

With U.S. unemployment rates at a record high in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising market rates in a low-supply market will place low-income West Harlem tenants at heightened risk of eviction and virus contraction, according to housing experts.

During the peak of COVID-19 cases in New York City, Columbia construction workers resumed operations at the Manhattanville campus after an updated state order outlined exceptions to social distancing guidelines on Sunday. However, workers and experts raised concerns over construction workers’ increased risks of contracting COVID-19 and the conditions that place workers at greater risk of injury and make social distancing impossible.

Alicia Lawrence, deputy dean of Barnard who was beloved for her support for students of color as one of the few Black administrators on Barnard’s campus, died Thursday evening from a pre-existing health condition unrelated to COVID-19, according to an email from Barnard President Sian Beilock. She was 36 years old.

Community leaders raised concerns over shifting to virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing issues about informing residents and maintaining public engagement.

Professor Brendan O’Flaherty’s Tuesday afternoon lecture for Principles of Economics was hacked by three individuals who disrupted the class for about six minutes, playing audio containing racial slurs and inappropriate content, hurled insults at the professor, and later called a participant a racial slur, according to a course recording obtained by Spectator.