The Daily Plan-it / Dean of Students Blog, Columbia J-school

Q: When does winter break begin?
A: The optimistically named “Winter break” officially starts Dec. 21 and ends on Jan. 21. But when you should leave and when you should return should be decided after you consult with your various professors, especially your Master’s Project/Thesis advisers.

Please note that “Lucille’s Ball,” the annual SPJ holiday party and faculty roast is on Thursday, Dec. 13 - you will want to stay AT LEAST through that.

Typically, students tend to leave the week following the party and return in the first few days after the New Year, so they can work on their Master’s Projects/Theses. Just FYI, I am encouraging my MP students to be back no later than the 4th.

You can find the academic and DOS calendar by going to http://snurl.com/columbiacalendar

Q: What happens to classes on Election Day or Columbus Day?

A: Even though it’s a University holiday on both Monday, Nov. 6 and Tuesday, Nov. 6, those are working days for J-school M.S. students and we do hold class on those days. M.A. professors may elect not to hold classes those two days.

Columbus Day, Oct. 12, is a working day for all students.

Dear Students:

The Fall semester officially ends on December 22.

Journalism M.A. classes meet for the last time the week of December 11.

For those students (M.A., Ph.D, some M.S.) students taking classes elsewhere in the University, your classes end the week of December 11 and final exams (when applicable) are held between December 15 and December 22.

For full-time, M.S. students, all classes except for the Master’s Project, end by December 8 (unless your professors set an alternate last class date). You are expected to remain at school working on your Master’s Project until December 22, at your adviser’s discretion.

Part-time classes (except for Law and Critical Issues) run through the week of December 11 (last class meets on 12/16).

“Lucille’s Ball,” the annual holiday event at which students roast faculty and have a big party is scheduled for Thursday, December 14.

Tuesday, January 16: The first draft of the M.S. Master’s Project (for full-time M.S. students and other M.S. students doing academic year

projects) is due. Journalism M.A. classes (and all classes taken elsewhere in the University) begin.

Thursday, January 18: M.S. Workshops begin.

The following week, M.S. Seminars and M.S Electives begin.

Q: What happens to classes during the Jewish holidays?

A: The Jewish holidays in the fall are not official school holidays. Observant professors may reschedule their classes, so do check with them. Students who need to miss a class that hasn’t been rescheduled should consult their professors about making up the work missed.

See related question: Are there classes on Election Day?

From: SPJ President, Rebecca Castillo.

You are invited to the Annual Graduate School of Journalism Holiday Party
(named for Lucille, Joseph Pulitzer’s daughter).

Graduate School of Journalism and the Columbia chapter of the Society
Professional Journalists invite you to join the faculty, staff and students
of the School in a celebration of the Holidays on Thursday, December 15, at
Faculty House, 400 W. 117th St., (right next to the President’s house,
behind the law school.)

6 pm - 6:30 pm: Mingling

6:30 - 7:45pm: The Annual J-School Follies & Variety Show (including
faculty-skewering skits)

8:00pm - midnight: Party begins.

- Spouses and significant others are welcome

- No RSVP required, just show up.

- Attire: Reporter semi-formal meaning: ties and jackets - and pants! - for
men; cocktail dresses or something similar for women).

All general questions about the event please email ColumbiaSPJ@gmail.com

Q: How can I find out about volunteer opportunities for Thanksgiving weekend?

A: Columbia’s Community Impact runs a food pantry and soup kitchen. You can find out more from Caty Saintil at x46310. You can also call 864-6100.

Here are some others:
http://www.volunteernyc.org/org/opp/10206148.html
http://www.bowery.org/features/thanks_volunteer.htm

FAQ: What happens to classes during Ramadan?

A: Here’s a response from Ayesha Akram, MA2006 (MS2005 and former class president; e-mail: aja2106)…

Ramadan begins on Wednesday, Oct. 5, and runs for a month. Muslims are expected to fast from sunrise to sundown for the 30 days of Ramadan. Given the timings of the evening prayer, most students will inevitably have to break their fast during class.

Having the faculty know about Ramadan makes it a little less awkward for students to request for time out to pray or break the fast.

See also: What happens to classes during the Jewish holidays?