The Low Down

The Ghostbusters reboot just opened in theaters across the country. So, it seemed like the perfect time to revisit the movie that not only started it all, but also arguably gave Columbia its biggest movie cameo yet.

Don't believe us? Just check out the still (on the left) of the movie's opening title sequence with Columbia's Alma Mater and Butler Library featured prominently. Of course, Columbia looks less gloomy these days.

Keep reading for even more photographic evidence.

Kick off the summer with a great read from the Columbia Alumni Bookshelf.

From informative books to help you study ahead of the 2016 presidential election, to guides on cooking and history, we compiled on The Low Down a list of can't-miss reads from this special all-Columbia bookshelf.

Happy reading!

Think you know about Columbia University? Like movies and pop culture references? Is your NCAA bracket busted but you still want to take part in March competition? 

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you're in the right place.

We've got our own bracket-style knockout tournament underway where we start with eight of the most iconic movies set in or featuring characters related to Columbia University (our "Elite 8," if you will) and look to narrow that list down until we crown a sole champion.

...But we need your help!

Here's how to participate:

Beginning Monday, March 28 at 10 a.m. EST, take part in the #ColumbiaMovieMadness elimination tournament on the Columbia Alumni Association Twitter account (and directly on this page) by voting daily for your picks to advance in each round. We'll tally up the votes before the start of each daily match up and declare winners to proceed on as we look to crown the most popular movie with references to Columbia University.

Up for the challenge? Here are the contenders:

...And a huge shout-out to Columbia Men's Basketball for wrapping up a historic postseason run and winning the Collegeinsider.com Tournament (CIT) - their first-ever postseason championship! The Lions' 25 wins this season represents the highest total in program history. Relive the championship game moments and keep the celebration going and join the team at the annual Men's Basketball Banquet on April 18. 

As of 2018, it will be 50 years since the protests on Columbia's campus over the University's link to the war in Vietnam and the construction of a gym in Morningside Park with an alleged "back door" for Harlem residents, which culminated in the occupation of five buildings in April 1968.

To navigate the myriad issues and themes in the 2016 presidential election, we've created a reading list for and by Columbians. It features books and articles by alumni and faculty authors examining American democracy and this year's elections.

Topics range from alumnus David Greenberg's "sound, judicious and dispassionate volume" (per The New York Times) about how presidents try to sell themselves, to a Columbia Global Report article comparing the U.S. and Iran elections.  

If you have a suggested title you would like to see included, please e-mail us, or log in to the Alumni Community and post a reading recommendation for your fellow alumni.

From Rodger & Hammerstein's groundbreaking contributions to musical theater to Vampire Weekend's chart-topping indie rock, Columbians have made an indelible impression on the musical landscape. To highlight the impact they've had, we've compiled a short list of some of Columbia's musical heavy hitters, in order of graduation year.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is the conference of all conferences, held in Austin, Texas from March 11-20. In its 29th year, the nine days encompass three festivals: Interactive, Music, and Film.  SXSW organizers say it's the premier destination for discovery; The New Republic once called it spring break for nerds.  

Anywhere there's a critical mass of thinkers, artists, makers, and influencers, there are Columbians.  Read on for our list of alumni and faculty who will be at SXSW 2016.  If you'll be there, let us know and we'll add you to the list; and don't miss the Columbia University Club of Austin SXSW event on March 12.

After the unexpected death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, there has been much discussion around what will happen in politics, on the Court, and in the country's legal and constitutional systems.

Here is a sampling of articles with Columbia experts weighing in.  Read on below, or follow news as it's announced - new articles will be posted to the Columbia in the News group in the online Alumni Community (UNI log in required). 

Did you know? Columbians have served as and for presidents of the United States.

In honor of President's Day, brush up on trivia around some of Columbia's most interesting connections to the highest office of the United States. Read on below to learn more, including:

• Columbians who are, literally, on the money (hint: two U.S. presidents and one Founding Father)
• Columbia president who was also a candidate for the American presidency and vice presidency
• A presidential speech writer who later became a famous television personality 

Did you know the Pulitzer Prizes, established and endowed by the Graduate School of Journalism founder Joseph Pulitzer, are administered by Columbia each year?

Pulitzer's will established Columbia as the seat of the administration of the prizes. In his will, Pulitzer bestowed an endowment of $2,000,000 for the establishment of a Journalism school, one-fourth of which was to be "applied to prizes or scholarships for the encouragement of public service, public morals, American literature, and the advancement of education."

Check out these other facts you may not know about the highest national honor in print journalism.