Columbia University School of General Studies Opens New Residence for Nontraditional Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, October 8 — Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) celebrated the opening of 99 Claremont, a pioneering residence hall designed specifically for nontraditional undergraduate students. As GS’s first dedicated residence, a significant milestone for the school, the facility is believed to be the first of its kind in the country: a vibrant residential community tailored to students balancing diverse military, academic, and professional experiences.

The opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday evening, as Columbia University President Jennifer L. Mnookin, J.D., Ph.D., and GS Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch, Ph.D., addressed donors, administrators, GS Board of Visitors members, and student ambassadors who gathered to celebrate. 

“To our students who are here with us today, many of you come to us after military service, professional careers, raising families, and other experiences that shape the questions you ask and the goals you pursue,” said President Mnookin. “Your presence makes Columbia a richer place to learn. You bring knowledge earned through experience into conversations with classmates and faculty, broadening perspectives and challenging assumptions. Our commitment to you, and to General Studies more broadly, must extend to the conditions that allow you to achieve success. The opportunity to pursue an exceptional education is strengthened by practical support for the lives students lead while they are here. This building is a very important step forward in that respect.”

Located near Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus, 99 Claremont provides an important new option for General Studies students, helping to alleviate housing pressures and reduce commuting challenges for students who balance rigorous academic work with professional and personal obligations. 

Built in 1931 as a residence for Union Theological Seminary, the building underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that preserved its distinctive architectural character while reimagining the interiors for contemporary student life. The renovation retained historic elements and thoughtfully integrated modern amenities, creating an environment that honors the building’s past while meeting the needs of today’s students. 

Building amenities include:

• Fully equipped fitness center.
• Rooftop lounge and landscaped garden terrace with views of the Hudson River.
• Ground-floor communal chef's kitchen and floor-specific kitchenettes and pantries.
• Gathering spaces, lounges, and group and quiet study areas on every floor.

As an alumna of the School of General Studies, the dean of the school offered a personal perspective. “99 Claremont represents the very best of what GS stands for: access, excellence, and a deep commitment to students whose journeys to Columbia are anything but conventional,” said Dean Rosen-Metsch. “This residence hall is a home for students who bring extraordinary life experience, resilience, and purpose to our campus, and it was designed with their needs in mind. The transformation of this historic building into a modern residence hall carefully preserved the unique architectural elements of its stunning facade and interior while adding a state-of-the-art fitness center, a communal chefs’ kitchen, and a rooftop deck with breathtaking views of Upper Manhattan and the Hudson River.

Other alumni and donors in attendance included Larry Lawrence, a 1969 graduate of GS, and N. Robert “Bob” Hammer, a 1967 Columbia graduate. Hammer supported the project with a gift to name the lobby. GS alumna,Board of Visitors member, and University trustee Kikka Hanazawa was also recognized for her commitment and support. 

The project reflects the mission of the School of General Studies to expand access to an Ivy League education for nontraditional students. By offering a dedicated residential community, the school is strengthening the support systems that help students thrive academically and personally. In student surveys, some cited housing insecurity as a barrier to completing a Columbia GS education. This residence removes that barrier for over 300 GS students.

“The opening of this residence is the culmination of a long-standing dream that furthers student success,” said Curtis Rodgers, Vice Dean of the Columbia University School of General Studies. “For many GS students, access to housing will make an enormous difference, reducing long commutes, easing logistical burdens, and making it possible to participate more fully in the academic and social life of the university. More than a residence, 99 Claremont was envisioned as a place where students can build lasting connections, deepen their engagement with campus life, and find community among peers who bring similarly rich and varied experiences to the classroom.”

With shared spaces on every residential floor to encourage conversation and collaboration, 99 Claremont is designed for students who may be older than their peers, returning to school after time away, transferring from community colleges, completing military service, or balancing multiple roles. 

“GS students arrive at Columbia with remarkable stories, perspectives, and ambitions,” Rosen-Metsch added. “99 Claremont gives them a place to gather, learn from one another, and build the kind of community that is essential to a transformative undergraduate experience. We are proud that Columbia is leading the way in recognizing and supporting the needs of nontraditional students.”

About Columbia University School of General Studies

The Columbia University School of General Studies (GS), founded in 1947, is the premier liberal arts college in the United States for students pursuing a nontraditional path to a rigorous undergraduate Ivy League education. GS students take the same courses, study with the same faculty, and earn the same degree as all undergraduates at Columbia University. 

About Columbia University

Among the world’s leading research universities, Columbia University in the City of New York continually seeks to advance the frontiers of scholarship and foster a campus community deeply engaged in understanding and confronting the complex issues of our time through teaching, research, patient care, and public service. The University comprises 17 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, and four affiliated colleges and seminaries in Northern Manhattan, as well as a wide array of research institutes and global centers located in major cities around the world. More than 40,000 accomplished students, award-winning faculty, and professional staff define the University’s underlying values and commitment to pursuing new knowledge and educating informed, engaged citizens. Founded in 1754 as King’s College, Columbia is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.