On October 8, the Columbia School of General Studies (GS) celebrated the official opening of 99 Claremont with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, marking the debut of the first-ever residence hall dedicated exclusively to GS students. President Jennifer L. Mnookin and Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch gathered with University Trustees, student leaders, alumni, leadership, and staff to celebrate this historic milestone in the School’s history.
This new residence provides over 300 GS students with accessible, community-centered housing designed specifically for nontraditional undergraduate students. “GS students arrive at Columbia with remarkable stories, perspectives, and ambitions,” said Dean Rosen-Metsch. “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.”
The building blends a mix of practical features, such as a fitness center, lounge, study space, and a communal chef’s kitchen, as well as spaces that enhance individual and communal wellbeing, like thoughtfully designed gathering spaces on every residential floor, and a spacious roof-deck with breathtaking views. Every aspect is designed to encourage new and lasting connections between students from all walks of life. “The opening of this residence is the culmination of a long-standing dream that furthers student success,” said Curtis Rodgers, GS Vice Dean. “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.”
99 Claremont stands as a testament to Columbia and GS’s shared commitment to empower nontraditional students along their education journeys, ensuring they have the dedicated resources and community to thrive.
“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.”
