Fundraising Updates

Published: Sep 28, 2011

Digitization: Digitization of the Spectator archives has been a hot topic for the past few years. Despite the project’s importance, the process of digitally preserving the archives has proven to be expensive. Digitization will utilize the archived issues of Spectator that are already stored on microfilm. However, the microfilm collection isn’t complete, so for some years bound volumes must be used — a challenging process due to the age and fragility of the pages.

Thanks to the generosity of Spectator’s 1958 board and their friends, whose donation of $25,000 was led by Bernard Nussbaum (Spectator editor in chief, ‘58) and Ernest Brod (sports editor, ‘58) the digitization of a portion of the Spectator archives will soon become a reality. To move forward with the remaining archives, we’re inviting alumni — individually or in groups — to fund digitizations of the issues from their class years. The ability of all alumni to revisit Columbia’s history will be a treasure of incalculable value.

Work-Study: Many work-study students who would like to join the Columbia Daily Spectator find the time-commitment onerous, because they need to earn money to qualify for matching government awards that help cover their college costs. However, the work-study initiative set in place three years ago by the Managing Board has allowed some such students to work in the office and gain valuable journalism skills while still qualifying for their award money. The number of participants has grown in those three years, and the current board would like to see it grow further.

To achieve this goal, we need to continue the Capital Campaign, which is the principal source of funding for it. The Managing Board and the Spectator Board of Trustees will be consulting this fall on a target for the next year.