Welcome to the Office of the Secretary of Columbia University.
Established in 1895, the Office of the Secretary has primary responsibility for facilitating the governance of the University. The office directly supports the work of the Board of Trustees, including the staffing of quarterly board meetings, annual board retreats, committee meetings, and orientation for new Trustees. The office also maintains a directory of trustees and updates the University Charters and Statutes.
In addition, the office oversees the process for selecting honorary degree recipients and the winners of the University Medal for Excellence. The Office of the Secretary also undertakes, from time to time, special projects on behalf of the president and the University Trustees.
News and Announcements
Our Commitment to the Essential Role of Shared Governance for Columbia
Last year, we announced a review of our University Senate, with a focus on how we affirm its enduring value, and the vital role it has played in shaping our University for more than five decades, while also responding to calls for reform from our community and adapting to the changing needs of our time. At the same time, the Board of Trustees undertook a careful examination of its own practices, operations, and governance.
Message From Jennifer L. Mnookin to the Columbia Community
I am deeply honored to be joining Columbia University as your next president, and I am enormously grateful to the Board of Trustees and the members of the Presidential Search Committee for the confidence they have placed in me.
Columbia Board of Trustees Announces Jennifer L. Mnookin as the University’s Next President
The Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Jennifer L. Mnookin, the current chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as the next president of Columbia University.
I Need Help With
Obtaining Blue Seal Letters
Blue Seal Letters enable faculty to receive appropriate courtesies for observation and study while traveling; they are addressed to officials in charge of archives, government agencies, institutes of health, and institutions of learning, libraries, and museums.
To obtain a Blue Seal Letter, send a request via email to [email protected] with the following information:
- Name
- Department
- Tenure Status
- Travel Dates and Requested Permissions
- Contact Information
Processing takes approximately one week.
Frequently Asked Questions
An official list and official biographies of University Trustees are available on the Board of Trustees page.
Information regarding the process, background, and form for nominating candidates can be found in the Honors and Prizes section of our website.