1970

1970 in Columbia history:

• Black students take over the ROTC Lounge in Hartley Hall. The administration agrees to rename it the Malcolm X Lounge.
• The Weathermen attempt to blow up Alma Mater, but, on March 6, blow up their townhouse instead
• Michael I. Sovern becomes dean of the law school
• International Affairs Building completed

Spring

• February 3: William McGill elected 16th president of Columbia Univesrity; to begin in September
• February 18: I. M. Pei presents master plan to the trustees; includes a gym to be located under South Lawn
• June: President Nixon orders military incursion into Cambodia, which sparks a resurgence of anti-war protests on campuses; final exams are curtailed at Columbia and Barnard

Fall

• September 9: President McGill holds his first press conference, revealing a deficit of $15,000,000 in inherited 1970-71 budget; sharp cuts become necessary
• November: Columbia College Dean Carl Hovde recommends merging the College with General Studies and the undergraduate division of SEAS.

Preceded by 1969

History of Columbia University  1970

Succeeded by 1971