Difference between revisions of "Fathom Knowledge Network"

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*http://columbiaspectator.com/node/26460
 
*http://columbiaspectator.com/node/26460
  
http://www.spectrum.columbiaspectator.com/2000/05/10/columbia-launches-distance-learning-ventures
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*http://www.spectrum.columbiaspectator.com/2000/05/10/columbia-launches-distance-learning-ventures
http://media.columbiaspectator.com/2001/01/29/committee-reports-fathoms-difficulties
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*http://media.columbiaspectator.com/2001/01/29/committee-reports-fathoms-difficulties
http://www.wiki.columbiaspectator.com/2001/02/26/senate-fails-form-fathom-committee
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*http://www.wiki.columbiaspectator.com/2001/02/26/senate-fails-form-fathom-committee
http://media.columbiaspectator.com/2001/02/05/university-defends-its-spending-fathom
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*http://media.columbiaspectator.com/2001/02/05/university-defends-its-spending-fathom
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2001/02/07/fathoming-where-money-goes
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*http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2001/02/07/fathoming-where-money-goes
http://116.columbiaspectator.com/2001/12/03/columbia-reaffirms-commitment-fathom
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*http://116.columbiaspectator.com/2001/12/03/columbia-reaffirms-commitment-fathom
http://eyedev.columbiaspectator.com/2002/04/24/senate-report-critical-fathomcom
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*http://eyedev.columbiaspectator.com/2002/04/24/senate-report-critical-fathomcom
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2003/01/27/fathomcom-shuts-down-columbia-withdraws
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*http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2003/01/27/fathomcom-shuts-down-columbia-withdraws
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2003/01/30/digitalia-columbiana
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*http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2003/01/30/digitalia-columbiana
  
 
[[Category:Scandals]]
 
[[Category:Scandals]]
 
[[Category:Websites]]
 
[[Category:Websites]]

Revision as of 21:57, 7 April 2011

The Fathom Knowledge Network (or Fathom, or Fathom.com) was a hilariously unsuccessful for-profit online education project into which Columbia sunk $30 million over 4 years just as the dot-com boom turned into a bust. Having essentially pulled the equivalent of throwing venture capital into a dot-com bust, Columbia quietly pulled out and swore never to speak of the incident again.

In retrospect, particularly hilarious moments included highly defensive letters to the editor from Provost Jonathan Cole, and director of Fathom Anne Kirschner, who indignantly wrote "To the Editor: I held a mirror up to my nose before writing this ... just to make sure I am still breathing."

In a related note, Anne Rollow Sullivan was named EVP for Finance in September 2007. Sullivan's prior experience included a stint as vice president for strategic development and marketing for Fathom.

External links