Class Day

Class Day is like graduation, but not really (Commencement, at which students are formally conferred their degrees, is held on a separate day). These celebrations, held for each of Columbia's undergraduate schools, feature keynote speakers (usually alumni), and an occasion for students to have their names called out and walk across the stage. Their existence forces students' parents to spend an extra day or two dealing with their children's commencement.

Speaker controversies

Speakers at recent Columbia College class days have been controversial. In 2006, Senator John McCain spoke, and many were upset that he did not represent the political beliefs of most CC students. Matthew Fox, a star of TV's Lost, is the scheduled speaker for 2007, but has been seen as an underwhelming or inappropriate choice for such a serious occasion.