Complaint channels already exist at Columbia University

In the editorial “Columbia’s Anti-Semitism Problem” (Nov. 4) the Crimson Staff outlined a procedural remedy they believe would “ensure a safer, more welcoming learning environment.” More specifically, they suggest the creation of a “formal complaint mechanism” separate from academic departments. Such an entity, they point out, ought to safeguard students from religiously motivated improprieties. A wonderful idea, to be sure, but somewhat misplaced in the temporal order of things, namely because at Columbia such an entity already exists. We call it the Ombuds Office; it functions as a wholly separate channel for members of the university community to voice complaints on several fronts, including, but not limited to, unprofessional conduct, cultural misunderstandings, harassment and discrimination, etc.

It’s surprising the Crimson Staff would miss such an obvious point. And it’s troubling the staff issues normative claims when they’re so conspicuously ill-informed.

GEOFFREY S. BATT

New York, N.Y.

November 4

The writer is a student at Columbia University.