A Chilly Start to the Spring Semester at Columbia, in 6 Photos
A high of 23°F set the pace: hats on, hands in pockets, and a collective speed-race into the first day of classes of the spring semester.
January 21, 2026
The spring semester kicked off across Columbia University campuses on a frigid morning, with temperatures barely topping 23°F.
From the Morningside Heights campus to Manhattanville and CUIMC in Washington Heights, the scene was the same: hats pulled low, puffer jackets zipped up, and a steady stream of students, faculty, and staff making a collective speed-race into the first day of classes.
These photos, captured by University Photographer Eileen Barroso and Diane Bondareff, show the first day of classes in motion: brief moments between cold air and warm classrooms, as campus life snaps back into rhythm.
