Reply to Amid debt crisis, Barnard quietly cancels annual financial aid fundraising gala

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[quote=Anonymous]Tough times continue for Barnard?
https://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2026/04/01/amid-debt-crisis-barnard-quietly-cancels-annual-financial-aid-fundraising-gala/
https://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2026/02/04/barnards-long-term-debt-climbs-to-274-million-amid-drop-in-operating-deficit/

The college has not notified the broader alumni community of the “pause” on the college’s annual financial aid gala, which it canceled to focus on the fall 2026 opening of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center.

The cancellation has also raised broader concerns about the college’s long-term alumni engagement strategy. The Barnard spokesperson framed the shift toward smaller gatherings, including events and meetings with alumni across the country, as part of an effort to “deepen your connection” to Barnard beyond a single annual event.

Still, some alumni leaders said engagement efforts have not replaced the scale or visibility of the annual gala, which they viewed as central to both fundraising and community-building.

Another Barnard alum involved in alumni leadership spoke with Spectator under the condition of anonymity citing fears of retaliation that could impact organizing. She said alumni engagement “has been on this decline in recent years because of certain events on campus.”

“I hope it can reverse course again,” the alum said. “If we’re not going to have the gala, we need to have major events that are bringing alums back to campus and supporting the college.”[/quote]

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