1996

1996 in Columbia history:

• Ferris Booth Hall is demolished to make way for the new student center, Alfred Lerner Hall. Construction on Lerner would last until 1999. Meanwhile, Lion's Court is erected to serve as the temporary student center, and stands until 2002.
• The Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching is established

Spring

• April 1-15: Students go on a hunger strike, occupying Low Library and Hamilton in the name of establishing an Ethnic Studies Department. In 1999, the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race is created in partial fulfillment of these demands.

Preceded by 1995

History of Columbia University  1996

Succeeded by 1997