Columbia's president-elect Lee Bollinger took a tour of the 170-acre Palisades, NY, campus today with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) Director G. Michael Purdy. But that was not the only campus he saw. Dr. Bollinger was presented with a photo of Columbia's ocean going campus, the research vessel Maurice Ewing, managed by Lamont-Doherty's Office of Marine Affairs.

In addition to LDEO researchers, Dr. Bollinger met with the staff from the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) and the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI) - two of the eight Columbia Earth Institute research units also located at the Palisades campus

President-elect Bollinger toured one of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory's state-of-the art laboratories and received a briefing on climate change research from professors Wally Broecker and Peter Schlosser. He also learned about the Observatory's plans for a new research and education program aimed at furthering understanding of large rivers and estuaries - with the Hudson River as a particular focus. His visit ended with a lively discussion over lunch with the Observatory's director and associate directors.

The Columbia Earth Institute is a leader in earth systems teaching, research and the application of earth and social sciences for society. The Institute is the outcome of Columbia University's commitment to enhance understanding of global sustainability through the collaborative work of physical, biological and social scientists in cooperation with an informed and involved citizenry.