ROOTED (Respecting Ourselves & Others Through Empathy & Dialogue) is a group of trained facilitators dedicated to creating student-led spaces of solidarity, empathy and learning for members of the Columbia community to explore identity, power and privilege and how these forces impact experiences on campus and beyond.

We will host several Dinner & Dialogue events each semester. Students of all identities and experiences are invited to participate in these powerful peer-facilitated conversations. Each conversation’s goal is to explore how power and privilege intersect with the topic; what participants can learn from hearing one another's experiences; and what can be collectively gained through recognizing our own power and social responsibility.

Questions? Email rooted@columbia.edu.

Fall 2024 Events

Labels: A Dialogue About Personal Identity and Social Acceptance
Thursday, September 26, 6:30 pm, Lerner Satow

Which "labels" do you choose for yourself, and which ones do others attach to you? What nuances exist between empowerment and exclusion when it comes to terms for identity? Come discuss how social landscapes at Columbia are defined by how we fit in—or how we don't fit in—and the words we choose to describe those experiences.

The Institutional Neighbor: Morningside, Manhattanville, and Gentrification
Thursday, October 24, 6:30 pm, Lerner Satow

In this dialogue we’ll explore how Columbia University has played a role as a gentrifying institution, affecting Harlem and surrounding communities. We’ll start with a clear definition of gentrification, then delve into Columbia's development projects like the Manhattanville campus. Through activities like a gallery walk and interactive discussions, we’ll highlight personal experiences, the community impact, and opportunities to get involved. We'll also discuss how urban development can be leveraged to potentially benefit residents through improved infrastructure and affordable housing.

Dissent and Discipline: Protest and Peace on Campus
Thursday, December 5, 6:30 pm, Lerner Satow

Past Topics

Let’s Talk About Affirmative Action: Is it Here to Stay?

In this workshop, participants will learn about the history of affirmative action. Together, we will explore how different factors – including race, class, and merit – impact one’s access to selective colleges and universities. Lastly, we will discuss the impact of affirmative action on the Columbia community and the implications of its nullification.

Selling Out, Going Broke, Wasting Potential: Navigating Judgments About Majors and Careers 

This dialogue will invite students to examine their relationships to their own major and their peers’ majors through the lens of responsibility, values, and personal context.

All About Love: Care and Community at Columbia

In this dialogue, we will explore questions, like: How do social dynamics at Columbia make us feel about ourselves? Do you feel like you have community at Columbia? How do you care for others? How do you want others to care for you? What does love mean to you, particularly at Columbia?

Affording the Future: The Unequal Financial Burdens of Students

This conversation guides participants through a thoughtful examination of wealth dynamics at Columbia, including the interplay between class and other identities. Attendees will delve into how financial aid impacts their academic and career aspirations and learn practical skills to navigate discussions on socio-economic status at Columbia and beyond.

Deconstructing Desirability: A Dialogue About Perceived Worth

What are you worth and who decides? Where do these standards come from? And why do some people’s opinions “matter” more than others? In this conversation, we will be breaking down the systems and biases that inform perceived worth at Barnlumbia, as it relates to romance, social circles, and academic/career opportunities.