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We also have a large and exceptionally accomplished body of alumni living abroad. Over the past five years I have made a point of visiting with many of them, and I can report that our international alumni share a great affection for Alma Mater. Through their achievements, they have added greatly to the reputation Columbia enjoys overseas.
Even if one were never to leave campus, the University's international emphasis would be readily apparent, thanks to the abundance of programs and courses that take global issues as their subject. Most prominent in this regard is the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), which the U.S. Department of Education has designated a National Resource Center for International and Area Studies in every region of the world covered by Columbia's acclaimed regional institutes; SIPA holds another such designation for a program offered jointly with the Business School. The Business School itself was one of the very first to weave international issues throughout its course offerings, while Columbia Law School included international law as part of its vibrant intellectual life long before such studies were recognized as a discipline.
At the undergraduate level, the Major Cultures requirement in the Core Curriculum provides an introduction to the civilizations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Through the years, students educated at Columbia have been well prepared to view issues and problems in global terms—an ability that is today more important than ever. We are therefore continuing to refine and develop further the courses that satisfy this requirement.
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