Columbia University is huge. Within it there are Colleges and Schools. Students at one school or college are not apt to know students from others.
The point is that The Columbia School of General Studies is quite distinct from Columbia College and the students do not usually mix. Just as students at Columbia's Medical School rarely meet or even see students from the Law School. What's throwing everyone off the track here is that when one jumps through enough hoops at the Columbia School of General Studies, one may be granted a degree ... a diploma upon which is printed "Columbia College" ... when in fact, one has never been a student at Columbia College. Further clouding the issue is another confusing fact. That's because it is also possible that a student from The School of General Studies might take a class in which students from the College are also enrolled.
What would be infinitely more interesting is to learn exactly WTF Obama did at Columbia. Where was he when he wasn't at Columbia? What courses did he take? What grades did he get? How exactly did he somehow qualify for their degree after spending such a short time there?
Yes, the Obama months at Columbia are mysterious, but he was enrolled and did receive ... somehow .... that degree.
Please check this out with FReepers that you have met, face to face, who went to Columbia.