Columbia President Lee Bollinger spoke at the university's convocation, a ceremony welcoming new students. According to several Columbia student newspapers, Bollinger said the university is looking forward to hosting the president in 2017.
"PrezBo stated the Obama's would be returning to Columbia in an official capacity next year. No further details," tweeted Bwog, Columbia's breaking news blog.
The White House said that Obama has not made a final decision to return to his alma mater.
"The president has long talked about his respect for Columbia University and his desire to continue working with them," said spokesperson Jennifer Friedman. "However, at this point no decisions have been finalized about his post-presidency plans."
Columbia has not commented on Bollinger's remarks.
The move would likely be the first step in the Obamas making New York their home after they leave the White House, Crain's Chicago Business reported, citing a "well placed Chicago source."
Rumors about the president joining the Columbia staff have been circulating since April, when the New York Post reported that he was in talks to teach as a professor at Columbia Law School after he leaves office.
In May, Obama picked the University of Chicago over Columbia as the site of his presidential library. His foundation, however, said it intends to maintain a presence at Columbia.
Obama was a professor of constitutional law at the University of Chicago before being elected to the Senate in 2004.
The president transferred to Columbia from California's Occidental College in 1981 as a 20-year-old junior. He graduated from Columbia in 1983.
