Campus Events and COVID-19 (Morningside and Manhattanville)

This guidance has been updated. Please read our latest update of March 8, 2020.

This page contains two messages — one to students, and the other to faculty and staff  —  regarding campus events as part of Columbia’s ongoing response to COVID-19. 

Message to Columbia Students

Dear Students,

We write to share an update about campus events as part of Columbia’s ongoing response to COVID-19. At this time, events for Columbia students, faculty and staff on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses can continue as planned or be postponed at the discretion of the event organizers.
Because this is a rapidly changing situation, we will follow up if there are changes in guidance from federal, state and local health authorities. Please keep in mind as you plan that events in the future may need to be postponed or offered virtually.

If you do plan to host an event this month, you will need to remind everyone in attendance to follow public health recommendations for group settings:

• Wash your hands regularly. 
• Greet each other by bumping elbows instead of shaking hands, hugging or kissing. 
• Avoid sharing food and drinks. 
• Sneeze and cough into your elbow. 
• Avoid touching your face.

If you choose to postpone or cancel an event that you have scheduled, your advisor can help with logistics and any questions you might have. You can also find more information, resources and the latest guidance for the Columbia community on the University's new COVID-19 website.  

We have also heard concerns about hostility and bias directed toward students and other community members based on fears about COVID-19, and we want to remind you that it is especially important in challenging times to recognize the value of our shared community and the importance of our shared humanity. Please take a look at this message from Joseph Greenwell, University Life’s Vice President for Student Affairs, on Coronavirus and Maintaining an Inclusive Community.

We welcome your comments and suggestions, as always.

Sincerely,

Professor Suzanne B. Goldberg
Executive Vice President for University Life
Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law

David M. Greenberg
Executive Vice President
University Facilities and Operations

Message to  Columbia Faculty and Staff

Dear Colleagues,

We write to share an update about campus events as part of Columbia’s ongoing response to COVID-19. At this time, events for Columbia faculty, students and staff on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses can continue as planned or be postponed at the event host’s discretion. Because this is a rapidly changing situation, it is possible that guidance from federal, state and local health authorities will shift and events will need to be postponed or offered virtually, so please keep this in mind in your planning.

If you do plan to host an event this month, we ask that you follow public health recommendations for group settings and encourage attendees to do the same. These include basic reminders about avoiding shaking hands or sharing food or beverages, sneezing and coughing into one’s elbow, and more detailed recommendations listed on Columbia’s new COVID-19 website, which provides guidance for the Columbia community. If you plan to host an event for non-affiliates or alumni, please also check the COVID-19 website for guidance.

If you choose to postpone or cancel an event that has been scheduled with University Event Management, please notify UEM directly by visiting their website or writing to [email protected]. UEM will not charge for space or timely catering cancellations.  

We are grateful for your understanding and patience as we continue to develop and revise policies, with the health, safety and well-being of everyone at Columbia as our top priority.

Sincerely,

Suzanne B. Goldberg
Executive Vice President for University Life
Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law

David M. Greenberg
Executive Vice President
University Facilities and Operations