Welcome Week

Your journey at Columbia begins here. 

Welcome Week is your chance to connect, explore, and thrive.

Welcome Week is a two week-long series of events and activities at the beginning of each fall and spring semester designed to help all Columbia students connect with our vibrant University community, explore campus life, and prepare for academic success.

Check out the Fall 2026 Welcome Week schedule below!

University Life Events

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University Life Resource Fair

Tuesday, September 8, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 
Visit Butler Lawn to enjoy our annual resource fair that features partners from across the University. Explore opportunities, meet new people, and discover ways to get involved from day one.

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Speed Friending: Endless Summer Social

Tuesday, September 8, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. 
Hold on to summer just a little longer at this fun-filled mixer. Make new friends, enjoy seasonal treats, and complete a beach-themed scavenger hunt for some interactive activities and connection-building. 

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Religious Life Activities Fair

Wednesday, September 9, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Interested in spiritual life at Columbia? Come to St. Paul's Chapel plaza to learn about resources, connect with student groups, and meet different faith leaders on campus. 

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Arts in New York: MoMA Scavenger Hunt

Friday, September 11, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Explore the iconic Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and discover new favorites, new friendships, and fun facts through a scavenger hunt.

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Columbia Serves: Fort Tryon Cleanup

Saturday, September 12, 9:45 - 11:30 a.m.
Help keep Fort Tryon beautiful alongside the Fort Tryon Park volunteer organization for a morning spent giving back to the community. Afterward, enjoy a meal together with new friends!

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Find a Friend: Threaded Together

Monday, September 14, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Interested in the fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, sewing, you name it!) and looking to meet new friends? Head to Earl Hall Auditorium and bring your latest project or try your hand at one of ours, and stitch together new connections.

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Religious Life Information Session

Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 
Head to Earl Hall for dinner, easy conversation, and an introduction to Religious Life at Columbia. Learn about student groups, prayer and meditation spaces, interfaith programs, campus faith leaders, and more!

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Find a Friend: Film Fanatics

Wednesday, September 16, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Swap Letterboxd recommendations and discuss your favorites with fellow film-lovers. Decorate your own popcorn bucket, enjoy movie snacks, and test your film knowledge with trivia featuring cult classics, recent releases, international cinema, and iconic movie quotes.

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Grad Networking: Lattes and Creative Connections

Thursday, September 17, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
No matter where you are in your Columbia journey, you’re invited to Dear Mama to meet graduate students from across the University whose work is shaped by creativity and innovation. Through guided conversations, explore how ideas and perspectives from one discipline might spark possibilities in another.

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Sacred Music at Columbia

Thursday, September 17, 6:00 p.m.
Join Religious Life at St. Paul’s Chapel for this free, weekly concert series featuring artists and musicians from across the globe. 

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Wind Down Weekdays: Paddling Pals - A Kayak Excursion

Friday, September 18, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Looking to explore NYC’s outdoors? Join us and Manhattan Kayak at the Pier 84 Boathouse for a fun-filled excursion on the Hudson River.

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Student-Parents: Come Connect and Celebrate!

Friday, September 18, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. 
Connect with the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) for an opportunity to meet fellow student-parents who are navigating the unique experience of balancing academics, family, and campus life while building a supportive community.

University Partner Events

University Life has partnered with central departments across Columbia to introduce you to even more resources!

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Butler Library Lobby Welcome Tabling

Wednesday, September 2 - Thursday, September 3, 11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday, September 8 - Friday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Get acquainted with the library systems and Columbia librarians the week before classes start and the first week of classes. Learn about research tools, study spots, and other helpful resources. 

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Learn how to Make the Most of Your Libraries in 15 Minutes

Wednesday, September 2 - Thursday, September 3, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 8 - Friday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Drop in for a 15-minute introduction about how to use your libraries. Offered at the start of every hour with time for questions.

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Fall 2026 Fitness Pass

September 8 - December 4
Fitness Pass classes are now FREE to all students with Dodge Fitness Center access. Participate in unlimited group fitness, indoor cycling, functional fitness, and yoga all semester. 

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Get Started with Health Insurance

Thursday, September 10, 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. 
Get familiar with the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan and how to make the most of it in this 20 minute session. Q&A to follow. 

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Meet iGrad: Your Customized Financial Wellness Resource

Wednesday, September 16, 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. 
This session will provide an overview of iGrad: a free, web-based financial literacy resource that provides lifetime, personalized financial wellness education and loan management resources. 

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Pet Therapy

Friday, September 18, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Join Student Health on Haven and Zoe the Lab from the Good Dog Foundation at Hammer Health Sciences Knowledge Center, Room 101, for a pet therapy session! All Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) students are welcome to drop-in throughout the session. 

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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training

Friday, September 18 & Friday, September 25, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Are you interested in getting an MHFA certification? Similar to CPR training, MHFA teaches you the basics of how to identify, understand, and respond to common signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.

What to Expect During Welcome Week

Columbia is a place where students can find connection and build community from the very start. Throughout Welcome Week, you'll participate in campus-wide programs, small group gatherings, and interest-based meetups, designed to help you connect with people, share experiences, and start forming your Columbia network. You'll also have opportunities to engage with campus communities that reflect a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and interests—helping you feel supported as you begin your journey.

Get ready for a mix of Columbia traditions and memorable first Welcome Week experiences! From Silent Disco to Speed Friending, to evening socials, you’ll take part in the events that have welcomed generations of Lions before you. These moments are designed not just to be fun—but to help you connect, relax, and celebrate the start of your Columbia journey.

You’ll get to know the many services that support your life outside the classroom from University Life. Welcome Week includes introductions to key University Life offices — like the Center for Student Community & Engagement, Religious Life, the Center for Student Success and Intervention, Community Impact, and more. You'll also learn how to access support networks, concerning resources for mental health, public safety, arts and recreation, and inclusion and belonging on campus. Our goal is to make sure you know where to turn when you need help, information, or guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I have to attend every Welcome Week event? While you won't be able to make every event, we strongly encourage you to participate as often as you feel comfortable. This time is designed to help you build connections and feel confident navigating Columbia life.

  • Can guests attend? Welcome Week through University Life is designed for students only. For undergraduate and graduate students, resources and programming for families or other guests may be available through your school or Residential Life before and during move-in to help them feel informed and supported.

  • What should I bring with me? We suggest bringing comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, essential documents (ID, etc.), and anything that helps you feel at home.

  • Are there accommodations for students with disabilities? Absolutely. Columbia is committed to making all events and programs accessible. If you require accommodations for Welcome Week activities, please reach out to Disability Services in advance so we can ensure your needs are met.

  • Are there any costs associated with Welcome Week events? Welcome Week events are free for students, and most often include complimentary swag!

  • How do I register for Welcome Week events? Welcome Week events are on a first come, first serve basis. Registering for an event does not always guarantee entry. Details about how to register will be shared through our newsletter and on the Welcome Week website closer to the start of the program. 

  • How is Welcome Week different from Orientation? Welcome Week, specifically hosted by University Life, offers events and programs that bring together students from all schools and campuses, giving you the chance to meet people from across the entire university.

Need More Information? We're Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Welcome Week, need more information, or just want to connect, don’t hesitate to reach out! Email us at [email protected], and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.