Events and Opportunities, 3/21-4/6

Tax Season Q&A, Women’s History Month Events, Drag Bingo and Other Events and Opportunities, 3/21-4/6

March 21, 2023

Dear Students, 

Please join us for Awakening Our Democracy: Affirmative Action, the Supreme Court and the Road Ahead for Higher Education, happening Thursday, March 30 from 12:00 - 1:30 PM. 

For decades, many universities have used race as a factor in admissions decisions. This panel discussion will explore the significant questions surrounding the two cases on this subject that are before the Supreme Court. President Lee C. Bollinger will offer framing remarks grounded in his newly released work, A Legacy of Discrimination: The Essential Constitutionality of Affirmative Action, in which he and his co-author make the case that America’s obligation to remediate past discrimination based on race is not only constitutionally permissible, it is morally mandated. This event is co-sponsored by University Life, Office of the President, and Columbia Law School, and is part of the Awakening Our Democracy series. Registration requires UNI login.

Register here. 

University Life Events & Opportunities

  • Apply to the University Life Events Council. Interested in developing leadership skills and planning fun events for all students at Columbia? Want to build a sense of community here at Columbia? Apply to the University Life Events Council! The deadline to apply is Sunday, April 9. Learn more and apply here.
  • Financial Wellness & You: From Student to Graduate and Beyond (Virtual). Tristia AC. Kayser, Manager of Financial Aid Operations & Training for Student Financial Services, will share resources, tools, and key contacts to help you prepare for graduation and the next phase of the journey regarding your finances. This Graduate Initiative for Inclusion and Engagement event is produced in partnership with Student Financial Services. Thursday, March 23, 12:00 - 1:30 PM. Register here.
  • Yoga Class (In-Person). Take a break and relax with yoga in Earl Hall, hosted by Religious Life every Thursday. Please bring your own mat and arrive 5-10 minutes early to sign in and set up. New time: Thursday, March 23, 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Learn more.
  • The Academic Publishing Process (Virtual). University Life, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and The Center for Nonfiction invite you to a workshop exploring the landscape of university presses. Learn about academic books and how to find presses and editors for scholarly manuscripts. Thursday, March 23, 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Register here.
  • Drag Bingo (In-Person). Join the University Life Events Council for a fabulous night of bingo hosted by the most talented host and performer in NYC, Shequida! Play bingo, win prizes, and enjoy the show! Co-sponsored by GS Alliance. Thursday, March 23, 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Register here.
  • Financial Well-being: Tax Season Q&A Session (Virtual). Student Financial Services is partnering with University Life to answer your questions about student finances this tax season. Monday, March 27, 4:00 - 5:00 PM. Register here.
  • Art After Five: Spring Edition (In-Person) Stop by to create art, meet students from across the University, and reflect on multiple aspects of your well-being. Available crafts will include collage, button-making, DIY flower crowns, and more! Part of the Graduate Initiative for Inclusion and Engagement. Tuesday, March 28, 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Register here. 
  • Religious Diversity Workshop (Virtual). Join Religious Life and the School of Professional Studies for a workshop aimed at increasing interreligious understanding. Get to know fellow students, learn about religion on campus and in NYC, and take a step toward being an ally to those who come from different faith backgrounds. Wednesday, March 29, 5:00 - 6:30 PM. Register here.  
  • Introduction to Meditation (In-Person). Learn the fundamentals of meditation during this four-week workshop hosted by Religious Life. This introduction to Buddhist modes of practice will contain time for meditation, discussion, and reflection. Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, March 29 - April 19. Register here. 
  • Join the Campus Conversation Network. Campus Conversations offer students a way to talk about identity, societal norms, and issues of national and international importance with their peers. Want to stay in the loop about upcoming Conversations? This email list will update you on upcoming sessions. Join the Campus Conversations Network
  • Reading Group Opportunities (In-Person) Religious Life invites you to its Community Reading Groups, an opportunity to build community, read great texts, and engage in meaningful discussion. Light refreshments will be served at group meetings. Learn more.

Social Justice Mini-Grant Events and Opportunities

Learn about this year’s Social Justice Mini-Grant recipients and their projects.

Last Chance: Fellowship and Commencement Opportunities

  • Call for Commencement Performers. The Commencement Office is seeking students to perform and/or sign the following songs at University Commencement on Wednesday, May 17, 2023: “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “Stand, Columbia!” and “New York State of Mind.” Audition solo or with a group of friends.  Submit your audition video by Friday, March 24.
  • George Van Amson Fellowship. This fellowship, funded by Community Impact, provides students with a $3,000 stipend and summer housing to support their unpaid nonprofit internship or service summer learning opportunity. Open to continuing undergraduates from all Columbia schools. Learn more and apply by Sunday, March 26. 
  • Social Impact Fellowship. Columbia World Projects invites rising third and fourth year undergraduate students to apply for the Social Impact Fellowship, a fully funded, five-week summer program, and an academic-year engagement with thought leaders and innovators. Apply by Monday, March 27.

Women’s History Month Events

Happening Around Campus 

We hope you find something here to enjoy and participate in. Let us hear from you; share your thoughts at [email protected].

Take care,

Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
University Life
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His

Ixchel Rosal
Senior Associate Vice President for Student Life
University Life
Gender Pronouns: She/Her/Hers