Events and Opportunities, 9/6 - 9/20

Dear Students, 

Welcome Home Columbia begins today! We are excited to see you and hope you can join us for this series of free, fun events open to all students happening September 6-16. 

COVID-19 Reminder and Monkeypox Information:

• Take a moment to review updated Fall 2022 COVID-19 policies, required action steps and other important health information.
• COVID-19 Community Health Compact: Are you new to Columbia this year? Be sure to read and sign the Compact by September 30th.
• Monkeypox: If you have questions about Monkeypox, visit the University’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.

Welcome Home Columbia

All Welcome Home Columbia events are free and open to all students, so just bring your CUID. 

Welcome Traditions

• Speed Friending (In-Person). Are you looking to make new friends and connections among Columbia’s 30,000+ students? Join the University Life Events Council for a night of conversation, snacks and fun. Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Learn more and register here.
• Low-Lapalooza: Silent Disco (In-Person). Join the University Life Events Council for this outdoor, fun-filled night on the Morningside campus. All students are welcome. This annual tradition includes silent disco, games, Insomnia Cookies and much more! Free headsets and three audio channels will be provided, and the first 75 students to arrive will receive free swag. Thursday, September 8, 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Learn more and register here. 
• Passport to Columbia (In-Person). Kick-start the fall semester with an evening of karaoke, free food and games from around the globe, hosted by the University Life Events Council and the International of Students & Scholars  Office. All are welcome at this celebration of international identities and the diversity of our community. Thursday, September 15, 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Learn more and register here.
• Columbia Quest (In-Person). Connect with fellow students on this cross-campus scavenger hunt to explore Columbia's incredible resources! Register and be assigned to a team or sign up with friends. Students who complete the hunt will be entered into a raffle for prizes. Friday, September 16, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Learn more and register.

All Welcome Home Columbia Events

• First-Generation Affinity Space (In-Person). This event will bring first-generation students together to network, engage and socialize. All students are welcome. Wednesday, September 7, 4:00 - 5:00 PM. Learn more and register here.
• LGBTQ+ Affinity Space (In-Person). This event will bring LGBTQ+ students together to network, engage and socialize. All students are welcome. Thursday, September 8, 4:00 - 5:00 PM. Learn more and register here. 
• Yoga Class (In-Person). Take a break to 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. Thursday, September 8, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Learn more.
• Creating Authentic Connections (Virtual). Counseling and Psychological Services is offering a one-hour workshop on meditation and journaling about the values and goals you want to bring into your relationships. Friday, September 9, 3:00 - 4:00 PM. Learn more and register here.
• Outdoor Zumba (In-Person). Join PEREC for this fun, outdoor fitness class! Zumba mixes low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style dance fitness party. All fitness levels are welcome. Friday, September 9, 6:00 - 7:00 PM. Learn more and register here.
• BIPOC Affinity Space (In-Person). This event will bring BIPOC students together to network, engage and socialize. All students are welcome. Monday, September 12, 4:00 - 5:00 PM. Learn more and register here.
• Religious Life Information Session + Dinner (In-Person). Connect with new and returning students and learn about Religious Life resources over a free meal in Earl Hall. Tuesday, September 13, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Learn more and register.
• Financial Well-being Workshop (Virtual). Join Student Financial Services for a presentation promoting financial well-being and the tools that enable a greater sense of agency and choice in your future. Thursday, September 15, 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Learn more and register.

Opportunities with University Life:

• Become a 2022-23 University Life Ambassador. Passionate about building community at Columbia? As a University Life Ambassador, you can help promote a welcoming, inclusive environment for all Columbia students across all campuses. Apply here by Sunday, September 18.
• Social Justice Mini-Grant Program. University Life invites students to apply for the Social Justice Mini-Grant Program and share innovative ideas to address social injustices, including efforts to bring awareness to racial, economic, accessibility and educational inequities. Learn more at the first information session happening September 12, 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Apply here by November 4.

Happening Around Campus

• Tissue Talks: Weekly Webinar (Virtual). Join the Department of Biomedical Engineering for a presentation by George Daley, Dean of Harvard Medical School. Wednesday, September 7, 3:00 - 4:00 PM. Learn more and register here.
• Security Awareness Days (In-Person). Join Public Safety for electronic engraving, free bike tune-ups, document shredding and electronic disposal. Discounted bike locks and accessories will also be on sale. See dates below, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
  • Morningside: Wednesday, September 7
  • CUIMC: Friday, September 9
  • Manhattanville: Wednesday, September 14
• Serendipity and Epiphany in Scientific Discovery (In-Person). This mini-conference, hosted by the Center for Science and Society, explores how and why scientific discoveries and achievements are often the result of chance. Friday, September 9, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Learn more and register here. 
• The Post-Roe Landscape: Implications at the Intersection of Health, Rights and Justice (Hybrid). Join the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health for a conversation about contraceptive access, reproductive health care, maternal and neonatal mortality, family socioeconomic wellbeing, abortion criminalization, and immigrant health. Monday, September 12, 11:30 AM – 12:50 PM. Learn more and register.
• Situational Awareness Training (Virtual). Public Safety is hosting a training that will help you learn to be alert to potential threats to your health and safety and be cognizant of paths to safety. Monday, September 12, 4:00 - 5:00 PM. Learn more and register.
• GHAP Advocate Information Sessions (Virtual). Columbia Health seeks volunteers to support the sexual and reproductive health of the Columbia community and will host information sessions about the Gay Health Advocacy Project (GHAP) Advocates program. Monday, September 12 & Thursday, September 15, 6:00 - 7:00 PM. Learn more.
• After Ayotzinapa (In-Person). This discussion hosted by Institute of Latin American Studies examines the disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in Guerrero, Mexico in 2014 and the ongoing crisis of forced disappearances in Mexico. Wednesday, September 14, 2:30 – 4:00 PM. Learn more and register.
• Delivering Science in our Public Health System (In-Person). Join the Mailman School of Public Health for a conversation about using research to improve health systems and promote equity. Wednesday, September 14, 4:00 - 5:00 PM. Learn more and register.
• U.S. Constitution Day - The Right to Privacy Post-Dobbs (In-Person) Join the Office of Diversity and Community Affairs for a conversation about the Dobbs decision and its implications for higher education and advocacy. Monday, September 19, 4:00 - 5:00 PM. Learn more and register.
• Self Defense Class (In-Person). Join Public Safety and the Shotokan Karate Club for a free self-defense class. Monday, September 19, 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Learn more and register.

Visit University Life’s website, Instagram and Facebook for more information and events, and please reach out to [email protected] with any suggestions or questions.

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