Getting Ready for Fall Term: Required COVID-19 Action Steps and Other Health Resources

August 04, 2022

Dear Students,

We hope summer has been restful for you, and that you are gearing up for a great year ahead.

As we prepare for the Fall term, University Life and the teams at Columbia Health and CUIMC Student Health on Haven write to remind you about COVID-19 immunization requirements, and provide you with other health information.

Reminder: COVID-19 Immunization and Booster Required for Fall Enrollment

  • New students: Submit your immunization requirements ASAP. All incoming students must complete several immunization requirements and submit documentation prior to registering for their first term. You will not be able to register for classes until your submission has been verified. For more information about the immunization requirements, please follow instructions on Columbia Health (Morningside/Manhattanville) or Student Health on Haven (CUIMC).
  • Continuing students: Submit COVID-19 booster documentation ASAP. To register for Fall classes, you must have received the primary vaccination series and the first booster dose. If you have not yet submitted booster documentation, please follow the instructions from Columbia Health (Morningside/Manhattanville) or Student Health on Haven (CUIMC). You will not be able to register for classes or make any changes until your submission has been verified.

Processing your documentation may take up to 15 business days. If you have questions about these requirements or your submission, please contact the Immunization Compliance Office at [email protected] (Morningside/Manhattanville) or the Immunization Coordinator at [email protected] (CUIMC).

Additional COVID-19 Information:

Insurance Open Enrollment: Happening Now through September 30th

  • All full-time and international Columbia students are required to have health insurance. Learn more about health insurance for Morningside/Manhattanville and CUIMC students.
  • Students with comparable health insurance who wish to opt out of Columbia’s health insurance plan and associated fees must submit a waiver request by September 16 (Morningside/Manhattanville) or September 30 (CUIMC). Waiver forms can be found here for Morningside/Manhattanville and CUIMC.

Monkeypox: Information and Resources

The Monkeypox virus has gained media and public health attention over the summer. Columbia Health and Student Health on Haven have created resources explaining the causes and symptoms of Monkeypox, vaccine eligibility, and how to seek care in case of exposure or suspected infection. The University has also provided an update with answers to frequently asked questions about Monkeypox.

We hope you are well and look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

Take care,

Dennis A. Mitchell, DDS, MPH (he/him/his)
Executive Vice President for University Life
Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement
Professor of Dental Medicine at CUMC

Melanie J. Bernitz, MD, MPH (she/her/hers)
Senior Vice President, Columbia Health
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (in the Center for Family and Community Medicine)

Marcy Ferdschneider, DO (she/her/hers)
Assistant Vice President, Student Health on Haven
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Medicine at CUIMC