Coming Soon: Spring Welcome and (Welcome Back) Events

With the start of the Spring semester on the horizon, we write to share information about Welcome Week, happening January 21 - 31. This series of free, fun events is a chance to build your foundation for the semester ahead and beyond!

January 14, 2025

Dear Students, 

With the start of the Spring semester on the horizon, we write to share information about Welcome Week, happening January 21 - 31. This series of free, fun events is a chance to build your foundation for the semester ahead and beyond! 

Welcome Week
All Welcome Week events are free and open to all students across all schools and campuses. Just bring your CUID!

  • Maps & Snacks (In-Person). Stop by 202 Kent Hall for a snack and a campus map. Tuesday, January 21, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Register here. 
  • Dinner with Strangers (In-Person). Gather to meet new people, form connections, and build a sense of community—all while enjoying great food, fun trivia, and student performances. This event is hosted by the University Life Events Council. Tuesday, January 21, 5:15 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Letter to Myself Workshop (In-Person). Join us for a moment of communal reflection, where you can write a letter to your future self. This event aims to create lasting memories and provide a keepsake to remember your life as a student. Wednesday, January 22, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Coloring & Chamomile (In-Person). Get cozy with a cup of chamomile tea and a variety of coloring pages. We’ll chat about what’s to come in the semester ahead. Thursday, January 23, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Winter Welcome Gathering (In-Person). Join the International Students and Scholars Offices and University Life for a festive Friday evening. Come with a friend and/or make a new one! Friday, January 24, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Office Hours with the Center for Student Success & Intervention (CSSI) (In-Person) Get to know CSSI's Case Management and Student Support team. Learn about services and support available to you, and ask questions to troubleshoot basic needs, resource referrals, and goal setting for the Spring semester. Monday, January 27, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Spring Seedlings (In-Person). The seed you plant today will become this spring’s beauty! You’ll take home your own mini-plant with a freshly decorated pot. Monday, January 27, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Crafting Connections (In-Person). Come unwind, unleash your creativity, and forge new friendships to start the semester off on the right foot! This event features four types of crafting activities: friendship bracelets, beaded keychain or phone strap-making, canvas pouch decorating, and mini journal decorating. Wednesday, January 29, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Grad Hangout: Matcha & Mingle (In-Person). Sip matcha and connect with other students in the graduate and professional schools at Columbia. This event is part of the Graduate Initiative for Inclusion & Engagement. Thursday, January 30, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.  
  • Yoga Class (In-Person). Take a break and relax with yoga in Earl Hall hosted by Religious Life. Please bring your own mat and arrive 10 minutes early to sign in and set up! Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Learn more.

More Events Happening Around Campus

  • PEREC Free Week of Fitness (In-Person). Join Columbia PEREC for variety of FREE group fitness, yoga, indoor cycling, and functional fitness classes at the Dodge Fitness Center. Classes are drop-in only. First-come, first-served. January 27 - February 2. Learn more.
  • Reproductive Health Resources at Columbia (Virtual). Columbia Health representatives from Student Health Insurance and Alice! Health Promotion will provide a brief overview of resources available for your reproductive health. Q&A to follow. Tuesday, January 28, 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. Register here.
  • Pop-Up Concerts: Ole Mathisen - Vector Series (In-Person). Sit on stage and enjoy a concert from saxophonist Ole Mathisen in Miller Theater. Tuesday, January 28, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Learn more.
  • No Fear! Engaging Your Board in Resource Development (Virtual). Calling all social entrepreneurs: Learn proven strategies for identifying and attracting diverse, committed board members who align with your organization’s mission. This webinar also covers practical tools to nurture engagement from members of a nonprofit board. Tuesday, January 28, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Movie Screening & Discussion: Everybody's Work (In-Person). The Nursing School’s Office of Diversity & Cultural Affairs invites you to a screening and discussion of Everybody's Work, a film about anti-racism efforts in health care. Wednesday, January 29, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Register here.
  • A Fireside Chat with Anthony Fauci, M.D. (Virtual). The School of Professional Studies Bioethics program is hosting Dr. Fauci for a conversation about our nation’s past, present, and future responses to pandemics and other public health crises. Thursday, January 30, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here.

We hope you’ve had a restful start to the new year and hope to see you at one of our upcoming events. 

Take care,

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

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