University Life Weekly: Concerts, crafts, and office hours

Dear Students,

As November gets underway, we hope that you are able to find moments of rest and relaxation. Whether you’re choosing to unwind at an upcoming Mindfulness Workshop, or catching up on your favorite reads at Find a Friend: Novel Ideas, there’s something here for everyone.

University Life Events & Opportunities 
All events listed below are in Eastern Time (ET), free, and open to all students across all schools and campuses.

• Sacred Music at Columbia (Hybrid). Join Religious Life at St. Paul’s Chapel for a free, weekly Sacred Music concert, featuring artists and musicians from across the globe. TODAY, November 10, 6 - 7 p.m. Learn more about Sacred Music at Columbia. 
• Mindfulness Workshop (In-Person). Take a moment to relax with these beginner-friendly mindfulness workshops designed to help integrate healthy habits into your daily routines. Join for any or all of the sessions that fit your schedule! Friday, November 13, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Register for Mindfulness Workshop. 
• Yoga Class (In-Person). Take a break to relax and refresh with yoga in Earl Hall, offered every Monday evening during the fall 2026 semester. Be sure to bring your own mat. Monday, November 16, 7 - 8 p.m. Register for Yoga Class. 
• Donate to the Food Pantry’s Cans-Giving Drive (In-Person). Give back to our community this November by participating in the Food Pantry at Columbia’s annual Cans-Giving Drive. All non-perishable food items, meal kits, or financial contributions are welcome. Sunday, November 1 - Wednesday, November 25. Learn more about the Cans-Giving Drive. 
• Student Singers Needed for Lessons & Carols (In-Person). Calling all singers! We’re looking for students to sing in the choir for Religious Life's annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols, at St. Paul’s Chapel. All singers are welcome to join the choir. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, December 1. Learn more about the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols. 
• Student Support Drop-In Hours (Online). Have questions about services on campus or need help identifying resources in the community? Drop by CSSI’s office hours to chat one-on-one with a member of our Student Support team. Mondays, 2 - 4 p.m. and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Register for Student Support Drop-In Hours. 
• University Life Office Hours (In-Person). Have something you want University Life to hear? Charles Todd, Vice President for University Life, is holding weekly office hours on Tuesdays and Fridays. Bring a question, an idea, or an issue to discuss. No agenda required, and no topic too small. Sign up for University Life Office Hours.

Waitlisted Events
Registration for these events has reached capacity, but you may still be able to attend! You can join the waitlist, and we’ll be in touch if a space opens up. Questions? Reach out to the email listed on the registration page

• Find a Friend: Novel Ideas (In-Person). Meet new friends through a shared passion for reading and storytelling! All book lovers are invited to swap reads, find new favorites, and enjoy book-themed crafts. Wednesday, November 11, 6 - 8:30 p.m. Join the waitlist for Find a Friend: Novel Ideas.
   

More Events and Opportunities Happening Around Campus
The events below are only some of the free, University-wide events open to all students unless otherwise noted. For a full list of events, visit the University Events Calendar.

• Crafts on the Corner: Sketch Sessions (In-Person). Tap into your creativity and explore drawing techniques as inspired by the Wallach Art Gallery’s fall exhibition, Allan Sekula: Fish Story. Materials are provided and all are welcome! Wednesday, November 11, 12 - 1:30 p.m. Register for Crafts on the Corner: Sketch Sessions. 
• Dax Insights: John Sampogna, CEO and Co-Founder, Wondersauce (In-Person). Hear industry expert John Sampogna discuss how AI has impacted his business and informed new periods of record growth. Afterward, he’ll be joined by Professor Omar Besbes for an academic perspective on AI, moderated by Susan McGregor. Wednesday, November 11, 4 - 6:30 p.m. Register for Dax insights: John Sampogna, CEO and Co-Founder, Wondersauce. 
• Amazigh Indigenous Cinema, discussion and screening of Taazrit (In-Person). Professors Lucy McNair and Habiba Boumlik discuss their book, “An Introduction to North African Indigenous Film,” in conjunction with a screening of the documentary “Taazrit.” Wednesday, November 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Register for Amazigh Indigenous Cinema, discussion and screening of Taazrit.
• Music on the Brain: From Signal to Sound (Hybrid). Enjoy an evening at the National Museum of Jazz in Harlem with MRI pioneer Dr. Tommy Vaughan and acclaimed saxophonist Patience Higgins as they explore the similarities between how scientists decode magnetic brain signals and how composers transform ideas into music. Thursday, November 12, 7 - 8 p.m. Register for Music on the Brain: From Signal to Sound. 
• CU there! Political Science Industry Networking Night (In-Person). Join Columbia alumni to explore careers in political science. This event is open to undergraduate and graduate students who want to learn directly from alumni working in the field. Tuesday, November 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Register for CU there! Political Science Industry Networking Night.
• Extraordinary Women: War & Peace (In-Person). Watch a screening of the documentary "Extraordinary Women: War & Peace", and tune into the Q&A afterward with Dominican filmmaker Yildalina Tatem Brache, as moderated by Professor Maja Horn. Wednesday, November 18, 6 - 8 p.m. Register for Extraordinary Women: War & Peace. 
   

Campus Resources to Support You  

• Hear from a Columbia student about their first-gen experience. November 8 is annually recognized as National First-Generation College Day. We chatted with Caroline Baldessin (GS’26) about her experience as a first-gen student, her advice for others, and what it means to make her family proud. Read our Q&A with Caroline Baldessin (GS'26). 
• Wednesday, November 11 is Veterans Day. The Center for Veteran Transition and Integration (CVTI) supports Columbia veterans and military-connected students as they move from service into academic life and beyond. Located in Kent Hall 205, CVTI hosts community hours Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a relaxed environment to meet, study, and find peer support. Learn more about the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration. 

Questions, ideas, or just want to say hello? Reach out anytime at [email protected].

Wishing you all the best, 
University Life