University Life Weekly: Events & Opportunities 9/1 - 9/18
September 01, 2026
Dear Students,
The first day of classes is just around the corner! This year’s Welcome Week is an opportunity to meet new friends, discover Columbia traditions, and find your place in the Columbia community. We’re excited to welcome you and hope you’ll join us for one or more of the events below!
University Life Events & Opportunities
All events listed below are in Eastern Time (ET), free, and open to all students across all schools and campuses.
- University Life Resource Fair (In-Person). Visit Butler Lawn to enjoy our annual resource fair that features partners from across the University. Explore opportunities, meet new people, and discover ways to get involved from day one. Tuesday, September 8, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Learn more about the University Life Resource Fair.
- Speed Friending: Endless Summer Social (In-Person). Hold on to summer just a little longer at this fun-filled mixer. Make new friends, enjoy seasonal treats, and complete a beach-themed scavenger hunt for some interactive activities and connection-building. Tuesday, September 8, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Register for Speed Friending: Endless Summer Social.
- Religious Life Activities Fair (In-Person). Interested in spiritual life at Columbia? Come to St. Paul's Chapel plaza to learn about resources, connect with student groups, and meet different faith leaders on campus. Wednesday, September 9, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Learn more about the Religious Life Activities Fair.
- Religious Life Information Session (In-Person). Head to Earl Hall for dinner, easy conversation, and an introduction to Religious Life at Columbia. Learn about student groups, prayer and meditation spaces, interfaith programs, campus faith leaders, and more! Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Register here for the Religious Life Information Session.
- Sacred Music at Columbia (Hybrid). Join Religious Life at St. Paul’s Chapel for this free, weekly concert series featuring artists and musicians from across the globe. Thursday, September 17, 6:00 p.m. Learn more about Sacred Music at Columbia.
- Student-Parents: Come Connect and Celebrate! (In-Person). Connect with the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) for an opportunity to meet fellow student-parents who are navigating the unique experience of balancing academics, family, and campus life while building a supportive community. Friday, September 18, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Register here for Student Parents: Come Connect and Celebrate!.
- Volunteer with University Life this Year! Get involved with University Life through a variety of volunteering opportunities this year, including: staffing and supporting events, sharing in focus groups, participating in campaigns and videos, and more. With no minimum time commitment, this is a great way to try something new and to engage with the broader Columbia community. Sign up here to Volunteer with University Life.
Waitlisted Events
Registration for these events have reached capacity. You may join the waitlist, and we’ll be in touch if a space opens up.
- Arts in New York: MoMA Scavenger Hunt (In-Person). Explore the iconic Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and discover new favorites, new friendships, and fun facts through a
- Columbia Serves: Fort Tryon Cleanup (In-Person). Help keep Fort Tryon beautiful alongside the Fort Tryon Park volunteer organization for a morning spent giving back to the community. Afterward, enjoy a meal together with new friends! Saturday, September 12, 9:45 - 11:30 a.m. Register here for Columbia Serves: Fort Tryon Cleanup.
- Find a Friend: Threaded Together (In-Person). Interested in the fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, sewing, you name it!) and looking to meet new friends? Head to Earl Hall Auditorium and bring your latest project or try your hand at one of ours, and stitch together new connections. Monday, September 14, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. Register here for Find a Friend: Threaded Together.
- Find a Friend: Film Fanatics (In-Person). Swap Letterboxd recommendations and discuss your favorites with fellow film-lovers. Decorate your own popcorn bucket, enjoy movie snacks, and test your film knowledge with trivia featuring cult classics, recent releases, international cinema, and iconic movie quotes. Wednesday, September 16, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Register here for Find a Friend: Film Fanatics.
- Grad Networking: Lattes and Creative Connections (In-Person). No matter where you are in your Columbia journey, you’re invited to Dear Mama to meet graduate students from across the University whose work is shaped by creativity and innovation. Through guided conversations, explore how ideas and perspectives from one discipline might spark possibilities in another. Thursday, September 17, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Register here for Grad Networking: Lattes and Creative Connections.
- Wind Down Weekdays: Paddling Pals - A Kayak Excursion (In-Person). Looking to explore NYC’s outdoors? Join us and Manhattan Kayak at the Pier 84 Boathouse for a fun-filled excursion on the Hudson River. Friday, September 18, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register here for Wind Down Weekdays: Paddling Pals - A Kayak Excursion.
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.
- Butler Library Lobby Welcome Tabling (In-Person). Get acquainted with the library systems and Columbia librarians the week before classes start and the first week of classes. Learn about research tools, study spots, and other helpful resources.
- Wednesday, September 2 - Thursday, September 3, 11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Learn more.
- Tuesday, September 8 - Friday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Learn more.
- Learn how to Make the Most of Your Libraries in 15 Minutes (In-Person). Drop in for a 15-minute introduction about how to use your libraries. Offered at the start of every hour with time for questions.
- Wednesday, September 2 - Thursday, September 3, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Learn more.
- Tuesday, September 8 - Friday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Learn more.
- Fall 2026 Fitness Pass (In-Person). Fitness Pass classes are now FREE to all students with Dodge Fitness Center access. Participate in unlimited group fitness, indoor cycling, functional fitness, and yoga all semester. September 8 - December 4. Learn more about the Fall 2026 Fitness Pass.
- Get Started with Health Insurance (Online). Get familiar with the Student Health Insurance Plan and learn how to make the most of it in just 20 minutes. Q&A to follow. Thursday, September 10, 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. Register here for Get Started with Health Insurance.
- Meet iGrad: Your Customized Financial Wellness Resource (Online). This session will provide an overview of iGrad: a free, web-based financial literacy resource that provides lifetime, personalized financial wellness education and loan management resources. Wednesday, September 16, 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. Register here for Meet iGrad: Your Customized Financial Wellness Resource.
- Pet Therapy (In-Person). Join Student Health on Haven and Zoe the Lab from the Good Dog Foundation at Hammer Health Sciences Knowledge Center, Room 101, for a pet therapy session! All Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) students are welcome to drop in throughout the session. Friday, September 18, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Learn more about Pet Therapy.
Campus Resources to Support You
- Check out Columbia News’ Odyssey-Inspired Fall Semester Guide. Welcome to Columbia! Whether you’re returning to campus or starting a new journey, this guide from Columbia News can help you get settled, discover local favorite spots, and give you fresh ideas in creating your ideal routine as a Columbia student. Learn more.
- Stay Informed with Public Safety. Be sure to download the Lion Safe app from Public Safety to keep aware and utilize emergency services at the touch of a button. The app is available for iOS and Android devices, and has quick links including maps, shuttle schedules, crime alerts, emergency protocols, campus safety notifications, and non-emergency numbers for each campus. Learn more.
Questions, ideas, or just want to say hello? We’re here to help! Reach out anytime at [email protected].
Wishing you all the best,
University Life