University Life Weekly: Novel Ideas, Cans-Giving, and Low Lounge Performances

Dear Students,

We hope that your November is off to a great start. As a reminder, tomorrow is Election Day! Check Columbia’s Turbovote to find your nearest poll site and see what’s on the ballot. 

Additionally, the Community Citizenship Initiative ends this week on Friday, November 6. You only need to complete one module to satisfy requirements. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]. 

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. Thursday, November 5, 6 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. Friday, November 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Register for Mindfulness Workshop.
• Living in New York City: Housing Resources (Online). If you’re navigating off-campus apartment living or just want to learn more about your rights as a tenant in NYC, this virtual workshop from the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) is for you. Monday, November 9, 2 - 3 p.m. Register for Living in New York City: Housing Resources. 
• Yoga Class: 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 9, 7 - 8 p.m. Register for Yoga Class. 
• Columbia Serves: Food for Thought: Understanding Food Insecurity (In-Person). Learn more about food insecurity resources at Columbia and in NYC alongside CSSI’s Food Pantry team. Learn about resources on campus and ways to engage. Tuesday, November 10, 12 - 1:30 p.m. Register for Columbia Serves: Food for Thought: Understanding Food Insecurity. 
• 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. Register for Find a Friend: Novel Ideas.
• 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. 
• Donate to This Year’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. 
• Apply to Perform at This Year’s Low Lounge. We’re looking for student performers to help set the vibe for a relaxing evening at the 9th Annual Low Lounge Celebration on Tuesday, December 8. If you’re interested, submit the form by tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, and we’ll contact you to confirm availability. Sign up with the Low Lounge 2026 Performance Interest Form. 
• Student Singers Needed for Lessons & Carols (In-Person). Calling all student 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. 
   

Community Citizenship Initiative (CCI) Events
The workshops and events below satisfy CCI requirements and are open to all students.

• Jewish Identity and Antisemitism (In-Person). Through interactive discussion and reflection, this workshop explores the roots and contemporary realities of Jewish identity and antisemitism. We will examine the diversity of Jewish experiences and consider how that diversity complicates simple narratives about the Jewish community today. Thursday, November 5. 
  • Session 1: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Register for Jewish Identity and Antisemitism (Session 1).
  • Session 2: 2:30 - 4 p.m. Register for Jewish Identity and Antisemitism (Session 2).
     

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.

• Legacy of New York: Seneca Village (In-Person). In collaboration with the Central Park Conservancy, join University Life to learn about the history of Seneca Village. The tour will consist of a guided walk to notable community locations, a timeline of the village, and visits to plaques and land markers that still exist today. Saturday, November 7, 1 - 4 p.m. Join the waitlist for Legacy of New York: Seneca Village.

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.

• Wholesome Book Time (In-Person). Interested in navigation before GPS? Join the Rare Book & Manuscript Library team for an in-depth look at their map collection. Wednesday, November 4, 5 - 6 p.m. Learn more about Wholesome Book Time: Map Edition.
• Mavericks: Race, Gender, Fashion & Avant-garde Culture 1970s NYC (In-Person). Join the Institute for the Study of Sexuality and Gender and Professor Uri McMillan to hear about New York City’s 1970s downtown art and fashion scene. Wednesday, November 4, 4 - 5:30 p.m. Learn more about Mavericks: Race, Gender, Fashion & Avant-garde Culture 1970s NYC.
• MidDay Jazz (In-Person). Visit Lerner Hall for an hour of relaxation and appreciation of jazz music from talented Columbia students. Friday, November 6, 1 - 2 p.m. Register for MidDay Jazz. 
• Pop-Up Concert: Hub New Music (In-Person). Catch a free concert featuring Hub New Music, with new works by Christopher Cerrone, Elijah Daniel Smith, and Dai Wei. Tuesday, November 10, 6 p.m. Learn more about Pop-Up Concert: Hub New Music.

Campus Resources to Support You  

• Make your voting plan for Election Day. Election Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3. Making your voice heard starts with knowing where to go and what resources are available. Before heading to the polls, be sure to review what’s on the ballot and make a voting plan that works for you! Learn more about voting resources. 
• Need a professional picture? Visit the Columbia Career Education Center, located at Uris Hall, and get an updated headshot for your professional resume or portfolio. The center is available to current undergraduate students. No appointment is needed. *Students at other schools are encouraged to check with their career center. Learn more about the headshot booth.

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

Wishing you all the best, 
University Life