Warm Wishes from University Life

December 19, 2024

Dear Students,

The University Life team wishes you a restful and enjoyable winter break. We hope the coming weeks are a chance to relax and spend time with friends and loved ones. If you’re staying in the area, we encourage you to check out these free and low-cost activities happening around New York City.

Congratulations to those of you graduating this term! We wish you all the best as you plan your next steps.

For those returning next term, we hope you'll join us for Welcome Week (January 21-31) and the many other events and opportunities we have planned. In the meantime, here are some ways to get involved during the break and beyond: 

  • Volunteer with Community Impact. Staying in New York City and looking to connect with neighbors? Volunteer at Community Impact's soup kitchen or food pantry at Ford Hall on West 114th St, between Broadway and Riverside Drive. Reach out to Ricardo Bustamante at [email protected] if interested. Support is needed for the following dates (multiple shift times available): 
    • Friday, December 20 (Soup Kitchen) 
    • Monday, December 23 (Food Pantry) 
    • Friday, January 10 (Soup Kitchen)
    • Friday, January 17 (Soup Kitchen)
    • Additional Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in January (Food Pantry) 
  • Apply to Perform at Dinner with Strangers. Want to share your talent? The University Life Events Council seeks performers for their annual Dinner with Strangers event on January 21 from 5:15 - 7 p.m. Apply by January 8.
  • Apply to Become a Student Navigator. Navigators are students from all 17 schools who partner with Center for Student Success and Intervention to support peers who are engaged in the student conduct process. They also provide input to CSSI about the conduct process. Apply by January 10.

The Food Pantry at Columbia Operations Update

The Food Pantry will be closed during Winter Break and will reopen at the beginning of the Spring semester. Spring 2025 hours of operation will be announced shortly. For additional assistance over the Winter Break, we have listed resources that can be found in the local Morningside community as well as throughout New York City.


Warm wishes,

Melanie J. Bernitz (she/her/hers)

Interim Executive Vice President, University Life
Senior Vice President, Columbia Health

Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D. (he/him/his)

Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, University Life