This Week at Columbia: Events & Opportunities 4/14 - 4/30

Dear Students,

Need a study break? We’ve got you covered — join us at one (or more) of the events below to relax, reset, and connect with others.

Join an Upcoming Campus Conversation
Campus Conversations is a dialogue-based program from University Life, led by graduate students, designed to bring students together across differences. All students are welcome.

• This Week’s Highlights
  • Are Some Grassroots Efforts Born to Fail? (In-Person). Friday, April 17, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Register here.
     
• Next Week’s Preview
  • Does AI Reduce Provider Burnout or Dehumanize Medicine? (In-Person). AI is rapidly being integrated into healthcare, from documentation to diagnostics, while provider burnout continues to rise. Explore whether AI can ease burnout or instead risk depersonalizing care, focusing on how its design and implementation affect providers and patients alike. Monday, April 20, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Navigating Interpersonal Relationships and Hyperindividualism (In-Person). In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness to be an epidemic. Join this conversation to discuss how we can build meaningful relationships in the context of an individualistic culture. Monday, April 20, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • The Purpose of a Columbia Education (In-Person). Reflect on what it means to learn and grow at Columbia, especially amid recent controversies. Together, we’ll explore how our shared identity shapes our perspectives, responsibilities, and responses to criticism. Tuesday, April 21, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Register here.
  • How Can Healthcare Providers Exercise Culturally Competent Care? (In-Person). "Culturally competent care" has become a common buzzword in the healthcare industry, but what does it look like in practice? Join us in exploring how healthcare providers can better support immigrant communities. All students are welcome, regardless of background or experience. Monday, April 27, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Register here. 
     

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

• Rocky Horror Show (In-Person). Take a trip to Studio 54 Theatre to attend Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Enjoy a pre-show dinner and learn more about this production’s legacy. *Registration for this event has reached capacity. You may join the waitlist, and we’ll be in touch if a space opens up. Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 - 10:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Success Workshop: Time Management & Productivity (In-Person). In this interactive workshop we’ll cover practical tools and strategies like time-blocking and the Eisenhower Matrix to help you plan your days more effectively, along with tips for avoiding distractions and overcoming procrastination. Thursday, April 16, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Yoga Class (In-Person). Take a break to relax and refresh with yoga in Earl Hall. Please bring your own mat and arrive 10 minutes early to set up; doors close at 6:35 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here. 
• Earth Month Park Cleanup & Picnic: Morningside Park (In-Person). Enjoy part two of our park clean-up series by sprucing up Morningside Park with new friends. Enjoy a picnic lunch and relax outdoors afterward! Friday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Office Hours w/ Student Support (Online). Chat one-on-one with The Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) to get connected to campus and community resources you need. Tuesday, April 21, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Grad Hangout: Brushes & Botanicals (In-Person). Join the Graduate Initiative for a hands-on art and plant-care workshop designed to help you recharge. Paint your own mini succulent pots, learn beginner-friendly plant care tips, and pot a succulent to take home. *Registration for this event has reached capacity. You may join the waitlist, and we’ll be in touch if a space opens up. Wednesday, April 22, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Find a Friend: Brilliant Books & Boba (In-Person). Talk books over boba tea and meet some new friends! Swap favorite reads, discuss your TBR stack, and share your favorite quotes and characters on our Book Wall. Thursday, April 23, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Register here.  
• Grad Networking: Brewing Connections (In-Person). Whether you’re preparing for graduation or continuing your graduate journey, you’re invited to join the Graduate Initiative, in collaboration with the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA), the SIPA Black Student Union, and the Association of Black Social Workers, for an evening mixer to help you grow your network in a relaxed cafe-style setting. Thursday, April 23, 5:00  - 7:30 p.m. Register here. 
• Grad Hangout: Build a Lion for Little Lions (In-Person). Encourage children at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem by building Roaree-inspired stuffed animals for donation with the Graduate Initiative. Unwind, connect, and give back with other students in support for the “little lions” in our community. Tuesday, April 28, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.
• Make Space: A Self-Care Crafting Series #3 - Translucent & Tranquil (In-Person). Slow down and discover moments of intentional care and relaxation through glass-inspired crafting. Create glass magnets, mosaic tile coasters, pressed flower frames, and more all while making new connections. Wednesday, April 29, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.
• Legacy of New York: LES Food Tour (In-Person). Explore the Lower East Side (LES) through food! Trace the immigrant stories that have shaped the LES, and get a taste of Dominican, Puerto Rican, Jewish, Italian, and Chinese flavors, experiencing first-hand how food continues to play an important role in connecting people to their heritage. *Registration for this event has reached capacity. You may join the waitlist, and we’ll be in touch if a space opens up. Thursday, April 30, 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Register here. 
• Sacred Music Concerts (Hybrid). Join Religious Life’s free, weekly concert series in St. Paul’s Chapel. Various dates and times. Learn more. 
• Apply to be part of the Student Group Accountability Review Board (SGARB)! Submit a nomination or apply for the opportunity to join SGARB and develop critical thinking and equity-informed leadership skills while contributing to an educational accountability process for student organizations. Applications are due by Friday, April 24. 

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

• The Columbia Way: Learn About Benefits for Columbia Alumni (In-Person). Join the Columbia Alumni Association for a two-day opportunity to meet alumni groups, learn about post-graduation benefits, expand your network, and grab a professional headshot with light snacks and other graduates. Wednesday, April 15, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Student Roundtable with LinkedIn’s Co-Founder, Allen Blue (In-Person). Join the Center on Global Energy Policy’s Women in Energy initiative for an interactive discussion exploring the evolution of work, networking, and career-building in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. Wednesday, April 15, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Self-Care Fair (In-Person). Take a pause from your studies and immerse yourself in a world of relaxation-centered activities with Columbia Health’s Sexual Violence Response (SVR) in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Enjoy mindfulness activities led by Counseling and Psychological Services, explore well-being tips with Alice! Health Promotion, learn about community opportunities with University Life, and so much more. Thursday, April 16, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here. 
• "The Wandering Jew in Israel, 1952-1955" (In-Person). Join Yair Mintzker, Professor of European History at Princeton University, for a lecture on the origin of the expression “Wandering Jew,” and its old and modern apparitions. Monday, April 20, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Listening Tables - Grad Student Edition at Teachers College (In-Person). Graduate students, faculty, and staff are invited to the Teachers College for a Listening Table to share conversation, connect, and enjoy a complimentary meal together. Tuesday, April 21, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Register here
• Catfishing, Romance, and Sextortion Scams w/ Adam Dodge of EndTAB (Online). Online scams are getting more personal. People are increasingly targeted by online scams like sextortion, romance scams, and catfishing that exploit trust, intimacy, and identity. In recognition of Sexual Assault Awarenes Month (SAAM), Columbia Health’s Sexual Violence Response (SVR) invites you to join Adam Dodge of EndTAB to learn how to recognize red flags, support impacted people, and prevent future harm. Thursday, April 23, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Register here.
   

Campus Resources to Support You

• Get familiar with your summer benefits. As the end of the semester approaches, take a moment to better understand the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan and how to make the most of it. Whether you’re graduating or returning, learn about your health insurance options to make sure you are covered. Learn more.
• Reserve your tickets for Commencement. Registration for this year’s Commencement ceremony opens up on April 15 and closes on May 6. This year’s ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, with two celebrations held on the Morningside Campus: one for graduate degree candidates and one for undergraduate degree candidates. Learn more. 
   

Have questions or want to connect? Join us at an upcoming event or get in touch.

Wishing you all the best, 
University Life