This Week at Columbia: Events & Opportunities 4/28 - 5/12

Dear Students,

During this busy stretch of studying, we hope you can carve out time to connect with others and try something new.

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.

• Columbia and the Changing Landscape of Immigration Policies (In-Person). How does the changing immigration policy landscape affect students’ sense of belonging both at Columbia and in the wider community? This conversation will provide space to process how the current political climate impacts migrant and international students. Wednesday, April 29, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Register here. 
• Ambition That Breathes – Pursuing Ambition Without Burning Out (In-Person). At Columbia, many are driven and care deeply about end results, but that can come with real costs to energy and well-being. Join this conversation to explore ambition, burnout, and the pressure to always be doing “more.” Thursday, April 30, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Drawing Back the Curtain: Nepo Babies and the Myth of Meritocracy (In-Person). Nepo babies are not just a Hollywood story. How does meritocracy actually play out in our lives, and who really gets ahead? Join us to unpack hidden pathways to success and the role of social capital. Thursday, April 30, 12:00 - 1:00 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.

• Grad Hangout: Build a Lion for Little Lions (In-Person). Build Roaree-inspired stuffed animals for children at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem with the Graduate Initiative. Unwind, connect, and give back with other students in support of the “little lions” in our community. TODAY, 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. Make new connections while creating glass magnets, mosaic tile coasters, pressed flower frames, and more. *Registration for this event has reached capacity. Walk-ins are welcome until capacity is reached. 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. 
• Grad Hangout: MoMA – Ideas of Africa (In-Person). Visit The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) with the Graduate Initiative and discover Ideas of Africa: Portraiture and Political Imagination, a new exhibit considering how photographic portraiture in Central and West Africa shaped political imagination and Pan-African solidarity during the mid-20th century. *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, 2:00 - 5:00 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 30, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here.  
• Listening Tables X University Life (In-Person). Join University Life leadership and the Campus Conversations team for a Listening Tables session to talk about what matters most to you. From politics and mental health to identity and leadership, engage in meaningful dialogue with trained facilitators, all over complimentary food. Friday, May 1, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Petal Therapy: Unplug & Bloom (In-Person). Go analog for a few hours and reconnect with yourself through crafting in a screen-free environment. Make fresh bouquets, enjoy coloring, puzzling, and reflective writing all over light snacks and refreshments. *Registration for this event has reached capacity. You may join the waitlist, and we’ll be in touch if a space opens up. Friday, May 1, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Grad Hangout: Kompa Nuit (In-Person). Celebrate the rich culture and history of Haitian Flag Day with an interactive dance class from Cumbe Dance Studios and the Graduate Initiative. Learn introductory Kompa steps from a professional instructor and practice your new moves in the community. All experience levels are welcome, and light snacks will be provided. Friday, May 1, 5:00 - 7:00 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. 
   

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.

• New Plays Festival 2026 (In-Person). Catch a free play through the New Plays Festival, as produced by the Columbia MFA Playwriting Students. Friday, April 24 – Sunday, May 10, Times Vary. Register here. 
• Pop-Up Concerts: Alice Teyssier & Friends - Adventures of La Maupin (In-Person). Attend a free concert featuring Alice Teyssier and a small ensemble for a new cantata-style work inspired by the life and legend of La Maupin, the late-17th-century queer opera singer and swordswoman renowned for her rapturous voice and fabled adventures. TODAY, April 28, 6:00 p.m. Register here. 
• Reducing and Managing Stress | Well-being Workshop (Online). Join this workshop from Columbia Health’s Alice! Health Promotion to learn strategies for improving your stress management, sleep, and nutrition, as well as University resources that can provide support. Wednesday, April 29, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Register here. 
• Book Talk: "Wartime Letters" by Kathleen Harriman (In-Person). Tune into a book talk from Geoffrey Roberts, editor of “Wartime Letters” by prominent journalist Kathleen Harriman, and moderated by Jack Snyder. Thursday, April 30, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Register here. 
• Connect with a CU Well Peer Leader at Lerner Ramps (In-Person). Grab some freebies and hang out with Columbia Health’s CU Well Peer Leaders at Lerner Ramps where you’ll receive information about health and well-being resources provided by Alice! Health Promotion and Columbia Health. Friday, May 1, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Learn more. 
   

Campus Resources to Support You

• Fine-tune your Writing Skills for Finals Season. As the Spring semester winds to a close, take advantage of the Writing Center for one-on-one support to help you finish strong. Please note: students in the School of Social Work are supported by their own institutional writing center. Learn more. 
• Have Questions? Ask a Librarian. Head to the Butler Library 3rd-floor lobby to chat with a librarian for any questions regarding research, citation management, and other academic resources that may be helpful this finals season. Hours are as follows: Monday–Thursday, 1:00 - 8:00 p.m.; Friday, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Learn more.
• A Testing Integrity Reminder from CSSI. Helping maintain a fair testing environment makes a difference for everyone. As you take your exams, be sure to follow all testing guidelines to ensure our academic community remains equitable and respectful for all students. 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