This Week at Columbia: Events & Opportunities 4/7 - 4/21
Dear Students,
As we welcome Spring, we hope that you’ll be able to recharge with some of the events below and make new connections.
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
- Interventionism and Global Crisis (In-Person). Tuesday, April 7, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Register here.
- Activating Activism: What Does Activism Look Like in Different Spaces? (In-Person). Thursday, April 9, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Register here.
- Identity Politics in the Digital Age (In-Person). Friday, April 10, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Register here.
- Next Week’s Preview
- Are Some Grassroots Efforts Born to Fail? (In-Person). Progress can feel like a mirage. Why do some efforts succeed while others stall? What can we learn from grassroots wins and failures, and how can we support change? Using current examples, we will explore the path from grassroots action to systemic impact. Friday, April 17, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Register here.
- 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 due to administrative burden and strain. 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.
University Life Events & Opportunities
All events listed below are in Eastern Time (ET), free, and open to all students across all schools and campuses.
- Leadership Week (Hybrid). Sign up for a Leadership Week workshop, happening April 6–10! This series offers you the chance to build your interpersonal and professional skills through 13 workshops, focused on communication, conflict resolution, community-building, and more. Learn more.
- 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 9, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here.
- Plein Air: Painting in Nature (In-Person). Spend a Friday morning painting in the open air in Central Park’s Conservatory Garden among the tulips and cherry blossoms! All materials will be provided, though you’re welcome to bring your own supplies. *Registration for this event has reached capacity. You may join the waitlist, and we’ll be in touch if a space opens up. Friday, April 10, 10:00 - 1:00 p.m. Register here.
- Coffee, Conversations and Spirituality (In-Person). Join Religious Life for coffee, breakfast, and exploration of big questions about life, meaning, and purpose. No beliefs required, just bring your sense of connection and curiosity. Friday, April 10, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Register here.
- Earth Month Park Cleanup & Picnic: Fort Tryon (In-Person). Celebrate Earth Day with our park cleanup series! Help keep Fort Tryon beautiful and enjoy a morning of service and relax with new friends with a picnic in the park. Saturday, April 11, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register here.
- Paws & Pause (In-Person). Recharge with therapy dogs and a variety of calming activities while supporting NYC animal shelters and hospitals. Make upcycled dog toys, paint succulent pots and pet rocks, enjoy tea with light bites, and more. Before the event, donate clean fabric scraps in Kent 202 and be sure to submit your pet photo for our gallery wall! Monday, April 13, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Register here.
- Living in New York City: Housing Resources (Online). Learn tips and strategies to help you navigate NYC housing. Whether you need a refresher on tenant rights or just want to learn more about off-campus housing, this workshop is for you. Tuesday, April 14, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sacred Music Concerts (Hybrid). Join Religious Life’s free, weekly concert series in St. Paul’s Chapel. Various dates and times. Learn more.
- CSSI Ops: Online Puzzle Search (Online). To help you finish the semester strong, The Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) is offering an interactive online scavenger hunt to connect you with resources, support services, and important policies. Complete the game to earn a prize — those who achieve a perfect score will receive a grand prize! Wednesday, April 1 - Wednesday April, 15. 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.
- Creative Writing Lecture with Rachel Khong (In-Person). Hone your writing craft with this lecture from bestselling author Rachel Khong, and hear more about the inner workings of her newly published book “My Dear You.” Wednesday, April 8, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Register here.
- "New Beginnings" Spring Blood Drive (In-Person). Donate blood to support lifesaving efforts across the NYC metropolitan area. Find a time that works for you, and be sure to bring your CUID. Thursday, April 9, 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. Register here.
- 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 get the information you need. Grab an updated professional headshot, enjoy light snacks, and mingle with other fellow graduates. Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register here.
- Self-Care Fair (In-Person). Take a much-needed pause from your studies and immerse yourself in a world of relaxation centered activities, as part of Columbia Health’s Sexual Violence Response (SVR) recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Enjoy mindfulness activities led by Counseling and Psychological Services, explore well-being tips with Columbia Health’s 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.
Campus Resources to Support You
- Enjoy a CitiBike trial subscription with Wellhub. Get outside and explore the neighborhood with Wellhub’s Starter+ Tier ($18.99/month) subscription. This tier offers access to select gyms around Morningside Campus (PureGym 116th and 125th, NYSC 94th), additional premium apps, and a limited CitiBike subscription that includes four 30-minute rides per month. Learn more.
- April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Each April, Columbia Health’s Sexual Violence Response (SVR) observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) with programs and events that honor survivors, supports advocates, and promote a campus environment free from sexual violence. Join the Columbia community for events centered on awareness, education, and advocacy. 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
