This Week at Columbia: Events & Opportunities (8/29)

Dear Students,

Join us next week for Welcome Home Columbia! This University Life tradition will connect you with resources and peers to start your semester off right. See you there!

Passionate About Building Community at Columbia?

• Become a University Life Ambassador! As a University Life Ambassador, you can help promote a welcoming and inclusive campus for all Columbia students. Apply by Thursday, August 31 at Noon.

All events below are in Eastern Time, free, and open to all students unless otherwise noted.

Welcome Home Columbia: September 5-15

• Meet & Greets (In-Person). Come enjoy some light refreshments and connect with students with shared identities and experiences! All students are welcome. Upcoming Meet & Greets include:
  • First-Gen Students: Tuesday, September 5, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
  • Arab Students: Thursday, September 7, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
  • LGBTQIA+ Students: Friday, September 8, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
  • Indigenous Students: Friday, September 8, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
  • DACA and Undocumented Students: Monday, September 11, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
  • BIPOC Students: Tuesday, September 12, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
  • Black Ph.D. Students: Tuesday, September 12, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Students with Disabilities: Wednesday, September 13, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
• Welcome to the Libraries (In-Person). Stop by Butler Library and meet library staff, grab giveaways, and gather information about how to make the most of your Libraries! Monday, August 28 - Monday, September 11. Weekdays, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
• University Life Resource Fair (In-Person). Join us at Butler Plaza to get free swag, discover resources, and hear about events offered by University Life, IGB student groups, and campus partners! Tuesday, September 5, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Learn More.
• Speed Friending (In-Person). Make new friends and expand your social circle with the University Life Events Council! Insomnia Cookies are available for the first 300 students to enter. Tuesday, September 5, 5:00 - 6:15 PM. Register here.
• Religious Life Activities Fair (In-Person). Stop by for ice cream and an opportunity to learn about Religious Life's multi-faith resources. Wednesday, September 6, 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Learn more.
• Low-Lapalooza: Silent Disco (In-Person). Dance the night away and enjoy Insomnia cookies, giveaways, photos, and much more! Headsets are only available for the first 350 students to enter. Want to suggest a song? Share your recommendation here! Thursday, September 7, 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Learn more.
• Yoga Class (In-Person). Religious Life invites you to take a break and relax with yoga in Earl Hall. Please bring your own mat and arrive 10 minutes early to sign in and set up. Doors close at 7:05 PM. Thursday, September 7 & Thursday, September 14, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Learn more.
• Get to Know Us: Center for Student Success & Intervention (Virtual). Meet staff members from the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) and learn about how they can support you during your time at Columbia. Friday, September 8, 1:00 - 2:00 PM. Register here.
• Welcome Fitness Class: Outdoor Zumba (In-Person). Have fun and get moving at this outdoor fitness class! Zumba mixes low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style dance fitness party. All fitness levels are welcome. Friday, September 8, 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Register here.
• Maps & Snacks at CUIMC (In-Person). Stop by our table at 50 Haven to grab a snack and a campus map! Monday, September 11, 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Learn more.
• Religious Life Information Session (In-Person). Connect with new and returning students and learn about Religious Life resources on campus over a meal in Earl Hall. Tuesday, September 12, 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Register here
• University Life Trivia Table (In-Person). How much do you know about Columbia University and our campus resources? Stop by our table in Butler Library and answer a question correctly to win a prize. Wednesday, September 13, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Learn More.
• Financial Fitness Tips & Tidbits (Virtual). Join Student Financial Services to learn tips, tricks, tools, and resources to plan for the future and address immediate and long-term financial challenges. Wednesday, September 13, 2:30 - 3:30 PM. Register here.
• Multi-Faith Fellowship (In-Person). Students from all schools and all traditions are welcome to join Religious Life for dinner, discussion, and multi-faith dialogue. Wednesday, September 13, 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Register here.
• Passport to Columbia (In-Person). Kick-start the fall semester with University Life Events Council's Passport to Columbia! All are welcome at this celebration of our international community. Thursday, September 14, 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Register here.
• Graduate Welcome (Hybrid). University Life invites graduate and professional school students from all programs and fields of studies to a one-day welcome event. Participants will have an opportunity to build community with peers and mentors. This event – part of the Graduate Initiative – was designed with the needs of students from historically marginalized communities in mind, including BIPOC, first-generation, and international students. All students are welcome. Friday, September 15, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Register Here.

Grant Opportunities

• Tamer Fund for Social Ventures. Established in 2015, this fund provides seed grants of up to $25,000 to early-stage nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid social and environmental ventures affiliated with Columbia University. Apply by Friday, September 15.
  • Information Session - Thursday, September 7, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
• Community-Driven Co-Production of Climate Knowledge Small Grant. Columbia Climate School and the Center for Science and Society invite proposals for environmental justice projects that address historic inequities between climate researchers and affected communities. You can apply in partnership with community groups or members of a local or Indigenous community. Learn more and apply by October 15.

More Fun Events in New York City
Looking to explore NYC on a budget? Check out our free and low-cost activities page, updated regularly with new events and activities!

Have a great week,

Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs
University Life
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His

Ixchel Rosal
Senior Associate Vice President for Student Life
University Life
Gender Pronouns: She/Her/Hers