This Week at Columbia: Events & Opportunities 9/16 - 9/26

Dear Students,

We know this time of year can be full and fast-moving and hope you're finding moments to recharge and connect along the way. We’d love to see you at one of the upcoming events listed below.

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

• Community Connections: Hispanic Heritage Month (In-Person). Join The Graduate Initiative to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an afternoon of conversations, engaging activities, and light bites. All students are welcome. Wednesday, September 17, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here.
• Interfaith Welcome to Morningside Heights (In-Person). Gather with neighbors, students, faculty, and staff for food, conversation, and shared reflections from many faith traditions. All are welcome. Halal and Kosher options provided. Wednesday, September 17, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Register here.
• SNAP and The Food Pantry (Online). Learn about SNAP, a federal program that provides monthly food benefits, at a virtual workshop hosted by the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI). The session will also cover Columbia’s Food Pantry and local resources for addressing food insecurity. Thursday, September 18, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Register here.
• Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway (In-Person). Ready to spend some time near a different part of Broadway? Head down to the Theater District to see Hell’s Kitchen, a musical inspired by New York native Alicia Keys’ life and music. Thursday, September 18, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Register here.
• Yoga Class (In-Person). Take a break to relax and refresh with yoga in Earl Hall, offered every Thursday evening during the fall 2025 semester. Thursday, September 18, NEW TIME! 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here.
• 2025 George Van Amson Fellows Showcase (In-Person). Attend the 2025 George Van Amson (GVA) Fellows Showcase to see Barnard College and Columbia University fellows share their summer experiences with local nonprofits and the meaningful impact of their work on the community and themselves. Friday, September 19, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Register here.
• Park Clean Up & Picnic (In-Person). Get some fresh air and show Morningside Park some love! After the cleanup, plan for a casual picnic in the park to relax and connect with others. Friday, September 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register here.
• Office Hours w/ Case Management and Student Support (Online). Need help finding campus or community resources? Stop by office hours to meet one-on-one with a Case Manager to get connected with support for basic needs, resource navigation, goal setting, and more. Tuesday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register here.
• Apply to become a Campus Conversations Facilitator. Want to create spaces of connection and understanding at Columbia? Apply to be a Campus Conversations Facilitator and build skills in active listening, navigating tough conversations, and exploring identity in meaningful ways. The application is open for graduate students and is open until October 6, 2025. Learn more.
• Become a 2025-2026 Student Conduct Navigator. Apply to be a Student Conduct Navigator (SCN) and support your peers through the student conduct process, answering questions and providing guidance after hearings. SCN’s also help develop restorative programs and serve as campus-wide resources on ethics, integrity, and community standards. Learn more.
• Curious about opportunities with Religious Life? Undergraduate or graduate students who are work-study eligible and interested in supporting interfaith programming are encouraged to apply for a program associate position. Learn more.
• Interested in working with University Life? Build your skills and grow your network with University Life for the 2025–2026 academic year. Apply now for positions in events, communications, and student engagement. Learn more.
• Get Involved with University Life: Student Volunteering Opportunities. Looking for ways to get involved with the Columbia community? Join the University Life Student Volunteer Roster to stay informed about volunteer opportunities throughout the academic year, including helping at events, joining focus groups, and being the first to know about upcoming opportunities. Register here.
   

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.

• Ride Your Bike To Campus: Manhattanville (In-Person). Join Public Safety at Lenfest Plaza for Security Awareness/Ride Your Bike to Campus Day with free bike tune-ups, device protection, safety consultations, resources from NYPD and FDNY, and more. Wednesday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Learn more.
• Democracy Beyond Elections: Citizens’ Assemblies and Institutional Reform (Online). Join Columbia World Projects, New America’s Political Reform program, and FIDE – North America for a webinar exploring the history and future of deliberative democracy in the U.S. Thursday, September 18, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register here.
• "The Making of an Anglo-Jewish Scholar" (In-Person). Join the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies for a book talk with historian David Ruderman, Professor Francesca Bregoli, and IIJS Co-Director Rebecca Kobrin, exploring the life of Solomon Yom Tov Bennett, an immigrant, artist, and biblical scholar. Thursday, September 18, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Register here.
• ISSG Drag Ball (In-Person). The Institute for the Study of Sexuality and Gender invites you to the first-ever ISSG Drag Ball. Hosted by Junior Mintt with music by DJ Sp3cial K, the evening will feature food, judges, trophies, and performances by students and special guests. Friday, September 19, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Learn more.
• 14th Annual Morningside Lights: TIMEFRAME 1965 (In-person). Experience the 14th annual Morningside Lights, a glowing procession of handmade lanterns through Morningside Park celebrating the art, icons, and influences of 1965. Enter campus via Amsterdam Avenue and 116th Street to witness this mobile art gallery. Saturday, September 20, 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Learn more.
• ISSO Cultural Fair (In-Person). Get ready for the first-ever International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) Cultural Fair! Learn directly from your fellow students, try out henna tattoos, and race friends through a giant inflatable adventure course. Monday, September 22, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Learn more.
• Listening Tables @ J-School - Graduate Student Edition (In-Person). Graduate students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend a Listening Table at the Graduate School of Journalism with session hosts Pamela McKelvin, Abi Wright, Jarvis Watson, Gillian Atkinson, and Jilliene Rodriguez. Meet, mingle, and enjoy open dialogue over a complimentary meal. Thursday, September 25, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Register here. 
   

Campus Resources to Support You

• Enhance Your Writing Skills. Whether you’re brainstorming, drafting, or polishing a final piece, the Writing Center offers one-on-one support and consultations to undergraduate and graduate students to help strengthen your writing skills. Please note: students in the School of Social Work are supported by their own institutional writing center. Learn more.
• Expand Your Financial Literacy Knowledge. Explore content covering all of your questions regarding financial literacy with iGrad, a personal finance platform. Participate in knowledge-building exercises and tutorials, watch explainer videos with tips and tricks, and track your financial goals. Learn more. 
   

We hope this week brings fun, growth, and meaningful connections your way.

Wishing you all the best, 

University Life