Dear Students,
I am so excited to see you back on campus and hope your semester is off to a great start. University Life was established to help build community and support all students’ well-being, across all schools and campuses. At the start of a new year, I write to share some opportunities and resources to support your well-being and that of our Columbia community.
Health Reminders
Welcome Home Columbia - Well-being Events
- Financial Well-being Workshop (Virtual). Join Student Financial Services to learn how to enhance your financial well-being and use tools that enable a greater sense of agency and choice in your future. Thursday, September 15, 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Learn more and register.
- Yoga Class (In-Person). Take a break to relax with yoga in Earl Hall, hosted by Religious Life every Thursday. Please bring your own mat and arrive 5-10 minutes early to sign in and set up. Thursday, September 15, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Learn more.
Well-Being Opportunities with Columbia Health (Morningside/Manhattanville Students)
Check out these upcoming virtual events and opportunities.
- GHAP Advocate Information Session (Virtual). The Gay Health Advocacy Project (GHAP) Advocates program supports the sexual and reproductive health of the Columbia community. Join this info session to learn more about applying, program expectations, and training. Thursday, September 15, 6:00 - 7:00 PM. Learn more.
- Virtual Student Support Spaces Start this Week. Connect with peers on a shared topic of concern. Counseling and Psychological Services providers will guide and facilitate the sessions. Groups include topics like Anxiety Management, Coping with Trauma, Queer Academics at Columbia, and so much more. Explore options here.
- Wellness Coaching. Partner with a certified Well-being Advocate to define what living well means for you and co-create a plan to make that vision a sustainable reality. Learn more.
Well-Being Opportunities with Student Health on Haven (CUIMC Students)
Check out these upcoming virtual events and opportunities.
- Mindfulness Meditation (Virtual). Increase awareness of the present moment and promote relaxation through daily group meditation sessions. Learn more.
- Well-Being Strategy Sessions (Virtual). Well-Being Strategy Sessions help you prioritize, problem solve, build skills, and work to create a flexible action plan that makes sense for you. Learn more.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Thoughts of self-harm can affect anyone–regardless of age, gender or identity. I struggled with it myself when I was in high school. It’s important to take care of ourselves and look out for each other. You can find emergency mental health contacts for Morningside/Manhattanville and CUIMC students.
Learn more about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month on Instagram
Student Spotlight
Mentorship, Community Building, Karaoke, and Great Young Thinkers
Abel Al-Iqbal Radian (CC '23) is co-president of the Columbia Indonesian Society, an active member the CU Society of Hip Hop, and working on an independent research project about the varying definitions of what qualifies as ‘Halal’ food. He spent his summer as a mentor to high school students in the Freedom and Citizenship college seminar.
“A lot of students were shy when they first came. Very shy... I wanted to build a tighter knit community." - Abel Al-Iqbal Radian (CC '23)
I hope you will use these and other resources to continually support your holistic well-being.
Take care,
Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
University Life
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His
