Your Guide to Key University Policies

Welcome to the new academic year!

Being part of Columbia University comes with both opportunities and responsibilities. The policies summarized below provide a foundation for life at Columbia. They outline the responsibilities we share as members of this community, and our expectations on how we treat one another, respect the rights of others, care for our collective spaces, and contribute to an environment in which learning and discovery can thrive.

The offices connected to these policies are here as a resource for all students. I encourage you to become familiar with the many supports available to you, and to reach out whenever you need guidance or assistance.

Because University policies may be updated periodically, please take a few moments to review this information and bookmark the links below, even if you have read them in previous years.

I wish you a rewarding and successful year ahead. 

Safety and Behavior-related Policies

Alcohol and Drugs
These policies set requirements related to alcohol and drug use. They reflect New York State and other applicable law and are written with your health, your safety, and the welfare of the wider community in mind.

Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students
This policy prohibits discrimination and discriminatory harassment based on protected characteristics. It explains how to report such conduct, how the University reviews and addresses reports, and what resources are available to support anyone affected.

Anti-Doxing and Online Harassment
Columbia is committed to promoting a respectful and safe community online as well as in person. This policy prohibits doxing and online harassment, explains how to report it, and explains how the University responds when it occurs.

Anti-Hazing
Everyone should be able to join a student organization without fear of harm or intimidation. This policy prohibits hazing, describes the University’s prevention work, and explains how to report an incident and the support available to those affected.

Campus Safety and Security
Public Safety sets campus safety policies and publishes an annual security report on security practices and crime statistics. Printed copies are available at Public Safety’s offices on the Morningside, Manhattanville, and Medical Center campuses.

Posting Policy
This policy outlines where and how banners, posters, and other similar signage may be displayed on campus, including what approvals are needed. Displaying or placing such materials outside these guidelines is not permitted.

Rules of University Conduct
Free expression and open debate are central to life at Columbia. These Rules, overseen by the Office of Rules Administration, protect the right to demonstrate while making clear that it cannot displace the right of others to counter-demonstrate, to teach, or to pursue academic work.

Standards & Discipline
Columbia students are expected to act with respect, integrity, and civility. These policies describe those expectations in detail and explain the disciplinary process that follows when they are not met.

Title IX and Related Misconduct Policy and Procedures for Students
This policy prohibits all forms of gender-based misconduct and sexual harassment. It details how the University prevents and addresses violations, provides supportive measures for students, and maintains resolution options through the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE).

Travel and Activity Planning Policy (TAPP)
If you travel for study, research, or University business, this policy explains how to assess risk before you go. It also covers the required travel registrations and the resources available to you while you are traveling.

University Events
This policy provides a framework for planning and scheduling events at Columbia. Student organizations, University departments, and anyone reserving campus facilities or outdoor spaces should review it before making arrangements.

University Regulations
These University Regulations govern all registered students, as defined by the regulations. They cover everything from religious holiday accommodations and campus safety to organizational conduct standards and the student discipline process.

Privacy and Consumer-related Policies

Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA is a Federal law protecting the privacy of student education records. This policy provides information about who may access records, when your consent is required, and what rights you have to review them.

Social Security Number (SSN) Usage
This policy limits when the University may collect, store, or display an SSN.

Student Consumer Information
In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Columbia provides pertinent information and disclosures for enrolled and prospective students.

Technology-related Policies

Information Technology (IT) Policies
The University maintains policies on the use and security of its information technology including computer use, University systems, and networks. Anyone using Columbia’s IT resources and facilities is expected to know and follow them.

Student Email Communication
Columbia has established email as an official means of communication with students. This policy explains your responsibilities for using your Columbia email address, including the expectation that you monitor it regularly.

Policies are subject to change. For full policy texts, links to additional resources, and the most current information, please refer to the University Policies website, which also lists Additional Policy Sources for policies that apply only to a particular school, department, laboratory, or research center.

Sincerely,

Melanie Bernitz, MD, MPH (she/her)

Executive Vice President, University Life and Well-Being
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (in the Center for Family and Community Medicine)