Columbia New Student Newsletter for the Class of 2016

The Center for Student Advising is pleased to welcome you to campus!

Before you register for classes, you will have the opportunity to meet with your adviser. Be sure to bring the tear-out information sheet found in your Academic Planning Guide (pdf opens in new window) to your first meeting. Use this conversation as a springboard to build a strong advising partnership!

Before you come to Columbia, we recommend that you consider your academic trajectory, map out a proposed schedule for the fall, and jot down any questions you have. The Bulletins for CC and SEAS contain a wealth of important information about degree requirements, academic departments, faculty contacts, and major requirements, as well as detailed course descriptions; the Directory of Classes lists all courses currently scheduled.

Whether you are sure of your future path or are open to new fields, your adviser will help you determine the best course of action to launch your Columbia career. Be on the lookout for an email from your new adviser in August!

News

Chat with the Center for Student Advising

If you were not able to attend any of our Summer Advising sessions due to scheduling conflicts or geography, please consider attending one of the online chats with the Center for Summer Advising (CSA).

The chats, hosted by advisers, are perfect for any and all students who have academic planning questions they would like to have answered prior to the New Student Orientation Program. To attend a chat, log in ten minutes before 6:00 p.m. EDT using your Columbia UNI.

Upcoming chats:
Wednesday, July 25, 6:00-9:00 p.m. EDT
Thursday, August 9, 6:00-9:00 p.m. EDT
Tuesday, August 21, 6:00-9:00 p.m. EDT

Campus Move-in

“Move-in” is an exciting and busy time. In order to provide the highest level of service and to ensure everyone’s experience is as stress free as possible, we’ve divided the first-year class into two move-in groups based on geographic location.

Sunday, August 26
8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Students traveling a great distance to Columbia will be sent a special invitation from Columbia Housing to move in on Sunday, August 26. These students will be contacted in early August through their LionMail account (not CubMail) with a link to RSVP. If you receive one of these special invitations, you will need to confirm your early arrival by following the directions in the email.

We anticipate that this will include students with a primary residence in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, Guam, and countries other than the U.S.

Monday, August 27
7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Students with a primary residence in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Washington, D.C. will move in on Monday, August 27.

Pre-Orientation Programs
If you participate in one of the Columbia Outdoor Orientation Programs (COBOP, COHOP, COROP), Columbia Urban Experience (CUE) or the International Students Orientation Program (ISOP), you will arrive before August 27. Your program will send you instructions on housing and how to store your belongings in the period preceding orientation.

Your University ID Card

Your University ID card is your passport to Columbia. It grants you access to the Library and other secure campus facilities, allows you to purchase services at campus dining locations and the University bookstore, and enables you to take advantage of cultural discount programs in New York City. To get your Columbia University ID card, you will need to submit a photo online that meets specific requirements.

The photo deadline is Tuesday, August 7. You will receive your University ID card upon arrival to campus. Read more about the many University ID card features at the ID Center website.

Submitting Your Immunization Documentation

You must submit your completed immunization documentation (pdf opens in new window) to the Columbia Health Immunization Office for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), as is required by New York state public health law. It is recommended that you do this at least 30 days before registering for classes, preferably before August 1.

Entering students will not be able to register for classes or check into campus housing until documentation is submitted.

Although the following immunizations are not required by law, they are recommended prior to enrollment at Columbia University: Hepatitis B Vaccine, Tetanus Vaccine or Combined Tetanus/Pertussis Vaccine, Tuberculosis Skin Test (PPD), and Varicella (Chicken Pox).