Campus & Community

A blue and green graphic with the words "Campus & Community" in its center alongside icons that represent Columbia University and New York City.

This page is dedicated to stories about Columbia's campus and community. From student, staff, and faculty profiles to interesting events happening on campus and in our surrounding neighborhoods, here is where you can find the latest about what's happening on and around Columbia's campuses. 

Story Highlight

Graduating students point at the camera
6 Things to Know About Commencement 2024 and Graduation Season at Columbia

As daffodils pop out of the ground and magnolias start to bloom, so too grows our excitement to celebrate the Class of 2024. May 15 marks a historic first for Columbia: two University Commencement ceremonies, one in the morning and one in the evening, allowing for ample time to recognize our growing student body and community.

However, Commencement does not stand alone. While May 15 may mark the largest celebration of Columbia's graduates, the day is also surrounded by more than a week of graduation festivities, from class days and multicultural ceremonies to the baccalaureate service and other events.

You may have some questions as we prepare to celebrate, so Columbia News is here to help with six things you should keep in mind this extra special graduation season.

 

Photo of the Week

Bundles scholars from over the years
11 Years of Bundles Community Scholars

Last week, a group of A'Lelia Bundles Community Scholars came together for a luncheon at Lerner Hall where they shared updates on their community-based projects with the program's namesake, A'Lelia Bundles.

QUIZ

MArch Madness at Levien
The Columbia News Quiz: March Madness Edition

Test yourself with questions on Pi Day celebrations, electric fish at the Zuckerman Institute, and the Battle of the Dining Halls. Let's see how much you remember from the month of March.

COLUMBIA HISTORY

A collage of Dwight D Eisenhower with the Alma Mater statue
How Dwight D. Eisenhower Helped Shape NATO While President of Columbia

On April 4, 1949, the newly formed North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), represented by delegates from the US, Canada, and ten European countries, signed a collective security pact. Four years after the end of a war that killed thirty-nine million Europeans, the twelve nations negotiated an all-for-one, one-for-all agreement with the declared intention to check Soviet expansion, bolster Europe’s defenses, and prevent German remilitarization.

At Columbia, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ’47HON, the five-star general who led the Allied invasion of Europe during World War II, was closely following events. Eisenhower had become president of Columbia less than a year earlier, succeeding Nicholas Murray Butler, who resigned in 1945 after forty-four years.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST

Avery Hall blobs.

Did you know we have a biweekly newsletter filled with Campus & Community content you might not find anywhere else, delivered straight to your inbox?

Find the most recent editions here. And make sure you subscribe to receive the newsletter in your inbox every other Wednesday. 

Out and About

Featured

CUFF
Columbia University Film Festival

MAY 9 - 13

Columbia University Film Festival (CUFF) is excited to bring five days of dynamic programming highlighting the thesis work of the Film MFA Program. We are having the screenings on campus at the Lenfest Center for the Arts. Join us for Screenwriting Night which will open our festival at Playwright’s Horizons, and Awards Night will close the festival at the Paris Theater to acknowledge the winning films. 

Not only are we offering these in-person events and screenings, we are also offering a chance to watch the films virtually on the Eventive platform. Tickets for Screenwriting Night, Awards Night, and a virtual screening pass are all $15.

More Stories

Michelle Young, GSAPP alumna and faculty member as well as founder of Untapped New York, helps reacquaint us with the can't-miss spots of Morningsi

Beat the summer heat with some cool podcasts from around our community. 

On June 21, Columbia University Libraries hosted a ribbon-cutting to symbolize the full reopening of library spaces. Here's what you can expect thi

Celebrate LGBTQ+ history at Columbia and the people who made that history with a little trivia.

Looking back at the contributions of LGBTQ+ Columbians, offering resources, and sharing the events you can participate in this Pride Month.

From the first volume of Barack Obama's presidential memoir to a collection of classic recipes by Jacques Pépin, these books by Columbia alumni are

From chefs to presidents, listen to the wisdom of some of Columbia's greatest graduation speeches. 

From graduation tchotchkes to special speakers, test your knowledge of Columbia's Commencement.

Topics & Resources

A view of Alma Mater from behind, looking at Butler Library.
Awards & Milestones

Columbia faculty, students, and staff are on the cutting edge of advancements in all fields. Here, you can find recent accomplishments and milestones.

Rocking the Glass House event at Lerner
Columbia Events

Explore a wide range of academic, cultural, and athletic events happening every day at Columbia. Nearly all events are open to the public, except as noted, and most are free.

A man with a box of recycling
Columbia Dining, Facilities, and Operations News

Whether you need a carpenter, an electrician, a locksmith, housing, lighting, painting, parking, plumbing, recycling, more space, or public safety services, or if you need to eat, plan an event, travel around campus, or mail and printing services—Columbia Facilities and Operations has you covered. 

A group of kids and adults plays corn hole on the Manhattanville campus.
Columbia Neighbors

Columbia Neighbors is where the university connects with its local community, its new friends and neighbors, anyone who looks to the diversity of ideas and experiences in our community and sees the possibility for shared growth, being of service, and connection. 

The Columbia Womens Basketball team holds a trophy
Photo of the Week

Photo of the Week captures moments from around the University and New York City. The series is curated by University Photographer Eileen Barroso and Jennifer Pellerito.

All Students with cutouts of students
University Life

University Life is focused on enhancing the student experience across Columbia’s 17 schools and colleges. It serves as a student life hub for the University and is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus culture where students can thrive in all dimensions of their lives.