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All posts by Chanel Roche
Major Memo from the Office of University Life: Affirming protection for CU Community
Affirming protection for transgender students and other Columbia community members
At a time when the federal government has withdrawn important protections for transgender students, it is ever more important to reiterate Columbia’s own policy: All students, faculty, staff and visitors should use whichever restroom is most consistent with their gender identity.
For many transgender and gender non-binary individuals, choosing which bathroom to enter is neither easy nor obvious. Each can present distinct concerns that most others do not face when going to the restroom.
Against this backdrop, the federal policy change has generated heightened concern among LGBTQ+ members of our own community as well as among allies and advocates both at Columbia and across the country.
For this reason, we will underscore Columbia’s commitment to protecting restroom access by posting temporary signs around campus that reiterate our policy. A map of gender-neutral restrooms is accessible on the University home page under “maps” and on the University Life app under campus services.
Because the now-withdrawn federal guidance also addressed other issues of importance for transgender students, I want to reiterate, too, that Columbia is fully committed to maintaining our “preferred name” option for CUID cards and to prohibiting discrimination against transgender students in all aspects of campus life, from housing to classrooms to extracurricular activities.
There are many resources and services available to LGBTQ+ students and allies at Columbia. Please visit the University Life website (Inclusion and Diversity) to learn more. For more information on the federal policy changes, The National Center for Transgender Equality has produced a helpful FAQ on the Withdrawal of Federal Guidance for Transgender Students.
At a time when many hard-won protections and policies are under scrutiny and challenge, our diversity is among our important – indeed, fundamental – institutional values, as our Nondiscrimination Policy affirms.
With a continuing commitment to all in our University community.
Suzanne B. Goldberg
Executive Vice President for University Life
CU Health: Procrastination Workshop at CPS
Student Health Insurance & ACA Questions
Dear Students,
With a new administration in the White House, there are a myriad of policies and current federal regulations under scrutiny. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is one policy receiving much attention.
In the most simplistic terms the ACA is a federal law that requires every American to have health insurance and sets minimum requirements about what insurance plans should include and how they are executed.
Columbia University, like most of our peer institutions, requires students to carry an insurance plan. The University negotiates a student health insurance plan annually that offers comprehensive coverage in New York City and beyond, with care provided by an extensive network of clinicians. The current student health insurance plan is administered by Aetna and over 20,000 students are currently enrolled. While our University’s plans will always meet the minimum required by state and federal laws, our plans often exceed what is required because it is in the best interest of our students’ healthcare.
In the event federal laws change and students are covered by an insurance plan that is discontinued or no longer meets the University’s waiver criteria, it will be considered a qualifying life event. We will then issue a communications regarding student eligibility to enroll in the Columbia University Aetna Student Health Insurance plan outside of the normal open enrollment period.
We do not know what will unfold as the new administration sets its course for the healthcare system, but the University’s commitment to our community’s health and well-being will remain unchanged. Columbia Health is here to empower students to be proactive about their health and to seek care, on and off campus. If you have any questions about your current insurance or enrollment in Aetna student health insurance, please visit Student Health Insurance or see Health Insurance and You for quick facts.
Be Well,
Columbia Health
CU Health: Join Alice! Health Promotion and CPS
Join Alice! Health Promotion and Counseling and Psychological Services to start honing your mindfulness skills! Learn about the benefits of being present in your everyday life, and simple ways to start your mindfulness practice. In an effort to ensure attendees are able to be present during this session, please arrive on time. Doors will close promptly at 5:30pm.
Thursday, February 9th, 5:30-6:45pm
Faculty Room, Low Library
**Please arrive on time. Doors close promptly at 5:30pm**
Institute of Reading Development teaching job application
Summer Teaching Positions Available:
Teach Reading to Students of All Ages This Summer
- Earn more than $6,000 during the summer. Teachers typically earn between $500 and $800 per week while teaching.
- Gain over 500 hours of teacher-training and teaching experience with a variety of age groups.
- Help students of all ages develop their reading skills and ability to become imaginatively absorbed in books.
The Institute of Reading Development is seeking candidates for summer 2017 teaching positions. We seek applicants with an undergraduate degree or higher from any discipline. We provide a paid training program and comprehensive on-going support.
We hire people who:
- Have strong reading skills and read for pleasure
- Are responsible, hard working, and have good communication and organizational skills
- Will be patient and supportive with students
The Institute teaches developmental reading programs in partnership with the continuing education departments of more than 100 colleges and universities across the United States. Our classes for students of all ages improve their reading skills and teach them to experience absorption in literature.
We invite you to submit an online application and learn more about teaching for the Institute at: http://instituteofreadingdevelopmentteachingjobs.com/
Tracy Thomas
Teacher
Institute of Reading Development
CU Health: Sleep and Stress Management Initiatives from Alice! Health Promotion
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| Dear Friends of Alice!,
Alice! Health Promotion is kicking off the Spring 2017 semester by focusing on two key topics that impact student well-being — sleep and stress. Updated Asleep! website Please share this resource with your students — and don’t forget to check it out yourself! For questions about the website or to request sleep-related promotional items, please contact Padma Ravichandran at par2160@columbia.edu. Spring 2017 Stressbusters Training Sessions Want to request Stressbusters for your event? It’s as easy as filling out an event request form! Looking forward to working with you all this semester. In health, |
MAJOR MEMO: Smoking Prohibition Policy
To All Students and Journalism School Community:
This is a reminder about the Columbia University policy on the prohibition on smoking in campus buildings, AND immediately by doorways/entrances to buildings. That includes the entrance to Pulitzer Hall, where you are not permitted to stand while smoking. This is more than just a matter of courtesy, but also a policy established to safeguard the health of non-smokers entering and leaving the building, and those affected when smoke drifts into offices and classrooms.
The policy states:
Policy – Smoking Prohibited
“Smoking is prohibited in any indoor area, in all University vehicles, and outdoor seating or viewing areas of sports arenas and recreational areas, such as those at Baker Field. Smoking is also prohibited outdoors within 20 feet of all University buildings.”
The full University policy can be reviewed here, including provisions for disciplinary process for violations.
Columbia University Public Area Smoking Policy
Map of Designated Smoking Areas ( including the walkway PAST the steps in front of Pulitzer Hall)
Please observe this policy.
From the Office of University Life: Inauguration Screening & Discussion
As the new semester gets underway, I want to share several upcoming events and other news from the Office of University Life. We also welcome your suggestions for additional University community conversations.
Friday, Jan. 20 @ 11 a.m. – U.S. Presidential Inauguration – Live Coverage & Discussion – With commentary from Dean Amale Andraos (Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation), Dean Steve Coll (Columbia Journalism School), Dean Lee Goldman of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine (Columbia University Medical Center) and Vice Dean Olatunde Johnson (Columbia Law School). Jerome Greene Hall, Room 104. 11 a.m. ceremony begins; inaugural address anticipated at noon with deans’ discussion to follow. Limited seating; an overflow room with simulcast will be available. Please bring your Columbia ID. Look for the Deans’ discussion on the Columbia University Life YouTube after the event.
Tuesday, Jan. 31 @ Noon – AWAKENING OUR DEMOCRACY: Global Populism and Political Power – Columbia’s lively lunchtime conversation series returns with a focus on populism in the U.S. and around the world. Join Professor of Political Science Sheri Berman(Barnard), author John B. Judis (“The Populist Explosion”), advocates and others for this important discussion. Low Library Rotunda, noon to 1:30 p.m. Register here.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 @ 6:30 p.m. – “13TH” – Film Screening & Discussion – Come see this award-winning documentary about mass incarceration in the U.S., racism, and the criminalization of African Americans, directed by Ava DuVernay (“Selma”). Discussion featuring Columbia faculty to follow. Miller Theatre, 6:30 p.m. Register here. You can read more about “13TH” here.
Connect with University Life – The Office of University Life works on intellectual life, student life and community citizenship at Columbia through events, task forces and various initiatives. We welcome your involvement and ideas – you can reach me directly atsgoldberg@columbia.edu or the University Life office at universitylife@columbia.edu.
Finally, if you are hosting an event for the broader University community, the Office of University Life can help spread the word online and through other student life channels – please let us know!
With best regards for the new semester,
Suzanne B. Goldberg
Executive Vice President for University Life
Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law, Columbia Law School
P.S. For more events, essential campus resources and other updates, you can also download the University Life App and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Insta
