Category Archives: Campus Services

Major Memo from the Office of University Life: Affirming protection for CU Community

Campus Services, Community Citizenship, Major memos, University Life

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At a time when the federal government has withdrawn important protections for transgender students, it is ever more important to reiterate Columbia’s own policy: All students, faculty, staff and visitors should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Because the now-withdrawn federal guidance also addressed other issues of importance for transgender students, I want to reiterate, too, that Columbia is fully committed to maintaining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

University Resources – Harassment on or off campus

Campus Services, Community Citizenship, Counseling/Psychological Services, FAQ, Healthcare Issues, University Life

Dear Students,

In this time of heightened tensions after the elections, we want to remind you of the resources available to students

If you experience harassment on or off campus, you can report it to Public Safety. This is also true if you experience something threatening on social media. Public Safety works with the police on these matters.

In addition, students can seek counseling for individualized support. We are aware that many students are already making use of counseling and wellness resources for this purpose.

Useful Links:
Report harassment
Counseling Services

MH

Space to Connect, Reflect, and Heal

Campus Services, Columbia Events, Community Citizenship, Counseling/Psychological Services

Over the past three weeks of this new academic year, we have been confronted with continued realities of inequity, injustice, and (personal and structural) violence that weigh heavy and impact many in our community. With the tragic shooting deaths of Keith Lamont Scott and Terence Crutcher, escalating hostility toward the Muslim community, recent violence in Chelsea and Minnesota, the cultural and environmental destruction of the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline, recent and continued acts of hate locally and globally, we have a pressing obligation as a community then to learn from and uplift each other.

Columbia University Multicultural Affairs — along with our colleagues in Undergraduate Student Life, CSA, CPS, and across campus — are here to provide personal and community support. In addition to on-going resources (see below), we want to provide additional spaces for reflection and healing in light of these most recent tragedies.

Open Space to Connect, Reflect, and Heal

Thursday, September 22

5pm – 7pm

Intercultural Resource Center (552 W 114th St)

From continuing racialized violence to growing hostility given the political climate, we acknowledge that there have been numerous ways our hearts and minds have been heavy with ongoing pain in our communities. The OMA offers this space for students who wish to come together for reflection and healing.

CU Campus Services: New Bike Rental Program

Campus Services, Fun Stuff, Going Green

Starting today, April 4, Columbia University students, faculty and staff can ride around campus and beyond on brand new cruiser bikes as part of a new bike-share program through Zagster, Inc. The program is piloting with 14 Zagster cruiser bikes at three Morningside campus locations.

Following the leadership and success of the EcoReps bike-share group for undergraduate students and through Columbia’s recruitment of Zagster to campus, a bike-share program is now open to the entire University community.

Campus Locations

Zagster bike share is located on campus at:

–          Eastern entrance of Lerner Hall

–          Between Butler Library and John Jay Hall

–          Wien Courtyard on East Campus

 Expansion opportunities for the Zagster bike share are also being considered at the Manhattanville campus sometime after the first new buildings open.

 Membership

The bike share is offered through three different options, following standard guidelines of bike-share programs at other campuses: annual, monthly and one-day memberships, described below.

1. Annual Membership

$20 membership fee billed annually

Trips under 1 hour are free; then pay $3/hour (up to $30/ride)

2.  Monthly Membership

$8 membership fee billed monthly

 

Trips under 1 hour are free; then pay $3/hour (up to $30/ride)

3. 24-Hour Membership

$5 one-time fee

Trips under 1 hour are free; then pay $3/hour (up to $30/ride)

* Riders will be charged an additional $35 overtime charge for keeping a bike over 24 hours.

To join and ride, visit www.zagster.com/columbia, or download the free Zagster Mobile App, available for iPhone and Android.

Say Hello on April 6

On Wednesday, April 6 the EcoReps will be at the Sundial from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. with giveaways and free ride coupons. Stop by to say hello and take a peek at one of the Zagster bikes.

 Other Columbia Bike Initiatives

The bike-share expansion to the entire Columbia community is one of several bicycle-friendly initiatives Columbia is leading.

  • Following the successful pilot of the bicycle parking enclosure in the Grove, a second enclosure has been installed in Wien Courtyard.
  • There are several workshops on bicycle street skills and traffic safety being offered to Columbia affiliates in conjunction with Bike New York.
  • Ride Your Bike to Campus Days are returning on April 13 at Morningside, and April 15 and a special Earth Day event on April 22 at the Columbia University Medical Center campus.

Find more bicycle-related information on the Columbia Transportation website attransportation.columbia.edu/bike-services-columbia.  Send questions toenvironment@columbia.edu.