Category Archives: Community Citizenship

Office of University Life: Wellness Days @ Columbia

Columbia Events, Community Citizenship, Healthcare Issues

As the last month of classes gets underway, we are delighted to introduce Wellness Days @Columbia, a joint effort of students, faculty and staff that is part of an ongoing focus on mental health, wellness and community citizenship at Columbia.

You are cordially invited to join the events listed below, including opportunities for learning and support, as well as some fun and relaxation on the Morningside and Medical Center campuses (full details at universitylife.columbia.edu/wellnessdays).

Workshops, Training and Conversation – Starting Monday, April 10

  • Anxiety:  Friend or Foe? – Come hear one of the nation’s leading anxiety experts, Dr. Anne Marie Albano, faculty member and the director of Columbia’s Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders, on the Morningside Campus, lunch included with registration. Monday at noon in Buell Hall (Morningside). Details and registration here.
  • Mental Health Rounds – Get bystander intervention training with CUMC Addiction Information and Management Strategies (AIMS) and Sexual Violence Response, in the new Vagelos Education Center (CUMC), also with lunch. Monday, 11:30 am to 1 pm. No registration required.
  • Friend2Friend workshops – Learn how to recognize and respond to peers in distress using understanding, self-care and more from Alice! Health Promotion. Multiple times Monday through Wednesday; register here.

AWAKENING OUR DEMOCRACY: The Politics of Mental Health Care – Wednesday, April 12 at Noon at CUMC – This lively lunchtime conversation about mental health needs and access to care will include Nikki Webber Allen, founder of “i Live For…” a nonprofit working to end the stigma of depression and mental disorders in teens and young adults of color; Dr. Kim Hopper, professor at Mailman School of Public Health with expertise in dimensions of recovery and support in mental illness; Dr. Billy E. Jones, former senior advisor on mental health and healthcare reform at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Commissioner of the New York City Department of Mental Health; and Dr. Kathleen Pike, CUMC faculty member, clinical psychologist and Executive Director of the Global Mental Health Program. Lunch provided, register here.

STUDY BREAK @ CU – Thursday, April 13, Noon to 5 pm – Hit pause during this five-hour “study break” on the South Lawn in front of Butler Library, kicking off with yoga at noon and continuing with games, neck and back rubs from Stressbusters and other activities with student organizations, resources (and swag!) all afternoon.  At CUMC, the Center for Student Wellness offers opportunities for relaxation and fun. Check the schedule for STUDY BREAK details. 

Try an online tutorial on how to support friends in distress – All Columbia students, faculty and staff are invited to try a 30-minute interactive training for students (starting Monday) that offers practice with raising concerns and includes reminders about resources on campus. Students who complete an evaluation of this pilot tutorial by May 1 will have a chance to win their choice of Bose headphones or one of many $50 Amazon gift cards. Look for details on the Wellness Days website.

We know that community wellness does not happen in a matter of days. It requires, instead, a sustained and mutually upheld ethic of care. “Self-care” is easy to say, but harder for many of us to do, and we can start there, even as we continue to take steps together on many other fronts. As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions at universitylife@columbia.edu.

Wellness Days @Columbia is brought to you by the Office of University Life and many co-sponsoring student organizations, and by Columbia Health, Columbia University Medical Center Student Health Service, Columbia Athletics, Columbia Libraries and the Office of the University Chaplain. Read more about the genesis of Wellness Days here.

Here’s to our individual and collective wellness.

Suzanne Goldberg
Executive Vice President for University Life
Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law, Columbia Law School

Office of University Life
Online | App | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
universitylife@columbia.edu

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

MAJOR MEMO: Smoking Prohibition Policy

Community Citizenship, Healthcare Issues, Policies & Procedures
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. 

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

INVITE: Post-Election Conversation and Reflection

Columbia Events, Community Citizenship, Fun Stuff, University Life

Post-Election Conversation and Reflection

Wed, Nov. 9, 5 to 7 pm 

Columbia Law School Case Lounge – Jerome Greene Hall, 7th Floor 

435 W 116th St. (at Amsterdam Ave.)

The Office of University Life invites all Columbia students to stop by for informal post-election conversation and reflection. Light refreshments will be served.

http://universitylife.columbia.edu/

EVENT: CRLT Players to perform at Columbia, Oct 27-28

Columbia Events, Community Citizenship, Fun Stuff

The University of Michigan’s nationally renowned Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Players are coming to Columbia University!

The CRLT Players event series feature high-energy, interactive performances that engage audiences in thoughtful conversations about diversity, inclusion, and institutional climate on campus. These performances provide the perfect opportunity to consider these issues as a community and foster dialogue toward the cultivation of inclusive learning environments on campus.

The events are free and open to the entire Columbia community including faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, administrators, and staff. Instructors are encouraged to bring their students to the performances.

Sponsored by: Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion, the CUMC Deans for Diversity, the Office of University Life, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Register at bit.ly/crltplayers or via the links below to reserve your spot.

7 into 15
 A series of sketches on the challenges of teaching and learning.

Thursday, October 27
12 pm – 1:30 pm
Milbank Chapel at Teachers College
525 West 120th Street
Register

Friday, October 28
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Alumni Auditorium
650 West 168th Street, First Floor
Columbia University Medical Center
Register

Consisting of short plays presented in rapid succession, 7 into 15 uses a variety of innovative staging techniques to place the challenges of teaching and learning within the academy center stage. Provocative and often humorous, 7 into 15 is perfect for considering issues of diversity and inclusion as a community, and fostering dialogue toward the cultivation of inclusive teaching environments.

Continue the conversation and stay for a reception after the performance!

Great Expectations: Mentoring Graduate Students
A performance exploring common tensions between advisors and advisees.

Thursday, October 27
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Milbank Chapel at Teachers College
525 W 120th Street
Register

crlt-promoposter

 

 

MISS REPRESENTATION

Action Item, Columbia Events, Community Citizenship, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos, Safety/Security, SVR

miss_represenation_poster-578x200

Miss Representation is a 2011 American documentary film written, directed, and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom

It explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of cis-gendered women in influential positions by circulating limited and often disparaging portrayals of women.

This screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion led by SVR staff and volunteers.

Tue, October 18, 2016

6-9pm; Lecture Hall

RSVP: http://bit.ly/SRI_Journ2

Attending this event will satisfy the

2016-2017 Sexual Respect and Community Citizenship Initiative

sri

Supporting Someone Who Has Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

Action Item, Columbia Events, Community Citizenship, Deans' Events, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos, Safety/Security, SVR

 

sri

Examine the behaviors and warning signs that may indicate an unhealthy or abusive relationship and understand how to gauge and take next steps if a relationship becomes violent. Participants will also learn how to effectively support someone who is in an abusive relationship.

Led by Sexual Violence Response staff and volunteers.

Thursday
October 13
6 p.m.
RSVP: http://bit.ly/SRI_Jour2

Attending this event will satisfy the
2016-2017 Sexual Respect and Community Citizenship Initiative

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.