Category Archives: Useful Websites

Student Health Insurance & ACA Questions

Healthcare Issues, Useful Websites

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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: Sleep and Stress Management Initiatives from Alice! Health Promotion

Healthcare Issues, Useful Websites
CU Move
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
The updated website, intended for students, faculty, staff, and alumni provides tips and resources to improve sleep habits. By logging in with a valid UNI and password, members of the campus community can access a sleep assessment that provides personalized feedback on sleep, a sleep diary to track sleep and the factors that may impact a good night’s rest, and helpful e-cards that can be sent to peers, students, or others in need of quality zzzs!

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
In addition to promoting healthy sleep habits among students, Alice! is getting ready for upcoming Stressbusters trainings. This semester, Alice! will host an optional information session and the usual two-part training. For more information about training, please visit the Stressbusters Facebook page.

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,
Alice!

From the Office of University Life: Inauguration Screening & Discussion

Columbia Events, Screenings, Useful Websites

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 Instagram. 

MAJOR MEMO: Journalism Library Basics

Getting Things Done, Newly-admitted students, Tips, Useful Websites

Journalism Library Basics

J-Library Website: library.columbia.edu/journalism

CLIO (Columbia’s discovery portal): clio.columbia.edu

Columbia Libraries: library.columbia.edu

 

Need help?

Journalism Library

  • Location: Journalism 204 (Stabile)
  • Hours:
    • – Thurs. 1pm-8pm; Fri. 1pm-6pm (until Labor Day)
    • – Thurs. 10am-8pm; Fri. 10am-6pm (after Labor Day)
    • See bit.ly/jlibraryhours for monthly schedule
  • Librarian Office Hours
    • and Fri. 1pm-5pm
  • Email: journalism@library.columbia.edu
  • Chat reference: ly/AskCUL
  • Phone: 212.854.0390

 

Journalism Research Guide (popular resources)

http://guides.library.columbia.edu/journalism

 

Beat Neighborhood Research Guide

http://guides.library.columbia.edu/journalism-nyc

 

Master’s Projects & Thesis Index:

bit.ly/jlibrarymasters

 

Links to read the New York Times:

https://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/3327564

  • Factiva “News Page:” headlines, current issues
  • ProQuest Central: search for specific articles (1980-present)
  • Historical Newspapers: search for old articles (1857-2010)

 

Other Columbia Library Locations

http://library.columbia.edu/locations/libraries.html

MAJOR MEMO: Year-End Manual 2016

Alumni, Graduation, Major memos, Useful Websites

Dear Graduating Students:

Please carefully read this End-of-Year Manual for information about building access, locker clean out, equipment use, alumni services and more.

Use of Journalism Building Facilities After May 18.

Use of Building:

Members of the Class of 2016 will have access to the building and its facilities through June 30, 2016.

Exceptions include: any area under construction, and any classrooms and computer rooms being used for summer classes or special programs. If you are in one of these rooms when a class is scheduled to begin, please leave immediately. Refusal to cooperate may result in the termination of your access to the building.

Equipment

All current fines must be paid by Monday, May 9 or a hold will be placed on your student account. All equipment must be returned to the Equipment Room (405) by Monday, May 16th. Action will be taken to repossess equipment from outstanding checkouts after May 16. After graduation, students will be allowed to check out equipment (if all bills paid), as available, until Friday, June 10th. Please remember that scheduled summer school classes and master’s project students, as well as necessary equipment maintenance upgrades, have priority for equipment and editing rooms. The equipment room will be operating on summer hours starting Thursday, May 19th from 10am-6pm and will be closed on Graduation Day. 

Please be aware that individual computer rooms will be closed at different times for maintenance and upgrading. Though it is likely, it is not guaranteed that there will always be a computer room or terminal available. Due to maintenance schedules, summer class schedules and the master’s projects, it is possible that you will be unable to use a computer at a specific time.

Student Lockers:

All May graduates must empty their lockers by noon, Friday, May 13.

Continuing part-time students and documentary students may keep their lockers. Graduates who will be working on a demo tape or other approved projects during the month of June may also keep their lockers. To request such a locker extension, please send e-mail to Derek Gano at dg2382@columbia.edu with your name and the reason for your request.

Graduates’ lockers that have not been vacated by noon on Friday, May 13, will be have their locks removed and contents moved to a storage bin and eventually discarded. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES UNTIL YOUR LOCKER IS EMPTIED. All locker questions should be directed to Derek Gano at JSchool-Building@lists.columbia.edu

Student Mail Folders:

The mail folders of graduating students may be used until noon, Friday, May 20. All items remaining in boxes after that date will be discarded.

Computer Account and Class Shares:

Access to J-School computer accounts for all graduating students will remain active until June 30, 2016.

All personal server space and class shares (posted below) will be deleted on May 30. Please be sure to backup all of your files to external media or cloud services (external hard Drives, DropBox, Amazon S3 etc.) before your account is deactivated. These shares will no longer be available to you and the data will be unrecoverable. Even if you are not graduating this May please also note these shares will be deleted as they are for class work only, so do not continue to use them. New shares will be provisioned for summer courses.

Shares:

Photo

City News Room

CNS

DigitalMedia

Radio

OnAir

Video Newsroom

Magazine

Masters

Nightly

Broadcast

TVReporting

August

University Services After May 18

Health Services

You have access to Health Services and are insured through August 15.

University Libraries

Recent alumni will retain full library privileges, including borrowing privileges and access to licensed electronic databases, for a period of three months beyond the degree conferral date. Access information can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/services/lio/access/. Library Services for alumni can be found at http://www.alumni.libraries.columbia.edu/

Dodge Physical Fitness Center (aka the Gym): You may use the gym over the summer with your current CUID. However, you will have to pay the $91 gym use fee. Beginning in September, you will be eligible for alumni gym use. Please see http://www.dodgefitnesscenter.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9610&ATCLID=205330326

Alumni Benefits and Services

A variety of benefits and services are available to Journalism School graduates. This page answers most of your most questions and concerns, from auditing a class at Columbia to updating your address information, from obtaining a transcript of your time here to using Columbia’s recreational facilities – http://bit.ly/alumni_benefits

Please note that you will automatically be subscribed to your class listserv using the real world e-mail address supplied in your graduation survey (more details en route from Career Services). To update any of your contact information with us or sign up for a regional listserv, use this form:

http://bit.ly/cugsj_update

LionMail: You keep this account forever.

 

 

 

Major Memo: University Travel Advisory – Zika Virus

Healthcare Issues, Safety/Security, Tips, Useful Websites

Dear Students,

Columbia University is monitoring Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advisories regarding Zika virus.

The CDC has posted an “Alert Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions,” for areas in the Caribbean, Central, and South America where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. (See map at:http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/) There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. Knowledge of the link between Zika and these outcomes is evolving, but until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for the following groups:

  • The CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
  • For those women who are trying to become pregnant or who are thinking about becoming pregnant, the CDC recommends that they talk with their doctor about any travel plans to affected regions.

Zika virus is primarily transmitted through mosquitos. Anyone travelling to, or living in, areas with confirmed cases of Zika virus is, therefore, at risk for infection. Symptoms of Zika virus include rash, fever and joint pain. Only 20-30% of infected individuals will become symptomatic. The incubation period of the virus is unknown, but thought to be in the range of 3-12 days. There is currently no vaccination against Zika virus; treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms of infection and is not specific to Zika virus.

While there are three reported cases of Zika virus in New York City, these were all associated with travel to the affected region.

While no one is obligated to travel to an affected area on University business, those who do are strongly advised to adhere strictly to mosquito precautions:

  • In contrast to other mosquito-related illnesses, where the highest risk of exposure tends to be at dawn and dusk, Zika has been reported to be contracted during daytime hours as well.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  • Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
  • Sleep under a mosquito bed net.
  • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. All EPA-registered insect repellents are evaluated for effectiveness.
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear, or treat them yourself.

Additional precautionary measures can be found here.

For more information on Zika virus, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

Instructions for Viewing Course Evaluations

Getting Things Done, Preparing for the School, Registration, Tips, Useful Websites

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VIEWING COURSE EVALUATIONS IN COURSEWORKS

STEP 1:   Log into OLD CourseWorks at https://courseworks.columbia.edu/welcome/ using UNI and password

STEP 2:   In the upper right hand corner, click VIEWABLE COURSES

STEP 3:   Under Search Viewable Courses, click Search for Evaluations

STEP 4:

  • Type in the last name of the Instructor you are interested in.
  • Under School Name, scroll to Graduate School of Journalism.
  • Under Department Name, scroll to Journalism.
  • Click on Show Instructor Evaluations.
  • Click submit.

STEP 5:    A list of courses will appear. Once you have selected a course click on Click Here at the left of the screen under Evaluation.

STEP 6:   Past evaluations from the course selected will appear. Click on one of the links and you can view that semester’s evaluation of the course.

See example: Screen shot 2015-07-10 at 11.30.32 AM

Finding Your PID

Getting Things Done, Newly-admitted students, Preparing for the School, Tips, Useful Websites

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (PID)

You have been assigned a unique personal ID number that will be used around campus to identify you as a Columbia University student. This is your Student Identification Number or what we call your “PID #”. It is a ten digit ID number that begins with the letter “C”.

You can view your PID # by logging on to Student Services Online (SSOL) at https://ssol.columbia. edu

Please keep this number handy. In the future you will need to reference this number on all Columbia University documents (like registration, loans, etc.)

Major Memo: End Of Year Manual

Articles to note, Checklists, Graduation, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos, Useful Websites

Use of Journalism Building Facilities After May 21.

Use of Building:

Members of the Class of 2014 will have access to the building and its facilities through June 30, 2014.

Exceptions include: any area under construction, and any classrooms and computer rooms being used for summer classes or special programs. If you are in one of these rooms when a class is scheduled to begin, please leave immediately. Refusal to cooperate may result in the termination of your access to the building.

Equipment
All current fines must be paid by Friday, May 9 or a hold will be placed on your student account. All equipment must be returned to the Equipment Room (507) by Friday, May 16th. Action will be taken to repossess equipment from outstanding checkouts after May 16.

There will be no equipment checkouts from 5/16 – 5/21. (If you will need equipment during this time you must supply a written request from your professor.)

After graduation, students will be allowed to check out equipment, as available, until Friday, June 6th. However, check out of the C100 will require a note from a professor. Please remember that scheduled summer school classes and master’s project students, as well as necessary equipment maintenance upgrades, have priority for equipment and editing rooms.

Please be aware that individual computer rooms will be closed at different times for maintenance and upgrading. Though it is likely, it is not guaranteed that there will always be a computer room or terminal available. Due to maintenance schedules, summer class schedules and the master’s projects, it is possible that you will be unable to use a computer at a specific time. Please use the following online schedule to assist in room space availability, though it is not a guarantee and event or maintenance is currently underway: bit.ly/cujrooms

Student Lockers:
All May graduates must empty their lockers by noon, Friday, May 16.

Continuing part-time students and documentary students may keep their lockers. Graduates who will be working on a demo tape or other approved projects during the month of June may also keep their lockers. To request such a locker extension, please send e-mail to Derek Gano at dg2382@columbia.edu with your name and the reason for your request.

Graduates’ lockers that have not been vacated by noon on Friday, May 16, will be have their locks removed and contents moved to a storage bin and eventually discarded. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES UNTIL YOUR LOCKER IS EMPTIED. All locker questions should be directed to Derek Gano at building@jrn.columbia.edu (must be sent from CU email).

Student Mail Folders:
The mail folders of graduating students may be used until noon, Friday, May 23. All items remaining in boxes after that date will be discarded.

Computer Account and Class Shares:
Access to J-School computer accounts for all graduating students will remain active until June 30, 2014.

All personal server space, class shares and computers (posted below) will be deleted on May 30. Please be sure to backup all of your files to external media (Personal Hard Drives, CDs, DVDs, flash media, iPods, etc.) before your account is deactivated. These shares will no longer be available to you and the data will be unrecoverable. Even if you are not graduating this May please also note these shares will be deleted as they are for class work only, so do not continue to use them. New shares will be provisioned for summer courses.

Shares:

Broadcast
Video
Photo
Radio
City News Room
CNS
International Newsroom
Magazine
Masters
Nightly
Yearbook
Workshop
TVReporting

University Services After May 21

Health Services
Access to Health Services at the University expires on August 31 for all graduating students. For those with major medical health insurance through Columbia (Chickering), coverage ends on August 31 You do have the option of purchasing an extension on this policy. Please see http://health.columbia.edu/student-insurance/about-columbia-insurance-plan for details.

University Libraries
Recent alumni will retain full library privileges, including borrowing privileges and access to licensed electronic databases, for a period of three months beyond the degree conferral date. Access information can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/services/lio/access/. Library Services for alumni can be found at http://www.alumni.libraries.columbia.edu/

Dodge Physical Fitness Center (aka the Gym): You may use the gym over the summer with your current CUID. However, you will have to pay the $91 gym use fee. Beginning in September, you will be eligible for alumni gym use. Please see http://www.dodgefitnesscenter.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9610&ATCLID=205330326

Alumni Benefits and Services
A variety of benefits and services are available to Journalism School graduates. This page answers most of your most questions and concerns, from auditing a class at Columbia to updating your address information, from obtaining a transcript of your time here to using Columbia’s recreational facilities – http://bit.ly/alumni_benefits

Please note that you will automatically be subscribed to your class listserv using the real world e-mail address supplied in your graduation survey (more details en route from Career Services). To update any of your contact information with us or sign up for a regional listserv, use this form:
http://bit.ly/cugsj_update

LionMail: Since all of you began using LionMail while at Columbia, you will be able to continue using your LionMail email account.