Resources for Students

Resources for Students

Scholar's Lion statue

We are committed to the success of our students both inside the classroom and out in the world. Below are a selection of resources available to students. If you do not see a resource listed or are unsure what resource you need, please contact the Physics Department administrative office at [email protected]. 

For a map of Morningside Campus, click here. For a directory of Pupin Hall, click here.

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Academic Support
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Department Business & Administration
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University & Campus Resources
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Health & Well-Being
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Emergency Resources & Reporting Options
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Living in New York City

Available Resources

Many of the resources available to students are maintained by offices outside the Physics Department, so we cannot guarantee the information below is up to date. For the most up-to-date information, please contact the offices directly or visit their websites.

Academic Support

Students in any program can access the following:

For assistance in navigating undergraduate physics coursework, contact Dr. Jeremy Dodd, Director of Undergraduate Studies for Columbia Physics, or check out the Physics Department's undergraduate resources, including the Physics Help Room (Pupin 413). 

You can also explore undergraduate research opportunities, including internships and individual research.

For general academic advising, please see what resources are available at your school:

Our Resources for New PhD Students directory includes links and information that are useful for all graduate students. 

For information specific to PhD programs, please refer to the Physics PhD Handbook. We also encourage graduate students to consult with their advisors or program directors, or to contact Dr. Gustaaf H. Brooijmans, Director of Graduate Studies. 

Students enrolled in the Physics PhD program and the Philosophical Foundations of Physics master's programs can access additional academic resources via the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS). As a GSAS student, you have access to several unique benefits including:

Master's students enrolled in the Quantum Science & Technology program can access academic support via Columbia Engineering.

University & Campus Resources

The following offices can help you navigate life as a student at Columbia: 

Housing resources:

For a comprehensive guide to student organizations, events, and other opportunities for getting involved at Columbia, visit University Life. Opportunities include:

For opportunities to volunteer within the broader Columbia community, including the Morningside Heights, Harlem, and Washington Heights neighborhoods, visit the website for Community Impact.

For students interested in faith-based activities and opportunities, check out Religious Life.

Additional campus resources for undergraduate students: 

Additional campus resource for graduate students: the Graduate Student Center is only accessible to graduate students and includes communal spaces, the Nous Espresso Bar, and seminar rooms that are available to reserve.

Resources for Health & Well-Being

Medical Health

Columbia Health offers comprehensive health services for students on the Columbia Health plan. By default, all undergraduate students and international students are automatically enrolled. Services include but are not limited to primary care, urgent medical concerns, medication management, nutrition support, allergy shots, contraception, sexual and reproductive health services, and support for substance use and recovery. 

For immediate or urgent services, check the Same Day Care directory. Some services are only eligible for student enrolled in the Columbia Health plan.

Not eligible for Columbia Health? Pillars NYC Community Free Clinic in Harlem provides primary healthcare for individuals over 18, regardless of immigration or health insurance status. NYC Health Clinics also offer free or low-cost services for sexual health, immunizations, and tuberculosis screening.

Emergency Medical Care:

Mental Health

We want our students to thrive during their time at Columbia. If you need support with your mental health, consider utilizing the following:

Students enrolled in the Columbia Health Plan can access mental health support at Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), including drop-in hours, individual counseling, psychiatric medication management, and referrals. For urgent or after-office hours support, please contact CPS at 212-854-2878. 

For a comprehensive list of urgent mental health resources at Columbia, click here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or visit your local emergency room. For Mt. Sinai Morningside's Psychiatric Emergency Room, call 212-523-3347.

Non-university resources for mental health:

Wellness Resources by School

Barnard College:

Columbia Climate School:

Columbia College: 

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences: Student Life & Well-Being

School of Engineering & Applied Science:

School of General Studies:

The following are available to all Columbia-affiliated students:

 

The following are only available to undergraduate students:

Emergency Resources & Reporting Options

Public Safety (emergency line: 212-854-5555): responds to emergency situations, issues alerts, and take/investigate reports. Officers can also provide walking escorts for students on campus, situational awareness training, and support with ID cards and lost or stolen property.

Sexual Violence Response (24/7 urgent helpline: 212-854-4357): confidential services for students dealing with sexual violence including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and sexual harassment. Advocates can accompany students for medical care, forensic rape exams, police reporting, court appointments, and campus adjudication. They can also assist students with resources, accommodations, and filing for Temporary Orders of Protection.

Counseling & Psychological Services (24/7 phone support: 212-854-2878): confidential services and support including drop-in hours, individual counseling,  psychiatric medication management, and referrals for off-campus treatment. 

Columbia University EMS: campus paramedics -- please contact Public Safety at 212-854-5555 to request CU EMS

Emergency Rooms:

Crimes and urgent safety concerns can also be reported to Public Safety (emergency line: 212-854-5555)

The Center for Student Success and Intervention oversees matters of student conduct, including academic violations and behavioral violations. Please review the University's Standards & Discipline policy to learn more.

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) provides resources, reporting options, and arbitration for alleged violations of Title VI and Title VII on the basis of race, color, or national origin; reports that involve alleged violations of Title IX and the University’s Gender Based Misconduct Policy; as well as reports that relate to violations of the Protection of Minors Policy.

OIE's Title IX Office oversees reports of alleged Title IX violations and supports students through the investigation and adjudication process. For a comprehensive list of confidential and non-confidential/on-campus and off-campus resources, click here. 

  • Reminder: Under Title IX, disclosures from students experiencing or who have experienced sexual or gender-based misconduct must be reported to the University, which can trigger an investigation. While representatives from relevant offices may follow up with students, students are not required to cooperate with or participate in any subsequent proceedings

How to Report to the University

To report a concern or incident(s), please fill out the appropriate form:

Reporting to Law Enforcement

In the case of emergencies, please call 911.

  • If you are on Morningside Campus, your nearest NYPD location is the 26th Precinct:
    520 West 126th Street
    New York, NY, 10027-2406
    (212) 678-1311
  • If you are at Nevis Laboratories, your nearest police department is the Dobbs Ferry Village Police Department:
    112 Main Street 
    Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
    (914) 693-5500
  • If you are in New Jersey, find your local police department here
  • If you are in Connecticut, find your local police department here

If you are in New York City, you can also report crimes directly to your local District Attorney's (DA's) office:

The following offices provide confidential support to all Columbia students. Disclosures to these offices will not trigger a university investigation:

  • Ombuds Office: supports individuals seeking mediation, negotiation, facilitation, or conflict resolution services
  • Office of the University Chaplain: supports individuals seeking pastoral counseling, spiritual support or guidance, and community connection
  • Sexual Violence Response: supports individuals who experience sexual violence, such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking

Living in New York City

For more information about traveling to the Columbia campus, please review our Visitor Information.

Public Transportation

New York City is made up of five boroughs (Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island), which function similarly to counties. Columbia's main campuses of Morningside and the Irving Medical Campus (CUIMC) are both located in Manhattan. (Nevis Laboratories is located outside the city in Irvington, New York).

New York's extensive public transportation system runs 24/7 and connects the five boroughs via subway, bus, rail, and ferry. The MTA subway is the most common mode of transportation for Columbia students, with many utilizing the 1 Train, which stops at 110th, 116th, and 125th streets and runs the full length of the island of Manhattan. 

If you're new to using the NYC subway, here are some helpful tips:

  • Payment: pay digitally by tapping your phone or a chip-enabled card at the turnstile. You can also purchase an OMNY card if you would rather use a single card and/or pay with cash (you still need to deposit the cash via an OMNY vending machine or designated retailer)
  • Local vs. express trains: local trains stop at every station along their route while express subway trains run on parallel tracks and only stop at major stations
  • Planned work and weekend schedules: the subway requires frequent maintenance, which can affect train schedules. While disruptions are typically scheduled for nights and weekends, longer projects can disrupt travel during peak commuting times. Apps like Subway Time and CityMapper provide transportation updates in real time

If you prefer traveling above ground, public buses are available.

Campus and Personal Modes of Transportation 

The University provides an intercampus shuttle for transportation between the Morningside Campus, the Medical Campus, and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades.

There are also many bike paths near campus. New York’s bike-share program, Citibike, has stations around Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. If using a personal bike, U-locks are strongly recommended.

NYC Yellow Cabs are the official taxi service for the city and use standard fare pricing, with the exception of flat-rate fares to area airports. Taxi passengers may experience additional charges from tolls and congestion fees. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are also available throughout the city. Fares are subject to surge pricing.

Students who plan to bring cars should be aware that parking is in Manhattan is limited and expensive. Note that city street sweeping occurs twice a week and cars that fail to alternate sides are ticketed. 

There are many grocery stores, delis, and bodegas in Morningside Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods. 

  • Morton Williams is located at 2941 Broadway (directly across from campus at 115th St) and is open 24/7 with an excellent produce section and prepared foods
  • Westside Market is located at 2840 Broadway (at the corner of 110th St) and is also open 24/7. In addition to groceries, it has a hot bar, pre-packaged meals, and a deli counter
  • H Mart is located at 2828 Broadway (across the street from Westside Market) and specializes in Asian groceries, kitchenware, and prepared food, and also has a small beauty product section
  • AppleTree Market at 1225 Amsterdam Ave (at the corner of 120th and Amsterdam) has pantry staples and a limited produce section, along with a full service salad and sandwich bar

Pharmacies 

  • Duane Reade (an affiliate of Walgreens) is located at 2864 Broadway. Pharmacy hours are 9am-1:00pm and 2:00-9:00pm
  • CVS is located at 2833 Broadway. Pharmacy hours are 9:00am-1:30pm and 2:00pm-8:00pm

Check out the Columbia Arts Initiative for Columbia discounts on NYC events and cultural offerings! You can also get student rush tickets at Broadway Box 

Highlights by Borough

Manhattan

Performing Arts

Fine Arts

Science, History, & Architecture

Brooklyn

Bronx

Queens

Staten Island

NYC Parks oversees 5,000 properties throughout the five boroughs encompassing 30,000 acres of land. Their facilities include public pools, athletic fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, skating rinks, nature reserves, community gardens, and beaches. 

Highlights by Borough

Manhattan

Brooklyn

Bronx

Queens:

Department Administration

Please visit our Physics Department and Business Administration for available guides and resources

If any links are not working, please contact Emma Reynolds at [email protected] with a brief explanation or screenshot of the broken link(s).