Columbia University in the City of New YorkStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Columbia University in the City of New York. Free for students.

Private Non-Profit Liberal Arts College in New York, NY. Operating on a semester system.

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Total Enrollment

Liberal Arts College

Institution Type

39

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Summer Session B 2026

The semester, explained for Columbia University in the City of New York

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Summer Session B 2026
Campus terms
51
Local details
27

Academic calendar

Summer Session B 2026 runs Jul 6, 2026 – Aug 14, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

11 entries
  1. Summer Session B 2026Relevant now
  2. Fall Term 2026
  3. Spring Term 2027
  4. Summer Session G 2027
  5. Summer Session A 2027
  6. Full Summer Term (X) 2027
  7. Summer Session H 2027
  8. Summer Session J 2027
  9. Summer Session R 2027
  10. Summer Session B 2027
  11. Summer Session B 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

51 terms

A

ABC
Activities Board at Columbia, the governing body that recognizes and funds most student groups.

B

Bacchanal
The annual spring concert and festival held on campus.
Barn-dar
The perceived ability to distinguish whether a student attends Barnard College or Columbia College.
Broadway
Broadway Hall, a residence hall known for its sky lounge and clean facilities.
Bwog
An independent, student-run campus news blog known for its informal tone and 'campus characters' coverage.

C

Carman
Carman Hall, a freshman-only residence hall known for its social atmosphere.
CAVA
Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance, the student-run emergency medical service.
Cava'd
To be transported to the hospital by the campus ambulance service (CAVA), usually for alcohol-related reasons.
CC
Contemporary Civilization, a mandatory year-long sophomore course in the Core Curriculum.
CCSC
Columbia College Student Council, the representative government for Columbia College students.
Chef Don's
Chef Don's Pizza Pi, a pizza-focused dining location in the Mudd Building.
Chef Mike's
Chef Mike's Sub Shop, a dining location in Uris Hall named after a beloved campus chef.
Columbubble
The feeling of isolation from the rest of New York City while staying within the campus gates.
CTV
Columbia Television, the student-run television station.
CU
Common shorthand for Columbia University.
CUMB
Columbia University Marching Band, known for its irreverent 'scramble' style and Orgo Night.
CUSP
Columbia University Scholars Program, a community for named scholarship recipients.

D

Diana
The Diana Center Cafe, a dining location at Barnard College known for its pizza and smoothies.

E

EC
East Campus, a high-rise residence hall primarily for upperclassmen.
ESC
Engineering Student Council, the representative government for SEAS students.

F

Fac House
Faculty House, which offers a buffet-style dining experience often considered higher quality than standard halls.
Ferris
Ferris Booth Commons, a popular dining hall located in Lerner Hall.
FroSci
Frontiers of Science, a mandatory one-semester science course for freshmen.
Furnald
Furnald Hall, a first-year residence hall known for being quieter than Carman or John Jay.

G

GSSC
General Studies Student Council, the representative government for GS students.

H

Hewitt
Hewitt Dining Center, the main dining hall located in Barnard Hall.

J

JJ
John Jay Hall, a major first-year residence hall that also houses dining facilities.
JJ's
JJ's Place, a late-night dining spot in the basement of John Jay Hall known for burgers and wings.
John Jay
John Jay Hall, a large freshman residence hall that also houses a dining hall and health services.
John Jay
John Jay Dining Hall, the primary traditional buffet-style dining hall for first-years.

L

Lit Hum
Literature Humanities, a mandatory year-long freshman course in the Core Curriculum.
Liz's Place
A cafe in the Diana Center at Barnard serving coffee, pastries, and light snacks.

M

McBain
McBain Hall, a large sophomore residence hall known for its corridor-style living.
McShafted
The experience of receiving a poor housing lottery number and being assigned to McBain Hall.

N

NSOP
New Student Orientation Program, the week of activities for incoming freshmen.
NSOP
New Student Orientation Program, the week-long orientation for incoming students.

O

Orgo Night
A traditional performance by the Marching Band in Butler Library the night before the Organic Chemistry final.

P

Plimpton
Plimpton Hall, a Barnard College dorm located a few blocks off the main campus.

S

Schapiro
Schapiro Hall, a residence hall located on 115th Street.
SGA
Student Government Association, the representative government for Barnard College students.
SGB
Student Governing Board, which represents religious, spiritual, political, and activist groups.
Spec
The Columbia Daily Spectator, the university's independent student newspaper.
Spec
The Columbia Daily Spectator, the university's independent student newspaper.
Sulz
Sulzberger Hall, a prominent residence hall at Barnard College.

T

The But
Shorthand for Butler Library, often used when referring to long study sessions.
The Quad
The cluster of four connected Barnard residence halls: Brooks, Hewitt, Reid, and Sulzberger.
The Steps
The granite steps of Low Library, the central social gathering spot on campus.
The Sundial
A large stone pedestal on College Walk that serves as a central campus meeting point.

W

War on Fun
A student term for administrative policies perceived as restricting campus social life and traditions.
War Room
The highly competitive and silent study area in Butler Library Room 209.
Wien
Wien Hall, a residence hall famous for having sinks in every room.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

27 details
blue_java_butler
Blue Java Butler
Butler
Butler Library, the university's primary and largest library.
chef_mike_s_sub_shop
Chef Mike's Sub Shop
CLIO
Columbia Libraries Online, the digital catalog used to find books and research materials.
Courseworks
The university's learning management system (Canvas) for course materials and assignments.
CUID
The official Columbia University ID card used for building access and payments.
CULPA
Columbia Underground Listing of Professor Ability, a student-run website for professor reviews.
Dining Dollars
Tax-exempt funds included in meal plans specifically for on-campus dining locations.
Dodge
Dodge Physical Fitness Center, the primary campus gym and athletic facility.
ferris_booth_commons
Ferris Booth Commons
Flex
A dollar-for-dollar account on the CUID used for laundry, printing, and off-campus vendors.
Hamilton
Hamilton Hall, the primary building for Columbia College and Core Curriculum classes.
IAB
International Affairs Building, home to SIPA and various social science departments.
jj_s_place
JJ's Place
john_jay_dining_hall
John Jay Dining Hall
Lerner
Lerner Hall, the student union building containing mail services and meeting spaces.
LionMail
The university's official email system, powered by Google.
Low
Low Memorial Library, the iconic domed building that serves as the administrative center.
Mudd
The Seeley W. Mudd Building, the main hub for the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.
NoCo
The Northwest Corner Building, a modern facility housing science labs and a library.
NSOP
New Student Orientation Program, the mandatory orientation week for all incoming students.
SSOL
Student Services Online, the portal used for class registration, transcripts, and billing.
The 1
The MTA subway line that stops at the 116th Street-Columbia University station.
The Intercampus
The shuttle bus service that connects the Morningside, Manhattanville, and Medical Center campuses.
UNI
University Network ID, the unique alphanumeric code used to log into all Columbia digital services.
Uris
Uris Hall, the former home of the Business School, now used for various academic departments.
Vergil
The university's course search and planning tool used during registration.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Summer Session B 2026 runs Jul 6, 2026 – Aug 14, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
51 approved campus terms and 27 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Columbia University in the City of New York

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Find a few communities to try at Columbia University in the City of New York

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

23 mapped items from 12 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Columbia Daily Spectator

The official student newspaper of Columbia University, providing news, arts, sports, and opinion coverage for the campus and Morningside Heights community.

Regular commitment

Columbia Men's Rugby Football Club

Competes against other Ivy League and non-Ivy League opponents in weekend tournaments. Welcomes all students interested in learning rugby.

Regular commitment

Source: curfc.org · Verified today

Columbia Mock Trial

A competitive team that travels nationally to compete in intercollegiate mock trial tournaments, simulating real-world trial advocacy.

Tryout required

Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs (CORE)

Fosters a strong entrepreneurial spirit on campus through speaker events, workshops, competitions, and a startup incubator.

Open to all

Columbia University Emergency Medical Service (CU-EMS)

A student-operated, New York State certified, basic life support ambulance service providing pre-hospital emergency medical care to the Columbia community.

Regular commitment

Columbia University Formula Racing (Knickerbocker Motorsports)

Designs, builds, and races a formula-style race car for the annual Formula SAE competition, providing hands-on engineering experience.

Regular commitment

Columbia University Performing Arts League (CUPAL)

An umbrella organization that supports and funds a wide variety of student-run performing arts groups on campus, including theater, dance, and music.

Columbia University Sailing Team

A competitive co-ed sailing team that competes in the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA).

Tryout required

Source: columbiasailing.org · Verified today

Columbia University Tae Kwon Do Club

Offers training in the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do for all experience levels, with opportunities for competition.

Open to all

Source: columbia.edu · Verified today

CU Records

A student-run record label that supports student-artists by providing professional-quality recording, production, and marketing services.

Easy to try first

Application Development Initiative (ADI)

A student group that fosters a community of student developers by hosting workshops, speaker events, and hackathons like DevFest.

Drop in any time

Columbia University Hiking Club

Organizes hiking and backpacking trips for all skill levels in the greater New York area, promoting appreciation for the outdoors.

Drop in any time

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Life in New York for Columbia University in the City of New York Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in New York.

Timezone

Eastern Time (ET)

Median Rent

$3,000

Cost of Living Index

180

Student Population

1,100,000

City Transportation

Walkability

88

Bikeability

69

Public Transit

New York City Subway, MTA Regional Bus Operations, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, Staten Island Ferry

Nearest Airports

John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid subtropical / humid continental transition

Avg Annual Temp

55°F

Avg Snowfall

25 in

Data sources: World Population Review (2026), Wikipedia, U.S. Census Bureau, NYC Department of City Planning

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

560 Riverside Drive Garage

garage • 24/7

Electric vehicle charging available at no extra cost. Rate: $314.40/month.

635 West 131st Street Garage (MTP)

garage • 6 am–10 pm weekdays, 8 am–8 pm weekends

Rate: $314.40/month.

Riverside Church Garage

garage • 6 am–midnight 7 days/week

Leased spaces; $100/month surcharge for SUVs. Rate: $562.28/month.

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Columbia University in the City of New York

Alumni Tour of Manhattanville

August 4, 2026

Manhattanville Campus (David Geffen Hall and Henry R. Kravis Hall)

A comprehensive tour of Columbia Business School's new home in Manhattanville, led by the Development and Alumni Relations department.

Columbia College and Columbia Engineering Summer Send-Off: Seattle

August 4, 2026

Off-campus (Seattle)

A summer send-off event for incoming students and their families in the Seattle area.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Columbia University in the City of New York

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

37 known dorm and housing options. The first 24 are shown below; the rest are available in the expandable list.

47 Claremont

Capacity: 350

Room types: single, double

503 W. 121st St.

Room types: single, double

523 W. 113th St.

Room types: single, double

548 W. 113th St.

Room types: single, double

600 W 113th St

Capacity: 270

Room types: single, double

611 W. 112th Street

Room types: single, double

627 W. 115th St.

Room types: single, double

Alfred Lerner Hall

Capacity: 200

Room types: apartment-style

Bancroft Hall

Capacity: 400

Room types: one-bedroom, two-bedroom shared, three-bedroom shared

Bard Hall

Broadway Hall

Capacity: 400

Room types: single, double

Carlton Arms

Room types: single, double

Carman Hall

Capacity: 503

Room types: double, suite

Casa Italiana

Capacity: 100

Room types: single, double, apartment

East Campus Residence Halls

Capacity: 800

Room types: single, double, suite

Furnald Hall

Capacity: 550

Room types: single, double

Grant Hall

Capacity: 100

Room types: street-side: foyer, living room, bedroom, eat-in kitchen, bathroom, courtyard-side: hallway with bedroom, eat-in kitchen, bathroom, living room

Harmon y Hall

Room types: single, double

Harmony Hall

Capacity: 320

Room types: single, double

Hartley Hall

Capacity: 500

Room types: suite

Hogan Hall

Capacity: 380

Room types: single, double

Hudson Hall

Room types: single, double

John Jay Hall

Capacity: 600

Room types: single, double

Kneece & Knox Hall (Cottages)

Room types: single, double

Show the remaining 13 housing options

McBain Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double

McNair Hall

Room types: single, double

New Residence Hall

Capacity: 252

Room types: units with private bathrooms

River Hall

Capacity: 280

Room types: single, double

Ruggles Hall

Capacity: 290

Room types: single, double

Sarasota Hall

Capacity: 100

Room types: street-side: foyer, living room, bedroom, eat-in kitchen, bathroom, courtyard-side: hallway with bedroom, eat-in kitchen, bathroom, living room

Schapiro Hall

Capacity: 310

Room types: single, double

South Lawn

Capacity: 150

Room types: apartment-style

Wallach Hall

Capacity: 500

Room types: single, double

Watt Hall

Capacity: 250

Room types: single

Whittier Hall

Capacity: 350

Room types: single, suite, one-bedroom apartment, two-bedroom shared apartment, small and large studios

Wien Hall

Capacity: 260

Room types: single, double

Woodbridge Hall

Capacity: 240

Room types: single, double

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Private Non-Profit

Email Domain

@columbiauinthecityof.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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