Public Safety Resources

• Services
  • On-Demand Evening Shuttle
  • Safety Escort Program
  • ID Cards
  • Lost and Found

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• Crime Prevention

  Learn about campus safety, access crime prevention tips, and discover events and programs designed to enhance your security.

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• Crime Alerts and Reports

  Access Clery Crime Alerts, designed to inform the community in a timely manner of certain kinds of crimes, and download annual security and fire safety reports.

• Emergency Protocols

  We’ve created plans to help the Columbia community be prepared to respond well in the event of an emergency.

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• Information and Feedback

  Find out about staff training and demographics, familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities, access important policies, submit feedback, and more.

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• Overview

  Two types of housing are available to graduate students — university-managed housing and those you can find on the local housing market. Columbia Residential manages university housing for graduate students and allocates each school a specific number of spaces each year. University housing is very competitive, and priority is given to incoming doctoral students. Most of our master's students live in non-university housing, which can still be very close to campus!

• Housing Eligibility and What to Expect

  Students must be enrolled full-time in an on-campus degree-seeking program, except in their final semester of studies, for the school to review their housing application. For the fall semester, housing decisions are released between May 1 and June 30. Incoming Ph.D. students are prioritized. After all incoming Ph.D.s have been assigned, the remaining housing slots for the school will be distributed to continuing Ph.D. and MS students through a lottery system. Approvals via lottery are released towards the end of June. For the spring term, all housing applicants will enter the housing Open Selection process.

  Students who do not receive on-campus housing during the school allocation period for the fall term will be entered into the housing Open Selection. Housing through Open Selection is offered only until May 31 of the next year, or earlier if the student’s affiliation ends sooner and must Move-Out by the end of the agreement. Extensions are not guaranteed. Please review Columbia Residential's student housing Open Selection information for further details. 

  In two (2) to three (3) business weeks after accepting your admission offer, you will receive an email from the Office of Engineering Student Affairs to your personal email address provided during the application process. This email will contain your university IDs (PID and UNI) and a link to the housing application to apply for university housing.

  If you do not receive this e-mail after three business weeks, please contact us at [email protected].

  Learn More About the Important Application Process and Dates
• Housing Options

  University-Managed Housing

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  Columbia Residential manages 150 apartment buildings, most located within a short commute to campus, which house graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff. Follow the link below to find out about eligibility, available residences, and application procedures.

  Visit Columbia Residential

  Non-University Housing

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  There are many apartments for rent in the area managed by entities outside the university. Columbia University Off-Campus Housing Assistance has extensive resources, including apartment listings, to help you find the perfect place. We suggest you use the following resources to help you find alternative off-campus housing options:

  • Off-Campus Housing Marketplace (OCHA)
  • Temporary housing website
  • International House

  We strongly recommend that you elect housing that you hear back from first. i.e., If you secure off-campus housing first, it'd be best to commit to that rather than wait to hear about your on-campus housing application.

  Learn More About Non-University Housing

Important Information for Approved Housing Applicants

• Declining and Transferring
  • If you decline the housing offer, you will lose your on-campus housing approval.
  • Students will have the opportunity to transfer to other housing twice a year if necessary. However, applications for transfer are not guaranteed.
  • Students wishing to change from single to couples housing will have the opportunity to transfer later in their tenure through the usual transfer process with Columbia Residential.
• Maintaining On-Campus Housing Status
  • You must have full-time student registration status during the academic year.
  • Housing is granted for a maximum of 5 years or the length of your original admitted degree program (whichever is less).
  • Doctoral students (MS/Ph.D. and Ph.D.) are eligible for five consecutive academic years of housing starting with their first semester of registration if they applied for housing by their admitted term's specified deadline for incoming doctoral students. Students must remain in good academic and administrative standing.
    • If a doctoral student does not apply for housing, declines an initial offer of housing, or chooses to leave his or her housing assignment before the five-year period ends, any subsequent request for Columbia housing is not guaranteed.
  • Registered doctoral students in good standing may request through the Columbia Residential Housing Portal an additional year at the end of their fifth(5) and sixth(6) years, for a maximum of seven(7) consecutive academic years in Columbia Residential housing.
    • Students are required to provide their defense plan before the school proceeds with reviewing the request.
    • Requests are reviewed by the Columbia Engineering Dean of Students. Please note approval is not guaranteed and, if approved, it will be a one-time extension.
  • Doctoral students in their first seven years are no longer eligible for housing upon completing the dissertation defense, regardless of the outcome; doctoral candidates are required by Columbia Residential to vacate campus housing within 60 days of the defense.
• When You Must Reapply for Housing
  • MS-only students - if you later apply to an advanced degree beyond the MS level (i.e., PhD program).
  • If you are admitted to a new academic department within Columbia Engineering (i.e., Mechanical Engineering to Chemical Engineering).
  • If you fail to graduate within the designated term while enrolled in housing.
  • When returning from a Leave of Absence.

Dinings Halls & Locations

• Blue Java Cafe

  Get fresh, fair-trade coffee, a pastry, or a light meal. Located on the first floor of Mudd, the home of Columbia Engineering, this is your closest place to grab a bite.

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• John Jay Dining Hall

  Incredible variety, made fresh daily. Order a custom meal or browse the hot entrée station. You’ll also find sushi, grain bowls, a full salad bar, and lots of special dietary options. 

  See Menu
• Chef Mike’s Sub Shop

  Fuel your studies with 10-inch super-stuffed sandwiches, with a daily traditional, vegan, and special option — or build your own. Sandwiches come with soup, chips, dessert, and a drink. Just a short walk from Mudd in Uris Hall.

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• Junzi Kitchen

  Quick & casual Northern Chinese fare. Choose your protein, sauce, and vegetables over rice or noodles for a fresh and incredibly flavorful meal.

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• Subsconscious

  Find a selection of subs, grilled sandwiches, salads, snacks, and deserts just a stone’s throw from Mudd. Enjoy delicious, high-quality ingredients, friendly service, and reasonable prices.

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• Massawa

  Opened in 1988, Massawa is one of the first Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurants in the U.S. Discover unique vegan and vegetarian dishes and enjoy savory comfort food, East-Africa style.

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• Pisticci

  Delicious, authentic Italian dishes in a cozy atmosphere. Features live jazz on Sundays.

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• Rosa Pizzeria of Harlem

  Pizza by the (huge) slice with lots of creative options in a cozy, casual atmosphere. You'll also find appetizers, soups, and salads, and you can even satisfy your craving with a gluten-free crust. 

  Details

• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

  The Columbia University American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) branch is committed to participating in the annual AIAA DBF competition. We draw ideas, research components, test designs, and eventually end up with a plane that is able to complete the three specified missions for the competition. Each year the mission specifications change and we must begin anew creating a unique design to fulfill the requirements of the annual challenge.

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• American Institute of Chemical Engineers

  AIChE is a pre-professional organization for the community of Chemical Engineers at Columbia University. AIChE's mission is to promote knowledge of science and engineering, mutual acquaintance and fellowship among students and professors, and connection to various resources to further develop their academic endeavors and career prospects.

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• American Society of Civil Engineers

  The Columbia University Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers is a pre-professional club dedicated to all students interested in civil engineering, structural engineering, and construction management. 

  While its main focus is to aid members in finding scholarships and jobs both for summer and post-graduation, the chapter also participates in a variety of activities, most notably the annual steel bridge competition. 

  The chapter also lends a hand to theater at Columbia, having built sets for Kings Crown's production of Romeo and Juliet in the fall of 2003 and the set for the Varsity Show in the spring of 2002. 

  In addition, the chapter also participates in major informational sessions and job experience sessions for underclassmen.

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• American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  ASME at Columbia University is a student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. We host various events throughout the school year that are of benefit to ME Department students. This includes career panels, graduate school panels, research seminars, social events, and engineering talks.

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• Biomedical Engineering Society

  BMES is the premier, broad-ranging professional organization promoting both research and education in biomedical engineering and bioengineering. Our undergraduates organize an active local student chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society, which holds several social- and career-oriented events throughout the year and participates with the faculty in curriculum development and improvement.

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• Columbia Alpha Partners

  Created from the joining of three student groups including Columbia University Financial Engineering, Columbia Alpha Partners seeks to cultivate the next generation of leaders in finance across the wide spectrum of the industry.

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• Columbia Data Science Society

  Columbia Data Science Society The Columbia Data Science Society is an organization of students from throughout the university interested in data science and its applications. 

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• Columbia Science Review

  The Columbia Science Review (CSR) was formed to elevate knowledge and awareness of science and technology in the Columbia community through its bi-annual issues, featuring informative scientific articles written by Columbia undergraduates.

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• Engineers Without Borders

  Engineers Without Borders (EWB) USA supports community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders. 

  Founded in 2004, Columbia University's student chapter follows this mission by working on sustainable engineering projects in Ghana, Morocco, and Uganda.

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• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

  The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at Columbia University serves to promote an environment of professionalism among Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering undergraduates, graduates, and faculty. 

  We aim to foster a sense of community in the Department of Electrical Engineering within the university and beyond. With a national chapter of 365,000 members in over 150 countries, we remain one of the most widely known and respected engineering societies in the world.

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• National Society of Black Engineers

  NSBE is dedicated to the academic and professional success of African-American engineering students and professionals. NSBE offers its members leadership training, professional development activities, mentoring opportunities, career placement services, and more.

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• Scientists & Engineers for a Better Society

  We're working to update you with science news and events, streamline your life with our LifeHacks, and share the wisdom of Columbia professors. Check out what's new with the site and how to better use it as a resource!

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• Columbia University Formula Racing

  The mission of Columbia University Formula Racing (CUFR) is to educate and develop the next generation of engineers and managers while building a racecar for the Formula SAE competition. 

  The breadth of the project – the design, construction, and financing of the car – provides students with an introduction to all aspects of project and engineering management. By applying theoretical principles to real-world problems, team members develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

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• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

  As one of Columbia's pre-professional organizations, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers works to promote professional development, leadership, and community outreach through a series of panels, panels of discussions, seminars, and workshops to allow students from all backgrounds to become the next generation of Hispanic leaders.

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• Society of Women Engineers

  The Society of Women Engineers is a non-profit educational and service organization that empowers women to aspire to careers in engineering and thrive as leaders in society.

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• Columbia Space Initiative (CSI)

  One of the largest engineering clubs on campus, the Columbia Space Initiative (CSI) is dedicated to all things space. From engineering, biology, chemistry, astronomy, and physics to policy and educational outreach, members work on a range of projects, including high-powered hybrid rocketry, cube satellite development, space microbiology, lunar robotics, AR tools for astronauts, and high-altitude balloons, among others.

  CSI students consistently place as national finalists in NASA competitions, author technical publications, volunteer with thousands of middle schoolers across New York, and travel nationwide to present and compete their work. CSI also organizes a range of speaker and professional development events throughout the year, and has previously hosted several astronauts, a former Director of NASA, space policy experts, and countless researchers and other professionals from across aerospace.

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• Women in Computer Science

  WiCS aims to foster an inclusive community that supports the advancement of women and gender-diverse people in computer science.

  We support and encourage prospective computer science majors and provide direction and assistance to current computer science students. Our network connects female and gender-diverse undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to opportunities in academia and industry, mentorship, and each other.

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