Columbia University Housing
Guide To Living
Guide To Living
Things You Need To Know: Policies
Together, Housing Services and Residential Programs are focused on making your residential experience the best it can be. While we want you to have fun and feel as if your residence hall is your home, there are community standards that are critical to follow. In addition, it is important that you are familiar with the Dean’s Discipline Process, which outlines our approach to follow-up in case you are not in compliance with the policies outlined below.
The Terms and Conditions of Residence is a contractual agreement between you (the student) and Housing Services at Columbia University. The Terms & Conditions outlines responsibilities for the privilege of living in residence. You are responsible for knowing and understanding the terms and conditions of this agreement and all policies outlined in the Guide to Living, Essential Policies, and the respective bulletin of your school, and for being in compliance with them. When you sign your Housing Occupancy Agreement, you are agreeing to abide by the Terms & Conditions. A copy of the Terms and Conditions of Residence can be found online.
Behavior and Policy
You may not engage in behavior that infringes on individual or group rights by jeopardizing the health and safety of individuals and property. All residents must abide by the policies set forth in the Terms and Conditions, as well as regulations of Columbia College and SEAS, Federal, State, and Municipal laws. Violations of these regulations will be subject to the Dean’s Discipline Process and may result in the termination of the Housing Occupancy Agreement and dismissal from the residence halls by the Office of Judicial Affairs.Staff, Community Development, and Policy
Resident Advisers (RAs), Graduate Assistants (GAs), and Assistant/Associate Directors (ADs) are responsible for community development, upholding community standards and enforcing policy in the undergraduate residence halls. Residential Programs staff are trained and required to document community issues and policy violations for follow-up by the appropriate staff members in The Office of Residential Programs and/or the Office of Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. Housing Services, Public Safety, Security Desk personnel or other University staff may also document incidents.Follow-up regarding community issues and alleged policy violations may include a meeting and/or a referral to the Dean’s Discipline Process with a member of the staff within Residential Programs. While staff members within Residential Programs generally adjudicate cases of alleged policy violations via the Dean’s Discipline Process, more serious incidents or those involving repeat violations of University policy by the student are referred to the Dean’s Discipline process in The Office of Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. In all cases, staff members are committed to educating students through engaging them in meaningful dialogue, directing them to the appropriate University resources, and holding them accountable for their actions when necessary.
The Assistant Dean for Community Development and Residential Programs and/or the Senior Assistant Dean of Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, in conjunction with the Dean of Student Affairs or his designee, may take appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the residential community and its members. This may require the termination of a student’s Housing Occupancy Agreement if it is determined that a student poses a threat to him/herself or to others or if the student is significantly disruptive to the community.
Customer Service Center
118 Hartley Hall - (212) 854-2775
Hospitality Desk
Hartley Lobby - (212) 854-2779
General Inquiries
housing@columbia.edu