The following press policies are designed to allow for freedom of the press while ensuring that University events and activities may be conducted without disruption by press coverage and that students' rights to privacy are respected. The Columbia University campuses—all buildings, facilities and grounds—are private property and as such are subject to restrictions allowable by law.
PRESS CONDUCT POLICY
Press must respect the right of students not to be interviewed, if they so decline. Press may not take or use pictures of students or film students without first gaining their written permission to be filmed and identified. Press attending events must stay seated in the press section, unless permission is given to sit elsewhere.
In general, if a student has agreed to be interviewed in advance or if a student group has approached a press outlet to cover a student event, press permission will be granted as long as press agree to comply with these access policies. Press who seek interviews before or after a specific event must do so in approved outdoor spaces, so as not to impede attendees entering or exiting the event.
Press are not allowed to enter classrooms without the permission of the instructor and shall not interrupt classes in progress.
PRESS ATTENDING EVENTS
Not all University events are open to the press. Those that are open, usually require that press register in advance. In some instances, that registration may take place at the event itself. In order to gain access to the event, working press must agree to comply with University press policy on press conduct while covering the event and must show their press credentials upon attending the event. At high security events, press who have not pre-registered may not gain access at the time of the event.
While working press without camera equipment may enter the campus, they must show their press credential. Reporters are NOT ALLOWED inside classrooms, dormitories or other interior spaces unless by special permission granted in advance by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs and the Office of Public Safety.
PHOTOGRAPHY, FILMING AND VIDEOTAPE RESTRICTIONS
To obtain clearance, press with video camera equipment who seek to enter the campus MUST contact the Office of Public Affairs in advance at 212-854-5573 with a specific date, time and names of crew. The Public Affairs Office will inform the Office of Public Safety that the camera crew has been cleared. Without that clearance, all press carrying camera and film equipment will be stopped at the gates. Press who receive permission to enter the campus must clearly display their official press credentials at all times, when on campus.
Unless permission is granted for other venues, cameras, filming and videotaping are only allowed in outdoor, public space on campus, such as College Walk (116th St. between Amsterdam and Broadway).
Film cameras, digital cameras, movie cameras and video cameras are NOT ALLOWED inside campus facilities, including auditoriums, cafeterias, classrooms, corridors, dormitories, gymnasiums, laboratories, libraries, lobbies, residential halls, theaters, the Lerner Hall student center and other interior spaces unless cleared for such use.
The University does not allow press to film or videotape "broadcast roll" on campus, unless cleared to do so and accompanied by a public affairs officer.
PRESS PARKING
Press may unload equipment at either of the gates at 116th Street and Broadway or Amsterdam, but parking is not allowed on campus. Crews with large amounts of equipment may request permission to unload only at the Grove Elevator at 119th Street and Amsterdam. Vehicles must be parked off campus—no exceptions.