Columbia University Student Services

Important Information for New Students

Welcome to Columbia University. Before you begin classes, there are some important Student Services requirements that you must fulfill. To learn more, visit the New Students website for the School of General Studies and the graduate schools or Columbia College and SEAS.

Register to Vote

2008 is a Presidential election year, so be sure you are registered to vote. If you reside at a New York address where you can receive mail, download the voter registration form from the New York State election website and submit it no later than 30 days prior to Election Day. To vote absentee in your home state, visit the election website of your home state to learn about registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. If you want to vote in New York State and you live in a residence hall, look for more information in the early spring and late fall on how to register. For more information on registering to vote, visit Rock the Vote.

Dining Dollars and Flex Account

Dining Dollars allow students to make tax-free food and beverage purchases at all on-campus dining locations.  A Flex Account can be used to purchase a variety of goods and services at the University Bookstore, in selected vending machines and self-service copies, in the laundry facilities and at the Hospitality Desk located in 118 Hartley Hall.  Visit the Dining Services website for instruction on how to enroll in these programs. 

Undergraduate Housing and Dining

If you have questions about your room assignment or would like to request a room transfer, please email Housing Services at housing@columbia.edu. To sign up for a meal plan or to change your existing meal plan, please email Dining Services at eats@columbia.edu.

If you have questions about Graduate, Professional, and General Studies housing, please visit the University Apartment Housing website for information.

New Preparedness Site Launches

The new Pandemic Preparedness website describes Columbia's response planning efforts for a flu pandemic.

Banking Needs

Citibank has onsite banking services and ATMs available at various locations on the Morningside and Medical Center campuses. Visit the Citibank branch in Lerner Hall for more information.

Students have the right and ability to select the bank of their choice and are not required to use Citibank or any other bank for any of their banking needs. Citibank licenses space from the University for banking services in Lerner Hall on the Morningside campus and in the Black Building on the Medical Center campus. 

Cellular discount

Sprint cellular discounts are available to student. Click here for more information.