Multicultural Affairs aims to strengthen and enhance the richly diverse fabric of the Columbia community by providing programs, resources, and support for the entire Columbia College and Columbia Engineering undergraduate community.

We recognize that each student’s story is complex and can be informed by the various backgrounds they hold – including cultures, experiences, histories, and social identities (e.g. disability/ ability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, race, religion/ spirituality, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, and more). Our programs facilitate opportunities for all students to learn more about themselves and their communities offering caring spaces to affirm, explore, question, and connect. 

@Columbia Series

Programs and resources through the @Columbia series facilitate stronger understanding of self, deeper sense of belonging, closer connections within communities, enhance support for communities, and encourage campus-wide education. Offerings include: 

• Orientation and first-year programming focusing on transitioning to college
• Wellness initiatives
• Lunch chats focusing on student experiences and relevant campus resources
• Social programming – throughout the academic year and during academic breaks (fall break and spring recess)
• Community conversations and educational workshops
• NYC outings

The four areas under this series provide all undergraduate students in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering an opportunity to connect with and learn more about disabled communities, first-generation and/or low income (FLI) communities, international communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and communities of color on campus and beyond. 

Columbia Mentoring Initiative

The Columbia Mentoring Initiative (CMI) is an intergenerational mentorship program through Multicultural Affairs that facilitates personal /community support and connections. Activities include more intimate connections through smaller community-based “family trees” as well as larger group interactions though program-wide events. Applications to be a mentee, mentor, or chair are open to all Columbia College and Columbia Engineering undergraduates.

One of the most powerful spaces of learning in our global campus community is in the active exchange and sharing among the students themselves. Our dialogue-based and cohort programming encourages empathic listening, openness to learning about others’ truths, willingness to challenge and be challenged, and growth together as a community. 

Under1Roof

A required program for all first year students in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, Under1Roof is a small-group, dialogue-based program. It centers the stories and identities students bring to campus, the opportunities and challenges of being part of a diverse community, the importance of each person’s social responsibility to each other, and how to disrupt harmful behaviors as effective bystanders. 

Respecting Ourselves and Other Through Empathy and Dialogue (ROOTED)

ROOTED is a peer facilitation program dedicated to creating spaces of solidarity, empathy and learning for members of the Columbia community on salient, topical issues. Community dialogues and opportunities to become a student facilitator are open to all undergraduate students. 

Intercultural Resource Center | Intercultural House

• Intercultural Resource Center (IRC) is a physical space that offers residential space, student programming and gathering space, and administrative support. It is devoted to promoting a just society and exploring social issues impacting the Columbia University community and beyond. The IRC provides a forum for education and social exchange that encourages self-discovery, increased social awareness and an appreciation of the cultural histories within and between communities on campus. We strive to equip students, faculty and staff with the tools necessary to empower themselves, successfully navigate their environments and positively impact the community at large.
• Intercultural House is the residential component of the IRC. Thirty-four students, who support the goals and objectives of the Intercultural Resource Center, live together in a unique brownstone setting. The ICH offers an opportunity for sophomores through seniors from a variety of backgrounds, interests, orientations and belief systems to live together in a community that fosters individual growth and unity.

Global Ambassador Program

The Global Ambassador Program (GAP) is a year-long international friendship program that connects a cohort of international students and US students in dialogue. Topics have included culture shock, communication styles, social perceptions, boundaries, and family traditions. Open to all Columbia College and Columbia Engineering undergraduates; first- and second-years are strongly encouraged to apply.

Audre Lorde Week

Audre Lorde Week is a week-long series honors the life, work, and teachings of Audre Lorde LS'60 and takes place annually during her birthday week. Programs and activities invite students to reflect on her writings and words as well as to engage with and apply her philosophies as actualized ways of being in community with each other while valuing difference. As she shared, "It is within our differences that we are both most powerful and most vulnerable, and some of the most difficult tasks of our lives are the claiming of differences and learning to use those differences for bridges rather than as barriers between us." The latest calendar can be found here.

In close partnership with campus partners and students, our goal is to create a campus where every student has the tools and resources to thrive while at Columbia and to prepare them for an ever-changing heterogeneous world after graduation. 

Advocacy

• Any student or student group can meet with Multicultural Affairs staff for support, questions, or concerns. In addition to providing spaces to be heard, staff assist students by creating connections with other University resources through supportive referrals and through facilitating meetings with relevant students and campus partners. Columbia College and Columbia Engineering undergraduate can make an appointment with a staff member here, or reach the staff at multicultural@columbia.edu. 
• Multicultural Affairs Advisory Council is  a group comprised of a broad representation of undergraduates from Columbia College and Columbia Engineering who work collectively toward continually enhancing the programs and services of the Multicultural Affairs and other campus offices; evaluating the needs of our diverse undergraduate student population; identifying relevant campus issues; and promoting a campus environment of inclusion, self-awareness, intercultural engagement and social responsibility. All fully enrolled undergraduate students in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering are encouraged to apply and get involved.

Education and Training

Through the Identity & Inclusion Series and requested workshop offerings, Multicultural Affairs provides spaces to learn more about topical issues, specific community experiences, and how to work in solidarity with groups. Skill building opportunities include training on intergroup facilitation, empathic listening, conflict resolution, and action and accountability planning. Sessions are open to all campus members. 

Organizational Advisement

In addition to the many programs and resources listed above, Multicultural Affairs advises over 50 student organizations and student spaces. For community-focused pre-professional organizations, fraternities and sororities, performance groups, and more, learn about the hundreds of organizations advised by Undergraduate Student Life here. 

For questions about Multicultural Affairs, email multicultural@columbia.edu.