The health and well-being of our community is among the highest priorities for all of us at Columbia, and there are many individuals and organizations here who are dedicated to supporting your well-being. Review the resources below for more information on Columbia Health and sports and fitness.
Your first stop for healthcare services is Columbia Health. Services include routine and urgent medical visits, short-term mental health counseling, health promotion programs, disability accommodations, and sexual violence prevention and advocacy services, to name a few. Columbia Health also offers educational and skill-based programs as well as support navigating resources at Columbia. Most services are offered virtually and have options for a same day visit.
Visit the Columbia Health website to make an appointment or learn about the programs and services available to you.
All full-time students and all international students without an approved waiver are automatically enrolled in the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan (the Columbia Plan). The Columbia Plan provides coverage that complements the services provided by Columbia Health. In addition, Columbia University is pleased to offer voluntary dental and vision insurance.
Confirmation, eligible dependent enrollment, and waiver requests are due by September 30. Students are encouraged to submit waiver requests by September 15 to avoid unintended fees. The Student Health Insurance Office considers all waiver requests. Approval is not guaranteed and is contingent upon meeting the University requirements. For complete information about health insurance, dental, and vision plan benefits, dependent enrollment, waivers, and other related information, visit the Columbia Health website.
Medical Services provides routine and urgent medical care, nutrition, travel medicine, immunizations, sexual health services, reproductive and gynecological services, LGBTQ+ health care, confidential HIV testing, acupuncture, and sports medicine.
Counseling and Psychological Services offers short-term individual counseling, referrals for longer-term therapy, drop-ins, support groups, medication consultation, and emergency consultation.
Alice! Health Promotion provides one-on-one conversations on sleep, stress, and time management; alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention, and education; wellness coaching; sexual and reproductive health (including HIV testing and treatment, birth control, PrEP and PEP, etc.); gender affirming care coordination; and Go Ask Alice! (anonymous health Q&A web resource).
Disability Services coordinates academic, classroom, campus, housing, and event accommodations for students with disabilities (including chronic conditions and temporary injuries), and non-clinical consultations around academic difficulties related to attention issues or learning difficulties. Students must register with Disability Services to receive accommodations and support services.
Sexual Violence Response provides crisis counseling, intervention, advocacy, connection to resources, online orders of protection, accompaniment for survivors and co-survivors of violence, as well as violence prevention trainings and workshops.
The Physical Education and Recreation Program (PEREC) offers a comprehensive recreation and wellness program, including intramurals, 36 student-run club sports, group and personal fitness classes, and a diverse physical education program. This is an excellent place to start if you are mapping out your fitness goals as an incoming student.
The Dodge Fitness Center (DFC) is your all-in-one campus fitness and athletic facility. It features three levels of cardio and strength training equipment, The Blue Gym, a functional fitness center, a running track, Uris Pool, aerobics rooms, squash courts and more. Most Columbia College and Columbia Engineering undergraduates who are living in residence halls have automatic memberships to the DFC. Visit the DFC FAQs page to learn more about memberships and requirements to enter the building.
Club Sports at Columbia University is home to student run recreational and competitive sports organizations. Students with common interest in recreation and sports organize these Club Sports to collectively pursue their passions. Clubs are organized on recreational, instructional and competitive levels, and their activities range from informal play to regular practice to intercollegiate and tournament competition.