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 wellness. Review the resources below for more information on Columbia Health, sports and fitness, and Live Well | Learn Well.
Your first stop for healthcare services is Columbia Health. Services include routine and urgent medical visits, short-term mental-health counseling, disability accommodations, and sexual violence prevention and advocacy services. Columbia Health also offers educational and skill-based health and wellness programs. Most services have a virtual option.
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 on September 30. Students are encouraged to submit waiver requests by September 15 to avoid unintended fees. All requests are considered, but approval is not guaranteed. 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, travel medicine, immunizations, as well as sexual health services, reproductive and gynecological services, LGBTQ health care, and confidential HIV testing
Counseling and Psychological Services offers short-term individual counseling, referrals for longer-term therapy, consultations for couples, student-life support groups, medication consultation, and emergency consultation.
Disability Services coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with all types of disabilities (including temporary injury) to facilitate access to Columbia's academic programs, campus resources, and activities. Students must register with Disability Services to receive accommodations and support services.
Sexual Violence Response provides trauma-informed, confidential support and prevention programs focused on ending gender- and power-based violence. Services include prevention-focused training and education programs, crisis counseling, intervention, advocacy, connection to resources, online orders of protection, and accompaniment for survivors and co-survivors of violence.
Alice! Health Promotion provides one-on-one health education appointments, group workshops, short-term substance abuse intervention (BASICS), support for stress, sleep, time management, birth control, alcohol and drugs, and more to prioritize well-being on campus so students can thrive. They also offer HIV test counseling and treatment management, PrEP and PEP consultations, STI testing information, birth control education, and individual and group support by peers and professional staff to students of all genders and orientations.
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.
Columbia is home to 36 student-run recreational sports organizations (club sports). From Aikido and Ballroom Dance to Water Polo, Whitewater Kayaking, and Ultimate, there is a club for almost any activity you can imagine. Clubs are organized on recreational, instructional, and competitive levels, and their activities range from informal play to regular practice to intercollegiate and tournament competition. All Columbia University students who possess a valid Dodge Fitness Center membership may join Club Sports. Some clubs have instruction or coaching available and are funded in part by the Club Sports program and club membership dues.
The health and well-being of our community is among the highest priorities for all of us at Columbia. Through Live Well | Learn Well, we aim to create a campus culture that values and promotes individual well-being and a healthy community for our undergraduates.
There are many individuals and organizations here who are dedicated to our student community. Live Well | Learn Well offers a catalog of well-being support and services for undergraduate students at Columbia organized into seven distinct categories.
Maintaining your health and well-being is a shared responsibility, so please reference these resources and ask for help when you need it. We're in this together!