| Current assessments of campus facilities indicate we may be able to bring back to campus as much as 60% of the undergraduate population in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. This number could continue to change but it represents our current aspiration. Students who request to reside on campus should have both flexibility and a willingness to adapt as residential and campus life will be very different from what you have experienced. As Columbia University prepares to begin its 2020-21 academic year under new academic, residential and campus life guidelines, we urge all students to consider the following questions. | Current assessments of campus facilities indicate we may be able to bring back to campus as much as 60% of the undergraduate population in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. This number could continue to change but it represents our current aspiration. As a result, up to 40% of students will remain off-campus/at home. As Columbia University prepares to begin its 2020-21 academic year under new academic and campus life guidelines, we urge students who choose or need to remain at home/are unable to travel to consider the following questions. |
- Have you spoken with parents, family members, and your other support networks about your interest in living on campus? What have they said?
- Are you able to travel safely to NYC? Do you have the requisite documentation if you are an international student?
- Are you comfortable with a new residence hall assignment? All students will be re-assigned to single rooms.The outcome of the room selection process that continuing students participated in last spring will be considered as Columbia Housing makes room re-assignments.
- Have you considered that all classes will offer remote access, even those that are offered in person? Given this, where will you be sitting for most of your classes/exams?
- Access to campus buildings and resources may be limited. Are you prepared to conduct most of your university business in a remote manner?
- Have you considered how you will remain connected to the Columbia community? How will you stay involved in campus life?
- How will you spend your time outside of class and other academic obligations? Will you be working? Are you prepared to work or intern virtually, given workplace density requirements? Are you prepared for limited work opportunities given the impact of COVID 19?
- Are you currently engaged in research that you can continue virtually or do you have to be physically on campus to pursue your project?
- Have you considered that visitors to campus, including family and friends may be restricted and that there may be travel restrictions in place for the Columbia community?
- Are you prepared to shelter on-campus if public health conditions worsen or if you are required to self-isolate/quarantine?
- I agree to follow all public health and Columbia University health and safety guidelines as they evolve over the academic year.
| - Have you spoken with parents, family members, and your other support networks about remaining off campus? What have they said?
- In what time zone will you be living? How many hours ahead/behind of EDT/EST will you be?
- What is your ability to access a stable and high-speed internet connection? Is your connection reliable?
- What other supplies or equipment will you need? Do you have access to a printer or scanner, software or other materials you may need to facilitate your academic success?
- In what location will you be sitting for most of your classes/exams? Do you have access to a (semi)-private and quiet place for writing, exams, and class participation?
- Are you currently or do you plan to be engaged in research that you can do remotely and remain successful?
- Are you planning on doing a senior thesis this year and if so, can this be successfully completed remotely?
- How will you spend your time outside of class and other academic obligations? Will you be working? Do you have volunteer or family responsibilities?
- Have you considered how you will remain connected to the Columbia community? How will you stay involved in campus life?
- Who are your support networks? How will you engage with advisers, mentors, and health care providers, and others?
- Are you prepared to conduct most of your university business in a remote manner?
- Are you aware of the following impacts on your financial aid:
- That by not living on-campus, you will not be charged room and board and subsequently your financial aid will be adjusted due to the change in costs
- That the calculation of your financial aid will take into account certain expenses of living at home, leading to a lower amount due on your e-bill compared to living on campus and having a meal plan
- Do you plan to be on Columbia’s Medical Insurance or a different medical insurance (parent’s, Medicaid, etc.)?
- Will you have any additional needs due the lack of accessibility to campus resources? If so, what are these needs?
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