Location

Center of Campus

Alfred Lerner Hall functions as the central student hub, housing lounges, cafés, and conference spaces within its architecturally distinctive structure. This multi-purpose building serves as the primary venue where students gather between classes, coordinate group projects, or simply occupy spaces designed to facilitate both casual interaction and focused collaboration throughout their days on campus.

Libraries

Twenty-two libraries spanning the campus provide access to collections ranging from rare manuscripts to extensive digital holdings, placing Columbia among the country’s top ten academic library systems. Each facility serves particular disciplines or research needs, allowing students to locate materials and specialized resources relevant to their coursework while working in environments conducive to sustained concentration.

Computer Access

Computer clusters, labs, and information kiosks distributed across campus offer workstations equipped with software supporting diverse academic needs, while consultation centers provide technical assistance. Campus-wide wireless connectivity ensures students maintain access regardless of location, whether they’re working from library study spaces, outdoor areas, or residential buildings.

Dining

Campus dining operates seven days weekly with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options accommodating various dietary requirements including medical restrictions. Meal plans provide flexibility while ensuring students can access nutrition that meets their specific needs throughout each semester.

Health Services

Columbia Health Services handles routine appointments and urgent care, supplemented by workshops and discussions addressing wellness topics. This comprehensive approach ensures students can access medical support when conditions arise, while preventive programming encourages maintaining health throughout demanding academic schedules.

Fitness Center

The Dodge Physical Fitness Center provides baseline membership to residential students and three-week program participants, offering facilities where physical activity complements intellectual work. Regular exercise options help students manage stress while maintaining fitness during periods when academic demands might otherwise crowd out attention to bodily wellbeing.

Writing Center

Columbia’s Writing Center supports students throughout composition processes—from initial brainstorming through final revisions—while hosting workshops, masterclasses, and lectures that develop rhetorical capabilities. This programming serves undergraduates preparing college applications alongside current students refining academic prose across disciplines where clear communication proves essential.

Public Safety

Emergency information distribution and campus escort services reflect safety priorities that balance security with personal autonomy. These measures create conditions where community members can navigate campus confidently while accessing support when circumstances warrant assistance.

Transportation Convenience

A complimentary shuttle accessible to faculty, staff, and students circulates through campus on reliable schedules, providing convenient navigation across the institution’s footprint. This service integrates into daily routines for those moving between buildings separated by distances that might otherwise require more time.

Columbia Bookstore

The campus bookstore stocks school supplies, essential items, and Columbia-branded merchandise, functioning as both a practical resource and gathering space. Beyond fulfilling material needs, it serves as a venue where students encounter peers while acquiring what their coursework or personal preferences require.