Essential Policies For The Columbia Community

This bulletin is intended for the guidance of persons applying for or considering application for admission to Columbia University and for the guidance of Columbia students and faculty. The bulletin sets forth in general the manner in which the University intends to proceed with respect to the matters set forth herein, but the University reserves the right to depart without notice from the terms of this bulletin. The bulletin is not intended to be, and should not be regarded as, a contract between the University and any student or other person. This bulletin is also not to be considered the sole or comprehensive guide to policies at Columbia. Students should consult the policies and expectations of the various offices and departments for additional guidance. Valuable information to help students, faculty, and staff understand some of the policies and regulations of the University can be found on the Essential Policies for the Columbia Community website.


Policies on this website pertain to campus safety (including harassment and discrimination), the confidentiality of student records, drug and alcohol use, student leaves, and political activity, as well as others. This is a useful reference to several important policies that Columbia University maintains, including the following:

  • Student Email Communication Policy
  • Information Technology Policies
  • Social Security Number Reporting
  • Policy on Access to Student Records (FERPA)
  • University Regulations (including Rules of University Conduct)
  • Policies on Alcohol and Drugs
  • Columbia University Non- Discrimination Statement and Policy
  • Gender-Based Misconduct and Interim Title IX Policies and Procedures for Students
  • Protection of Minors
  • University Event Policies
  • Policy on Partisan Political Activity
  • Campus Safety and Security
  • Crime Definitions in Accordance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime
  • Reporting Program
  • Morningside Campus: Required Medical Leave for Students with Eating Disorders
  • Voluntary Leave of Absence Policy
  • Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy
  • Military Leave of Absence Policy
  • Central Administration of the University’s Academic Programs
  • Non-Retaliation Policy
  • Essential Resources
  • Student Consumer Information
  • Additional Policy Sources
  • Directory