SEAS Student Handbook

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Student Engagement
Student Engagement is committed to building a strong sense of campus community by
providing programming that enhances leadership skills, fosters community engagement,
and encourages the exploration of the variety of co-curricular opportunities available to
students at Columbia. Student Engagement staff advise the Columbia Engineering
Student Council, as well as a broad range of student organizations recognized by the
student governing boards, and provide support for a host of community traditions and
celebrations. Students can find opportunities for community building, social interaction,
and participation in campus life through programs and events supported by Student
Engagement, including the New Student Orientation Program, pre-orientation programs,
Urban NY, Alternative Break Program, the WKCR radio station, and more.
Undergraduate Orientation
Columbia's New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) helps students feel at home in
Morningside Heights, become familiar with the academic and co-curricular
opportunities, meet the administration and faculty of Columbia Engineering, learn about
campus traditions, understand how to access campus resources and support services, and
connect with the Columbia community. NSOP, required for all new students, begins the
transition to the excitement, opportunities, and rigor of campus life. It is the first step of
many to help students acclimate.
Student Organizations
The Engineering Student Council (ESC) and its associated class councils are the elected
representative body of undergraduates at Columbia Engineering. ESC represents student
interests on committees and projects addressing a wide range of issues facing the
Columbia community and helps shape the quality of life for Columbia students. Working
in conjunction with the ESC, the Columbia College Student Council (CCSC), General
Studies Student Council (GSSC), Student Government Association (SGA), the Activities
Board at Columbia (ABC), Student Governing Board (SGB), InterGreek Council (IGC),
Community Impact (CI), and Club Sports, oversee the management and funding of more
than 400 student organizations.
The Activities Board at Columbia provides governance for recognized student
organizations, including preprofessional, academic, competition, cultural, special interest,
publication, media, and performing arts organizations. The preprofessional organizations
are of special interest to engineering students. These organizations reflect the range of
academic disciplines and interests to be found among students and include the National
Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the
Biomedical Engineering Society, just to name a few.
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