SEAS Student Handbook 2020-2021

supports shared community standards. Residential Life staff provide guidance through
any challenges students may experience adjusting to residential living at Columbia.
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 (ABC) 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.
11