University Policies and Resources
Columbia is committed to providing a learning, living, and working environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment and to fostering a nurturing and vibrant community founded on the fundamental dignity and worth of all of its members. A set of policies and resources support that commitment, and include the following:
EOAA Policies and Procedures: The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) investigates reports of policy violations by faculty, staff, and others and can also assist with support and accommodations in these cases. You can download the EOAA Policies and Procedures guide.
File a Grievance: To report incidents of concern, bias, harassment, or discrimination, please go to University Life's "Report a Concern" page. By completing this form, the appropriate University Officials can review, respond, and offer support resources. For information about the University’s bias reporting process, please visit “Bias Reporting Process and FAQs.”
The University has a catalog of Columbia-wide policies broken down by office and role. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these policies, particularly:
- Acceptable Usage of Information Resources Policy, which provides guidance for the appropriate access and use of University information resources, proper conduct when using those resources, and privacy expectations.
- Information Security Charter, which establishes the personnel responsibilities and functions within the Information Security Program and defines key terms and definitions used and referenced by other IT policies (including doxing/doxxing).
The Office of the General Counsel does not provide legal advice or representation to individual members of the University community regarding matters against the University or of a personal nature, such as divorce, wills, or landlord tenant issues. Visit “Help for the Public,” for a list of resources that can provide information and assistance.
The media relations team in the Office of Public Affairs can help faculty, staff, and students with media requests, as well as requests from media seeking comment and access to campus.
In an effort to support our community and, in particular, students facing online targeting and/or doxing, we are sharing this resource, containing potential actions to mitigate targeting/doxing.
Rules of University Conduct: The Rules strengthen the right of freedom of expression for every member of the University and the ability to openly demonstrate, rally, picket, and circulate petitions, while still protecting the rights of others and allowing the University to continue to function normally. You can download a reader-friendly guide to the Rules of University Conduct as well as the full set of Rules, and access more information about the Rules.
University departments, offices, groups, and student organizations and non-affiliates requesting to reserve campus facilities are expected to follow University Event Policy.
Specifically for Students
The Center for Student Success and Intervention uses a 360-degree lens approach to student support work, including student conduct, intervention case management and student support initiatives. Learn about our policies.
Student organizations and non-affiliates requesting to reserve campus facilities are expected to follow University Event Policy and Student Group Event Policy and Procedure.
The Office of University Life provides a helpful overview of support related to discrimination, harassment or gender-based misconduct.
Specifically for Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff requesting to reserve campus facilities are expected to follow University Event Policy. Here is general information for faculty and staff seeking to reserve a venue.
To help faculty and staff identify and support students in distress, the Office of University Life has compiled the Blue Folder; you can access it and other resources for faculty, staff, and researchers at the University Life website.
The Center for Teaching and Learning maintains a helpful website resource on Navigating Heated, Offensive, and Tense (HOT) Moments in the Classroom.
The Center for Teaching and Learning maintains a helpful website resource on Teaching in Times of Stress and Challenge.
The University also maintains a number of relevant policies and procedures for faculty, staff, and researchers including: