Welcome Back from Facilities and Operations
On behalf of all of us at University Facilities and Operations, welcome to campus for the 2023-24 academic year. University Facilities and Operations is proud to support and serve our vibrant campus community through a wide range of services to help ensure a safe, beautiful, and functional campus environment.
Our team was hard at work over the summer around campus and behind the scenes to enhance the Columbia experience. Below are highlights of improvements awaiting you this fall.
New and Renovated Spaces
A top to bottom internal refresh was completed at Broadway Residence Hall with renovated lounges, restrooms, kitchens, new furniture and more. The recently completed Walter and Shirley Wang Pavilion brings a new performance space for arts-related programming to Lerner Hall. A new suite complete with offices and a conference room was constructed for the SIPA Institute of Global Politics, opening this fall at the International Affairs Building. Construction also commenced this summer to complete a historic exterior restoration and complete gut renovation of 611 W. 112th Street to serve as a new undergraduate residence hall, with completion expected by the end of 2024.
New Campus Dining Options
As part of an ongoing effort to expand the variety and number of dining options on campus, Columbia Dining has introduced three new locations in the past two years. New this fall are Grace Dodge Dining Hall and Blue Java at Everett Library Café, both located at Teachers College, reopening as part of the Columbia Dining portfolio. Also now open is The Fac Shack, a new food truck stationed in Wien Courtyard curated by the culinary team at Faculty House. See what else is happening in campus dining.
Get Around Campus Safely
Columbia Transportation makes it easier and safer to travel to and around Columbia’s campuses with options including the on-demand Evening Shuttle powered by Via and intercampus shuttles. Our Public Safety team is always hard at work enhancing the many safety resources, programs and safety tips available, and I encourage you to take advantage of upcoming Public Safety events including safety refresher webinars or self-defense trainings.
New Retail Offerings
This year, two restaurants joined the many businesses in Columbia’s retail portfolio that bring unique amenities and experiences to the greater Columbia community: innovative rice bowl concept FIELDTRIPby James Beard Award-winning chef JJ Johnson and the fast casual Vietnamese Ban Ban Shop by Michelin-star chef Nils Noren. Visit other Columbia retail tenants at the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses, including Loco Coco, Sapp’s, Manhattanville Market(offering 20 percent discount to Columbia affiliates through September), Dear Mama Coffee, Joe Coffee at David Geffen Hall, and many more.
Campus Infrastructure Improvements
Several exterior projects took place this summer including the restoration of the iconic granite steps between Low Plaza and Alma Mater, the creation of a new entrance across from Furnald Hall to Furnald Lawn, installation of new turnstiles at Lerner Hall, façade repairs to buildings across campus including Butler Library, and historic window replacements at Low Library and Kent Hall. Learn more about the work completed this summer.
Campus Sustainability Update
Columbia’s sustainability plan sets a pathway to net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Overall, the University decreased emissions by over 45 percent since our 2006 baseline year as ongoing investments continue in renewable energy, building retrofits, electric vehicles, shifts in commuter behavior, and composting of organic materials. Most recently, the University pledged that all future campus construction will be fossil free and developed a pathway to fully electrify our campus by replacing onsite combustion of fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy. Read the full plan on our website, along with news, progress updates, and ways to get involved.
Here to Support You, 24/7 – available by text and email
If you see a condition in need of service or maintenance on campus, contact the Facilities Service Center year-round, 24 hours per day, seven days a week: email [email protected], or call or text 212-854-2222. To view and subscribe to receive alerts about issues impacting disability access on campus, go to operations.cufo.columbia.edu/accessibility-alerts.
Connect With Us
You can stay up-to-date on our new campus initiatives and improvements throughout the year by registering for our monthly e-newsletter, following us on Instagram @columbiafacilities, and joining our Facebook page.