Welcome from Facilities and Operations
Dear Members of the Columbia Community,
With another academic year underway, I want to extend a warm welcome back to all our returning students, faculty, and staff, and a special welcome to those joining our community for the first time.
On behalf of all of us at University Facilities and Operations, we are here to support you through our wide range of services. Our mission is to support the Columbia community by creating and maintaining an environment where learning, discovery, and innovation can flourish.
As you settle back into campus life, you'll discover some exciting improvements our team worked on over the summer to make your Columbia experience even better. Here's some of what's new and ready this fall.
New and Renovated Spaces
- Modern, sustainable housing. Columbia’s first all-electric residence hall at 611 W. 112th Street opened on the heels of the recently renovated all-electric graduate student and faculty housing at 518 W. 111th Street, a significant achievement towards the University’s sustainability goals.
- Residence hall upgrades. East Campus received a full refresh of its townhouse suites, along with a makeover of the building lobby and high-rise common areas, plus upgrades to lighting and plumbing in the high rise. Façade repairs to Hartley Hall commenced over the summer, with a full-building renovation and infrastructure upgrade project set to begin this fall.
- Faster travels at IAB. New elevator cab finishes, upgraded machinery, and enhanced technology will improve aesthetics and reduce wait times.
Learn more about other projects around campus this summer.
Ensuring the Health and Beauty of Trees on College Walk
This summer, several trees on College Walk required immediate removal due to their failing health and the safety risks they posed to the campus community. The trees suffered from trunk decay and compromised root systems, signaling a serious safety condition. We removed the diseased trees and reoriented the landscaping to highlight Kwanzan flowering cherry trees—trees that have graced College Walk for decades—with linden trees prominently featured at the campus entrances. This approach maintains the iconic beauty of College Walk while adhering to recommendations by professional arborists for the mix and size of trees that can flourish in a harsh urban environment and within the limited size of the tree plots.
Get Around Campus Safely
- Stay informed on campus access. The Morningside campus remains open to active affiliate CUID holders, registered alumni, and approved guests only. Visit our Public Safety website for the most current information about campus access points.
- Ride the shuttles. Our Transportation team provides options to travel around Columbia’s campuses include the intercampus shuttles and on-demand Evening Shuttle servicing the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses.
- New shuttle-tracking app. Download the TripShot app to track intercampus shuttle service in real time, which replaces Passio Go.
- Comprehensive safety support. Take advantage of upcoming Public Safety events including safety refresher webinars or self-defense trainings, and access our extensive resources, programs, and safety tips.
Expanded Food and Retail Offerings
In our retail spaces, we aim to bring a variety of amenities and experiences for the enjoyment of the greater Columbia community.
- New retail this year. Latin-fusion restaurant The U Bar and Grill, Upside Pizza and sister concept Softside ice cream, and a highly anticipated return of McDonald’s to its former location at 600 W. 125th Street.
- Coming soon. Chinese noodle and fusion restaurant South of the Clouds, health food and juice bar Oasis, and Mediterranean restaurant Miznon are planning to open within Columbia’s retail portfolio.
- Support our Campus Community. Visit Columbia’s retail tenants across the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses, including Haji’s Deli, HIIT The Deck, Method Collective, Dear Mama, Sapp’s, and many more.
In our on-campus spaces, coffee shops and Columbia Dining retail locations continue to offer grab-and-go options for the community. Residential dining locations have expanded offerings for dining plan holders, including Sunday dinners at the popular food trucks Johnny’s and Fac Shack.
Here to Support You, 24/7
Every member of our Facilities and Operations team is dedicated to your success.
- Call, text or email for service. 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.
- Subscribe for disability access alerts. Visit the Operations website to view and subscribe to alerts about issues impacting disability access on campus.
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.
Wishing you a great semester.
Sincerely,
David M. Greenberg
Executive Vice President
University Facilities and Operations
Columbia University
cufo.columbia.edu