Visiting Affiliate Resources

Welcome to the WEAI community! Below you will find useful information about being part of the WEAI and Columbia University, and living in New York City.

Checking in with the International Students and Scholars Office 

The ISSO is Columbia’s portal that answers all your questions relating to your international status. All Professional Fellows and Associates as well as Visiting Scholars are required to check in with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) upon arrival, either in person at the ISSO located at 3280 Broadway, Nash Building, 5th Floor, Room 510, New York, NY 10027 or online from the email sent from the ISSO. 

Activating your Columbia Email

In order to activate your Columbia email account, you will use your UNI and follow the instructions found on your informational letter from the ISSO.

Obtaining your Columbia University ID (CUID)

The Columbia ID Center is located at 204 Kent Hall and is open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm from Monday through Friday. Please bring the information page you received from the ISSO, your invitation letter, a valid passport or valid U.S. driver’s license or U.S. state-issued non-driver’s ID card. Please note that the office is closed during University Holidays.   

Essential Policies for the Columbia Community

  • All students, faculty, staff, affiliates, and visitors to the University are governed by Columbia University Policies. 

Campus Map – Columbia Morningside

  • Map of Columbia’s Morningside Campus from 122nd Street to 110th Street.

University Calendar

  • Provides information about major academic & administrative events during the semester

University Alerts

  • Displays announcements related to school closures due to inclement weather and emergencies

University Bookstore

  • The University Bookstore is where you can buy or rent textbooks, purchase stationery, and shop garments and souvenirs of the University,

Course Listings 

The Columbia Course Directory lists all courses that are currently being taught at the University.

University Libraries

The University Libraries provides you a detailed list of libraries at Columbia University. It also provides information on our collection, printing, resources and tools for your research.

Starr East Asian Library Research Guide 

The research guide provides you online assistance for East Asia related research

Computer Labs 

The computer labs are locations on campus where you can access to desktops for research work

Paw Print

After clicking on the link, you will receive a prompt to enter your UNI and password. At the bottom left side of the screen, you will enter credit card information for printing charges.

  • Step 1: Click on the Paw Print Link. You will come to the following screen:
    Enter your UNI and password. Click “Log in”
     
  • Step 2: You will come to a screen with the logo for PawPrint on the top right corner. At the bottom right you will see the following portion:
    Click “Add Funds”

Professional Printing near Campus

In the event that you will require something printed professionally, please note that there is a Village Copier located on the corner of Amsterdam and 118th.

Tours of Columbia University (Morningside Campus)

Please visit the University’s Visitor Center webpage to sign up or you may participate in a self-guided tour or virtual tour.

Self-Guided Tour of Butler Library

Butler Library is the largest of Columbia University’s libraries, housing collections in the humanities, history, literature, philosophy, and religion.

*Please note that you will need to obtain your Columbia University ID in order to enter Butler Library.  Tours are also available for the C.V. Starr East Asian Library including iPod tours in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. In order to access the iPod tours, please click on the following link:
http://library.columbia.edu/locations/eastasian/tours.html.

Please note that there are borrowing privileges specific to Visiting Scholars. Columbia Visiting Scholars may apply for borrowing privileges at Columbia University Libraries in room 201 Butler Library. Application must be made in person at the Library Information Office.

Resources for Spouses and Children

This page on the ISSO website provides resources and information that guides you  and your family through your time at Columbia and in New York City.

Safety on Campus

The Department of Public Safety provides a number of services on campus ranging from the dissemination of emergency information to campus escorts. Throughout the year, the Public Safety Operations Center offers literature on crime prevention. Safety and security information and training are continuously provided to students, staff, and faculty through bulletins and crime alerts. To check out Public Safety’s latest crime prevention video “Campus Safety 101.” To reach the Department of Public Safety in an emergency, dial (212) 854-5555.

Columbia University has a variety of tips for responding to emergencies including:

  • Check www.columbia.edu and the Alerts and Announcements page on this site regularly.

  • Call the Columbia main switchboard at (212) 851-1754 to hear recorded updates.

  • Tune to local television and news radio for the most recent updates about any mass illnesses or weather situations and where to seek help.

  • Check your Columbia email regularly.

  • Sign up for the Emergency Text Message System.

  • During times of widespread danger, emergency phone numbers may be overwhelmed. Only call police or Public Safety if you are in immediate danger.

Dodge Fitness Center Membership

Visiting Scholars are eligible to receive a membership at the Dodge Fitness Center for a fee. The basic membership for visiting scholars includes a temporary locker and towel service ($172 for one term, $335 for two terms). To register, you will need to stop by the Membership Office located in the Dodge Fitness Center 4th floor lobby. Membership Office Hours are Monday and Thursday 9am-7:30pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am-4:30pm.

*Tip: After gaining a membership, please note that there are a few rules to get used to. For example, in order to use cardio machines, there is a table at the front where you sign out the machinery for a 30 minute interval. There is a pool located at the lower level of the facility. Personal trainers and specialized classes are offered at the facility for an additional fee. http://perec.columbia.edu/content/group-fitness-personal-training

Columbia University Events

  • There are always events taking place at Columbia throughout the academic year. A list of all upcoming events is listed on the Columbia University Events webpage.

Weatherhead East Asian Institute Events

  •  A list of past and upcoming events at the Weatherhead Institute

Columbia Journalism School Events

  •  A list of past and upcoming events at the School of Journalism

University Arts Initiative 

  • Provides information about cultural events and discounted tickets

Teachers College Community Language English Programs 

  • An Applied Linguistics and TESOL program at Teachers College that provide high quality and affordable foreign language instructions to adult learners.

American Language Program (ALP) 

  • The ALP is help at the Lewisohn Hall. It provides academic level English language training for those who wish to pursue a degree at a US institution or work in the US. 

Chazen Language Program

  • Held at Columbia Business School, the Chazen Language Program offers an 8-week language course that focuses on verbal communication.