Class Year Programming

CU: Connections is a collaborative effort involving several campus offices whose services and resources directly support Columbia students as they develop in all academic and cocurricular aspects of campus life.

CU: Connections provides resources in the form of programming and information to students in all four years of the undergraduate experience. The following is a list of events typically offered throughout the course of an academic year. Actual events may vary from year to year.

Information about scheduling and registration is provided to students via e-mail. Please visit the Student Affairs event calendar to see a list of upcoming programs.

Making It Count: Ultimate Money Skills

Making It Count’s “Ultimate Money Skills” is a presentation created to educate and empower college students to develop smart money management skills and achieve financial success. Making It Count is an educational service provider for students and a business unit of Monster Worldwide Inc.

This event is offered for first-years and sophomores and is co-sponsored with Live at Lerner.

Etiquette for the College Student 

Join a leading etiquette expert for lunch and a lecture on appropriate etiquette, specifically with the life and goals of a college student in mind.Space at this event is generally limited.

This event is offered specifically for first-years and sophomores, although all undergraduate students are welcome.

First-Year Advising Eat and Greet 

First-year students are invited to visit the Center for Student Advising for lunch and preregistration advice.

This event is cosponsored with the Center for Student Advising.

Broadway Outing

New transfer, visiting, and combined plan students are invited to meet their peers and enjoy a Broadway show. This event is offered for new sophomores and juniors in the fall semester.

Senior Programming

The following programs are sponsored specifically for the graduating class. Seniors may refer to Graduation Zone for a specific schedule of senior events, as well as more information about graduation ceremonies and celebrations.

Ties and Scarves with Dean Peña-Mora

Each fall, the dean of Columbia Engineering presents seniors with a special gift and toasts the graduating class. Students, alumni, and staff mingle at this annual, business casual event.

Setting Up Your Finances

This session presents simple ways to successfully budget, plan for expenses, and set up your finances for life after college.

Life After College

This session is for seniors who may have a job and want to plan the next steps of their career. Other topics covered will be what to do if you want to take a gap year between employment or graduate school and how to list this experience on your resume or graduate school application.

What to Expect on The First Day of Work

Don't know what FSA is? Have you wondered how to choose the best health insurance policy? What is federal withholding? Should I sign up for a retirement account? What is the appropriate outfit to wear on the first day of work? These questions and more will be answered by a human resources expert.

Finding An Apartment in New York City

You've lived on campus for the last four years and now it is time to find your first apartment off campus. What are the safest and most economical ways to do this? Is Craigslist a reliable source? Do you have to use a broker to find an apartment? These questions will be answered by a real estate agent with years of experience navigating the rental market in New York City.