Diversity in Campus Life

Columbia offers countless ways in which students can explore their own cultural heritage, identity, religion and traditions, and share this experience with the larger community. The Office of Multicultural Affairs advises the majority of the nearly 50 different cultural and identity-based student organizations and works with these organizations to build cross-cultural dialogue. OMA also oversees resources for Columbia's LGBTQ community, which includes the nation's first LGBTQ student advocacy organization. The Office of Civic Action and Engagement oversees the nearly 40 different religious organizations as well as many interreligious groups and funds that promote dialogue and collaboration. Inter/Intracultural learning is also important, and groups such as ROOTEd explore the commonalities and distinctions among the social and political treatment of different groups in society. To aid in these endeavors, Columbia is home to numerous residential and special interest communities throughout campus that encourage conversation across all issues.

Opportunities to Explore

A list groups or activites devoted to each of the following subjects is provided below.

Cultural and Identity Based Organizations  

Cross-Cultural and Critical Inquiry

Various organizations exist at Columbia specifically to increase communication across cultures. Columbia boasts an incredible array of groups that encourage understanding of various cultures, religions and identities.

Heritage and Awareness Months

In the course of the academic year, Columbia hosts six heritage months with the planning coordinated by students and the Office of Multicultural Affairs and other offices. Each month offers not only moments of reflection on the past, but also a dialogue on the future of cultural and affinity groups at Columbia and more broadly in the United States.

Religious/Spiritual

Special Interest Residential and Community Spaces

Through special interest residential and community spaces, students are able to collaborate on new projects to increase cultural and intellectual understanding of wide ranging topics. Students may apply to create special interest housing on any number of topics, but are charged with the task to include members outside of the residential community in the programming of the organization.