Visiting Columbia

Columbia University is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The main entrance to the Morningside Heights campus is on 116th Street and Broadway and is easily accessible by public transportation or car.

COMMENCEMENT CARNIVAL 2008 - THURSDAY MAY 15th THRU WEDNESDAY MAY 21st

Celebrate graduation with family and friends by taking advantage of New York City like never before. Commencement Carnival 2008 brings you a week long festival of the city's best culinary arts and culture at a discount so you can experience the best of NYC arts and culture without breaking your budget. 7 days, 14 featured events, 21 restaurants. Learn more >>> http://www.cuarts.com/membership/commencementcarnival/

Graduation Accommodations

A limited number of rooms in Carman Hall will be available for booking on a first come first served basis starting on February 15th. The 2008 room package will include a double room with 2 twin beds and a shared bath with another family for 3 nights (Monday, May 19th to Thursday, May 22nd). The suite package will include 2 double rooms (total of 4 twin beds) and a private bath for 3 nights (Monday, May 19th to Thursday, May 22nd). Check-in is at 3:00 p.m. and Check-out is at 11:00 a.m. Rates will be posted at a later date.

More information will be posted on the Columbia University Office of Housing and Dining Web site in February. Reservations can be made on the web site.

Hotels

There are a number of wonderful hotels within minutes to campus. When calling for a reservation, be sure to mention that you are visiting Columbia to see if any special rate may apply. Some of the closest hotels to campus include:

Beacon Hotel
2130 Broadway (and 75th Street)
800-572-4969 or 212-787-1100

Hudson Hotel
356 West 58th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues)
800-444-4786 or 212-554-6000

Lucerne Hotel
201 West 79th Street (and Amsterdam Avenue)
800-492-8122 or 212-875-1000

On the Ave Hotel
222 West 77th Street (and Broadway)
800-509-7598 or 212-362-1100

In addition, there are a number of larger hotels throughout Manhattan, all easily accessible to campus and only a subway ride away. These include:

Courtyard Marriott Hotel
114 West 40th Street (and Broadway)
800-321-2211 or 212-391-0088

Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan
1605 Broadway (between West 48th & 49th Streets)
800-243-6969 or 212-977-4000

Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel in Times Square
1568 Broadway (and 47th Street)
800-222-8733 or 212-719-1600

Essex House Westin Hotel
160 Central Park South (between 6th & 7th Avenues)
866-809-9330

Hilton Times Square
234 West 42nd street (between 7th & 8th Avenues)
800-523-8699

Holiday Inn Midtown
440 West 57th Street (and 9th Avenue)
800-465-4329 or 212-581-8100

InterContinental Central Park South New York
112 Central Park South (59th Street at 6th Avenue)
800-327-0200 or 212-757-1900

New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway (between West 45th & 46th Streets)
800-228-9290 or 212-398-1900

New York Hilton
1335 Sixth Avenue (and 53rd Street)
800-445-8667 or 212-586-7000

Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square
Two Times Square, 714 Seventh Avenue at West 48th Street
800-468-3571 or 212-765-7676

Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers
811 7th Avenue (and 53rd Street)
888-625-5144 or 212-581-1000

W New York - Times Square
1567 Broadway at 47th Street
877-WHOTELS (877-946-8357) or 212-930-7400

In addition, there are a number of accommodations for visitors with tight budgets. These include:

Comfort Inn Manhattan
42 West 35th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues)
800-228-5150 or 212-947-0200

Comfort Inn Midtown
129 West 46th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues)
800-565-7720 or 212-221-2600

Comfort Inn
442 West 36th Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues)
800-228-5150 or 212-714-6699

Comfort Inn Central Park West
31 West 71st Street (between Central Park West & Columbus Avenue)
877-727-5236 or 212-721-4770

Hotel Newton
2528 Broadway (between West 95th & 96th Streets)
800-643-5553 or 212-678-6500 or 888-HOTEL58

Travel Inn New York City
515 West 42nd Street (between 10th & 11th Avenues)
800-950-1363

Even more economical alternatives are available for those open to staying in youth hostels or bed and breakfast inns. These include:

The Union Theological Seminary Landmark Guest Rooms
3041 Broadway and 121st Street
212-280-1313

American Youth Hostel of New York
102nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue
212-932-2300

Bed and Breakfast
Bed and Breakfast.com

Class Day and Commencement:

Services and accommodations for guests with disabilities are coordinated through Columbia's Office of Disability Services (ODS). Please refer to the information below:

Seating: Wheelchair accessible seating and special seating for guests with mobility impairments, the elderly, and people with hearing and visual disabilities is available. Reservations are not required. Upon arrival to campus, please alert a University Official of your needs and they will direct you to the designated seating areas.

Sign-language Interpreting Services and Closed-Captioning: Sign-language interpreting services will be available at both Class Day and the University ceremony at the disability seating areas. Closed captioning will be available on the video screens in the disability seating area at the University Commencement ceremony only.

Wheelchair Rentals: The Office of Disability Services will have a limited number of wheelchairs available for use during Class Day and Commencement. Contact ODS at 212-854-2388 to make arrangements for wheelchair use. Additionally, Baker Homecare Services will rent and deliver wheelchairs to Columbia with a day's notice. Their phone number is 212-865-2284.

Parking: There is no on-campus parking. Drivers are advised to drop off and pick up passengers with disabilities at either of the accessible gates; Broadway or Amsterdam at 116th St.

If you require additional services, please contact ODS. Contact ODS for campus accessibility map or additional information at 212.854.2388; disability@columbia.edu; http://www.health.columbia.edu. For further information, please consult the Commencement website at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ceremonies/commencement/docs/guests/disability/index.html.