
Columbia University offers a wide range of student organizations and clubs catering to various interests, from sports to cultural societies. The university encourages students to explore their passions and provides resources and support for those who wish to establish new student groups. Before initiating a new group, students should first check if there is an existing group at Teachers College or within the wider university that aligns with their interests. If no relevant groups are found, students can proceed with the process of creating a new student organization, which includes contacting the relevant advisory bodies, such as the Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD) or the Office of Student Life, to seek guidance and ensure compliance with university policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recognition | Any student organization using Columbia University's name or resources must receive formal recognition. |
| Authorization | Any organization affiliated with Columbia University must receive authorization from the University before functioning. |
| Adherence to Policies | Recognized student organizations must abide by College and University-wide policies, as outlined in the Student Conduct Code, and all local, state, and federal laws. |
| Non-Discrimination | Student organizations must be open to all eligible students without regard to any legally protected characteristic as identified in the TC Non-Discrimination Statement. |
| Certification | Student organizations must complete an annual certification process at the end of each academic year, reviewing and updating organizational guidelines. |
| Meeting with Advisor | Students looking to start a new organization should meet with a GSLD Advisor to understand the process and expectations of student organizations. |
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What You'll Learn

Check if a similar group already exists
When starting a new student group at Columbia University, it is important to first check if a similar group already exists. This is to ensure that resources are maximised and invested in what already exists.
To do this, you can take advantage of the support offered by the Office of Student Life and Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD). GSLD will assist you in finding existing organisations that relate to your interests. You can also contact the SPS Student Senator, who represents all SPS students and can answer any questions or address any concerns.
Additionally, you can explore the SPS Engage platform, which serves as the primary resource for SPS clubs and organisations. Columbia University also provides a comprehensive website dedicated to student groups, where you can search for existing organisations and learn about the process of starting a new group. This website offers valuable information, such as the requirements for domain name requests and the steps to obtain a free site for your organisation.
If you are unable to find an existing group that aligns with your interests, you can proceed with the steps to start a new student organisation. However, it is important to note that any organisations using the Columbia name or affiliated with the university must receive authorisation before functioning to avoid disciplinary action.
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Contact a GSLD Advisor
If you're interested in starting a student organization at Columbia University, your first step should be to contact a GSLD (Graduate Student Life & Development) Advisor. This is the department that deals with student organizations at the Teachers College, Columbia University.
To get in touch with a GSLD Advisor, you should first send an email to [email protected]. In this initial email, you need to include the following information:
- The proposed name of your student organization.
- A brief description of the organization, including its purpose or focus.
- Whether it would be identified as a social, identity, academic, or pre-professional organization.
Once you have sent this email, a GSLD Advisor will get back to you to schedule a meeting. This meeting is an important opportunity to understand the process and expectations of starting a recognized student organization at Columbia University. It is also your chance to ask any questions you may have about the process and what will be expected of your organization.
It is important to note that any student organization using the Columbia University name or resources must first receive formal recognition. This recognition ensures that the organization adheres to university policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal laws. It also means that the organization is open to all eligible students without discrimination. Therefore, contacting a GSLD Advisor is a crucial step in ensuring your student organization is set up correctly and recognized by the university.
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Understand the recognition process
Understanding the recognition process is a crucial step in starting a student organization at Columbia University. The university requires any group using its name or resources to be formally recognized, so it is important to follow the necessary steps to ensure your organization is authorized to function. Here is a detailed guide to help you understand the recognition process:
Understanding the Recognition Process:
- Check for Existing Groups: Before initiating the recognition process, it is recommended to verify if there is already an established group at Teachers College or within Columbia University that aligns with your interests. This step is important to maximize resources and avoid duplicating efforts.
- Contact a GSLD Advisor: If you cannot find an existing group that matches your interests, your next step is to contact a Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD) Advisor. Send an email to [email protected], including your proposed organization's name, a brief description, and its type (social, identity, academic, or pre-professional).
- Schedule a Meeting: One of the GSLD Advisors will respond to your email and schedule a meeting. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to understand the recognition process, learn about the expectations of student organizations, and ask any clarifying questions you may have.
- Follow the Recognition Guidelines: To be recognized, your student organization must adhere to certain guidelines set by the university. This includes following the College and University-wide policies outlined in the Student Conduct Code and all local, state, and federal laws. Your organization should be open to all eligible students without discrimination and complete the annual certification process.
- Maintain Recognition: Once your student organization is recognized, it must continue to abide by the guidelines to maintain its recognition. This includes annually reviewing and updating organizational guidelines and ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and laws.
By following these steps and maintaining open communication with the GSLD Advisors, you can successfully navigate the recognition process for your student organization at Columbia University. Remember that recognition is essential to accessing resources and functioning officially as a student group at the university.
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Adhere to University-wide policies
When starting a student organization at Columbia University, it is important to adhere to University-wide policies to maintain recognition and avoid disciplinary action. Here are some detailed instructions and guidelines to follow:
- Authorization and Recognition: Before beginning any activities, ensure your student organization has received official authorization from the University. Any group using the Columbia name, resources, or affiliation must be formally recognized. Contact the Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD) office for support in gaining recognition.
- Non-Discrimination: Student organizations must abide by the TC Non-Discrimination Statement, which is informed by relevant laws and policies, including Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Ensure your organization is open to all eligible students without regard to any legally protected characteristics.
- Certification: Complete the annual certification process at the end of each academic year. This includes reviewing, updating, and adhering to organizational guidelines to maintain compliance with University policies.
- Student Conduct Code: Familiarize yourself with the Student Conduct Code, which outlines the expectations and behavioral standards for student organizations. Failure to comply with University policies can result in disciplinary action, as outlined in the Student Conduct process.
- Local, State, and Federal Laws: In addition to University policies, ensure your student organization complies with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. This includes understanding and adhering to any relevant regulations or requirements outside of the University's specific guidelines.
By diligently adhering to these University-wide policies and staying informed about any updates or changes, your student organization will maintain good standing with Columbia University and contribute positively to the campus community.
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Complete the certification process
To complete the certification process for starting a new student organization at Columbia University, there are a few important steps to follow. Firstly, it is crucial to understand that any organization using the Columbia name or affiliated with the university must receive authorization before commencing any activities. Unauthorized student groups may face disciplinary action for failing to comply with university policies.
The first step in the certification process is to determine whether your proposed student organization already exists at Columbia University. This step is important to maximize resources by investing in what is already available. If you are unable to find an existing group that aligns with your interests, you can proceed to the next steps.
The next step is to get in touch with the relevant administrative body at Columbia University. For instance, at the Teachers College, you would email Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD) and request to meet with a GSLD Advisor. In your email, be sure to include the proposed name of your organization, a brief description, and the type of organization (social, identity, academic, or pre-professional). The GSLD Advisor will then schedule a meeting with you to explain the process and expectations, providing an opportunity to have your questions answered.
Following this, student organizations should review, update, and adhere to organizational guidelines as part of the annual certification process. This ensures that the student group remains compliant with College and University-wide policies, as well as local, state, and federal laws. One key policy to abide by is being open to all eligible students without discrimination, as outlined in the TC Non-Discrimination Statement and relevant laws.
By following these steps and maintaining compliance with relevant policies and guidelines, you can successfully complete the certification process for your new student organization at Columbia University.
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Frequently asked questions
Before starting a new group, check if there is already an established group at Teachers College or Columbia University that aligns with your interests. If not, email [email protected] to request a meeting with a GSLD Advisor. Include the proposed organization name, a brief description, and whether it would be identified as a social, identity, academic, or pre-professional organization.
A GSLD Advisor will get in touch with you to set up a meeting time. During the meeting, you can learn about the process and expectations of student organizations and ask any clarifying questions.
Recognized student organizations must:
- Abide by College and University-wide policies outlined in the Student Conduct Code and all local, state, and federal laws.
- Be open to all eligible students without regard to any legally protected characteristics.
- Complete the certification process annually at the end of each academic year, reviewing, updating, and following organizational guidelines.











































