• Where can I find health care on campus?
• How can I get involved as a new student at Columbia?
• What are Weeks of Welcome?
• When/How do I pay my bill?
• What do I do if I have a problem in the residence hall?
• Where can I work out on campus?
• Will I make friends?
• Who is my advisor?
• Is campus a safe area?
• How do I use the CTA trains and buses?
• What are some important dates to remember?
• How can I become an Orientation Leader?
• Where do I buy books for classes?
• Where is the Cafeteria?
• Where should I park when I move in?
• Do I need my ID when I move in?
• What if I didn’t get my campus card?
• How do I find my classes?
• What am I supposed to do until class starts?
• How do I get a job on campus?
• What is a U-Pass and how do I get it?
• Where can I grocery shop around campus?

Where can I find health care on campus?
The Health Center is located at 731 S Plymouth Court. Our health professionals take both scheduled appointments and walk-ins with a valid Columbia College I.D. For a complete list of services offered, contact information, and hours stop by their website.

How can I get involved as a new student at Columbia?
There are many many different ways to get involved as a Columbia student. We have a plethora of student organizations, student government, leadership positions, opportunities, and tons of events going on both on campus and in the city. Check out the New Student Programs page about the different programs the office offers and the Office of Student Engagement that has more information about student involvement. These are just a few, but can get you started.

What are Weeks of Welcome?
In the spring, during the first week of classes, we’ve set up oodles of exciting, explorative, and exhilarating social and informative events just for you! Take this opportunity to meet other new students and faculty, find out about some student organizations sponsoring these events, and spend a bit more time with your Orientation Leaders!

When/How do I pay my bill?
If you are unsure about how to pay your bill, visit the Student Financial Services website to determine your payer identity.

You can access your e-bill via the Student Financial Services portal on your Oasis account.

What do I do if I have a problem in the residence hall?
The first step for any problems that arise regarding your on campus living situation is to pay a visit to your friendly Resident Assistant, that’s what we hired them for, after all! If it’s not an issue they’re equipped to resolve they can always refer you to someone who is.

Where can I work out on campus?
Columbia’s fitness center that’s open to all Columbia students with a valid student I.D. is located at 731 S Plymouth Court. There are also in-building fitness centers available for all residents of 2 East 8th, The University Center, and The Buckingham.

Will I make friends?
Well we certainly hope so! And we’ve done everything in our power to help you do that. Throughout your time at Columbia you’ll encounter endless opportunities to meet new people, some of who will become the best friends you could ask for. Take advantage of Weeks of Welcome, reach out to other students in your residence buildings, find those people in your classes that seem like the kind of people you want to surround yourself with. Put yourself out there and you’ll have no problem finding awesome people to be your friends and your second family while you’re here at Columbia. Find that Creative Posse that you heard about at Orientation.

Who is my advisor?
Every student at Columbia is assigned to an advisor in the College Advising Center who is there to help him or her understand their graduation requirements and figure out what courses to take and when to take them. You’ll want to meet with your advisor AT LEAST once a year, if not once a semester, or just anytime you need academic guidance. You can find out who your assigned advisor is by visiting here.

Is campus a safe area?
The South Loop is not only where we call home here at Columbia, it is also statistically the safest district in the city. But that’s not to say that crimes and emergencies don’t take place here. When in need of emergency assistance first call 911. If you have a safety issue that is not necessarily an emergency, or you have already called 911 and emergency response is on their way, dial 1111 from any Columbia phone, or 312-369-1111 from your mobile phone to reach campus security.

How do I use the CTA trains and buses?
Using the CTA will hopefully become a pivotal part of your life as a Columbia student and as a resident of Chicago. We’ve gotten you started by providing you with a U-Pass, but if you’re at all confused about how to navigate the CTA, visit their website for some helpful how-to guides: transitchicago.com.

What are some important dates to remember?
A detailed list of important dates can be found on page 65 of the Student Handbook, or you can just go to this handy webpage.

How can I become an Orientation Leader?
When you were at Orientation, did you see those spectacular rockstar students we like to call Orientation Leaders and think to yourself “They are so cool, I wish I could do what they do”? Of course you did, and the answer is YES! All students interested in being an Orientation Leader for 2010 Orientation come see if you have what it takes to be an OL! Check back for more information at www.colum.edu/newstudents and read your Loop Mail newsletters.

Where do I buy books for classes?
The Columbia College bookstore is located at 624 S Michigan Ave, and is a convenient place to purchase textbooks. If technology is your friend, the bookstore website is a place where you can enter the course number and make preparations for payment ahead of time. Also on the website, you can purchase books and therefore avoid the trip altogether (although you’ll be missing out!)

Where is the Cafeteria?
Thankfully in the concrete jungle, you don’t have to hunt for food like in the real one. Instead, our cafeteria is located on the second floor of the University Center. Make note that those of you living outside of the University Center need to purchase a meal plan and pick up a card to gain access to the building. If you wish to have a card, make sure you contact Residence Life so you don’t go hungry!

Where should I park when I move in?
Be ready for a wonderful experience of organized chaos! Residence Life has a plan for your move in, so be sure to stick to it! Street parking is available at all of the Residence Halls during the time that you are loading and unloading. However, they ask that you load and unload quickly. You may find that a nearby parking lot or pay box to be the best place to park for the rest of the day, as we do not have our own parking.

Do I need my ID when I move in?
You need at least one of these IDs when moving into the Residence Halls:

Drivers License
Passport
Campus Card
State ID
(Basically, if its got your name and face, we will love and accept it)

What if I didn’t get my campus card?
So the card machine decided it wasn’t your lucky day. Don’t fret! If you head down to the Campus Card Office, located at the 600 S Michigan Building on the 6th Floor, they will print you one on the spot. Then you can freely brag to your friends by shoving your new card in their face and doing a happy dance.

How do I find my classes?
So you’re a little confused in the big city of Chicago. Not a problem, we were once too. Check out the student handbook, which conveniently has all of the building codes listed and should make the experience a lot easier. There is also www.colum.edu/buildingcodes, a wonderful website for you rapscallions looking for the tech solution!

What am I supposed to do until class starts?
The better question is, what can’t I do? The city of Chicago is the third largest in our country and provides a mountain of chances to explore, create, and learn. No matter where you are coming from, Chicago can create a new and exciting experience for you every single day. Our Weeks of Welcome events are geared to show you just that. Although we want you to participate in our community here at school, we consider the city to be our entire campus as well. Therefore, attending Weeks of Welcome events will provide you the opportunity to explore neighborhoods, to attend festivals, and to explore avenues of art and creation that you may never have seen otherwise. Come on in, the water is just dandy!

How do I get a job on campus?
Drooling over that new iPhone at the Apple Store but your pockets are a little bare? We’ve got you covered.  Here at Columbia College we have a nifty online program known as ColumbiaWorks. ColumbiaWorks is a free online resource that houses employment opportunities for the Columbia College Community. You can search leads from the following categories: full time, part time, internships, freelance, volunteer, and on-campus employment.

For more information, visit their website. You can also visit the Student Employment Office, located at 623 South Wabash on the 3rd floor. This office will help you prepare the paperwork needed to secure your future position and just may have a few nifty tips on what departments are hiring around campus.

What is a U-Pass and how do I get it?
Ask any Columbia College student and they will tell you that this little card is their best friend. More specifically, the U-Pass is a card that allows you to ride all CTA trains and busses during regular semesters absolutely free! And what college student would turn down this great offer? The U-Pass is just one of the many perks through your college tuition, and the only qualification is that you must be a full time student.

In order to pick up your U-Pass for this year, you need to grab your student ID and schedule for the coming semester. After doing so, you can head down to 1104 S Wabash Ave during the first week of the semester where they will have organized lines based on your last name. It is important to note that you should not use your card before being told to do so; otherwise a CTA machine will eat it faster than a free meal. In order to replace your card, you will have to head to the CTA main office, pay a nominal fee, and have to wait a week for a replacement. In short, just be patient! Check out the Campus Card website for information about U-Pass distribution.

Where can I grocery shop around campus?
When it comes down to it, Chicago isn’t your momma’s kitchen! You have plenty of options:

• Jewel Grocery, located on the corner of Wabash and Roosevelt. The best part about this grocery store is that it is the closest to campus and is open 24 hours!
• Target, located at Roosevelt and Clark. Here you can pick up a few grocery items, as well as random supplies that you may need throughout the school year.
• Whole Foods, located at Roosevelt and Canal. This is a place for most of the organic foods and some of those rare treats that you just can’t live without!
• Kramer’s Health Food Shoppe, located at Wabash and Adams. Here you can find a lot of vegetarian and vegan foods for cheap! There is also a great selection of vitamins if you find yourself to be a bit of a health nut.
• Trader Joe’s, located at Ontario and Wabash. Trader Joe’s seems to be a staple of many students’ diets, including their lovely selection of granola. Dig in!
• Dominick’s, located at Madison and Halsted. Take in the lovely walk down Madison and enjoy the wonderful Chicago architecture while on your way to this foodtropolis. Definitely worth it!