The P&S Club, Then and Now…

The P&S Club is the most active and comprehensive student activities organization in American medical education. Founded by Nobel Peace laureate John Mott in 1894, the Club currently sponsors over 50 extracurricular activities. These organizations represent P&S students’ vast interests and talents, including athletics, the performing arts, student advocacy, and community service. The Club’s fluid nature allows new activities to arise as students’ interests evolve. By providing P&S students with outlets for their various talents, the P&S Club adds substantial depth to a program otherwise devoted to scientific and clinical disciplines. While all P&S students are members of the P&S Club, participation is open to all members of the Columbia University Medical Center community, including students, faculty, administrators, and personnel.

Since its creation, the P&S Club has been committed to contributing to the community at the local and global levels. In 1917 the P&S Club made one of its first community contributions by raising funds to purchase a steam launch, which was loaded aboard an ocean steamer that delivered medical services to Eskimo and Indian fishermen on isolated islands along the Labrador coast. In addition to the steam launch, the P&S Club has sent medical textbooks overseas to Greece, Afghanistan, Korea, Guatemala and Haiti and participated in the Mercy Project of 1969, which provided medical treatment for children from the Biafran-Nigerian war zone. Recently, the Club has been involved in many local activities. The Columbia Student Medical Outreach Program (CoSMO) provides an open clinic for the uninsured in the Washington Heights area; the Musicians’ Guild members present an annual concert that benefits the Washington Heights Head Start program; and the Black and Latino Student Organization (BALSO) work with the Family Medicine Minority Caucus to do community-oriented primary care education in Washington Heights. To emphasize the importance of health care providers’ understanding and working with the local and global communities, many of the Clubs’ organizations collaborated to host “The Community Pulse” conference. This conference demonstrates the P&S students’ and the Club’s dedication and concern for the communities in which they work and live.

Under the chairmanship of Dr. Carmen Ortiz-Neu, the P&S Club Faculty Advisory Board maintains a guiding role in the Club while the Student Cabinet, with the support of the Director of Student Activities, is fully responsible for the planning, budgeting, and managing of all organizations and activities. The current Student Cabinet members are Hadi Halazun '09, Co-President; Daniel Stephens '09, Co-President; Cornelia Griggs '10, Co-Vice President; Geoffrey Konopka ‘10, Co-Vice President; Paula Brady '11, Secretary; Daniel Pizzarello '11, Treasurer. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day activities of the student organizations, the Cabinet is also responsible for planning the Club’s annual events such as Orientation, Club Fair, Supernight, and TeamwoRx.

The P&S Club is independently funded. Though generous donations from alumni, parents, and faculty, as well as a substantial grant from the P&S Alumni Association and the Koerber Endowment, the P&S Club is able to sustain its various student organizations and execute its annual events. We sincerely thank these contributors, for it is only with their support that the P&S Club continues to function in its vital role.

P&S Club Faculty Advisory Board

Chair: Carmen Ortiz-Neu, M.D.
P&S Alumni Association Representative: Jacqueline A. Bello, M.D.
Vice Chairman and Treasurer: Jay H. Lefkowitch, M.D.

Term of Office 2006-2009

Jonathan E. Aviv, M.D.
Jeanine D’Armiento, M.D., Ph.D.
Pamela Flood, M.D.
Thomas J. Garrett, M.D.
Edgar M. Housepian, M.D.
David D. Markowitz, M.D.
Delphine Taylor, M.D.

Term of Office 2005-2008

Matthew N. Bartels, M.D.
Katarina Eisinger, M.D.
Dickson D. Despommier, Ph.D.
Danielle E. Engler, M.D.
Pamela F. Gallin, M.D.
Arnold P. Gold, M.D.
Jay H. Lefkowitch, M.D.
John Loeb, M.D.
James M. McKiernan, M.D.
William B. Macaulay, M.D.
Eric Marcus, M.D.
Thomas Q. Morris, M.D.
Donald O. Quest, M.D.

Term of Office 2007-2010

Richard Ambron, M.D.
Saundra A. Curry, M.D.
Marc L. Dickstein, M.D.
Blair Ford, M.D.
Joseph Haddad, Jr., M.D.
Mark A. Hardy, M.D.
Linda D. Lewis, M.D.
Liza Pon, Ph.D.
Andrew L. Wit, Ph.D.

Ex-Officio

Andrew G. Frantz, M.D.
Linda D. Lewis, M.D.
Lisa A. Mellman, M.D.
Father Daniel Morrissey
Anke L. Nolting, Ph.D.
Brian Paquette
Ellen Spilker
Liv E. Vesely
Elizabeth Williams

A Message from the Presidents

Hadi Halazun ’09
Co-President

Daniel Stephens ‘09
Co-President

Welcome to P&S and to New York, the greatest city on earth! Your academic accomplishments have landed you at one of the best medical schools in the country. At the P&S Club, we recognize that Columbia also draws students who are well rounded with diverse interests outside of medicine. Our job is to find an outlet and a direction for that creative energy and to provide a forum for you to express yourself beyond the confines of the classroom.

Did you ever think that during medical school you could learn to salsa, develop your own photographs, or even learn to play rugby? How about refining your wine palate for the wonderful cuisine in New York? With over 50 clubs and over 100 years of experience, the P&S Club is the most active and comprehensive organization for extracurricular activities in American medical education. Whether your talents lie in music, theatre, art, athletics, politics, or community service, we are confident that you will be able to pursue your interests in as rigorous or as relaxed a fashion as you would like. Maybe you have just enough time to be an extra in the upcoming musical production. Perhaps you want to try scoring the winning soccer goal. If we do not already have a way to meet your needs, we invite you to propose and organize a new club. We’re always enthusiastic to hear your ideas.

Being a part of the P&S Club experience is open to all P&S students. The P&S Club is your doorway to a full and exciting extracurricular student life. We are driven by your needs and are maintained through your participation.

Once again, welcome to the P&S experience. We look forward to seeing you at the P&S Club to help continue this amazing tradition at Columbia. Please visit our Web site: http://psclub.columbia.edu

Co-Vice President: Cornelia Griggs '10  Co-Vice President: Geoffrey Konopka ‘10  Secretary: Paula Brady '11  Treasurer: Daniel Pizzarello ‘11

American Medical Association Medical Student Section (AMA)

Elizabeth Inkellis '11, Brett Youngerman '11

The Medical Student Section of the AMA is dedicated to representing medical students, improving medical education, developing leadership, and promoting actvisim for the health of America. With nearly 50,000 members, it is the largest and most influential organization of medical students in the country.

There are many opportunities to become involved on the local level (Columbia P&S chapter), the county level (NY County Medical Society), the state level (Medical Society of the State of New York Medical Student Section, “MSSNY-MSS”), and the national level (AMA-MSS). At every level, you will have the opportunity to interact with physicians and other medical students across the country.

Each member receives JAMA, AMA News, the News of NY, discounts on textbooks, car rentals, airfares, insurance, and other benefits. Multiple-year memberships receive the AMA Drug Evaluation Guide, an invaluable reference for pharmacology in the classroom and on the wards. The AMA-MSS is extremely supportive (morally and financially) of student projects and promotes attendance at all their conventions.

As an added benefit of membership, the AMA helps provide free housing opportunities throughout the Community Welcoming Program for fourth-year AMA member medical students as they interview for Residency. The program was created to help students cut down on interviewing costs, get to know the community surrounding their potential residency program, and introduce them to the local medical community. This program has been extended to provide housing for students taking the USMLE Step 2 CS. Because of the cost burden this examination puts on students, the AMA is working to alleviate expenses by providing an overnight stay in an AMA member’s house.

Events sponsored by the P&S chapter of AMA this year will include lecture series and debates that focus on pertinent and controversial medical issues, community service projects targeted to combat the increasing incidence of obesity in our society and other social causes, social get-togethers, and more.

We welcome new & old P&S students, so come get involved!

American Medical Students' Association (AMSA)

Jamie Conniff '11, Victoria Manuelli '11, Beth Marhoffer '11, Nick Yagoda '11, Brett Youngerman '11

With over 30,000 members, AMSA is the largest independent national organization of medical students. Students will find many opportunities to get involved and learn about important healthcare issues at the local, regional, and national levels. AMSA offers an eye-opening experience to the many career paths and possibilities available to physicians-in-training. If you are devoted to a specific interest in health or want to learn about all sorts of health-related topics, you’ll find a place in AMSA.

Events sponsored by AMSA include educational seminars, socials, a lobby day trip to D.C., and the annual conference. Students also have the chance to participate in national AMSA task forces, including Action Committees on Medical Education, Health Policy, Community and Public Health, Advocacy and Minority Affairs, Global Health, and Legislative Affairs.

Each member receives a subscription to AMSA’s monthly journal, The New Physician, as well as access to travel discounts, a Visa card with generous benefits, auto insurance, and student loans.

Come join a nationwide, self-governed group of medical students energized with the belief that we have a voice and can make a difference!

American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)

Angela Pugliese '11, Khadeen Cheesman '11

AMWA is an advocate for women’s health issues from both patient and caregiver perspectives. We promote recognition and appreciation of women’s contributions to medicine of the past, present, and future. AMWA believes that all women’s perspectives and concerns regarding medicine and health care must be heard. We recognize the importance of a women’s support network and sense of community in the pursuit of improving health care in its constant evolution. AMWA organizes lunches, talks and trips to promote awareness and increase knowledge of medical students about women’s health.

Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association (APAMSA)

Elise Ng '11, Kai Huang '11

The Asian Pacific Students Association (APAMSA) consists of Asian and non-Asian students from all Medical Center schools. Our purpose is to celebrate Asian culture and to foster awareness of health issues in the Asian-American community. Our current and past activities have included:

Asian-American faculty and student dinners, minority bone marrow drives, a Reach-Out-and-Read program at the Chinatown clinic, mentoring pre-med students at the Morningside campus, dim sum outings to Chinatown, Lunar New Year dinner, and attendance at the annual Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association National Conference.

Bard Hall Players

Lee Hingula '11, Shannon Nees '11

If you love theater, Bard Hall Players is for you! BHP is the most active medical center theater company in the country and one of the largest extracurricular groups on the Columbia University Medical Center Campus. Since 1963, BHP has been doing the impossible-producing three fully-mounted theatrical productions each academic year.

Drawing on the creativity, design, and performance skills of students and faculty from all corners of the Medical Center Campus, BHP creates entertainment of high artistic quality that also manages to be great fun for all involved.

Recent productions include Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, The Importance of Being Earnest, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, The Inspector General, Twelfth Night, The Heidi Chronicles, The Taming of the Shrew, and Grease. From Shakespeare to Stoppard, Much Ado About Nothing to Anything Goes, The Bard Hall Players bring a love of theater and the joy of performance to P&S

Beerchus: Beer Appreciation Club

Catherine Chang '11, Reid Ravin '11

Beer is the oldest alcoholic beverage in human history, as such, it deserves our respect. Beerchus is P&S’s Beer Appreciation Club. Twice per semester, we hold tastings celebrating ales, porters, lagers, and lambics- and we have a great time doing it. Each tasting features an informative slide show explaining the story of a given beer, why it tastes the way it does, and why it is special. Themes this past year have included: “Beers of the WWII Allied Powers,” “The American Microbrew,” and “German and Belgian Beers That You Really Ought to Know.” We explore the science of beer as well as the history of beer in culture and society and educate members on how to properly taste and savor a brew. We are a relatively new club and we always welcome new ideas on tasting themes, events, or fund raisers. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Marco Russo '11, Tyler Gray '11

The Big Brothers/Sisters club is a mentoring program for Washington Heights middle and high school students. The club meets once every three weeks with students from Washington Heights at P&S. The club schedule is specifically organized around both the first and second year P&S classes and exams. Currently the program has 15 medical students each of whom is matched with an eighth grader.

The club has recently been integrated as part of a newly established health oriented middle/high school, sponsored by Columbia University, a local nonprofit organization, and the Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation is currently funding the construction of a new building for the middle/high school on 158th street. Additionally, each summer we have a fund raiser called 'Race for the Kids', which is a 5k walk/run at Riverside park. Last summer we raised over $1,200 for the club through Race for the Kids.

Black and Latino Student Organization (BALSO)

Sabra Lewey '11, Safiya Richardson '11, Adjoa Smalls-Mantey '11, Tiffany Young '11

The Black and Latino Student Organization is an active chapter of the Student National Medical Association and the National Boriqua Latino Health Organization. We are an organization dedicated to the recruitment, support and graduation of students from ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in medicine and other health sciences. To achieve these goals, BALSO offers peer and faculty counseling to its members as well as mentorship to pre-medical students and students from local high schools. BALSO sponsors social and cultural events open to all members of the Columbia-University Medical Center community, including an annual Jazz Mixer, film nights and monthly lunches. We also work to promote awareness about the complex health issues facing under served communities by sponsoring talks and workshops on health care topics and cultural competency. All members of the CUMC community are invited and welcomed.

Chess Club

Alex Hawson '11

The P&S Chess Club is a small but active group of students interested in chess. We are comprised of players of all levels of ability. We meet informally a few times a month to play chess. At our meetings we play casual games, speed games, and more formal timed games. The highlight of the year is the annual student versus faculty chess tournament in which P&S students play a series of games against sometimes rusty but always talented faculty members. In the end, this year’s tournament was a draw. So, join the club, improve your chess game, and help us beat the faculty next year!

Cinema Heights

It’s 11:00 am. You’re sitting in Alumni Auditorium listening to your third lecture of the morning. You’re a little “tired” from your happy night before. All around you, your friends are sleeping peacefully. It’s a beautiful day outside. The lecturer drones on. You wonder to yourself “What am I doing here?” Do you need to reaffirm your choice of career? Rededicate yourself to the study of medicine? Reenergize your commitment to self-sacrifice? No. You need to escape. Imagine an Alumni Auditorium where you actually forget about medicine for a while. A warm, safe place where you relax with your friends. The smell of popcorn in the air. As the lights dim, you reach out and take the hand of the cute person next to you. The movie starts and you are far away from signal transduction pathways and the nephron. This is no fantasy, it’s Cinema Heights (a.k.a. Tuesday Night Film Club).

Coffeehouse

Elizabeth Inkellis '11, Craig See '11 

Coffeehouse is a unique opportunity for students to share their talents in the relaxed company of friends. On these special evenings, Bard Hall Main Lounge is transformed into an elegant (well, sort of) venue at which punk and heavy metal “rock out” with classical and jazz, poetry is recited alongside stand-up comedy, and a cappella music intertwines in a bizarre yet strangely compelling do-si-do with modern dance; occasionally even some Meat Loaf may be heard above the melodious din of ice cream trucks and car alarms outside. Always a great study break, Coffeehouse is the perfect time to sit back, relax and enjoy free talent and refreshment while socializing with students from other years and schools.

Columbia Christian Fellowship

William Freed-Pastor '10, Abraham Kim '10, Natalia Mendoza '11 

Columbia Christian Fellowship (CCF) is an inter-denominational, student-run organization that encourages students to grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you’d like to explore the Bible, CCF is a great place to ask questions. All are welcome to the weekly meetings, which include Bible study, singing, prayer, food, and a great time. CCF includes students in the medical, dental, graduate, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and public health schools, as well as friends and spouses.

Various speakers, including medical missionaries, practicing medical professionals in NYC, and others address the group. In addition, CCF has hosted a weekend retreat where students enjoyed a change of scenery, fun, food, and a chance to dig deeper into their faith. Likewise, Columbia students join Christians from other medical schools throughout the NYC area to tackle various service projects and enjoy worshipping together.

Medical school is an exciting and challenging time. Along with gaining a tremendous amount of knowledge, students find that their values and convictions are continually tested. As John R. Mott, the founder of the P&S Club (and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate), said, “let us...gather around...Jesus Christ, and let him revise our plans, and if need be our lives.

Columbia Medical Review

Benjamin Bjerke-Kroll ’09, Qing Wang ’10 (editors)

The Columbia Medical Review is a student-run, peer-reviewed medical journal, currently published annually. The editorial board is composed entirely of medical, dental, and public health students who receive guidance from a faculty advisory board. The journal primarily publishes articles written by students and others in the CUMC community. The Review provides a

unique opportunity for students to manage and edit a medical journal and to author articles

for publication.

The Columbia Medical Review encourages all students to submit articles for publication, independently or with the guidance of a faculty mentor. The journal publishes clinical and clinically-oriented basic science reviews, original research reports, case reports and issues affecting

the practice of medicine. Students who wish to serve as members of the editorial board are

always welcome. For more information and to submit work, please visit our website at

http://www.columbiamedicalreview.org

Columbia Student Medical Outreach (CoSMO)

Christopher Hale '09, Magni Hamso '09

CoSMO is a free, student-run, primary care clinic at the 21 Audubon UrgiCare Center. Every Saturday, and the second Thursday of the month, students from the schools of medicine, public health, social work, and nursing work together to provide uninsured residents of Washington Heights and Northern Harlem with comprehensive services that address the physical, social and behavioral aspects of health.

CoSMO is a unique environment for students at all levels of their training, with a focus on service learning. The resident-free learning environment allows senior medical student to have direct access to the attendings and to begin to teach each other, as well as the first- and second-year students. The senior clinicians are able to coach junior clinicians in taking histories and physicals, including taking vitals, drawing blood, presenting to attendings, and completing a note. For many junior clinicians this is the first time they have such an active role in patient care. For many senior clinicians, this is their introduction to teaching in a clinical setting and to the impact of limited finances on the provision of medical care.

Through grants, donations, and dedication of personal time, CoSMO is able to provide patients with complete histories and physicals, health education, social work services including screening for government and private assistance programs, prescription drugs, laboratory testing, diabetes equipment, x-rays, cancer screening (prostate, colorectal, breast, and cervical), and a 24-hour call service in the event of an emergency. At a nominal cost, we also provide the patients with referral to specialists, cardiac diagnostic testing, and advanced imaging (CT, MRI, and ultrasound).

For further information please see our website, www.cosmoprimarycare.org. If you are interested in volunteering, please email hr@cosmoprimarycare.org.

Creative Rounds

Paula Brady '11

Creative Rounds is an amorphous but lovable community of writers and artists that exists within the CUMC community. Every month, we meet to share works of creative writing and visual art that we’ve produced. Occasionally, published physician-writers from around the country attend our meetings to share their unique perspectives with us. All members of the CUMC community are welcome to attend and participate in our fun and informal gatherings.

 Even if you don’t feel comfortable sharing your own art/poetry/fiction/nonfiction works, you’re welcome to come to our meetings if only to observe, absorb, and offer constructive criticism. We like seeing new faces and hearing new ideas. Whether you’re an amateur wordsmith or an experienced draftsman, a published poet or a first-time photographer, consider joining our supportive and inclusive group

Ethics Club

Jared Kushner '11

The P&S Ethics Club meets monthly to mull over current ethical issues in medicine. Topics span a wide gamut: practical- the medical student's role in the hospital; societal- treatment rationing in our healthcare system; esoteric- elective limb amputation procedures. Our goal is to create a forum where non-experts can express and hear comments and opinions that supplement and give a perspective to our scientific education, thus providing a framework for evaluating the tough decisions ahead. Additionally, we sponsor two Ethics Night events: in the fall third and fourth year students relate troubling scenarios they face in hospital and in the spring a speaker addresss the medical community followed by a student-faculty dinner. Come join us in debate and discussion!

Food Club

Adrienne Gerken '11

Food Club is the premier club for P & S students who love all things food. The club periodically meets as a group to cook meals with an emphasis on technique and culinary education. We also make group trips to the local greenmarket and discuss where to find certain ingredients in Washington Heights. If you enjoy food and cooking, or just want to improve your skills, come to one of our meetings and meet some like-minded people.

Free Weight Club

Peter Sculco '09, Adam Leicher '09, Alex McLawhorn '09, Chris Vorys '09, Abraham Kim '10, Trevor Scott ’10, David Levy '11

The Free Weight Club boasts the largest membership of any P&S Club and is conveniently located in the basement of Bard Hall. Filled with weight-training and cardiovascular equipment, it is the ideal place to enhance your physique while blowing off the stress of Anatomy Lab and the wards. Membership fees are nominal compared to other NYC fitness clubs, and these go toward buying new equipment and making improvements to the facilities. Recent improvements include a new treadmill and stationary bike, a new universal gym, a 42’’ plasma TV, and near total renovation of the facilities including new paint, flooring, and ceiling among other things. The newly installed Grade A stereo system allows you to listen to your inspirational music of choice from your own iPod or newly installed XM radio, all while developing a body that would make Frank Netter proud. Quit procrastinating and join now at the P&S Club Office. Don’t be caught in the FWC without a membership or you may face the wrath of the officers.

Integrative Medicine Club

Robin Friedlander '11, Carling Ursem '11

Treating illness and optimizing health, acute care and preventative medicine, mind and body: all of these are essential to a vision of total health, but Western medicine looks at only one half of the picture. Integrative medicine combines Western medicine with Eastern, holistic, nutrition-based, and other healing modalities, with the goal of achieving it all. The Integrative Medicine Club promotes integrative medicine at P&S and throughout CUMC, by bringing speakers to campus to lecture on topics such as meditation, yoga, stem cell plasticity, nutrition, and funtional medicine, and by holding events such as an acupunture seminar where students and faculty can experience Eastern medicine for themselves. Intergrative medicine is one of the most quickly growning fields in health care. For those interested, just curious, or already versed in integrative, the IMC hopes to help you learn more, and aims to inspire a broader conception of what it means to be healthy at Columbia.

International Health Organization (IHO)

Cristina Fernandez '11, Ramon Millan '11

The International Health Organization is one of the largest and most active student groups in the CUMC community. We raise the profile of global health issues here on campus as well as send as many students abroad as possible in the first, second and fourth years of medical school. IHO hosts speakers, events and monthly seminars to broaden awareness of world health issues, careers in global health, and international experiences for medical students. A special focus is to convince students that global health embraces all medical specialties- from primary care to neurosurgery.

Events in the 2006-7 year included monthly Tropical Medicine Grand Rounds, where experienced clinicians shared how to treat conditions not commonly encountered in the US; a ‘Surgery Overseas’ dinner; talks on clinical health in conflict zones, international eye health, and international obstetrics; Infectious Disease rounds in the hospital for first and second year students; a visit to a simulated MSF refugee camp; awareness on World AIDS Day; and community health activities in Washington Heights. Most excitingly we began a partnership with Jeffrey Sachs’ Earth Institute and the Millennium Villages Project-several P&S first years will participate in public health projects throughout Africa, and fourth year students will do clinical electives at those sites. Also, we help send students overseas through the Tropical Medicine elective in the 4th year to various sites throughout the world.

The IHO is affiliated with REMEDY, a student-run organization that recovers equipment and supplies discarded by the Hospital. The link to REMEDY allows Columbia students and doctors who are going abroad to bring a valuable donation with them.

Karate Club

Matt Merguerian '10, Jung-Wei Fan GSAS, Dan Rubin '10, Daphne Anastasiades GSAS

The P&S Karate Club is dedicated to the study of Shito-ryu style Karate-do. We are the only martial arts group at P&S, and are one of the most active clubs on campus, meeting twice a week, year-round. Each session consists of 1 to 2 hours of intense physical conditioning. Whether you have no prior martial arts training or already hold a black belt in multiple disciplines, you are welcome to come train with us; at each session, we drill both as an entire class and then as small groups divided according to experience level.

The study of martial arts provides one of the most balanced workouts possible; with regular practice, a student can build strength, endurance, speed and flexibility. It is a great way to release stress, clear your mind, and move your body after hours of sitting around in the library. Karate can also be appreciated on an assthetic level, an aspect which is most evident through the performance of kata; the choreographed sequences of nuanced physical forms.

Our club is associated with the USA Shitokai, which is a part of the larger World Shitoryu Karate-do Federation. Our instructor has studied karate for over 25 years, holds a 3rd degree black belt, and has successfully competed in international tournaments throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Lambda Health Alliance

Bryan McColgan '11, Matt Truesdale '10

The Lambda Health Alliance provides a supportive space for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual and Queer (GLBTQ) people at the Health Sciences campus and works to increase visibility of GLBTQ issues in medicine. We organize social events, panel discussions, lectures and film festivals. A recent panel discussion addressed issues of diversity in the medical system from the perspective of several care providers. Lambda is also committed to fostering mentorships between GLBTQ students and faculty. Our membership includes students, faculty and staff from all of the schools at the CUMC campus.

Lang Youth Medical Program

Christopher Lawton '11, Sneha Mantri '11, Matthew Pagano '11

Lang Youth is a six-year science education and mentoring program for middle school students that puts the hospital’s educational resources to work for young people in Washington Heights. The mission of the Lang Youth Medical Program is to inspire, support, and motivate young people representative of the neighborhood surrounding Washington Heights to realize their college and career aspirations, especially in the health sciences. One of the program’s main objectives is to create meaningful mentoring relationships with medical students, residents, faculty, staff, and administrators. Students attend programs every Saturday during the school year and for four weeks during the summer. Students can become involved as advisors during the weekly program or as mentors during lunches, bowling trips, movie nights, etc.

For more information, contact us at 212-305-0806 or email Erin at ers9013@nyp.org.

Medical Students for Choice

Lindsay Alpert '11

Medical Students for Choice is a national organization that works to ensure that individuals have access to the full range of reproductive heath care options. We also aim to make these important issues a standard part of medical education and residency training. Recent events at the Columbia chapter have included a speaker on the state of abortion in America today and a celebration of Roe v. Wade's 35th anniversary.

Mott Hall Science Mentoring Program

Jesse Richardson-Jones GSAS

A quality science education provides children with the tools they will need to succeed professionally and lead healthy lives. Student physicians and scientists at Columbia have enormous potential to help surrounding New York public schools motivate and inspire their students to succeed in the sciences. The mission of this club is to help public school students from Northern Manhattan obtain an outstanding science education. We are currently recruiting Columbia grad students, med students and post-docs to mentor local 7th grade students at the Mott Hall School, IS 223 in the setting of their science classroom as they complete their school science fair projects.

The program runs for twelve weeks every spring semester, and consists of once-weekly, ninety-minute sessions where the mentors assist students directly in their science class at Mott Hall. Mentors are directed by the science teacher, and work toward the defining goal of helping students complete each stage of their school science fair project. The program culminates in a school-wide science fair held at nearby City University, judged by volunteers from the Columbia scientific community. Judging of the final science fair provides an additional opportunity for Columbia students who could not commit to weekly sessions to participate in the program on a one-time basis.

Musicians’ Guild

Richard Atkinson '11, Austin Chiang '11, Matthew Piazza '11

The P&S Musicians’ Guild, a division of the P&S Club, is the umbrella organization for musical events at Columbia University Medical Center campus. With over 250 members, we produce an annual orchestra concert and monthly “Musical Mondays,” in Bard Hall Main Lounge. If you are interested in performing at a Musical Monday, please contact one of the Guild coordinators. We also organize a benefit concert in the spring for the Head Start Program here at Columbia. Proceeds help to fund early education for neighborhood children. Membership is open to anyone who would like to be active in musical activities at P&S, even if you are not affiliated with the medical center. For our member’s convenience, a directory of guild members with an interest in performing can be found here. All musical styles and instruments are represented in the Guild...and membership is free! If you would like to join, please contact one of the coordinators.

P&S Choir

David McLeod GSAS '09, Danny Concepcion GSAS '11

Founded in January 1999, the P&S Choir is a co-ed group of 15-20 singers representing all schools of the Columbia University Medical Center Campus. We are devoted to performing diverse, challenging, and fun pieces while providing a low-key, low-stress outlet for those who love to sing. The choir meets for rehearsals once a week, on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Bard Hall music rooms. We have two major performances per year: a holiday concert in early December and a spring concert in late April or early May. In the past, we have performed at P&S Coffeehouses and holiday parties, and we also go caroling in Milstein Hospital during the holiday season. Our musical repertoire ranges from madrigals and classical choral masterpieces to folk pieces and contemporary classics. A recent concert featured not only Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but also “Sure on this Shining Night” by Samuel Barber, among other pieces. Over the years we have performed pieces by Palestrina, Rachmaninoff, Purcell, Offenbach, Brahms, Billy Joel, and many others.

Auditions are held in September and January and are open to all, regardless of prior singing
experience.

P&S Roadrunners

Tyler Gray '11, John Karl '11

Did you know that our beautiful medical center is smack in the middle of the most park-dense area of Manhattan? That you can run to a medieval art museum, along the Hudson, or to New Jersey without even leaving your neighborhood? Whether you are lacing up your sneakers for the first time or training for your next marathon, the P&S Roadrunners Club has a place (and a running buddy) for you. We aim to keep you speedy, sleek, and stress-free throughout the med school years, regardless of your previous experience. Group runs, races, running workshops, and the occasional pasta dinner are all part of the program, and new project ideas are always welcome. Come join us!

P&S Squared (P&S Partners & Spouses)

Robyn Castle '11

P&S Squared has been set up to provide an opportunity for P&S students with partners and spouses to get together in an informal atmosphere. Medical school can be a stressful experience for both students and their partners. P&S2 provides a support network for couples who are sharing the strain that medical school can place on relationships. P&S2 hold regular get-togethers such as potluck dinners, bowling nights, and other nights on the town.

P&S Tours

D. Tyler Coyle ’10, Abby Chiverton ’09

Did you know that P&S ... was the first medical school in the colonies to give an MD, was the home of lasers in medicine, is where rubber gloves were invented, claims Dr. Spock, Armand Hammer, the first doctor in space and Buckaroo Banzai!

Are you interested in learning more about the history of P&S? Would you like to share your feelings about P&S with prospective students over a free lunch? Want to show applicants around our campus? If the answer to any one of these questions is yes, then we want YOU!

We are the group responsible for running the admissions tours. You may feel that you still need more time to get your own bearings but we have found that the quickest way to really get to know the campus is to help with the tours. Interested first years are paired up with second, third, and fourth year students who “show them the ropes.”

In addition to learning facts about P&S, it’s a great opportunity to get advice from upper class students and hear what awaits you in the coming years. First years are especially helpful to new applicants since they are still close to the application process themselves. We have a brand new tour and lunch schedule and are always looking for ideas to make the P&S interview day as great as possible, so your feedback is welcome and appreciated (especially since you just went through it)!

The interviewing season will start soon. If you think you’d like to join us in showing off P&S, please sign up at the P&S Admissions office.

Photography Club

Thanks to generous alumni support, the well-equipped David and Virginia Garfein Memorial Darkroom located on the first floor of Bard Hall offers experienced photographers and newcomers alike the opportunity to produce black & white photographs. In addition to keeping its doors open to anyone who is interested, including the Second Year Narrative Medicine Seminar, the P&S Photo Club encourages all of its members to participate in shows throughout the year. Many members contributed their work to various photography shows at the Faculty Club, as well to our fund raiser show for CoSMO held at the Kolb Annex in March of 2006. The P&S Photo Club plans to expand its presence on- and off-campus in the upcoming years and hopes that all who are interested join. Remember, 8 x 10s make great gifts, and carrying your black camera in New York City looks, oh, so chic.

Physicians for Human Rights, P&S Chapter

Alexandra Svoronos '11, Nick Yagoda '11

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a national organization made up of health professionals committed to advancing human rights and improving global health by advocating for improved health access, as well as, justice and dignity for all. A few of the many issues we tackle are the human rights issues surrounding the HIV pandemic, advocacy for child rights, improving inhumane conditions at prisons and detention centers, providing medical care for torture survivors and asylum seekers, and the removal of landmines, a project for which PHR shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997.

The Columbia Chapter of PHR strives to promote awareness of these and other problems by organizing talks and facilitating student involvement in volunteer projects aimed at alleviating human rights abuse.

We also hope to create connections between human rights-minded students and faculty. Last year’s events included campus events focused on torture, HIV/AIDS and sex workers’ rights. PHR also collaborated with other student groups to create a forum for student activism for World AIDS Day.

In the coming year PHR will offer students a large number of opportunities to contribute to meaningful advances in human rights. We plan to organize more speakers on various issues as well as continue to expand our projects. These include panel discussion about careers for health professionals in human rights and how students can get involved now, lecturers who will discuss their work promoting human rights, the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research and advocacy projects with PHR and through collaborations with other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), as well as shadowing opportunities with health professionals working to protect human rights. Of course, input and involvement is welcome and we encourage any and all health sciences students interested in these issues to get involved in the coming year.

Public Health Interest Group

The Public Health Interest Group is an organization through which medical students can gain knowledge of public health concerns, participate in public health outreach projects and interact with public health students and professionals in the Mailman School of Public Health. It serves as a forum for discussion of public health issues including health disparities, international health, urban and rural community health, environmental health and other topics pertinent to both local and global public health concerns. The Public Health Interest Group is an important resource for medical students interested in pursuing a Masters in Public Health.

Raphael Jewish Society/Hillel at CUMC

Allison Pollard '11

Rafael is the medical center affiliate of Hillel. We are a student-run organization that promotes Jewish awareness through social events for the holidays and also through perspectives in the health fields. Some of our events include Jewish Theatre and Coffee Night. Food is always kosher (and delicious!) and discussion always thought-provoking.

Reflexions Literary & Art Magazine

Paula Brady '11, Rochelle Hartley '11, Christine Hsieh '11

Reflexions is the literary and visual art magazine of the Columbia University Medical Center. The magazine features health and non-health themed poetry, fiction, narratives, photography and art. Submissions are accepted from CUMC students, faculty and staff, who also are involved in the selection, editing and layout process. Reflexions is published in the spring and is widely distributed throughout the hospital and Columbia academic community. We are currently expanding to print both a fall and spring issue. Please address inquiries and submissions to cumc-reflexions@columbia.edu

Rugby Football Club

Jonathan Watling '11, Conor O'Brien '11, Jeff Ware '11, Charlie Wittenberg '11

Whether you are a superstar ex-jock looking for one last fleeting moment of glory, someone in search of a new game and a good time, or simply a fed-up student in need of an outlet for your aggressions, the P&S Rugby Club is ready to welcome you to our ranks. Gargantuan size and psychotic demeanor are not necessary, only a willingness to have a great time and an eagerness to learn. There are positions on the “pitch” for people of all sizes. You will be amazed at how quickly you pick up the game and begin beating more experienced teams.

By joining the P&S Rugby Club, you will become part of a long winning tradition. As the only intercollegiate team at P&S, rugby receives tremendous support from the medical center community. Our opponents include other medical and business schools as well as various club teams around the city. In addition, each fall we host the legendary John Wood Memorial Tournament, an event that undoubtedly will attract a sizeable chunk of your envious classmates.

Most importantly, you will enjoy a camaraderie and social tradition unparalleled by any sport. Each match ends with a toast to our opponent and singing songs that would make grizzled old sailors blush. This is a great chance to get to know your colleagues from all P&S classes in a less than academic setting.

Practices are generally low key and instructional and do not conflict with academic responsibilities. Games occur on Saturday afternoons in the fall and a team trip down south in the spring is always memorable. Coaching is provided by the more experienced members of the team.

If you read this far, you are interested. Come out and give it a shot, no commitment required. Look for signs posted in August.

**For further Information about the P&S Rugby Club, please email team president Jonathan Watling at jpw2128@columbia.edu

Smile Train, CUMC Chapter

Gary Linkov '11, Ken Zi Wang CDM '10

The Smile Train, CUMC Student Chapter intends to provide students of the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and the College of Dental Medicine with an opportunity to participate in one of the most progressive charity organizations of our time. The Smile Train is a non-profit international organization that focuses on providing free cleft lip and palate surgery to children in underdeveloped countries, who would never otherwise receive it. The benefits of the simple surgical procedure are many and range from improvement of the child’s feeding and speech ability to better self-esteem and integration in society. The Smile Train focuses on teaching and empowering local doctors by bringing in technology that allows cleft surgeries to be done safely and cost-effectively. All public donations go towards funding these programs and a single surgery costs as little as $250. In addition, scholarships for fourth year abroad rotations may be awarded to members of the chapter at the discretion of the Smile Train Foundation. The mission of this chapter is four-fold:

• To create awareness for cleft and other congenital anomalies at home and abroad,
• Educate the local community about our cause and provide helpful information for families with affected children,
• Become involved with our local cleft care center,
• Help impoverished children across the world receive Smile Train assisted surgeries.

Soccer Club

The P&S soccer club caters to all of the soccer buffs here at P&S. During the fall and spring months we play outdoors at Riverside Park once a week. We also play there as often as the weather permits during the spring months. All year long, we play weekly indoor games at the Bard Athletic Center. For those with a more competitive edge, we play in an intramural league (outdoors in the fall, indoors in the spring). All members of the CUMC community are welcome to join us.

Social Dance Club

Laura Vogel '11

The Social Dance Club is proudly one of the most popular clubs at P&S. We offer several dance workshops over the course of the year, each focusing on a particular dance. We’ve explored salsa, merengue, rhumba, Argentinian tango, cha-cha, foxtrot, swing and waltz. Workshops start off with the most basic steps, but by the third or fourth lesson, you will be twirling and dipping to the music. Classes are taught by an experienced instructor from one of the big Manhattan dance studios. All members of the medical center community are invited. No previous experience or partner required - so come join us!

Society of Bacchus

Nelly Parisot '11, Kristen Anderson '11, Craig See '11 

The P&S Club’s forum for wine enthusiasts invites you to relax in an atmosphere of conviviality and connoisseurship, whether you’re a vin amateur or an aficionado. The Society organizes themed tastings, presented by industry experts and enthusiastically critiqued by a wide spectrum of our P&S community, students and physicians alike.

As each year comes to an end, members of the Society of Bacchus gather in The Faculty Club with their friends Perignon and Clicquot to enjoy a delectable assortment of ‘bubblies’ for The Champagne Dinner.

Whether you’re new to the worldwide circle of oenophiles, or hope to impress others with your virtuoso palate and olfactory acumen, we hope you’ll join us for an “evening of sips.”

South Asian Health Sciences Association (SAHSA)

Vijay Yerubandi '10, Punita Bhansali GSAS '12, Ripla Arora GSAS '12, Apurvi Mehta MSHP '09

SAHSA’s mission is to organize community resources and promote cultural activities for South Asians and others interested in South Asia. SAHSA encompasses all students from the various schools on the medical center campus. Projects in past years have included welcome mixers, South Asian speakers, Diwali and Holi celebrations, movie nights, cultural shows, a World AIDS Day project, charity projects, a Big Sib Program and pot lucks. We are also planning on continuing our collaboration with South Asian graduate organizations on the Morningside Campus to foster a larger South Asian community.

Specialty Interest Groups

By being a member of the Specialty Interest Group (SIG), students will have the opportunity to explore their interests without committing to a certain specialty. This umbrella organization oversees subcommittees, each representing different specialties such as the Steven Z. Miller Pediatrics Society and the Ophthalmology Interest Group, and allows students to explore various disciplines as well as encourages them to see how the disciplines interrelate. Additionally, the subcommittees will be fluid by nature and have the ability to be active or inactive depending upon current student interest. Each subcommittee will have to meet four specific criteria:

• Demonstrate broad appeal (membership from each class)
• Have departmental support (financial and/or other)
• Initially approved by the P&S Club officers
• Obtain approval for large event funding from the P&S Club officers

Squash Club

Tyler Gray '11, Kyle Eudailey '11

Our goal is to encourage people to learn and play squash, to make use of the facilities we are lucky enough to have right in Bard Athletic Center. We will be running several clinics throughout the year to teach beginners the rules and basics of squash as well as tournaments and round-robins for players of all skill levels. We are also working with the Business School and Law School to arrange some inter-graduate school play, and perhaps against the undergraduate college and other area universities.

Striding for Better Health Club

Catherine Chang '11, Arielle Rodman '11, Reid Ravin '11

Striding for Better Health is a club through which P&S students can volunteer to help teenagers from the Washington Heights Community become more physically active and health conscious. The goal is to have fun and foster an enjoyment of exercise, as well as promote healthy habits, particularly in kids who may be at risk for health problems exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle. We work with 5th-8th graders involved in the Police Athletic League (PAL) after-school program at the 168th Street Armory. The girls and boys in the program receive both academic counseling and athletic time in the gym, and a group of Columbia Medical students has been going over to the PAL every Monday afternoon to play sports and games during the afterschool gym time. So far it has been a great success with both boys and girls literally begging for more gym time. We start out with a fun warm-up each week and play games that keep the kids (and us!) moving around while keeping as many as possible involved. Some favorites include various tag games, and basketball and soccer games. We try to encourage medical students with experience in a particular sport to help us run appropriate drills and team play so the kids in the program can experience a “team practice” of sorts in various sports. Striding for Better Health is a great way for the P&S student to get a little exercise, play games with kids, hone their teaching skills, and have a positive impact on the community.

Student for a National Health Plan (SNHP)

Adrienne Gerken '11, Judy Griffin '11, Erika Marulanda '11, Chloe Slocum '11

Students for a National Health Program is a not-for-profit organization of physicians, medical students and other health care professionals that support a national health insurance (NHI) program. Specifically, we believe that a single-payer system (where the government finaces health care, but keeps the delivery of health care to mostly private control) is the only solution to solving the United States' many health care problems: 46 million citizens with no health insurance, many more with only limited coverage, skyrocketing health insurance premiums, malpractice costs, long-term care issues, and relatively poor health indicators, when compared to similar industrialized nations.

We believe that the current malaise afflicting health policy debate will be short lived; that bold and articulate advocacy for national health insurance can coalesce the broad constituency for change. Please join us in insisting that medicine be a public service, not a business.

The Ultrasounds

Darrick Li '11

Did you sing a cappella in college and you can’t get enough? Maybe you used to sing in choir and wanted to try something new. Even if you never sang in a group before, you should all consider trying out for the Ultrasounds. We regularly perform at Coffeehouses and school events, and we like to keep the time commitment to an hour and a half a week. We are a co-ed group and welcome all members of the CUMC community.

Triathalon Club

Jun Mitsumoto '11, Jonathan Watling '11

The Triathalon Club strives to encourage a high fitness lifestyle in busy medical students. We guide members through the specifics of cross-training and endurance physiology, as well teaching better swimming, cycling and running. Our training program will prepare anyone for their first triatholon, but racing is NOT required to participate in our excellent clinics and fun group workouts. To learn more, get in touch with us anytime.

Walker Percy Society

Kelly Fahl ’10

P&S takes pride in the fact that many of its students and faculty are poets, writers, journalists and avid readers. Named in honor of the 1941 P&S graduate, the club offers a forum for the appreciation of literature and life. We invite students, faculty, and literary enthusiasts from the community at large to monthly informal discussions of short stories or poems. We also host and co-host events that promote literature and the arts at P&S. In past years we made trips to the 92nd Street Y for readings by Tom Stoppard and Pat Barker. In conjunction with the Program for Humanities in Medicine, we also have enjoyed readings on campus by writers Junot Diaz, Michael Ondaatje and Richard Selzer.

Water Polo Club

Peter Chalmers ’10

The P&S water polo club offers the opportunity for competitive aquatic exercise to all CUMC members. Weekly scrimmages are held in the BAC pool, including drills to improve passing and shooting. These are currently held on Wednesday evenings at 8 PM. Games are friendly and informal. All members of the CUMC community are welcome to play.

Contributors to the P&S Club 2007-2008 Fund Appeals

Students and P&S Committees

From the CU Senate on down, students play an active role in the government and administrative life of the University. At P&S, student representatives serve on every major committee with the exception of the Faculty Committees concerned with review of individual student records. The various committees, their responsibilities and membership are listed below:

Columbia University Senate

As chief policy-making body of the University, recommends policy to Board of Trustees for issues concerning more than one division of the University.

• Composition: Faculty/1 Student from P&S for a two-year tenure.

Admissions Committee

Functions include evaluating and implementing admissions policies; evaluating prospective students and providing them with information about P&S.

• Composition: Faculty/one third year student/one fourth year student.

Alumni Relations Committee

Students and alumni work together in addressing students’ needs and concerns - The Committee also undertakes various projects such as career forums, mentoring programs, alumni visiting programs and many more.

• Composition: P&S Alumni, two students from each year.

Bard Hall Commons Advisory Committee

Concerned with the common areas of Bard Hall, including the Bard Athletic Club and activity rooms. Meets monthly to formulate policy for the Commons.

• Composition: Columbia University Medical Center administration, one administrative and one student representative from each school on campus, Associate Director of Housing, P&S Club.

Curriculum Committee

Concerned with all matters concerning curricular affairs, including review and evaluation of courses and formulation of proposals for curricular changes.

• Composition: Faculty/two students from each year.

Dean’s Advisory Committee

Meets monthly; with direct access to the Dean, serves as the main channel of communication between Dean and students; considers a broad range of issues of concern to students; has direct access to Dean, bypassing bureaucracy.

• Composition: Dean of Faculty, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, six students from each class, including Financial Aid and Ethics Committees’ members.

Ethics Committee

Called into session at the discretion of the Dean or on recommendation of students.

• Composition: Faculty, three students - one each from second, third and fourth years, also sit on Dean’s Advisory Committee.

Financial Aid Committee

Surveys the class regarding budget, draws up a budget for the class; organizes a joint Financial Aid/Alumni fund raising phonathon; organizes letter writing campaigns and Congressional visits related to Federal and New York State for legislation.

• Composition: Director, Associate Director for Student Financial Planning and two students from each class who also sit on the Dean’s Advisory Committee.

Housing Committee

Concerned with the housing needs of the Columbia University Medical Center community.

• Composition: Broad sector of the academic community; faculty, students, and staff.

Library Committee

Meets with Associate Dean for Scholarly Resources and the library director regularly to consider matters of concern to students such as hours, facilities, computerization.

• Composition: Associate Dean for Scholarly Resources, Library staff, one student from each year.

P&S Club

Organizes and provides P&S’ extracurricular programs. Includes Bard Hall Players, athletics, AMSA. All P&S students are automatically members.

• Composition: Faculty Advisory Board; President, fourth year student; Vice-President, third year; Secretary/Treasurer, second year; representatives from first year.

Public Safety Task Force

Meets once a month; concerned with implementation of measures to improve and increase security on the Columbia University Medical Center Campus.

• Composition: Columbia University Medical Center administration, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Director of Public Safety, administrative staff, two P&S students, and other CUMC staff.

Student Health Services Committee

Meets once a month; sets ongoing review and revision of programs to meet health needs of student body.

• Composition: Director, Faculty, Administrative Staff of Student Health Service; one student from each class.

Student Wellness Committee

The goal of the P&S Student Wellness Committee is to foster the overall well-being of each student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons (P&S). The committee addresses the emotional, physical, academic, and professional concerns of medical students by:

• Representing the wellness concerns of the P&S medical student body within the larger context of the Columbia University system.
• Ensuring that all P&S medical students are properly informed of currently available support services, particularly during anticipated times of stress.
• Continuously evaluating the appropriateness of student support services relative to student needs and effect change when and where it is required.
• The P&S Student Wellness Committee meets once monthly. Between these monthly meetings individual classes/programs meet with the advisor to plan events and discuss specific class/program concerns.
• Composition: Director of the Center for Student Wellness, 3 elected students from each year (1 male, 1 female, 1 MD/PhD)

On Campus Housing

More than 1,000 students reside in Medical Center accommodations, a practical and cost-effective way to live in Manhattan. Students who live on campus have the opportunity to take advantage of the resources that both Columbia University and New York City have to offer.

All newly accepted medical students are eligible to apply for University housing at the Medical Center. Housing is offered to single students-those who are seeking accommodations only for themselves, and student couples-those who are seeking accommodations for themselves and their spouse/domestic partner.

Students must maintain full time matriculated status throughout their stay in CUMC housing. Students will be asked to leave University housing if their status drops to part-time. October and February graduates have until the end of the month in which they graduate to move out of University housing. May graduates are required to move out by the last day of their contract/lease.

Housing for First Year Students

Single Student Housing

All first year single students are guaranteed housing in Bard Hall for their first year of medical school. Bard Hall is an 11-story building that contains dormitory style rooms with community bathrooms, student lounges, the campus athletic facility and roof top terraces overlooking the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. The building is also home for students enrolled in the College of Dental Medicine and the Schools of Nursing and Public Health. The University’s Faculty-in-Residence also resides in the building.

Student Couples Housing

Housing for couples is available to married couples and couples living in domestic partnership. Domestic partners are defined as two individuals who live together in a long-term relationship of indefinite duration, have an exclusive commitment to each other’s welfare and share financial obligations. Accommodations must be occupied by both the student and their spouses or domestic partner. Documentation is required to qualify as a married couple or as domestic partners. Housing is allocated on a non-discriminatory basis.

Student couples live in typical apartment style accommodations in Bard-Haven Towers, 106 and 154 Haven Avenue. The three towers serve as the landmark feature of Medical Center housing where student couples live in spacious, unfurnished junior and full-size one-bedroom apartments. Students seeking a more typical New York experience reside at the 106 Haven Avenue Residence, a classic New York style walk-up, or the 154 Haven Avenue Residence.

Housing for Continuing Students

Single Student Housing

Students living in Bard Hall (dorm housing) are issued a housing option package in March. This packet outlines a student’s housing options for the upcoming academic year.

Students living in Bard-Haven Towers, 106 & 154 Haven Residences (apartment housing) are issued standard New York City leases with additional riders that pertain to Columbia University. Lease renewal information is distributed to all student tenants in April. Unit rental rates are subject to annual increase at that time.

Students living in Bard-Haven Towers, 106 & 154 Haven Residences may request to sublet if they will be participating in an approved academic field work or research away from the University or will not be on campus during the summer or intercession when they are not registered for classes. Sublet guidelines and the Application for Permission to Sublet are available from the Office of Housing Services. The application should be submitted for approval at least 30 days prior to the requested sublet date.

Student Couples Housing

Applications for students seeking couples housing for their second, third and fourth years of medical school are distributed and accepted from February 1 to March 30. Applications received by the March 30th deadline are randomly numbered to establish the order in which applicants will be assigned. Assignments are made by matching each applicant’s preference with unit available. Move-in occurs in August. In the event that there are more applications than housing units, the remaining applications are wait listed. Applications remain active until August 31.

Post Graduate Housing

May graduates who reside in University housing and will continue after graduation as post-doctoral research fellows or residents at Presbyterian Hospital may apply to continue in University housing. Applications are distributed by the Housing Office in mid-March. Upon approval, post grads are required to vacate their single student-designated apartment and are reassigned a studio apartment in Tower III or 154 Haven Avenue Residence. Post grads who reside in student couple’s housing may remain in their current accommodation. Continued housing is offered for a maximum of one year.

Community Housing

Most medical students look for an apartment within walking distance of the Medical Center. Besides being convenient, these apartments generally have lower rents than those downtown. Apartment hunting tips, local apartment listings and advice on when and where to look are provided by the Office of Housing Service’s off-campus resource officer.

Residential Services

Telecommunications

A campus-wide telecommunication system provides service to all residential buildings. A variety of features are offered including five digit on-campus dialing, voicemail and 3 way conference calling. You may keep your telephone number if you move to another campus residence.

Computing

All residential units are wired which means that you are able to connect a properly configured computer and network adapter card to the Campus computer network. Residents can call the Information Commons at 305-Help for assistance or can register their computer’s hardware address online at http://cumc.columbia.edu/it/getting_started/resnet.html.

Residential Building Access

The residential buildings are staffed with 24 hour security personnel. Students must present medical center identification to enter all campus buildings. Student’s spouses/partners are issued an access I.D. for the building in which they reside.

Visitors

Residents are welcome to have visitors. Your visitor should report to the security/doorman desk in your building. You will be called by staff to announce the arrival of your visitor and to confirm that you are home. Your visitor will not be given access to the building if you are not in. Each visitor will be asked to leave a photo I.D. and will be issued a Visitor Pass. It is not permissible to have a permanent visitor/guest in your room/unit. Under no circumstance will Housing Office personnel issue your visitor a key to your room/apartment or let your visitor into your unit when you are away.

When you invite a visitor to campus, you assume responsibility for his/her behavior. In addition, your visitor is responsible for following all University rules and regulations as would any other member of the living community. Visitor privileges may be revoked as a result of inappropriate behavior by you or your visitor. Policy violations will be referred to the Housing Administration and to the Dean of Students of the host’s school if necessary.

Delivery men are not permitted in the residential buildings. Residents must come down to the security/doorman desk to accept a delivery.