The Office of Work/Life invites you to events and workshops taking place during the second half of the spring semester.  Please click on the "register" links to sign up for these sessions. 

We also welcome walk-ins when space permits except where noted.  For lunch-time sessions, feel free to bring a brown-bag lunch. Workshops are offered at no charge, unless otherwise noted. A PDF flier of our spring 2018 events and workshops is also available.

For questions or additional information, email worklife@columbia.edu or call 212-854-8019.

Please explore the Office of Work/Life website to learn about breastfeeding support/lactation rooms, back-up care (pending eligibility), wellness activities, the events calendar, and to subscribe to the PreK and Kindergarten NYC newsletter, wellness listserv, or RE-NYC, our new housing newsletter. 

You can also request individual consultations to help you find child care, K-12 schooling, and housing. Additional services to support faculty recruitment are also available. 

Columbia University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you require disability accommodations to attend an event at Columbia University, please contact Disability Services at (212) 854-2388 at least 5 days in advance of the event. 

AGING & ADULT/ELDER CARE

What You Need to Know about Alzheimer's & Dementia

EARLY EDUCATION, CHILD CARE & PARENTING 

A Baby Shower for New and Expectant Parents: Babies Expected or Born in 2016, 2017 or 2018

HOUSING 

How Do I Obtain a Mortgage...And Can I Afford It?

Small Spaces - How to Live in One!

Making Your Home Green & Healthy

Cut the Clutter and Get Organized

SCHOOLING 

Public and Private High School Admissions Process: An Overview with Q&A Session 

Kindergarten Admissions 101 

College Planning Information Session (for parents of high school students) 

WELLNESS

Citi Bike Street Skills

Sounds of Well-Being: A Campus Music Break  

Eat Well Columbia 

Weight Watchers at Work 

Ergonomic Workstation Set-Up

AGING & ADULT/ELDER CARE 

Facing the challenge of caring for a loved one who may have Alzheimer’s or Dementia raises many questions.  What are the signs of the disease? What happens next? How can I get the support I need for our family?

At this workshop, sponsored by CaringKind NYC, you will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, including warning signs to look for, how to get a diagnosis, and what kind of resources and services are available, free of charge, from CaringKind. CaringKind is a non-profit organization dedicated to Dementia caregiving.

EARLY EDUCATION, CHILD CARE & PARENTING

In addition to time for parents to meet each other, representatives from the Office of Work/Life, HR Benefits, and Columbia Health will guide attendees through programs, services, benefits and policies available to Columbia families. 

Spouses/Partners and babies are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.  Take home a Work/Life goodie bag and enter to win one of our door prizes!
Date: Thursday, April 26, 2018
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Columbia University, Office of Work/Life, 516 W. 112th St. – between Amsterdam and Broadway
(Between “Lionsgate” apartments and Christian Science Reading Room)
Presenters: Representatives from Columbia University’s Office of Work/Life, HR Benefits, and Columbia Health
Register

HOUSING

How Do I Obtain a Mortgage… And Can I Afford It?
The mortgage process may seem overwhelming, but three lenders will break down the options, outline the steps you need to take, explain credit reports, and most importantly – teach you how to determine if a property is affordable for you.
Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018
Time:  5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Location: Columbia University, Office of Work/Life, 516 W. 112th St. – between Amsterdam and Broadway
(Between “Lionsgate” apartments and Christian Science Reading Room)
Presenters: Columbia’s Affinity Mortgage Lenders
Register

Small Spaces – How to Live in One!
Whether you are downsizing into a smaller apartment or are new to New York and learning to live with less space, the helpful tips provided in this workshop will alleviate some visual clutter and start to make city living much easier.
Consider attending this workshop along with “Cut the Clutter and Get Organized” for a total de-cluttering overhaul.

Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Time:  12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Columbia University, Office of Work/Life 516 W. 112th St. – between Amsterdam and Broadway
(Between “Lionsgate” apartments and Christian Science Reading Room)
Presenter: Alice Lesman, Director, Housing Information and Referral Service
Register

Making Your Home Green & Healthy
Hear about a holistic approach to reducing harmful environmental exposures in your home and learn tips that can easily be incorporated into your life to decrease risks.
Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Time:  12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Location: Columbia University, Office of Work/Life, 516 W. 112th St. – between Amsterdam and Broadway
(Between “Lionsgate” apartments and Christian Science Reading Room)
Presenters: Representatives from Environmental Stewardship and the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health.
Register

Cut the Clutter and Get Organized
Need some tips on how to better organize your home or office and spend less time looking for your things? Three professional organizers will provide you with valuable techniques for de-cluttering and suggest tools to help you stay organized.  Come with your questions in order to receive specific guidance.
Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Time:  12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Columbia University, Office of Work/Life, 516 W. 112th St. – between Amsterdam and Broadway
(Between “Lionsgate” apartments and Christian Science Reading Room)
Presenters: Wendy Samuel, Clutter Therapy, LLC; Gail Furgal, Outtasight Organizing, LLC; and Donna Goldberg, The Organized Student, LLC
Register

SCHOOLING

Public and Private High School Admissions Process: An Overview with Q&A Session
This workshop will cover timelines, eligibility, requirements, testing, and practical tips for applying to high school.  Experts will discuss admission to NYC public and private high schools as well as information regarding the standardized tests required for admissions.  The workshop is geared toward families of students who are currently 6th and 7th graders. 

Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Time: 5:30 -7:00 p.m.
Location: Columbia University, 516 W. 112th St.- between Amsterdam and Broadway
(Between “Lionsgate” Apartments and Christian Science Reading Room)
Presenters:  Fitima Pelez, High School Placement Manager, The School at Columbia; Maurice Frumkin, President of NYC Admissions Solutions; Mary Miele, founder and president of The Evolved Education Company.
Register

Kindergarten Admissions 101
Where do I start?  What do I need to know?  Join us for a small group discussion on the Kindergarten Admissions Process for public, private, faith-based, and charter schools.  Bring your questions!
This workshop is intended for those with children entering  Kindergarten in fall 2019. 
Each workshop will be limited to 5 participants. 

Dates: Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Columbia University, 516 West 112th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue) - Entrance recessed between the Lionsgate Apartments and the Christian Science Reading Room
Presenter: Marcia Roesch, Director of the School and Child Care Search Service
Register

AND

Dates: Wednesday May 2, 2018
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Columbia University, 516 West 112th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue) - Entrance recessed between the Lionsgate Apartments and the Christian Science Reading Room
Presenter: Marcia Roesch, Director of the School and Child Care Search Service
Register

College Planning Information Session (for parents of high school students)
In this workshop, you will be provided with information about choosing and applying to colleges. The presenters are admissions officers who will offer a perspective on what college admissions officers consider when reading applications.  Questions about early decision/early action and standardized testing will be addressed. This session is intended for parents of 9, 10, and 11 graders; students are welcome to attend. There will be time for questions and answers.

Date:   Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Time:  5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Columbia University, 516 W. 112th St. between Amsterdam and Broadway (Between “Lionsgate” apartments and the Christian Science Reading Room)
Presenters:  Joanna May, Associate Dean & Director of Admissions, Columbia College, Columbia University and Christina Lopez, Director of Admissions, Barnard College.
Register

WELLNESS

Citi Bike Street Skills
Bicycling is a great way to get to and from work. It’s fun, great for your health, and is frequently the fastest way to commute in New York City.

Thinking of joining or recently joined Citi Bike? Citi Bike Street Skills is an off-bike, interactive presentation offered by Bike New York, covering the essentials of how to navigate the Citi Bike system and get the most out of those now-ubiquitous blue bikes.

Additional class content includes:
• Rules of the road
• How to avoid common road hazards
• Where to ride on the road
• How to safely change lanes
• Basic traffic principles

The League of American Bicyclists has recognized Columbia University as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly University℠ and a Silver Bicycle Friendly Business℠ for its efforts toward supporting bicycling. Participant in this workshop will receive a free 24-hour Citi Bike pass, worth $12+tax!

Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, Low Library, Burden Room 206
Presenter:  Certified Bicycling Instructor, Bike New York
Register

 
Sounds of Well-Being: A Campus Music Break
Found in every known culture, past and present, music has a beneficial and powerful effect upon our well-being. Music not only energizes us, but can calm and inspire us.
Join us to refresh between meetings or class with live, mid-day, music performances by our talented musicians from Columbia University’s Music Performance Program. 

Dates:  Thursday, April 5, 2018 (during National Public Health Week)
(Note that in the event of rain, the performance will be cancelled.) 
Time:  12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
Location: Low Plaza
Genre: Classical, Jazz, World, Folk

AND

Thursday, April 12, 2018
(Note that in the event of rain, the performance will be cancelled.) 
Time:  12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
Location: Low Plaza
Genre: Classical, Jazz, World, Folk

Presenter:  Deborah Ndao, MPH, Director of Wellness in the Office of Work/Life and Daniela Neman, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Wellness Specialist, United Healthcare/Optum

Register

AND

Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.  
Location: Columbia University, Medical Center Campus, 701 W. 168th St., Hammer Building, LL207
Presenter:  Deborah Ndao, MPH, Director of Wellness in the Office of Work/Life and Daniela Neman, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Wellness Specialist, United Healthcare/Optum
Register

Weight Watchers at Work
Join Weight Watchers at Work and learn how to manage your weight with group support and private weigh-ins.  

There is a Weight Watchers at Work series currently underway, which you can join at any time!  Membership for Weight Watchers at Work series includes “At Work” meetings at on the Medical Center campus as well as access to community meetings and eTools online.  Payment to Weight Watchers will be prorated for the remaining time left in the series. (Payment plans are available.)  

Date: Wednesdays
Time: 5:15 – 5:45 p.m.
Location: Columbia University Medical Center Campus, Reemtsma Conference Room, Milstein Building, 7th Floor, Room 7-213
Presenter: Weight Watchers Meeting Leader
More Information

Ergonomic Workstation Set-Up
Ergonomics is the science of fitting the workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population.  The goal of ergonomics is to make work more comfortable and to improve both health and productivity. In this workshop, you will learn tips and techniques about setting up your computer workstation so that you can perform your job functions in a manner that will avoid ergonomic risk factors. Monthly workshops are sponsored by the department of Environmental Health and Safety. To see the complete schedule and register, please visit the EH&S website. 

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Offered at Morningside, CUMC, and Manhattanville campuses on a rotating basis.  Check EH&S website for more details.