Alma Mater

Information for New Employees

Welcome and congratulations on your new role!

Benefits and Perks

Columbia University offers a full range of benefits to help your and your eligible dependents stay healthy, build long-term financial security for retirement, meet educational goals, and more. View benefits and perks for full-time and part-time officers and support staff.

SIPA Onboarding and Orientation Info

SIPA New Hire Checklist: To help guide you through your first few weeks, please review the following information to help you make a successful transition.

  • New Hire Orientation is a dynamic program designed to welcome new hires to Columbia University. The Program introduces Morningside and Manhattanville campus faculty and staff to University leadership and key departments, provides onboarding tips and campus safety information, along with a broad overview of University work/life and healthcare benefits. Orientation is held approximately every two weeks at the Manhattanville campus. Continental breakfast is served as you network with other new colleagues. All participants will receive an official new hire welcome package.

  • Your employment group determines how your position is managed in Columbia University systems, including benefits and salary grades.

    • Support Staff groups include administrative and other staff and all union members. LOCAL 2110: Technical, Office, and Support Staff union members
    • Officers of Administration
    • Officers of Instruction (faculty)
  • Your University ID card will provide you access into buildings on campus as well as to special discounts and resources only accessible to members of the Columbia community. Access the ID Center to find out more about how to obtain an ID Card.

    Accessing the My Columbia Portal

    • MyColumbia is a portal that enables faculty and staff to access the information and password-protected resources quickly and easily in a central location. MyColumbia includes your personal information, view paycheck, tax documents and online direct deposit registration.
    • Setting Up Your Direct Deposit
    • Accessing Your W2
  • Multifactor authentication (MFA) uses multiple proofs of identity to ensure you are authorized to access the service or resource that you are requesting. CUIT has selected Duo as the MFA service to verify your identity for Columbia’s centralized applications.

  • Your Columbia email is needed to log into security-protected systems at the University, including for benefits enrollment.

    Manage My UNI Is your key to accessing computer services and electronic resources at Columbia

  • Enroll in Benefits (within 31 days of your date of hire or eligibility): You will receive an email inviting you to register for benefits. In preparation, review the University's benefits and work-life resources for you and your family. For more, go to Discover Your Benefits. After receiving the email, you can log in to CUBES (the Columbia University Benefits Enrollment System) to enroll in health, dental, retirement, and financial planning, tuition, and transit benefits.  For questions related to medical benefits, please contact the Benefits Service Center at 212-851-7000 or [email protected]

    Officers Benefits Highlights »

    Support Staff Benefits Highlights »

  • Statement of Ethical Conduct »

    Anti-harassment, Discrimination, and Title IX Training – Compliance training on sexual harassment and discrimination. Columbia's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action website for EOAA Policies and Procedures on discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

    Security Awareness Training: Required modules are: Introduction to Security Awareness Training, Security Essentials, Social Engineering, and Protecting Sensitive Information