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.