2008-2009 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

204
CAMPUS LIFE
The Fu Foundation School of
Engineering and Applied Science
attracts and admits an exceptionally
interesting, diverse, and multicultural
group of students, and it takes steps to
provide a campus environment that promotes
the continued expansion of each
student’s ideas and perspectives.
Starting with the residence halls, in
which nearly all first-year undergraduate
students live, the University assigns
rooms to both Engineering and
Columbia College undergraduate students,
ensuring that all students will
live either with or near a student attending
the other program.
Once students have moved into their
new campus home they will find themselves
part of a residential system that
offers undergraduates a network of
social and academic support. Designed
to make students aware of the vast
number of social and academic opportunities
available to them at the
University, these networks provide an
umbrella of comprehensive advising to
help students articulate and realize their
goals while at Columbia. More information
about the residence halls can be
found in the chapter ‘‘Housing and
Residence Life’’ in this bulletin.
DIVISION OF STUDENT
AFFAIRS OFFICE
Undergraduate life is not confined to the
classroom. A blend of academic, educational,
social, and cocurricular activities
contributes to the Columbia experience.
While The Fu Foundation School of Engineering
and Applied Science is large
enough to support a wide variety of programs,
it is also small enough to promote
the close interaction among students,
faculty, and administration that has created
a strong sense of community on campus.
With its mission of providing a wide
range of services designed to enhance
the student experience from the time
of admission through graduation,
the Division of Student Affairs Office is
the hub of undergraduate student life.
Admissions, Financial Aid and
Educational Financing, Center for
Student Advising, Residential Programs,
Office of Multicultural Affairs, Parent and
Family Programs, Office of Judicial
Affairs, Events and Communications,
Student Development and Activities, and
Office of Student Group Advising are
integral components of the Office, and
the integrated effort of these units
assures that individual students receive
support in both their academic and
cocurricular pursuits. The Division of
Student Affairs Office is responsible for
assisting students in all matters beyond
actual course instruction and helping
to create a special spirit and sense of
community for students.
CENTER FOR STUDENT
ADVISING
The Center for Student Advising reflects
the mission of the University in striving
to support and challenge the intellectual
and personal growth of its students and
by creating a developmental, diverse, and
open learning environment. Individually
and collaboratively, each center:
• provides individual and group
academic advisement, exploration,
and counseling
• provides information on preprofessional
studies, study abroad, and major declaration
and completion, as well as
various leadership, career, graduate
school, and research opportunities;
refers to additional campus resources
• designs and facilitates programming
to meet the unique developmental
needs of each class and to enhance
community among students, faculty,
and administrators
• interprets and disseminates information
regarding University polices, procedures,
resources, and programs
• educates and empowers students to
take responsibility in making informed
decisions
Each student is assigned to an advising
dean who will work with him or her
during the undergraduate years. When
a student declares a major, a faculty
member is appointed to guide him or
her for the next two years. Advising
deans regularly refer students to their
academic departments to receive coordinated
expert advice in their engineering
course selections.
SEAS 2008–2009