Policies

The 2022 Faculty Handbook compiles policies and resources relevant to academic personnel at Columbia.  The previous version dated from 2008.

The 2022 Faculty Handbook includes updates to policies over the intervening years and information on the many resources available to faculty and officers of research.  These changes have been captured in this revised online version; it consolidates a broad set of existing policies ranging from conflict of interest to parental leave rules for faculty. 

The Handbook also provides overviews of, and links to, an array of University resources that are useful for Columbia’s academic personnel.  Going forward, the Faculty Handbook will be maintained online and will be updated regularly to reflect ongoing modifications to policies relevant to faculty and researchers.

This policy is maintained by the Office of the Provost.

View the Faculty Handbook.

Columbia University is committed to operating with integrity in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The University expects the highest standards of ethical conduct from the members of its community and is dedicated to upholding its reputation as one of the top academic and research institutions in the world.

Columbia expects members of the University community to inform the appropriate contacts if they have observed unethical, illegal, or suspicious activity. Those who have concerns about possible noncompliance with federal, state, or local laws and regulations or University policies are expected to report promptly.

You may contact the Office of University Compliance at [email protected].

The University has issued a Statement of Ethical Conduct. As this Statement provides, the University expects all officers of instruction, research, libraries, athletics, and administration; support staff; and students to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct. The basic principles in the Statement of Ethical Conduct include:

• Be honest, ethical, and truthful;
• Obey the law. If you are uncertain about what the applicable law or regulations require, seek assistance from your supervisor; and
• Follow University policies and procedures. Make sure you understand your responsibilities. If you have questions about specific issues, you should ask your supervisor.

The Statement also sets forth procedures for reporting concerns and states that failure to live up to these principles may result in disciplinary action.

This policy is maintained by Human Resources. 

View the Statement of Ethical Conduct (within the full text of the Administrative Code of Conduct).

The University has promulgated an Administrative Code of Conduct. The Code has been developed to promote an environment of respect that is central to the success of the University and the individuals who work here.

The Administrative Code of Conduct is organized around four basic principles:

• Respect for governance;
• Respect for others;
• Respect for information; and
• Respect for property

As a statement of principles based on the values of the University, the Code can provide sound advice and direction for all interactions between members of the Columbia community. As a University policy, it specifically applies to Officers of Administration, applicants to the University to be Officers of Administration, and vendors working on behalf of Officers of Administration.

This policy is maintained by Human Resources.

View the Statement of Ethical Conduct (within the full text of the Administrative Code of Conduct).

The purpose of this policy is to encourage members of the Columbia University community to report compliance and ethics concerns or to seek guidance on compliance and ethics concerns and to reinforce that the University prohibits retaliation against those individuals who report or seek guidance on possible ethical or compliance issues in good faith.

View the full text of the policy.