Contacts

Where should I go with a concern?

For general information about Columbia University, please refer to http://www.columbia.edu or call (212) 854-1754.

FOR STUDENTS

University Processes

Each school maintains its own processes for addressing a variety of student life issues, including students’ concerns about experiences in the classroom or with faculty at their school. For more information, review the Student Grievance Process: https://provost.columbia.edu/content/student-grievance-procedures-columbia-university. For complaints regarding distance education, review the policy available at the Office of Teaching, Learning and Innovation: https://vptli.columbia.edu/policies/distedcomplaints/

The University provides also several centralized reporting options for students, which are enumerated on the University Life website: https://universitylife.columbia.edu/report

New York State Education Department
Complaints regarding student grades or student conduct violations are governed entirely by institutional policy and the laws of New York state. If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional complaint process, the complaint (except for complaints about grades or student conduct violations) may be appealed to the New York State Education Department (NYSED):

Andrea Richards
Supervisor, Higher Education Programs
New York State Education Department
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
518.474.1551
[email protected]

For more information about filing a complaint with NYSED, see: http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/filing-complaint-about-college-or-university

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Students may also file a complaint with Columbia University’s regional accreditor, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, either online at https://www.msche.org/complaints/ or by mailing the complaint and supporting material to:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Attn: Complaints
1007 North Orange Street
4th Floor, MB #166
Wilmington, DE 19801

FOR EMPLOYEES

The first recommended resource for a clarification on a policy, regulation or law is one’s direct supervisor. If a direct supervisor cannot serve as a resource, below are other suggested resources to assist you.

RESOURCE: DESCRIPTION
Your Supervisor: The first recommended resource for a clarification on a policy, regulation or law is your direct supervisor. If a direct supervisor cannot serve as a resource, below are other suggested resources to assist you.
Human Resources
Morningside: 212-851-2888
Medical Center: 212-305-3819

www.hr.columbia.edu: Human Resources provides guidance and support for staff on policies that govern employment at the University. Faculty and officers of research should refer to the Faculty Handbook or the Office of Faculty Affairs for policies relating to their appointments at the University.
Compliance Hotline
866-627-3768

www.compliance.columbia.edu: The Compliance Hotline is a confidential channel for employees to report or seek guidance on potential wrongdoing with the option to report anonymously. The University prohibits retaliation against individuals who report or seek guidance on possible ethical or compliance issues in good faith.
For more information about the hotline and/or to file a report online, please refer to the University Compliance website or call the hotline directly. The full Non-Retaliation Policy can be found at policylibrary.columbia.edu.
Billing Compliance
866-627-3768

www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/compliance: The hotline is a confidential 24-hour hotline for Medical Center patients, providers or staff to report billing concerns or related problems to the Office for Billing Compliance.
Privacy Office

212-305-7315
[email protected]https://www.hipaa.cumc.columbia.edu: The Privacy Office is responsible for administration of the Privacy Program at the medical center. The website includes HIPAA Privacy and Information Security policies, forms, regulations and links to additional resources including HIPAA training.
Research Compliance and Training
212-851-2897

www.researchcompliance.columbia.edu: The Office of Research Compliance and Training provides support for Columbia faculty and staff to help ensure compliance with the complex web of regulatory requirements that govern research and to develop programming that promotes understanding of compliance issues.
Office of the General Counsel
212-854-4974
ogc.columbia.edu: The Office of the General Counsel is responsible for providing a full range of legal services to the University, including: labor and employment, business matters, contract review, litigation, environmental, patents, copyright, property acquisitions, student and faculty issues, entity tax, regulatory compliance, among others.
University Ombuds
Morningside: 212-854-1234
CUMC: 212-304-7026
http://ombuds.columbia.edu: The Ombuds Office is a confidential resource for any member of the Columbia community to discuss and to generate options for resolution of workplace issues, interpersonal conflict, academic concerns, bureaucratic problems, and many other issues. The Ombuds office offers in-person and phone appointments.
Office of Faculty Affairs (Morningside)
212-854-2254

https://provost.columbia.edu/content/office-vice-provost-faculty-affairs: The office is responsible for administering the University’s policies and processes governing academic appointments and the statutory provisions governing faculty service, including the approval of all academic appointments on the Morningside campus; managing the University’s system of tenure reviews; working with the University Senate, maintaining fair processes in handling grievances from academic officers; assisting with the development of programs that help faculty members advance their careers; and the collection and analysis of data to assess the effectiveness of programs for faculty, officers of research, and student officers, and for identifying and exploring issues of importance to the University.
Office of Faculty Affairs (CUMC)
212-305-5390

www.cumc.columbia.edu/faculty/faculty-affairs: Faculty Affairs at CUMC provides support both for faculty and departmental administrators in administrative processes and policies for officers of instruction and of research (including post-doctoral fellows) and student officers.
Public Safety
Morningside: 212-854-5555
Medical Center: 212-305-7979
http://publicsafety.columbia.edu: Any threat against persons or property should be directed immediately to Public Safety.
Discrimination, Harassment & Gender-Based Misconduct
Complaints Regarding Faculty, Staff and Third-Parties:
Office of Institutional Equity
212-854-5511
https://institutionalequity.columbia.edu: Complaints against Columbia staff, faculty, students, and third parties connected to the University, for discrimination, discriminatory harassment and/or gender-based misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence and sexual exploitation are processed through the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.
Protection of Minors
212-851-9636
[email protected]
http://compliance.columbia.edu/minors.html: The Protection of Minors website contains the University policy, contact information for more information about training, and suggestions for best practices.
Athletics Office of Compliance
212-854-8666
www.gocolumbialions.com
Go to the Athletics Homepage, Inside Athletics, select Compliance: The Athletics website serves as an informational resource for all constituents of Columbia University Athletics—including its prospective and current student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff, alumni, donors, boosters and friends—to ensure the Department and University remain in full compliance with NCAA and Ivy League rules and regulations.

Report a Compliance Concern

Where should I go with a concern?

FOR STUDENTS

FOR EMPLOYEES

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