To-Do Tuesday: Issue 8 | June 23, 2026

Hello [FIRST_NAME],

Happy To-Do Tuesday! In this newsletter, we highlight some of the resources Columbia offers to connect with the university community. We also want to remind you about our checklist tool in CLS Connect, which can help you stay on track with your requirements and plan for the coming months. We also wanted to let you know about our orientation houses, the Human Rights Institute shares the 1L Advocates Program application and Columbia Health module.

Houses and Schedules

The first-year curriculum is the same for all first-year J.D. students. You will be randomly assigned to a block of required courses in both the fall and spring terms. Sharing classes with a consistent group of students will help you get to know your classmates and give you the opportunity to establish study groups. More information can be found here.

International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)

As immigration requirements are subject to change, students on F-1 or J-1 visas should review Immigration Resources for up-to-date information. They may also view ISSO Updates and Resources as well as the orientation video, ISSO Immigration Essentials For F-1 and J-1 Students, for additional information. Click here for upcoming ISSO programs and events.

Students may also be interested in the video on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Overview and Website Navigator.
 

Any questions, please email newintlstudent@columbia.edu.

Get to Know Columbia Health

Columbia has a plethora of health resources, and there are three important offices for health services. If you need to contact Columbia Health directly, you can call them at (212) 854-2284 or email them at health@columbia.edu.

• Medical Services: Located on the third floor of John Jay Hall on the main campus, the Student Health Center is a full-service clinic. If you are part of the Aetna insurance program, your primary care doctor practices here.
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS): Located on the 8th floor of Lerner Hall at 115th and Broadway, CPS offers workshops, short-term individual counseling, referrals for longer-term therapy, support groups, medication consultation, and emergency consultation. You can call them 24/7 at (212) 854-2878.
• Alice! Health Promotion: Recognizing that health is a vital part of learning, Alice! Health Promotion works to cultivate and sustain a healthy university community in which students can achieve their personal and academic goals. You can email them at alice@columbia.edu.

Due July 17: Columbia Health: Your Partner in Caring for Your Health and Well-being

All incoming students will be required to complete a 50-minute pre-orientation Columbia Health training video introducing Columbia Health’s six departments, available services, eligibility, and how to access care.

The training is designed to help students feel informed and prepared as they begin school, while making important health information easier to understand and retain before orientation begins. Students who complete the pre-orientation health module will have a stronger understanding of available services, health insurance, and how to seek care when needed

Access the module HERE.

After completing the training please also complete a brief 1-minute evaluation survey to help improve the experience for future incoming classes HERE.

Get Connected to the Columbia Community

Look into ways to connect with Columbia:

• Find a book by a Columbia author.
• Listen to a Columbia University featured podcast.
• Listen to a Columbia Law School podcast.
• Stay up to date with Columbia News.
  • Sign up for Columbia University’s Newsletter.
  • Visit the Wallach Art Gallery
• Available after orientation:
  • As a Columbia student, you automatically receive a basic membership at Columbia's Dodge Fitness Center (additional services and memberships can be purchased).
  • Movie and theater tickets are available through the Columbia Arts Initiative.

Office of Student Services- June Hours of Operation

Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. EDT

Closed: June 19

Early Closure: June 18; office closes at 3:00 p.m. EDT

June 26; office closes at 1:00 p.m. EDT

Remarkable Spotlights

Meet Leila Dominici, the friendly face that greets students at the Office of Registration Services at CLS! As the Sr. Program Coordinator, Leila helps keep all things registration running smoothly and is responsible for certifying bar forms for students. Whether you have a question about registration, bar certification, or deadlines, she’s always happy to help.

This August marks Leila’s 7th year at CLS, and during that time she has become a go-to resource for students navigating the world of registration and beyond. A proud born-and-raised New Yorker, Leila loves everything about NYC—from hidden restaurant gems to the best things to do around the city. She also speaks Italian and Spanish, which comes in handy when connecting with students from all backgrounds.

If you see her around the office, feel free to stop by and say hello.

Ebony Jones serves as one of the two front-facing personnel at Registration Services. In her role, she provides essential support to students both in-person as well as by phone and email. Some of her responsibilities include processing various registration forms, notably Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and inputting students’ ADA accommodation details into the registration system to facilitate exam administration. Ebony has been at Columbia Law School for over two years.

Hobbies/Interests: Outside of work, Ebony enjoys deco-mesh wreath making, reading psychological thrillers, and spending time with her dog, Kylo.