Student Email Communication Policy

Effective Date: July 1, 2004 

Policy Statement

The principal way in which members of the University communicate with one another is through email. As such, the time has come for Columbia to make email an official vehicle of communication. This will improve both the timeliness and reliability of our efforts to inform students of matters of importance to them.

Responsible University Office & Officer

The Office of the Provost and Student Services

Who is governed by This Policy

All staff, faculty and students of the University

Who Should Know This Policy

All staff, faculty and students of the University

Policy Text

Columbia University, recognizing the increasing need for electronic communication with students, has established email as an official means of communication with students.

An official Columbia University email address is required for all students. The University has the right to send official communications to the University email address, which is based upon the University Network ID (UNI) assigned to the student.

The University expects that every student will receive email at his or her Columbia University email address and will read email on a frequent and consistent basis. A student's failure to receive and read University communications in a timely manner does not absolve that student from knowing and complying with the content of such communications.

Students may elect to redirect (auto-forward) email sent to their University email address. Students who redirect email from their official University email address to another address do so at their own risk. If email is lost as a result of forwarding, it does not absolve the student from the responsibilities associated with communications sent to their official University email address.