Policies
Policy Purpose
The Columbia University Professional Studies, Career Design Lab (CDL) facilitates connections among employers, students and alumni. CDL is comprised of professional staff supporting employers to recruit talents, connect with faculty and administrators to learn about Columbia SPS academic programs, and conduct purposeful engagement with students and alumni for their professional development and career advancement.
Employers, recruiters, or other professionals interested in connecting with SPS students and alumni through Career Services or other departments/offices of SPS must abide by this policy. This policy governs the types of employers who may use the services offered by CDL, as well as the role the University’s Career Services staff serves in assisting hiring professionals. CDL guidelines adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Principles for Professional Practice from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Policy Statement
All employers are subject to approval by CDL to access resources and services provided through the CDL. Employment professionals from for-profit, non-profit, educational or governmental organizations who offer paid jobs, paid internships, qualifying unpaid internships, graduate assistant roles, fellowships, awards for hackathons, contests, competitions, and volunteer work may list their opportunities through CDL’s Talent Acquisition Platform.
Employers qualified for job posting privileges also may be eligible for on-campus interviews, virtual recruitment, or student engagement opportunities, including career fairs, information sessions, chats, workshops, meetings, among others.
Virtual Event Policy
- Campus event spaces may not be reserved by or rented to external organizations or groups until further notice.
- For Columbia University sponsored events held off campus, all of the below requirements apply.
- Student organizations must work with CDL to ensure adherence to all other event policies.
Columbia follows New York State requirements for the size of permitted gatherings.
- All events must adhere to the Columbia Community Health Compact, including requirements for face coverings, physical distance, and use of campus spaces and buildings.
- Event participation is restricted to CUID cardholders only and requires registration, and registration lists must be maintained by schools or units after events have taken place. External presenters must follow the University’s Vendor Clearance Policy.
- All in-person events should be held outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces.
- If food or beverages are served, both must be packaged for individual use (e.g. box lunches) and distribution must be planned to enable physical distance at all times. Event organizers must ensure that attendees are able to maintain sufficient distance throughout and avoid facing each other while removing their face coverings to eat or drink. If individuals bring their own food or beverages, event organizers must ensure that those eating or drinking are able to avoid facing others while their face coverings are removed, if unable to maintain physical distancing.
- Event organizers are responsible for ensuring that the planning takes account of the Compact provisions and that event attendees adhere fully to the Compact’s face covering and physical distance requirements.
Career Fair & Employer Presentation Cancellation Policy
- Employers who are scheduled to participate in Career Fairs, information sessions and any CDL related event, must give sufficient notice (minimum of 48 hours) in the event of a schedule cancellation.
- For Career Fairs, no refunds will be made for cancellations made less than (2) weeks prior to the event. Organizations that do not show are still responsible for full payment. Organizations with outstanding payments will not be permitted to participate in future events until payment is received.
- When interviews must be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, the recruiter will be advised to contact each student directly to make arrangements for another interview date/time. The recruiter is also asked to share follow-up information with CDL staff.
- CDL has a strict policy on late cancellation of interviews or “no shows” by students. If a student does not give at least 2 days notice prior to a scheduled interview, they will not be able to participate in on-campus recruiting. Students are required to send formal letters of apology and meet with their Career Coach to discuss the situation.