Frequently Asked Questions
In the interest of promoting transparency, peer-based leadership, community citizenship, and accountability, Columbia, in partnership with the seventeen schools and central departments, has established the Student Group Accountability Review Board (SGARB).
The SGARB is an educational peer-review process, established to support recognized student groups (RSG) in addressing and correcting student group conduct that is in violation of University and/or school policies. The SGARB does not apply to policies exclusively administered by another University office (e.g., the Office of Institutional Equity or the Rules of University Conduct. The SGARB’s role is to review any alleged violation of University and/or school policy by a recognized student group, determine the recognized student group’s responsibility, and where a recognized student group is found responsible, determine appropriate sanction(s) given the facts and based on past precedent.
University Life led a 5-month process to develop this new policy and the associated procedures. A working group was launched in September 2024, who met weekly. In addition, this process included partnering with Deans of Students, student council/board student leaders, student organization leaders, student affairs staff, and other key stakeholders across the University to gain important feedback and information to create a comprehensive policy that meets Columbia's unique structures and needs.
Anyone can file a complaint, including individuals outside of the Columbia community, regarding a recognized student group by completing an online form. All complaints are reviewed every business day and sent to the appropriate office for review. This review process ensures that all complaints get to the right office for review. Please note a student group can be held accountable under multiple policies assuming all such policies are applicable.
The policy was put into place on August 1, 2025. All online form submissions following this date of a possible violation of University policy by a recognized student group alleged to have happened on or after August 1, 2025 will be reviewed through this policy and procedures.
Yes. The University had review processes in place through the respective school and/or central department to review allegations of University policy violations by a student group prior to implementing this policy and procedures. Any past allegations of University policy will be reviewed through the process that was in place at that time. All new complaints of possible violations of University policy by a student group that occurred on or after August 1, 2025, will be reviewed through this policy and procedures.
Currently, SGARB only applies to recognized student groups within Columbia.
No. For unrecognized and derecognized student groups, the individuals identified as part of the unrecognized or derecognized student group will be reviewed through existing and applicable policies in the Office of Institutional Equity and Center for Student Success and Intervention based on the behavior.
Complaints can be filed anonymously. Please make sure you provide detailed information and any supporting documentation (including screenshots). Given the nature of anonymous reports (including not being able to get additional information from the complainant, as needed), it may limit the University’s ability to conduct a full review.
SGARB review panels are closed to all except those directly involved. SGARB panelists are expected to maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of all individuals and groups involved. This confidentiality requirement will apply only as applicable and all members are required to comply with all applicable laws governing confidentiality and privacy.
As the SGARB is not a legal process, attorneys serving as legal counsel are not permitted at the hearing.
Please note that SGARB supports a self-governed student community and, as such, is a student-centered process. Alumni/ae and/or advisors have no role in the SGARB panel, except to provide advice to the student group student leadership in a quiet manner. Advisors may not actively represent or speak for the student group. At the request of the student group’s leadership, the advisor may be present during the SGARB panel. Attendance of the advisor must be arranged with CSSI a minimum of seven (7) business days in advance.
The recognized student group may request to review their file, including the recording of the panel, through the file review process. Please note that panel recordings can only be reviewed in-person.
The outcome of the SGARB review process may be shared within the University with other faculty, staff, students, or administrators, where such disclosures serve a legitimate educational purpose. The outcome of the SGARB review process may be shared with the group’s advisor and/or national headquarters staff (when applicable), as determined by CSSI in consultation with the appropriate school/central administrator.
Students will be selected to serve in pools that will be called upon to establish a SGARB panel when needed. Student membership may include student representatives from the Student Affairs Committee of the Senate, the school’s student council(s)/board(s) representatives, and/or individuals nominated by their schools’ Deans of Students based upon their leadership roles at Columbia.
Professional employee membership priority will be given to staff and faculty who serve or have served as an advisor to a student group in a formal capacity. Candidates will be nominated by each school’s Dean(s) of Students and/or their designee(s) for school-based groups and senior administrators from central units who work with central student councils/boards.