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Return to Columbia Program

About:
The Return to Columbia Program is a restorative justice initiative focused on providing support for students who received a disciplinary sanction of suspension through the Dean’s Discipline Process. After completing the Dean’s Discipline Process, a decision letter will be sent to students confirming their enrollment in the program. Once the appeal period has passed, students will be connected with a Case Manager to schedule ongoing meetings. Meetings will take place during the course of your suspension as well as upon your return to the University. 

All students who received a disciplinary sanction of Suspension through the Dean’s Discipline Process are required to participate in the program.

During meetings with your Case Manager, you can expect to be non-judgmentally heard and asked questions to better understand your experience and needs. Case Managers will collaborate with you to identify goals as well as connect you with resources that you may need in order to succeed during your time away from the University. 

Program Expectations: To begin the program, please email the Case Management and Student Support Services team at [email protected]. It is expected that students reach out to schedule their first meeting with a Case Manager within 5 business days of receiving a decision letter. If you choose to appeal the decision and the appeal is denied, please email us within 5 days of the final decision date. In order to successfully complete the Return to Columbia Program, you will be required to meet with a Case Manager 4-5 times in which the final meeting must take place when you are re-enrolled. While 4-5 meetings is the minimum requirement, you are more than welcome to schedule as many meetings as you think would be beneficial during your time away. After students complete the 4-5 mandatory meetings and are re-enrolled, they are given the opportunity to continue meeting with their Case Manager if they so choose. Failure to complete the above requirements in whole or on time may result in a delay in re-enrollment or further disciplinary action.

Participation in the Return to Columbia Program is mandatory in order to be considered for re-enrollment post suspension. In addition to engaging in meetings with their Case Manager, students are also expected to complete and submit a reflection paper to their Case Manager. The reflection paper should address the following prompts:

  • What activities did you engage in while away from the Columbia University community? (ie. internships, volunteering, self-care, etc.)

  • Upon your return to the University, how will you avoid violations in the future?

  • What did you learn about yourself personally and/or academically by going through the Dean’s Discipline Process?

  • How can you effectively communicate your needs and goals with your support system after returning from suspension? 

This paper will be reviewed with standard academic expectations and should be 3-4 pages, single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins. In collaboration with your Case Manager during the second meeting, a formal due date will be established. The paper will be due no later than prior to the third meeting and is an essential part of the re-enrollment process. After reviewing the paper with the individual student, the Student Conduct team and the student's school, a decision will be rendered and the student will receive a formal letter letting them know if they have been approved to re-enroll. At this point, the student's Case Manager will communicate with the CSSI Operations team to request any Student Conduct holds be removed from the student's account.