Covid19 Info for PhD Students

This resource is intended to help keep PhD students informed during the COVID-19 crisis. Below you will find answers to Frequently Asked Questions that are relevant to Business School PhD students. We will also post key communications that were sent by University Administrators, the PhD/MS office, or the Business School’s Leadership.

If you have questions, please direct them to Elizabeth Elam ([email protected])

University COVID-19 Updates

For updates from the University, see here and the Columbia Preparedness page, which is here.

Fall 2020 FAQ for PhD Students

Software and Other Resources Available to You

Housing Questions

Visa and ISSO Questions

Health and Mental Health Questions

GSAS Milestones and Graduation

Resources for PhD Students with Children

Socializing with Community Members during the Outbreak

Important Email Announcements

Fall 2020 FAQ for PhD Students

By when do I need to arrive? Can I work remotely in the fall of 2020? (last updated: 08/08/2020)

Students should work with their Divisions to decide when to arrive on campus. In many circumstances a student may be remote for the fall term.

What is the attendance policy? Does it apply if I am in a vastly different time zone? (last updated: 08/08/2020)

For PhD classes, the attendance policy continues to be at the discretion of the faculty member. Following the MBA directive, we encourage synchronous attendance. The exception to this policy are students in time zones where class falls outside the 6am to 10:30pm local time window. If your class falls outside this window, you may attend class asynchronously by watching the recording on Echo360. Students who need to attend asynchronously due to their time zone should contact their professor and cc Elizabeth Elam and specify their location.

I have questions about my Visa? Do incoming International students need to enter the US in September (or when they get their visas) to maintain their visa status? (last updated: 8/8/20)

If a students’ date of arrival is more than 30 days after the program start date as stated on their I-20, then the University will need to reissue that document. ISSO is polling incoming students and will adjust the I-20s accordingly. They can issue new I-20s electronically in many cases. If a student does not yet know when they will get an appointment at their consulate, they can indicate the date by which they will know in the survey.

ISSO has asked us (the PhD Office and the Divisions) not to handle specific visa-related questions and to please send students to them. That said, if a student is having difficulty understanding an answer from ISSO, they should ask the PhD Office for clarity.

Do returning-international students need to be in the US to maintain their visa status? (last updated: 08/08/20)

For visas to remain valid, students need to maintain their full-time status, and they don't need to physically be in the US to maintain that status, All PhD students are full-time even if they’re registered for 0 credits under the full-time research course offering.

What is the latest possible move in date for University Housing? When do I need to cancel housing if I am not coming in fall? (last updated: 08/08/20)

The deadline to cancel without losing an application fee was extended until August 15, and it was recently announced that move in dates may be delayed until October 15 so students who do not arrive will not have to pay rent until that time as long as they communicate this to Columbia Residential. Please reach out to the housing office for the most up-to-date information. https://residential.columbia.edu/ For those who anticipate that they will not be able to join us at all in the Fall term, Housing suggests that they decline their housing offer and submit an application for the Spring term. This application will be available on October 1, and as usual, our PhDs will be prioritized in the CBS allocation process.

Will incoming international students get their stipends even if they are not in the US? What will they need to do? (last updated: 08/08/20)

Yes. The University is going to make arrangements for students who do not have a US bank account to receive stipend payments. Students with a US bank account are already eligible for stipends to be direct deposited.

Do returning-international students need to be in the US to get their stipends?(last updated: 08/08/20)

No. They will receive their stipend via direct deposit (like they always do).

Will fall classes be in person, fully online or in a HyFlex format?(last updated: 08/08/20)

Some portion of the courses will be HyFlex. Incoming Finance and Accounting PhD students will have a larger percentage of classes in HyFlext format. Our goal is to offer an in-person option for one PhD course in each division. While student have the option to take those classes in person, they can also be taken remotely under the HyFlex model.

I am ABD and therefore no longer taking classes. Will I run into problems with my visa?(last updated: 08/08/20)

Your registration status marks you as a full-time even if no classes are being taken.

If I am not going to be there, can I waive any fees associated with healthcare?(last updated: 08/08/20)

We cover all healthcare fees and so this question is irrelevant.

If I am not going to be there, can I waive any fees associated with healthcare?(last updated: 08/08/20)

We cover all healthcare fees and so this question is irrelevant.

Can I come to Uris and work from my cubicle?(last updated: 08/08/20)

Facilities and Operations is still working with the University to determine how many students can safely work in their offices. Last I heard, they will let us use the plexiglass dividers in offices, just not in the classroom (because it’s a fire hazard).

Can I come to Uris and work from my cubicle?(last updated: 08/08/20)

The PhD student laptops have been ordered. Once they arrive on campus, they will be configured by ITG and then shipped to each student who is remote.

Resources and Software

I need software that enables online conferencing. What can I use? (last updated: 3/24/20)

If you are looking for ways to communicate and collaborate remotely through video conferencing, Skype for Business and Google Hangouts should be sufficient. You already have an account for these via the School/University, and they do not impose meeting time limits. They also have very generous participant limits (usually more than 200). Alternatively you can download Zoom Basic which lets you participate in online conferences as well as host online conferences that are less than 40 minutes in length. If for some reason these won’t meet your needs, you can borrow a license from your Department Administrator, borrow a license from the MS/PhD office, or Elizabeth Elam can set the call up for you. If you would like to pursue the latter two options, please contact Elizabeth.

The screen of my laptop is very small. Will the PhD Office buy me a screen? (last updated: 3/24/20)

The PhD Office will purchase external monitors for any PhD student who requires one to continue their research from remotely. Elizabeth Elam emailed the group of you explaining that she would purchase and ship monitors too students who need them to be productive. If you missed this message and need a monitor, please contact Elizabeth Elam ([email protected]).

Housing Questions

We will be updating this page as policy changes are made. Note that there will likely be a brief delay before we can post updates. Your first stop for all housing-related questions should be their website: https://preparedness.columbia.edu/node/241

I live in a Columbia Residence. Can I stay in my apartment during the crisis or do I have to leave? (last updated: 03/17/20)

Students in Columbia Residential are not required to leave housing. That said, having more space and fewer residents would make it is easier for the University to properly care for the people who need to stay because they cannot return to their home country, etc. For that reason, any student who voluntarily cancels their housing contract can do so without incurring the usual cancellation fee, and rent will be prorated based on their move-out date. For details and updates on the housing policy, please see here.

If I decide to leave Columbia housing completely, what do I need to do to officially move out? (last updated: 03/15/20).

All the information you need to prepare for your move can be found on Columbia Residential’s website: see here.

If I move out of housing during the crisis will I lose my place in line? (last updated: 03/23/20)

Columbia Residential is tracking the names of those who move out, and will prioritize them over new applicants when next year’s housing allocation decisions are made. If you decide to move out, you will need to re-apply to receive housing next year. You’ll want to do that ASAP as the housing office is currently planning on starting to approve applications in April.

I want to move out of housing, but I can’t make it back to NYC to complete my move. What will happen to my unit and my belongings? (last updated: 03/15/20)

You will continue to be responsible for rent until you officially move out and return keys, and will be subject to the cancellation policy if you move out May 31 or later. If you want to store your belongings in your current housing and continue to pay rent past the end of your current housing agreement end-date, renew your rental agreement if you are eligible for renewal. If you want to move out completely but you won’t be in NYC, you can arrange for a friend to move your belongings via proxy and return your keys using the Express Move-out Box. Send a message to [email protected] to pursue this option.

Visa and ISSO Questions

We will be updating this page as policy changes are made. Note that there will likely be a brief delay before that can take place. Your first stop for all visa- and ISSO-related questions should be their website: https://isso.columbia.edu/content/covid-19-hub

How do I obtain a travel signature from ISSO if the office is virtual? (last updated: 03/20/20)

ISSO has posted more information about who actually needs a signature and how to obtain one while they office is operating virtually. See here for more information

What happens if PhD students leave the country? Can they be reassured that the F1 status is not compromised? (last updated: 03/23/20)

We cannot guarantee that the F1 status won’t be affected if you choose to leave the country. Your ability to re-enter the US, and your CPT, may be impacted. Please reach out to ISSO about any question or concern regarding travel outside the US

Health and Mental Health Questions

Whom do I contact if I or a friend feel overwhelmed and stressed during these times? (last updated: 3/24)

We understand that with all of the challenges facing students, some may feel overwhelmed or anxious. Counseling and Psychological Services continues to offer individual virtual appointments and virtual support spaces across a variety of topics. We encourage you to use the services offered through CPS to help you maintain your balance as you adjust to all of the changes to your normal routine related to COVID. See here for information on how to make an appointment.

GSAS Milestones and Graduation

The University requires dissertation committee members to participate in person. How do I handle that? (last updated: 3/24)

GSAS is suspending the requirements relating to in-person participation in dissertation defenses until further notice. For the time being, any and all participants may participate remotely. If you need help setting up a Zoom conference, please contact Elizabeth Elam.

What are the dissertation deposit deadlines? (last updated: 3/24/20)

If you would like your name to appear in the Convocation booklet, you must deposit your dissertation by 4pm ET on Friday, April 17th. The absolute last date to complete deposit of a dissertation for a May 2020 conferral is 4pm on Friday, April 24th. Note that if you miss the 17th deadline but make the 24th one your name will appear in the addendum of the Convocation booklet.

Do we still need to take qualifying exams or give required presentations? (last updated: 3/24/20)

This is a question best handled by your Division’s PhD Coordinator. We will reach out to them and suggest they communicate with you about this matter.

Will we have commencement this year? (last updated: 3/24/20)

Unfortunately, they had to cancel commencement this year. Please see Bollinger’s 3/20 message for additional information. GSAS is working on a virtual ceremony for PhD students.

Resources for PhD Students with Children

How can I keep my children entertained while I work from home?

Columbia’s Work-Life Office has compiled a list of online, educational resources that might help you keep your children engaged and entertained during the Covid19 crisis. See here

Socializing with Community Members during the Outbreak

I think I need to socialize with my peers. Are there any mechanisms for doing so? (last updated: 3/25/20)

This is something that we will ask the PhD Council to look into. We will send an email and update this page as soon as we have information to share; In the mean time, we encourage you to check the University Life page for information about how to connect with other students at the University during the crisis.