Network
Help and tutorials
Email your feedback
Terms of use

Important Information for Recent Graduates

Dear Class of 2009,

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! As you join the ranks of Columbia Business School alumni around the world, we want to provide you with answers to some frequently asked questions we receive from students as they transition to alumni. As always, we are happy to answer questions.

Communications and Community

The alumni web site, www.gsb.columbia.edu/alumni, is your primary resource to stay connected with each other and the School. Columbia Business School’s online alumni community has been recently enhanced with social networking technology, enabling you to tap into the vast pool of knowledge and experience you share, while keeping in touch with the School. You can update your personal information, find information about events, contact other alumni and have access to career resources, news and library databases. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@gsb.columbia.edu or at (212) 854-8815.

  • E-mail for Life Forwarding - To keep your e-mail active, you must update your profile and forwarding destination on the alumni website in the Network section (Edit my information).

  • GSB Exchange Email - You have recently received instructions on how to deactivate your Exchange email account which will automatically activate you lifetime email forwarding address. Your lifetime email forwarding address (egjbach04@gsb.columbia.edu) remains the same. You will now use the alumni website (www.gsb.columbia.edu/alumni) to adjust where it forwards. Please keep in mind that address and name changes registered on myGSB do not automatically transfer into the alumni website.

  • Cluster E-mail Lists - As an alumnus, you will no longer have access to bettyblue lists; however, new cluster email lists are available on the alumni website in the Network section. Please visit the e-mail lists in the Network section of the alumni website to subscribe to cluster lists, class lists and industry/affinity lists.

  • Club E-mail Lists - By the end of the summer, you will no longer be subscribed to student club e-mail lists. Please visit the e-mail lists in the Network section of the alumni website to subscribe to a variety of industry and affinity listservs.

  • Cunix E-mail - Unless noted otherwise, your Columbia (CubMail) cunix e-mail address (e.g. ab1234@columbia.edu) will automatically forward to the destination of your lifetime e-mail account. (DO NOT set your lifetime e-mail to forward back to your cunix e-mail or this will create a loop and e-mails to you will be bounced back. Instead, send it to your work or personal e-mail address.) If you would like to disable your cunix account, please contact Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT) at www.columbia.edu/cuit.

  • Special Events - As an alumnus, you will be invited to a number of alumni events throughout the year and throughout the world. When you log onto the alumni website, click on Calendar, where you will find the calendar of upcoming events, including listings of alumni club events happening around the world.

    Of particular note, on June 11, 2009 over 40 Columbia Business School alumni clubs around the world will be hosting events to celebrate the network and bring new graduates, alumni and prospective students together. All are welcome to attend. Remember to also save the date of April 23-25, 2010 for your first year Reunion!

Career Resources


  • COIN - Access to COIN ends on August 31, 2009. To access job postings specifically for alumni, visit the alumni website at www.gsb.columbia.edu/alumni and click on Jobs & Careers.

  • Career Management Library - You will continue to have access to the Career Management Library as an alumnus (simply bring in your alumni ID).

  • Alumni Career Services - Within the Jobs & Careers section of the alumni web site you will have access to a number of career resources. This includes career assessments and management tools, lists of recommended external career counselors, several online resume databases, company research through CareerBeam, individual career counseling in person and by telephone, and a subscription based career e-newsletter and workshops and events throughout the year. Contact Rebecca Mincy at 212-854-8821 or rew2109@columbia.edu with questions.

Campus Resources/Nuts & Bolts


  • Health Insurance - Students who are currently under the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan will be covered through the summer following graduation until August 31, 2009. For those graduating students who would like to extend coverage, please note that you do have the option to participate in the Continuation Plan. Information will be posted on the Health Services web site on or around July 15, 2009. To access the Health Services site, please visit www.health.columbia.edu/docs/csmip/premiums/continuation_plan.html for information regarding plans, dates, continuation and general coverage (including dependents). Be sure to access this site to confirm all dates including deadlines for continuation and coverage. It is the responsibility of each student to contact Health Services regarding their coverage.

  • Alumni ID card - An alumni ID card is required to use the Career Management Library or the Watson Library. To apply for an alumni ID, take one form of photo ID to 201 Butler Library, have your photo taken and pay the $5 fee. This ID card will be valid for six years after which you can renew it. For more information, visit: www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/services/faq/answers/24528.html

  • Angel - You will have access to all of your Angel course material for two years after graduation.

  • Auditing Classes - As part of your lifelong learning benefit, you are eligible to audit elective courses offered during the academic year, provided there are seats available in the class and permission is obtained from the instructor. For more information about the courses available for auditing, please visit the Course selection Page of the Office of Student Affairs website, www.gsb.columbia.edu/students/mba/inclass/courseselection later this summer or call them at (212) 854-5563.

  • Library Access - With an alumni ID card, Columbia alumni have lifelong access to use any library on campus. You may do research at the Watson Library in Uris Hall, as well as other campus libraries. Alumni who wish to check books out may obtain a borrowing privileges card for $30/month at the Library Information Office. Remote access to our resources is restricted to current students. [*Please note*: graduating students have remote access to online databases for approximately three months after they graduate.] There is a selection of databases available to alumni from off campus.

    Please see "Alumni ID Card" above. You can also access many full-text databases online at the Libraries Alumni Gateway at www.alumni.libraries.columbia.edu.

Transcripts and Diplomas


  • Transcripts - Extra copies of your transcript are available from the Office of the Registrar. To receive copies of your transcript please visit: www.columbia.edu/cu/registrar/docs/students/transcripts.html for instructions.

    You can also call (212) 854-4330. Press "1" to order a transcript or verify degrees. There is no fee for this service; however, if the transcript is needed immediately, alumni must call and pay to have the transcript sent via FedEx.

  • Diplomas - If you do not pick up your diploma after Commencement, the Registrar will send it out to the address you listed via the graduation application. It takes a few weeks. If you have any additional questions, you will need to call the Diploma Office directly at (212) 854-8319.

    **Note: Information on important documents from the Registrar can be accessed online at www.columbia.edu/cu/registrar/docs/alumni/index.html

  • Degree Verification - If you are asked to provide proof of your degree, your employer (or potential employer) is welcome to contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (212) 854-8815 or at alumni@gsb.columbia.edu for verification. If you need formal degree verification, you will have to contact the Registrar at (212) 854-4330.

  • Yearbooks - The ATDC has arranged yearbook purchase through www.entourageyearbooks.com/OrderYearbooks.asp?org_id=228. Yearbooks will be mailed to you in late July/early August. Entourage Yearbooks will verify your address before they ship your yearbook.

    Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations with any additional questions. We look forward to celebrating your graduation from Columbia Business School, and to welcoming you to the greater Columbia alumni network.

Sincerely,

Jenn SanClements
Associate Director
Alumni Relations