Lerner Hall, Residence Lounges, Classrooms and Outdoor Space

University Event Management (UEM) can assist with booking space inside Lerner Hall, in residence hall lounges and classrooms as well as outdoor space. UEM is located on the 7th floor of Lerner Hall.

For an overview of the process please refer to the UEM web site.

However, you should also familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures groups will need to follow as they reserve and make use of these spaces. This information can be found at the Lerner Hall policies web page.

Below are links to information about the various spaces which can be booked through UEM:

• Lerner Hall Space Information
• Residence Hall Lounges
• Classroom Space
• Outdoor Space Reservations
• Outdoor Space Policies

Pre-Calendaring

For space in Lerner Hall, all registered groups are able to pre-calendar. Pre-calendaring takes place during the second half of the current semester and allows the group to request space for the following semester. More information can be found at the Lerner Hall pre-calendaring web page.

Alternative Spaces

Columbia Engineering 

Space within Mudd Hall and the Schapiro Center can be requested by recognized student groups via the Columbia Engineering online space request system, however, there are a few things to know about the process.

1) There is charge to rent the space as well as a clean up fee

2) Priority is given to engineering activities

3) A group's adviser needs to submit the space request on behalf of the student group

Teachers College

Rooms for classes and Teachers College workshops are assigned approximately one month before the start of the semester. After all of the courses and Teachers College events have been assigned rooms for the semester we begin to work on the room requests. Room requests are processed on a first come, first serve basis.  

Who fills out room request forms?  

• You need to fill out a room request for every event held at Teachers College.
• You do not need to fill out a room request form for a regularly scheduled course.  
• Teachers College student groups must have their room request forms signed by Yvonne Kent-Destin.
• Columbia University student groups must include a letter saying there is no space at Columbia, that you are a legitimate student group, and fill out a Teachers College room request form.  
• You must be currently affiliated with Teachers College or Columbia University to hold an event on Teacher College’s campus.  

The Office of Room Assignments is located at 525 West 120th Street, Room 150 Horace Mann; and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can call us at 212-678-3707 or e-mail Room Assignments. 

Miller Theatre

Miller Theatre is available both to outside organizations and to members of the Columbia community at reduced rates to the departments of the University and its affiliates.  

Miller Theatre is a 688-seat proscenium theater best suited for productions with a large anticipated audience. University procedures prohibit Miller Theatre from renting directly to students; the event must be contracted by an Officer of Columbia University, or of a University affiliate. Ask your student group adviser for details.  

Some additional information can also be found on the Miller Theatre renting web site.

Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS)

Student organizations that wish to book space at JTS should lease contact Rosario Velez at 212-678-8095 for more information.

Union Theological Seminary

The Seminary welcomes space reservations for conferences, retreats, business presentations, board meetings, dinners, and weddings. Three large welcoming rooms are available for rental which includes the Social Hall, the Refectory, and James Chapel. We also offer superb in-house catering services through Showstoppers.  

For information about using Seminary facilities for meetings, conferences, wedding receptions, and film locations, visit the Rent Space at Union webpage.

Broadway Presbyterian

Contact Broadway Presbyterian through the Church Administrator e-mail or contact by phone at 212-864-6100 ext. 114.

The gym, the parish hall, and the sanctuary are all available for rent (the sanctuary depends on the use to ensure that the program or event is appropriate to a sacred space). Rates are quoted based on the space and there are additional policies pertaining to use of the parish hall and the sanctuary.  

All outside groups, individuals, and organizations must provide liability insurance to cover the participants in the event or program and all other attendees. That means a current Certificate of Liability Insurance listing the Broadway Presbyterian Church as insured must be on file with BPC prior to any event.  

Riverside Church

Organizations and individuals looking to hold receptions, concerts, rehearsals, conferences, video productions and meetings in a unique public space can do so at The Riverside Church.  

For information, contact the Rentals Team.  

The Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America

For questions about rentals or to arrange a rental please email Rick Whitaker or telephone at 212-854-1623 to provide a brief description of your event.

Please note that the Theatre will be closed for repairs during the Fall 2022 semester.

World Room at Columbia Journalism School

For information about renting the World Room at the Columbia Journalism School, e-mail JSchoolEvents@columbia.edu or call 212-854-9891.

Low Rotunda

There is no cost to use space at Low Library. However, there are significant facilities charges and rental costs. Students should consult with their adviser before deciding on Low as a venue for an event.

Security is another cost students should consider when planning their event. It is important to review Security protocols. Advisers serve as great liaisons to other University offices and they should be included in your event planning process early on. Final costs for security are decided at the final Event Review Meeting before the event. One guard is required for the front door, as well as certain other points in Low such as the Balcony, and sometimes the 3rd and 4th levels as well, depending on the number of guests and whether or not alcohol is being served.  

It should be noted that President Bollinger has a program that is run by University Programs and Events called the World Leaders Forum (WLF). These events usually take place at Low and take precedence over all other events. Because of the impromptu nature of the events planned through the WLF, groups may have their events rescheduled at a moment’s notice. This should also be taken into consideration if you are considering utilizing Low Library as a venue. Please note that this policy is not just for student groups but applies to any Columbia Affiliate reserving the space for programming. Though it has not happened often in the past, student groups should be aware that no booking in Low Library is ever 100% guaranteed.  

Reservations for Low Library are taken on a first come first serve basis. All requests should be made through University Event Management (7th Floor of Lerner).  

Generally the Rotunda can accommodate 450 persons theatre style for a lecture, and 400 persons for a sit down dinner at 8-person round tables.