Columbia Alumni Association Bylaws

To cultivate a global community of Columbia alums, students, faculty, and staff to explore interests, exchange ideas, and take actions that enrich one another, the University, and the world.

Any member of the Trustees who is not an alumnus/a of the University but has served for at least one term shall automatically be a member of, and eligible to hold any office within, CAA.

Degree holders from the Affiliate Schools of the University (i.e., Barnard College, and Teachers College,) (“Affiliate Schools”) may apply to CAA as an individual alumnus/ae for affiliate membership in the CAA with limited rights and privileges.

No dues or other mandatory charges shall be required as a prerequisite to commencement or continuation of membership in the CAA.

The Board of Directors of the CAA (“Board”) is hereby empowered to confer honorary, non-voting membership in the CAA on any one or more persons, as it deems fit.

The Board shall consist of no fewer than 40 and no more than 50 members, including the designated members listed in this Section 2 and additional nominated and elected members. All members are elected to serve for up to two four-year terms or until their successors are elected and qualified, whichever is later, with the exact number to be as determined, from time to time, by act of the Board, but with their terms of office staggered so that, each year, as near as reasonably possible, approximately the same number of vacancies shall occur as in other years, all as determined by the Board. No member who has been elected to two four-year terms shall be eligible for nomination or election again as a member until at least two years have elapsed since the end of the two four-year terms for which such person was elected; with the exception of Trustee/Trustee Emeritus/ae and individuals becoming Board officers, who shall be eligible for nomination or election after one year has elapsed. The Board shall be comprised of the following members:

 (I) Designated members, incumbent by reason of being:

• Trustees, or Trustee Emeriti/ae, designated by the committee of the Trustees of the University then having jurisdiction over University alumni relations
  • No fewer than two and no greater than four in number,
  • All of whom are University alumni,
  • no more than three of whom may be Trustee Emeriti/ae;
• The senior University officer in charge of Alumni Relations;
• Representatives of at least two (but no more than seven) International Clubs nominated by the Nominating Committee; 
• Representatives of at least two (but no more than seven) Domestic Clubs nominated by the Nominating Committee;
• Representatives of at least two (but no more than seven) Shared Interest Groups nominated by the Nominating Committee;
• Each of the two University Alumni Senator nominated by the Nominating Committee
• One graduate student and one undergraduate student, selected in consultation with appropriate faculty and staff who work with student leaders; 
• A representative from each of Columbia’s 17 Schools and, whenever possible, its Affiliates, Barnard College and Teachers College. 
   

(II) Nominated members, elected as Directors in accordance with the applicable provisions of these bylaws.

a. The Nominating Committee, acting at a reasonable time before any election, shall nominate candidates to be members of the Board of the CAA. Any member of the CAA shall have the right to present themselves, or another member, to the Nominating Committee and request to be considered for nomination. In addition, any member of the CAA shall, by petition of fifty members of the CAA filed with the Nominating Committee at least ninety days before winter meeting of the Board, be deemed nominated. The Nominating Committee shall adhere to the rules and regulations governing the conduct of all activities relevant to the electoral process. The election of Board members, unless otherwise provided in these bylaws, shall take place annually through elections opened to the CAA Electoral Body... No person shall be elected to the Board unless they shall have consented to their nomination and have agreed to serve if elected, either electronically or in writing or personally. 

b. The Nominating Committee shall use reasonable efforts to solicit from the CAA membership and the Schools nominations for candidates to be CAA Board members and to provide to the CAA membership and the Schools reasonable notice of any proposed slate of candidates for receiving input and commentary on individual candidates.

 c. The recommendations of the Nominating Committee shall be put forth to the full Board for their approval in advance of the annual election process as outlined in Article IV, Section 3a in order to allow for ratification by those alumni present in person or by proxy at the aforementioned annual meeting:

a. In order for a candidate nominated by the Nominating Committee to be elected, such candidate’s name shall be put to a vote of an electoral body composed of (except in the case of filling a vacancy on the Board, which shall take place as provided in Section 4(c) below).

 (i) the Board of the CAA, 

(ii) the presidents of the alumni associations of each division of the University,

 (iii) the staff members who are directors of alumni relations at each division of the University, (iv) the presidents of the Global Clubs (see Appendix 4), and 

(v) the presidents (or other individuals holding comparable titles) of the Shared Interest Groups (see Appendix 2). 

The senior University alumni relations officer, acting with the administrative support of the Office of Alumni, shall solicit the vote of each member of the Electoral Body and Development with respect to each candidate nominated. If the number of candidates for membership on the Board is greater than the available number of slots, each member of the Electoral Body (or her or his proxy) will have the right to vote for up to the available number of slots, whereupon the numbers of votes for each candidate shall be tabulated under the supervision of the senior University alumni relations officer and then the results shall be listed, with the candidate receiving the most votes listed as No. 1, the candidate with the next highest listed as No. 2 and so on. 

The candidates elected shall be (a) that candidate whose rank on the foregoing list is equal to the total number of seats to be filled and (b) each other candidate whose name appears above such candidate on such list.

 b. The responsibilities of a member of the Board are set forth in Appendix 1.

 c. Any vacancy occurring in the Board for any cause may be filled by action of the Board by a person then eligible for nomination under Section 3 above by a majority of the remaining members of the Board. Each Board member so appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the end of the uncompleted term of office they were appointed to fill or until her or his resignation or removal or until their successor becomes incumbent, whichever first occurs.

a. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and places as the Board may determine for the conduct of its business 

b. At the instruction of the Chair, or upon the request of at least one-quarter of the Board then in office, a special meeting of the Board may be called for the specific purpose therein stated at a place and time to be designated by the notice of meeting. The parties requesting a special meeting may elect to conduct the meeting via telephone conference in lieu of a formal meeting for the specific purpose therein on a date and time to be designated by the notice of meeting. 

c. Notice of all meetings of the Board shall be given to all persons entitled to attend the meeting. The notice of meeting shall be given by mail, fax or email to the last known post office address, fax number or email address at least ten (10) days prior to the meetings. In the case of a special meeting, the notice of meeting shall be given at the earliest possible opportunity, and may be given by phone, facsimile or email. Every notice of meeting shall set forth the date, time and format for the meeting and in the case of a special meeting, shall set forth the purpose for which the meeting has been called.

One-quarter of the available members of the Board shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In certain circumstances and with approval of the Chair, individual Board members are authorized to participate in meetings via electronic means or conference call. Any act of a majority of the Board members present and voting at any meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. The Board is also authorized to act by electronic or written consent of a majority of all directors in lieu of a meeting. Electronic or written consent is sufficient if given by that number of directors whose votes in total would be sufficient for the same action taken at a meeting at which all voting members of the Board were present, but only after all board members eligible to vote have received the proposed written consent and had a reasonable time, in the circumstances, to determine whether or not to grant or withhold the consent.

The President of the University and the Chair of the committee of the Trustees of the University then having jurisdiction over alumni relations are ex officio, non-voting members of all committees, with the exception of the Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee and the Governance Committee, of which they are not members.

Any Board member may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by act of a two-thirds majority of the entire Board. The member of the Board being removed may be counted for purposes of a quorum and may make a presentation to the Board, but shall not be present during the Board’s deliberations nor shall they vote on the question of his or her removal.

Any member of the Board may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board or to the Chair. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Any member of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board by telephone conference call or other electronic means that allow for full interactive participation whenever possible. Some exceptions apply and will be communicated in advance of the said meeting.

Any action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting if authorized by the Chair or/their designee.

Any member of the Board who shall fail to participate in three (3) consecutive meetings of the Board, shall be deemed to have vacated their Board seat, and shall be removed from office unless otherwise determined by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Board present at a meeting called for that purpose.

The Chair is responsible for setting the direction and goals, and for executing those goals within the mandate and resources of the CAA. It shall be the duty of the Chair to call and preside at all meetings of the Board, to appoint committee chairs and, after consultation with the chair of each committee, to appoint committee members to committees, to create and appoint ad-hoc committees as they find necessary and convenient for the work of the CAA, and to perform such other duties as may devolve upon them by virtue of the office he or she occupies, or as may be assigned to them by the Board. The Chair is responsible for the overall succession planning and leadership development of the CAA and is a voting member of all committees, with the exception of the Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee and in certain instances, the Honors & Prizes Committee.

The Vice Chairs shall be the second-ranking officers of the CAA and shall assist the Chair under their direction. In the absence or disability of the Chair, the most senior Vice Chair in length of incumbency on the Board shall carry out the responsibilities of the Chair or, if there are more than one Vice Chairs with like incumbency, the President shall act to determine which of the Vice Chairs shall act in case of such absence or disability of the Chair. There must be a minimum of one and not more than three Vice Chairs at any given time. No Vice Chair may have their term extended beyond the two Board Member term limit unless they are the incoming Chair.

The President is appointed by the Senior Alumni and Development Officer of the University and shall normally be the senior official of the central University then in charge of its alumni relations activities. The President is the chief staff officer of the CAA and is the day-to-day liaison with the University. The President is a voting member of all committees, with the exception of the Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee and the Governance Committee, of which he or she is not a voting member.

The Nominating Committee, acting at a reasonable time before any annual meeting of the Board, shall nominate candidates to be Officers of the CAA. Any member of the Board shall have the right to present himself or herself, or another member, to the Nominating Committee and request to be considered for nomination. In addition, any member of the Board shall, by petition of fifty members of the CAA filed with the Nominating Committee at least 90 days before the next annual or special meeting of the Board, be deemed nominated. No person shall be elected to be an Officer unless he or she shall have consented to his or her nomination and has agreed to serve if elected, either electronically or in writing or personally at the annual meeting.

a. Election of the Chair of the CAA shall take place as part of the CAA Electoral Body annual election (or otherwise in the event of exigent or precipitous circumstances as determined by act of the Board). Term of Chair shall be three years and may not be renewed.. If elections are not held in time to replace the Chair at the end of the three-year term due to exigent or precipitous circumstances, the Chair shall remain until the election of the office holder’s successor. 

b. The Chair may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by a two--thirds majority of the entire Board. In the event any Officer is removed from the Board as provided in Article IV, Section 8, that person shall automatically be removed from their office effective the same date and time as their removal from the Board.

 c. The Board is hereby empowered, by majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or in lieu thereof by written consent of a majority of the whole Board, to fill any vacancy of Chair at any time. The individual so appointed shall serve the remainder of the original Chair’s term. 

d. Any Officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Chair. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time of receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

a. Governance Committee. A Governance Committee shall consider and recommend or reject any proposed amendments to the bylaws. Any proposed amendments may be presented at any time during the year and voted upon at any meeting of the Board of the CAA. The Governance Committee also shall advise the Board concerning interpretation of these bylaws and the governance of the CAA upon request of the Board. The Governance Committee will revisit the CAA governing documents on a periodic basis to ensure that the governing documents of the CAA reflect the goals and objectives of the organization. Any changes to the bylaws must be approved by a vote of the Alumni and Development Committee of the University Trustees. Amendments shall be communicated to the general alumni body. 

b. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall be reconstituted and convened on an annual basis to select a slate of candidates of both renewal and newly elected members. The Committee shall include two Trustees/Trustee Emeriti, CAA Chair, CAA President and five members at-large not standing for renewal.

a. Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee (ATNC). The ATNC shall be responsible for identifying and nominating potential alumni trustees (“Alumni Trustees”) to the board of Trustees of the University. The ATNC shall be comprised of one representative from each School of the University, selected by that School’s alumni association or equivalent body, in consultation with the Dean of the School (and any former school of the University’s alumni association or equivalent body, in consultation with the Chair of the CAA, for a twelve-year period after its closure). Each member may serve up to two four-year terms. Chairship of the committee, a two-year term, rotates among the schools in alphabetical order. Members of the ATNC may not be officers or members of the Trustees of the University or the President of the CAA.

 b. Honors and Prizes Committee. The Honors and Prizes Committee shall manage the nomination process for all medals and awards given by the CAA, including the Alumni Medal for Outstanding Service to the University and the Campbell Awards. The Honors and Prizes Committee shall be composed solely of holders of the Alumni Medal for Outstanding Service to the University (i.e. membership is not limited to members of the Board), who serve for up to two three-year terms. All award nominations shall be submitted to the Board for approval. The Committee is also charged with the submission of additional alumni nominations to add to the pool of names for the University Medal for Excellence and honorary doctorates.

 c. Student Leadership Advisory Council (SLAC). The Student Leadership Advisory Council is composed of up to three students from each of Columbia’s 17 Schools and Barnard College and Teachers College. SLAC serves as an advisory group to the CAA Board and collaborates with the Recent Alumni and Student Relations Committee.

a. Associations and Clubs Committee. The Associations and Clubs Committee shall foster relationships among Regional Clubs of the CAA and Shared Interest Groups. With the goal of sharing best practices among Regional Clubs of CAA and Shared Interest Groups, the Associations and Clubs Committee shall support developing Columbia alumni leaders from these communities and providing operational support models and best practices for the benefit of all alumni groups. The Committee shall have the ability to approve the establishment of new Shared Interest Groups and Regional Clubs with the consent of the CAA Chair.

 b. Columbia Alumni Leaders Experience Steering Committee. The Columbia Alumni Leaders Steering Committee shall represent a broad cross-section of Schools and international and domestic alumni constituencies. Its membership shall consist of not fewer than five members of the Board and will include non-Board members. Its work shall include planning the overall weekend theme, leadership programs for the year, assisting with programmatic content, volunteer content and providing significant outreach and engagement support.

 c. Alumni Marketing and Outreach. These Alumni Marketing, Outreach, and Services Committee shall be responsible for strategic planning and advising relating to outreach, engagement, and CAA- provided alumni benefits supporting the work of the Marketing Strategy and Enablement Team and CAA and University Relations teams. This shall include the dissemination of information to individual members, School-based partners, Shared Interest Groups, and RegionalGlobal Clubs for the purposes of the CAA as described in Article II. The Alumni Marketing and Outreach Committee provides counsel and professional expertise towards strategic use of communications channels, including the CAA website, social media, and other platforms for outreach and engagement. 

d. Programs Committee. The Programs Committee shall be responsible for facilitating alumni involvement in University and CAA programs, as well as planning the CAA programs that are not otherwise the responsibility of another committee. The Committee shall assess the feasibility of and benefit derived from CAA programming. The Committee will be responsible for ensuring the connections of alumni to their Schools through CAA programming.

 e. Recent Alumni and Student Relations Committee (RASR). The Recent Alumni and Student Relations Committee, including at least one current undergraduate and one current graduate student, shall advise the CAA on programming to engage recent alumni of the University and facilitate their involvement. The Committee shall work to create meaningful connections between current students and recent graduates and collaborate closely with School-based recent alumni leaders and, when appropriate, student groups to build an ongoing sense of community.

 f. She Opened the Door Committee. She Opened the Door fosters a powerful network of women, whose connection with Columbia broadens their potential and impact in the world both personally and professionally. The committee aims to enlighten, educate, elevate, and empower Columbia women from across the University. 

g. Strategic Planning Committee. The Strategic Planning Committee shall be charged with developing strategies to engage alumni of all Schools with the CAA, and creating connections between alumni and their respective Schools. 

h. CAA Scholarship Committee. The CAA Scholarship Committee is charged with the management of the CAA Scholarship Program, which develops University citizens and future alumni leaders from the ground up through financial support, alumni mentorship, and regular community-building events and programs. Committee members drive fundraising, mentorship, and programming efforts, in addition to providing strategic guidance regarding the development of the program, which officially launched in FY22.

 i. University Senate Alumni Relations Committee. Established as a means of giving the Columbia community a voice in Columbia’s operations, the Senate is the policy-making body of the University. Presided over by the President, the Senate meets monthly during the academic year to hear committee reports, discuss issues, and vote on resolutions. Alumni elect two Senators and have representatives on several Senate committee

The Chair may establish from time to time such ad hoc committees as may appear to further the purposes of the CAA.

The chair of any committee shall have the authority to form subcommittees, with the approval by the Chair, in order to carry out the committee’s mandate.

The Chair shall appoint committee chairs and, after consultation with the CAA staff and when appropriate, the relevant chair, members. Committee chairs shall be voting members of the Board and Committee members shall be members of the CAA. Committee chairs and members serve for a term of three years and may be reappointed for successive terms. With the approval of the Chair, any committee chair may appoint non-voting consultants who need not be members of the CAA.

SECTION 2. Requirements: Organizations wishing to be considered as Shared Interest Groups or Global Clubs shall meet the following criteria:

• Are alumni-driven;
• Have been created to serve the alumni of Columbia University, either in whole or in part, e.g., by School, affinity, region or other shared interest;
• Have a base of support led by a core of committed volunteers;
• Have adopted a constitution, bylaws, or similar written statement of purpose, which has been submitted to the Chair of the CAA for approval
• Have well-defined leadership for purposes of membership on the Board.

Such organization shall submit for approval a request for affiliation to the Associations and Clubs Committee and satisfy that Committee that they are sufficiently viable and serve a sufficiently broad base of alumni to warrant affiliation. Following such approval of the Committee, application shall be submitted to the CAA Chair for approval by the CAA Board. Affiliated status may be revoked, or denied, by a resolution approved by two-thirds of the CAA Board.

A Shared Interest Group or Global Club should not compete with a similar association or club whose membership is substantially overlapping.

The Shared Interest Groups and Global Clubs are listed in Appendix 2 and 4. These lists of approved affiliated organizations may be modified by the Board as specified in Section 3 of this Article VIII above. The office of President of the CAA shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate listing of approved Shared Interest Groups and Regional Clubs and their leadership.

The foregoing provision of this Article IX shall be deemed to be a contract between the CAA and each Board member and officer who serves in such capacity at any time while the bylaws are in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing or any action, suit or proceeding heretofore brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.

Asian Columbia Alumni Association (ACAA) 
Black Alumni Council (BAC) 
CAA Wine Industry Network 
Columbia Alumni Global Sustainability Network
Columbia Arab Alumni Association
Columbia Fiction Foundry
Columbia Pride 
Columbia University Entertainment (CUE) 
Columbia Venture Community (CVC)
Columbia Women’s Business Society Alumnae (CWBSA)
Latino Alumni Association of Columbia University (LAACU) 
Real Estate Network of the Columbia Alumni Association

Alumni Association of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Alumni Association of the Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University Alumni Association for the School of General Studies
College of Dental Medicine Alumni Columbia College Alumni Association
Columbia Engineering School Alumni Association Columbia Law School Alumni Association Columbia University School of Social Work
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association Graduate School of Journalism Alumni Association
Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation Alumni Association School of International and Public Affairs Alumni Association
The School of Nursing Alumni Association of Columbia University School of Nursing and Presbyterian Hospital

Please note: At present, Columbia Business School, Columbia Climate School, School of the Arts, and School of Professional Studies do not have formal alumni associations

DOMESTIC CLUBS

Columbia Alumni Association of Phoenix
Columbia University Club of Northern California
Columbia Alumni Association of San Diego
Columbia University Alumni Association of Southern California (Orange County, SoCal)
Columbia Alumni Association of the Carolinas
Columbia Alumni Association of Colorado
Columbia University Club of Fairfield County
Columbia University Club of Washington, D.C.
Columbia University Club of South Florida (Miami)
Columbia University Club of Southwest Florida (Naples)
Columbia University Club of the Palm Beaches
Columbia University Club of Sarasota
Columbia Club of Atlanta
Columbia Alumni Association of Hawaii
Columbia University Club of Chicago
Columbia Alumni Association of Boston
Columbia Alumni Association of Michigan
Columbia University Alumni Club of Minnesota
Columbia University Club of New Jersey
Columbia Alumni Association of Long Island
Columbia University Club of Westchester County
Columbia Alumni Association of New Orleans
Columbia University Club of Cleveland
Columbia Alumni Association of Portland
Columbia University Club of Philadelphia
Columbia Alumni Association of Pittsburgh
Columbia Alumni Association of Nashville
Columbia Alumni Association of Central Texas (Austin)
Columbia Alumni Association of North Texas (Dallas)
Columbia Alumni Association of San Antonio
Columbia University Club of South Texas (Houston)
Columbia University Club of the Pacific Northwest

INTERNATIONAL CLUBS

Canada
Columbia Alumni Association of Vancouver

Central/South America
Columbia University Alumni Association of Argentina
Columbia University Club of Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, São Paulo)
Columbia Alumni Association of Chile
Columbia University Club of Colombia
Columbia Alumni Association of Lima
Columbia University Alumni Club of Mexico
Columbia Alumni Association of Panama
Columbia Alumni Association of Venezuela

Europe
Columbia Alumni Association of Austria
Columbia University Club of Belgium
Columbia Alumni Association of Cyprus
Columbia University Club of Denmark
Columbia University Alumni Club of France
Columbia University Club of Germany (Berlin, Dusseldorf/Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich)
Columbia University Club of Greece
Columbia Alumni Association of Italy
Columbia University Club of London
Columbia Alumni Association of Luxembourg
Columbia University Club of the Netherlands
Columbia Alumni Association of Poland
Columbia University Club of Spain (Barcelona, Madrid)
Columbia Alumni Association of Sweden
Columbia University Club of Switzerland (Basel, Geneva, Zurich)
Columbia University Alumni of Turkey

Middle East
Columbia Alumni Association of Egypt
Columbia University Alumni Club of Israel
Columbia University Club of Jordan
Columbia Alumni Association of Kuwait
Columbia Alumni Association of Lebanon
Columbia Alumni Association of Qatar
Columbia University Club of Saudi Arabia
Columbia Alumni Association of the U.A.E.

Africa
Columbia Alumni Association of Ethiopia
Columbia Alumni Association of Nairobi
Columbia Alumni Association of Nigeria
Columbia Alumni Association of Morocco
Columbia Alumni Association of South Africa
Columbia Alumni Association of Tunisia

Asia/Pacific
Columbia Association of Australia (Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney)
Columbia Alumni Association of Beijing
Columbia Alumni Association of Guangdong
Columbia University Alumni Association (Hong Kong) Limited
Columbia Alumni Association of India (Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai)
Columbia University Club of Indonesia
Columbia University Alumni Association of Japan
Columbia University Alumni Association of Korea (South)
Columbia Alumni Association of Malaysia
Columbia University Alumni Association of the Philippines
Columbia Alumni Association of Shanghai
Columbia University Club (Singapore)
Columbia University Alumni Association of Taipei
Columbia University Alumni Association of Thailand
Columbia University Club of Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City)

Values
We value equity, collaboration, and openness, and we aspire to create a space hospitable to the diverse intellectual interests of our community. Each member and CAA volunteer has a responsibility to contribute to an environment where every participant feels equally valued.

Volunteer Code of Conduct
The success of the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) depends on our vibrant network of volunteers serving in a variety of roles to build a strong alumni community around the world. Volunteer leaders give life to the mission of the CAA—strengthening connections among alumni worldwide while deepening alumni engagement with the University.

The CAA values its volunteers and works to support our network of committed alumni leaders who share a sense of pride and purpose. This Code of Conduct has been developed to help ensure that the alumni volunteer experiences are meaningful, productive, and safe for all participants.

To be eligible to participate in Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) volunteer opportunities, each volunteer is expected to read and comply with this Alumni Volunteer Code of Conduct.

Each volunteer is also required to comply with the CAA’s Community Standard: CAA commits to supporting and maintaining an accessible and visible community where diversity of identity and thought is respected and celebrated. The participants in all CAA programs, activities, and volunteer opportunities are charged with creating environments where alumni, students, families, faculty, staff, and friends of the University treat each individual and group with collegiality, inclusivity, and respect.

Each CAA volunteer is expected to:

• Serve as an exemplary leader to their fellow Columbia community members
• Partner with fellow volunteers and Columbia University administration to achieve the engagement goals of the CAA
• Foster a diverse and inclusive environment for all alumni volunteers, participants, and constituents
• Conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner to foster a safe, positive, and engaging collaborative environment
• Follow policies governing the use of the Columbia University name, logo, and brand
• Keep open communication with your CAA liaison
• Hold alumnus status (see Article III, Section 1, CAA Bylaws)
• Be in good standing with the University
• Follow all University policies and obey the law
   

Further, Columbia University is committed to providing an environment free from prohibited discrimination and harassment and to fostering a nurturing and vibrant community founded upon the fundamental dignity and worth of all of its members. All employees, students, contractors, and people conducting business with the University are protected from prohibited conduct as outlined in the University’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) Policies & Procedures.

Please note that the University’s EOAA Policies & Procedures govern the conduct of third parties that occurs on any University campus, in connection with University-sponsored programs or activities (including business travel), and/or University-sponsored programs or activities occurring in an online format (e.g., Zoom).

Reporting Violations
The University strongly encourages those who have experienced, witnessed, or become aware of conduct that violates the University’s policies to come forward promptly so that the University can take appropriate steps to prevent such conduct from occurring in the future and to ameliorate its effects.

If you believe that you have been subjected to, witnessed, or have otherwise learned of conduct prohibited by the University’s policies or this Code of Conduct, you can notify the University in any of the following ways:

• By filing an online report with EOAA via the following link
• By contacting EOAA via email at [email protected] or by phone at (212) 854-5511
• By contacting the University’s Title IX Coordinator via email at [email protected] or by phone at (212) 843-1276
   

Additional Resources
Columbia University is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming environment for faculty, staff, students, guests, visitors, and members of the public. Individuals with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact the Office of Disability Services.

Additionally, there are several resources and policies around privacy and data that all volunteers should review as appropriate:

• CAA Mission Statement
• CAA Strategic Plan
• CAA Bylaws
• CAA Regional Club/Shared Interest Group Handbook
• CAA Protocols
• Usage, privacy, and confidentiality of Columbia alumni-related data
• Terms and Conditions for the Online Alumni Community
• Affiliated Global Club or Shared Interest Group approved Bylaws Template
• CAA Licensing Guidelines
• Title IX Policy

Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and support of the CAA and its University-wide alumni community!

CAA COMMUNITY STANDARD

Developed by the Task Force on Belonging, the Community Standard helps define the environment expected when engaging with the alumni community and the standard to which we hope all Columbians aspire.

Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) Community Standard
The Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) commits to supporting and maintaining an accessible and visible community where diversity of identity and thought is respected and celebrated. The participants in all CAA programs, activities, and volunteer opportunities are charged with creating environments where alumni, students, families, faculty, staff, and friends of the University treat each individual and group with collegiality, inclusivity, and respect.