Morningside Campus Access Levels

Current Campus Access Status Level: "I" - ID Only

Campus open to active affiliate Columbia University ID (CUID) holders and approved guests only 

Columbia students, faculty, and staff can use the guest registration portal to register up to two same-day guests. Alumni can use the portal to register for campus same-day access as well. Learn more below. 

Current Access Points to Campus

The following gates are available 24/7 (except where noted) only to active Columbia affiliates with a valid CUID, registered alumni, and approved guests. 

• 116th St. and Broadway – 24/7 access 
• 116th St. and Amsterdam – 24/7 access 
• Wien Gate (116th St. between Amsterdam and Morningside Drive) – 24/7 Access
• Earl Gate (117th St. and Broadway) – Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Northwest Corner Building, 120th Street and Broadway (CUID swipe access Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; alumni and guest QR codes not available at this entrance)

CUID holders registered with the University for campus accommodations have swipe access into accessible building entrances at the campus perimeter. For questions regarding access please contact Public Safety at [email protected]. 

Guest Access

The guest registration portal is available for the entire campus community to request guest access at the Morningside campus: 

• All guest requests should be submitted directly through the guest registration portal.
• Columbia students, faculty, and staff can register up to two same-day guests using the guest registration portal. 
• Guest requests of more than two people must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. the evening prior to the date of access. 
• Requests can include multi-guest registrations and multiple days. Use the "Register Multiple Guests" tab at the top of the guest registration portal to access these features. 
• When approval is needed, the process has been substantially streamlined to prevent delays and reduce administrative workload. 
• We are working to expand the guest registration portal to our affiliated institutions, including Barnard and Teachers College. 
• "Help Gates" are available at Broadway and 116th and at Amsterdam and 116th to help with exceptional access needs, including guests who do not have QR codes, have a non-functional QR code, or are without valid CUID. 

Alumni Access

Alumni visiting campus may use the online campus registration portal (UNI and password required) to register for same-day access to the Morningside campus. Don’t know your UNI or password? Follow instructions from the Columbia Alumni Center for help. 

Once on campus, alumni can use their Community CUID to access libraries. Alumni who wish to apply for a Community CUID can find instructions on the Libraries’ website. Alumni with a Community CUID still need to complete the registration form ahead of their visit and have a QR code to enter campus.  

Please note: Morningside campus access registration is not available to graduates of Barnard College, Teachers College, and Jewish Theological Seminary. Alumni of Columbia’s 17 schools may register themselves for campus access but are not able to register guests at this time.

Visit the Alumni website for information about campus access and other alumni benefits. 

Building Access

CUIDs are required to access buildings at the Morningside campus. Buildings are operating at normal hours. Note, the International Affairs Building (IAB) will continue to lock at 11:00 p.m. on weeknights after Lehman Library closes and will reopen in the morning at its normally scheduled time. If you require urgent access during restricted hours, please contact Public Safety at 212-854-2797.