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Home > Working at Columbia > New Officers and Support Staff Checklist

New Officers and Support Staff Checklist

Welcome to Columbia

Congratulations on becoming a new member of the Columbia community. You are joining the diverse group of people who make the University great.

Please use this checklist to make sure all necessary tax forms and benefits elections are complete as you start your new position.

Step-by-Step Checklist for Officers and Support Staff:

  1. Employment Eligibility:
    • On or before your first day of work, you need to complete Section 1 of the I-9 Form.
    • Within 3 business days of your start date, visit an I-9 Service Center to complete Form I-9, Section 2. Remember to bring the appropriate original documents with you, as listed in Section 1 of the I-9 online.
  2. Taxation: Fill out your W-4 form (PDF) and give it to your hiring manager.
  3. Computing: Work with your hiring manager to obtain and activate a UNI, your Columbia computing account.
  4. Identification Cards: Get a University ID card. Please know that some locations require additional building identification cards; see your supervisor for guidance.
  5. Benefits Eligibility: You will receive a benefits enrollment kit on or before your start date.
    The benefits enrollment kit provides information on electing your medical, dental, and retirement plan benefits. If you do not receive the kit by your start date, be sure to ask either the person who hired you, or your HR Departmental Administrator (DA), for a copy. Note that if you are a part-time employee you may be eligible for certain benefits but will not receive this enrollment kit. Casual employees are not eligible for benefits at Columbia.
    You must elect your Benefits within 31 days of your start date.
    • Read the appropriate Benefits in Brief to learn about your options. You will receive a printed copy of this booklet in the enrollment kit.
      There are four versions of Benefits in Brief; if you misplace your copy and are not sure which group you belong to, ask your supervisor:
      • Benefits in Brief for Officers 2009 (PDF)
      • Benefits in Brief for Local 2110 and Non-Union Support Staff 2009 (PDF)  
      • Benefits in Brief for SSA and TWU 2009 (PDF)
      • Benefits in Brief for Local 100, 32B-32J, 1199, MEBA & MM&P 2009 (PDF)
    • Log in with your UNI and password to the CU Online Benefits Enrollment System and make your benefits elections. 
      You may call the HR Benefits Service Center at 212-851-7000 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, if you have any questions about electing your benefits.
  6. Orientation: As soon as possible after your first day of work, attend an orientation to learn more about the University and the benefits in which you can enroll. Be sure to bring your benefits enrollment kit, if you are eligible for benefits:
  7. Direct Deposit Online: You can sign up to directly deposit your pay into your savings account, checking account, or both, by logging into the myColumbia portal with your UNI and password. Please see the Direct Deposit Instructions to learn more.
  8. Sign up for Text Message Notifications, if you would like to receive them. Text messages sent to cell phones will be used in rare cases when a very brief message can be sent. Some possible scenarios for choosing to send a text message include weather emergencies, major transit interruptions and campus closures. The University also will continue to use email, phone and in-person communications.
  9. Working at Columbia: Once you have started work, we recommend you refer to Working at Columbia, the HR guide to life at the University and in the neighborhood.