Pay Practices

Pay Days

Officers are paid on the last working day of each month for the entire month’s work. This pay practice is in effect through June 30, 2009. On July 1, 2009, all University Officers of instruction, research, administration, the libraries and student officers will be converted to a semi-monthly pay frequency. However, stipend and fellowship payments will not change, and will continue to be paid monthly. Read the FAQ about the Officer pay frequency change.

Support staff and casual employees are generally paid every second Friday for the previous two-week period. Some service, maintenance, and dining service employees are paid weekly.

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Check Cashing

Web: http://finance.columbia.edu/controller/payroll/payroll_van.html

The Payroll Check Cashing Van comes to the Morningside Campus. Employees may cash their payroll checks upon presentation of a valid Columbia University Identification card. The Payroll Van is located between the Dodge Physical Fitness Center and Havemeyer Hall. You can reach this area by entering the gate on Broadway and 119th Street or by going down the steps leading to Dodge Gym and, turning left, continuing down the outer staircase.

At Harlem Hospital, check cashing takes place every other Friday (on payday) from 9–10 am.

A payroll window is located in the Harlem Hospital Koontz Pavilion (the K Building).

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Direct Deposit

Human Resources Processing Center (HRPC)

615 West 131st Street, 4th Floor, MC 8702
Telephone: (212) 851-2888
Contact the HRPC Help Desk
Web: http://finance.columbia.edu/

For information about viewing your pay statements online, click here. 

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U.S. Savings Bonds

Payroll Accounting

615 West 131st Street, 4th Floor, MC 8742
Telephone: (212) 851-2830

You may authorize the University to apply a part of your salary toward the purchase of U.S. Savings Bonds, which will be mailed to your home. Contact Payroll Accounting for an application. 

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Pay Advances

Human Resources Processing Center (HRPC)

615 West 131st Street, 4th Floor, MC 8702
Telephone: (212) 851-2888
Contact the HRPC Help Desk
Web: http://finance.columbia.edu/

Officers may request a vacation pay advance, equal to one month’s net salary prior to vacation, by submitting a Salary Pay Advance Form to the HRPC. Such requests may be made only once a year. Advances for reasons other than vacation can be made only in extraordinary circumstances, once a year and with the written recommendation of the officer’s departmental administrator, dean, or vice president. These requests must also be submitted in writing to the HRPC.

Support staff should consult the appropriate collective bargaining agreement for the guidelines regarding vacation pay advances.

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Salary Increases

Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements receive wage increases in accordance with the provisions of their respective agreements.

For other employees, your salary and job performance are typically reviewed once a year by your supervisor or department head. Quality and quantity of work, changes in level of responsibility, interest, attendance, and cooperation are among the factors considered in a performance review.

Salary increases are based on your performance and on University and departmental budget allocations. All salaries for officers of instruction are subject to review by the relevant dean, department chair, or vice president, as well as by the Office of the Provost on the Morningside Campus or the Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences at Columbia University Medical Center.

Salary review for all officers typically occurs before July 1 of each year. Support staff members not covered by a collective bargaining agreement generally have salary reviews on the anniversary date of their hire or last promotion.

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