Activate Your UNI
Your UNI (University Network ID) is the login name and password you will use to access many online services at Columbia University. Your UNI is also the first part of your official Columbia email address.
To find your UNI details, please login to your application status portal and find the box in the top right corner.
To activate your UNI, visit http://uni.columbia.edu and select “Activate UNI or Email.” Then, follow the on-screen instructions. Once you have successfully activated your UNI, you can access secure online applications, including student services information, CourseWorks, online library resources, and much more.
Purchase Laptop Computer
Every student is required to have a laptop computer. You must have this computer before Orientation starts, and bring it to all class days.
Which laptop is right for you is a highly personal choice. However, regardless of the computer you use at the School, in order to receive support from ITG and have an appropriate system for your classes, it must meet a few minimum requirements (for both hardware and software).
Please take a few minutes to provide us with information regarding the laptop that you intend to use for CBS by taking a brief survey. Upon completing your survey, you will immediately receive a personalized report confirming whether your laptop meets the School’s minimum computing requirements. To complete the survey, you will need the following information:
- Manufacturer of your laptop
- Model #
- Operating system
- Processor
- Memory
- Free hard drive space
For help finding your Windows laptop's hardware specifications see this 1 min video. For help finding your Mac laptop's hardware specifications see this 1 min video. Once you have jotted down your intended laptop’s information, please submit your computing profile through a 2-minute survey:
Important note for Mac users: During your time at Columbia Business School, some courses will require you to use software that only runs in Windows. Thus, if you intend to purchase a new laptop for your studies at CBS, the School highly recommends that you purchase a computer that already runs Windows natively (not a Mac). Many students who have chosen to purchase a Mac prior to CBS have later regretted the choice because they ended up using Windows more than anticipated, and Windows virtualized in a Mac never performs as well as if it were ran natively (e.g., the OS is slower and more prone to glitches, and there is a learning curve for the keyboard, etc.). For these reasons, we recommend that anyone who has to purchase a laptop to meet the School’s minimum computing requirements selects a native Windows machine.
Ordering a Laptop
ITG has arranged vendor offers with Dell that are based on Columbia University's volume discount. Please order your laptop as soon as possible to ensure a timely arrival. Unless you walk into a computer store and buy a laptop right off the shelf, you will need to allow ample time for the computer to be delivered.
We strongly recommend that you order at least a month prior to Orientation. The definition of "ample time" will depend on the computer you want, when you order it (the closer it gets to "back to school" time, the longer the wait will be), and what the manufacturer's supply chain is like (shortages of parts are not uncommon in the computer industry).
ITG New Student Configuration
These steps MUST be completed before Orientation
The Information Technology Group (ITG) would like to remind you that in order to gain access to the CBS network, obtain electronic course materials, email, print, and access many other computing resources that are essential to your academic success, you will need to configure your accounts and laptop for use at the School.
A list of minimum requirements for hardware and software is available using this link: https://business.columbia.edu/itg/students/laptopoptions/requirements
ITG has developed a website that enables you to perform the Configuration on your own. If you own a native Windows laptop, you will be able to do this at your leisure and you do not need to be on campus. However, Configuration is required and must be completed as soon as possible. Configuration takes 1-5 hours, depending on your computer - you do not have to do it all at once.
To access the ITG New Student Configuration please visit the following website: https://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/stupcconfig/.
If you have any questions or have issues completing this task, please contact ITG Student Support at [email protected], or at (212) 854-3730.
Download the Poll Everywhere App
Poll Everywhere is the in-class polling system that you will use during your time at CBS. Your professors' polls may be used to measure your participation and for attendance!
Peer-reviewed literature on pedagogical methods in college teaching suggests strongly that the use of active response systems in lecture settings increases student engagement and improves learning.
You will be able to use the app on a smartphone or any browser. Please download the Poll Everywhere App by visiting https://www.polleverywhere.com/mobile.
During Orientation, you will be guided through the process of logging in and using the app.
Install the Proctorio Extension for the Chrome Browser
Proctorio is a remote proctoring service licensed by Columbia University, and employed during exam administration.
Exams at CBS require that students:
- Install the Proctorio Chrome web browser extension
- Access the exam in Canvas via the Chrome web browser
- Participate in the exam from a computer with video and audio enabled.
A student will not be able to begin their exam if any of these three items is not complete.
Please download the Proctorio extension for your Chrome browser by visiting https://getproctorio.com/.
Leading up to your first exam at CBS, you will receive more information about the exam-taking environment.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact ITG Student Support at [email protected], or at (212) 854-3730.