Columbia University Travel Definitions
| Type of Travel | Defined As |
|---|---|
| Columbia Sponsored Travel | Travel that is organized and overseen by Columbia University, may be partially funded or arranged by Columbia, may earn academic credit at Columbia, may be coordinated by a Columbia recognized student group, or may be an extension of a faculty or researcher’s professional work. |
| Non-Columbia Sponsored Travel | This refers to personal or independent travel that is not organized, funded, facilitated or officially connected to Columbia University in any way. |
| Domestic Travel | Travel within the continental United States (including travel to and from states within the mainland U.S.). |
| International Travel | Any travel outside the continental United States. |
Columbia Business School Travel Definitions
| Type of Travel | Defined As |
|---|---|
| Trek | A TREK is an approved student-organized event that includes firm visits requiring more than two hours of travel (one way). These trips often offer students the opportunity to explore industries, companies, and markets in different cities or regions. |
| Trip | A TRIP is an approved-student organized event that consists of local/tri-state student club sponsored company visits and/or other sponsored domestic or international travel that is social or academic in nature. |
Approved Domestic Travel
For student organizations who are coordinating official and approved domestic travel as detailed by the definitions and examples above.
For lead organizer/point of contact:
- All official student organization travel must be entered into CampusGroups for OSA approval
- The OSA Student Group Travel Detail form should be completed one month prior to your travel
- Only one form submission is required
For travel participants:
- All individuals participating in officially approved student org travel must complete a travel waiver prior to departure.
- Organizers should contact their OSA advisor to obtain a waiver form copy to be placed in the group's CampusGroups portal.
Approved International Travel
For student clubs who are coordinating official and approved international travel as detailed by the definitions and examples above.
International travel is a multi-level review process that includes both CBS and Columbia University.
For lead organizer/point of contact:
- All official student organization travel must be entered into CampusGroups for OSA approval
- Review Columbia University International Travel Planning guidelines
- All organizers must review ISOS Travel Risk Ratings as this will determine what type of review is necessary
- All approved International travel itinerary and participant information must be submitted through ISOS MyTrips
- The OSA Student Group Travel Detail form should be completed one month prior to your travel
For travel participants:
- All individuals participating in officially approved student org travel must complete a travel waiver prior to departure.
- Organizers should contact their OSA advisor to obtain a waiver form copy to be placed in the group's CampusGroups portal.
- All individuals participating must register their travel in ISOS MyTrips
COMING SOON: International Travel Guide
CBS Student Organization Travel Examples
- Treks
- Case competitions
- Museums
- Sporting Events
- Outdoor Recreation
- Club and/or Cluster Retreats
Student Org Travel Finance Needs
Travel expenses can only be booked and submitted for official Columbia University travel.
Never pay for travel costs prior to approval.
Approved treks can leverage club budgets to partially cover expenses (travel, food, etc.), receive full CMC support including industry connections, itinerary assistance, and on-site help, and gain promotion on official CBS channels like CampusGroups.
Treks take place throughout the academic year, typically on weekends or during school breaks. Treks must be planned during approved programming dates and cannot take place during blackout periods (e.g., major academic events, exams, certain holidays).
With prior approval from OSA and CMC, treks may occur during:
- Fall Break (Election Day)
- Winter Break
- Spring Break
Trek Support Team
- OSA: Your OSA Advisor can assist with:
- Trek planning to ensure your club is planning within approved programming dates and times as well as avoiding blackout periods
- Assistance with student travel procedures
- CMC: Your CMC Advisor can assist with:
- Support with company relationship experts
- CMC Advisor participation
- Trek planning itineraries
- FPO: Your FPO Partner can assist with:
- Travel costs (hotel, taxi/uber/lyft, flights, etc.)
- Contract processing for on-site dinners
Approved Trek Benefits
All treks must be approved by OSA & CMC to be considered official
- Approved treks can use club budgets to help supplement trek expenses (travel, food, etc.) in accordance with financial policies and procedures
- Approved treks can receive complete support through CMC that includes company connections, itinerary building support, and on-site assistance
- Approved treks can be promoted via official CBS communication channels such as CampusGroups
Trek Approval Process
- Fall 2026 & January 2027 Treks
- Spring 2027 Treks
- Due Friday, October 2, 2026
- Click to access Trek application
- Spring 2027 interviews to be announced
- Early applications are encouraged, especially for large or international treks
Trek Planning Resources
Club officers are required to submit the Post-Trek Debrief form within one week of the trek being completed. It will ask for information that can be used in preparation of future treks.