Student Org Travel Overview
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. |
CBS Student Organization Approved Travel Examples
- Treks
- Case competitions
- Museums
- Sporting Events
- Outdoor Recreation
- Club and/or Cluster Retreats
Registering Your Student Org Travel
Approved Domestic Travel
All official student organization travel as detailed by the definitions and examples above must be entered into your CampusGroups student organization portal for OSA review and approval.
Note that treks must be approved prior through the trek application process.
For Lead Organizer/Point of Contact of Approved Domestic Travel
No Later Than One Month Prior to Departure Date
- All official student organization travel must be entered into your CampusGroups student organization portal for OSA review and approval.
- The OSA Student Group Travel Detail form should be completed by the lead organizer.
No Later Than Two Weeks Prior to Departure Date
- Ensure that all individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel completes a travel waiver prior to departure.
- Organizers should contact their OSA club advisor to obtain a waiver form copy to be placed in the group's CampusGroups portal.
- Participants may not travel without a submitted waiver.
- If students are found to be traveling without a signed waiver, the sponsoring student organization will be sanctioned and may not be able to organize travel in the future.
- Ensure that all individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel submit their contact information and travel itinerary into Crisis24.
- Click here for Crisis24 Registration FAQs, Instructions and App Download information.
- If students are found to be traveling without Crisis24 registration, the sponsoring student organization will be sanctioned and may not be able to organize travel in the future.
For Travel Participants of Approved Domestic Travel
No Later Than Two Weeks Prior to Departure Date
- All individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel complete a travel waiver prior to departure.
- Organizers are responsible for obtaining a waiver from their OSA club advisor to be placed in the group/s CampusGroups portal.
- Participants may not travel without a submitted waiver.
- If students are found to be traveling without a signed waiver, the sponsoring student organization will be sanctioned and may not be able to organize travel in the future.
- All individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel submit their contact information and travel itinerary into Crisis24.
- Click here for Crisis24 Registration FAQs, Instructions and App Download information.
- If students are found to be traveling without Crisis24 registration, the sponsoring student organization will be sanctioned and may not be able to organize travel in the future.
Approved International Travel
All official student organization travel as detailed by the definitions and examples above must be entered into your CampusGroups student organization portal for OSA review and approval.
Note that treks must be approved prior through the trek application process.
International travel is a multi-level review process that includes both CBS and Columbia University. The review process is determined by the Crisis24 security or health risks for your destination. Click here to see the most up to date country risk ratings.
Please note that student organizations are prohibited from planning travel to countries with a High or Extreme Travel Risk Rating. Student organization travel is also prohibited to countries currently subject to CU Travel Restrictions.
For Lead Organizer/Point of Contact of Approved International Travel
No Later Than Three Months Prior to Departure Date
- Review Crisis24 Country Risk Ratings to ensure your organization is following the correct process.
- Note: Risk ratings may change at any time and may have an impact on travel planning. It is the responsibility of trip and trek leaders to have the most up to date information.
- All official student organization travel must be entered into your CampusGroups student organization portal for OSA review and approval.
- The OSA Student Group Travel Detail form should be completed by the lead organizer.
No Later Than Two Weeks Prior to Departure Date
- Review Crisis24 Country Risk Ratings to ensure your organization is following the correct process.
- Note: Risk ratings may change at any time and may have an impact on travel planning. It is the responsibility of trip and trek leaders to have the most up to date information.
- Ensure that all individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel completes a travel waiver prior to departure.
- Organizers should contact their OSA club advisor to obtain a waiver form copy to be placed in the group's CampusGroups portal.
- Participants may not travel without a submitted waiver.
- If students are found to be traveling without a signed waiver, the sponsoring student organization will be sanctioned and may not be able to organize travel in the future.
- Ensure that all individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel submit their contact information and travel itinerary into Crisis24.
- Click here for Crisis24 Registration FAQs, Instructions and App Download information.
- If students are found to be traveling without Crisis24 registration, the sponsoring student organization will be sanctioned and may not be able to organize travel in the future.
For Travel Participants of Approved International Travel
- All individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel complete a travel waiver prior to departure.
- Organizers are responsible for obtaining a waiver from their OSA club advisor to be placed in the group/s CampusGroups portal.
- Participants may not travel without a submitted waiver.
- If students are found to be traveling without a signed waiver, the sponsoring student organization will be sanctioned and may not be able to organize travel in the future.
- All individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel submit their contact information and travel itinerary into Crisis24.
- Click here for Crisis24 Registration FAQs, Instructions and App Download information.
- If students are found to be traveling without Crisis24 registration, the sponsoring student organization will be sanctioned and may not be able to organize travel in the future.
Student Org Travel Toolkit
Pre-Departure Travel Checklist
For Leader Organizer/Point of Contact
- Schedule time with your OSA advisor and/or CMC liaison(s) one week prior to your departure date to review the final trip itinerary.
- Ensure that all trip participants have downloaded the Crisis24 app
- Ensure that all trip participants have submitted waivers
- Ensure that you have a group chat created for your trip with all attending participants
- Ensure you have the CBS Public Safety phone number accessible in the rare event of an emergency
- You can obtain this from your OSA advisor.
Crisis24 Information
Columbia University provides all travelers with 24/7 emergency support through Crisis24 for approved officially sponsored travel. Whether you're facing a medical emergency, security concern, or logistical challenge while traveling, Crisis24 connects you with worldwide assistance in three convenient ways: by phone, through their website, or via the Horizon App.
- All individuals participating in officially approved student organization travel submit their contact information and travel itinerary into Crisis24.
- Click here for Crisis24 Registration FAQs, Instructions and App Download information.
- All Columbia University affiliates traveling internationally on approved officially sponsored travel have health insurance for emergent illness and injury while abroad. This insurance is provided at no cost to the traveler via Zurich. No additional steps are required to sign-up for this coverage once travel is approved and the required information is submitted as indicated above. Click here to review additional information regarding insurance abroad.
Student Org Travel Finance Needs
General Student Travel Information & Registration
- Travel expenses can only be booked and submitted for official Columbia University travel.
- Review Student Travel information and access domestic & international registration forms
- All official student organization travel must be entered into CampusGroups for OSA approval.
- Never pay for travel costs prior to approval.
Click here for information regarding booking hotels, flights and ground transportation.
Student Trek Planning
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
Post-Trek Debrief
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.