Applications to join the Columbia Political Union (CPU) for the Spring 2023 semester are currently open! Founded in 1935, we seek to serve as the center of politics on campus. We strive to continue Columbia University's status as one of the nation's best schools to study and take part in politics. We organize a wide array of speaking events, student and faculty panels, lively debates, fundraisers, civic engagement campaigns, and anything else which furthers our mission.

 

CPU committee members are assigned to one of CPU's initiative committees (Civic Scholars, Debating Union, Local Elections, Polling, ReachOut, Speaker Series). They work with the CPU Executive Board and their Initiative Director to plan, coordinate, and publicize their initiative. Committee members come from diverse academic and extracurricular backgrounds, and are not required to have previous experience in politics. CPU Committees require approximately 2-5 hrs/wk of time commitment, and committee members must ensure they stay in regular communication with E-Board and their Initiative Director.

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CPU general body members attend three or more CPU events a semester, including but not limited to general body meetings, speaker events, debates, and cosponsored events with other groups on campus. CPU general body members receive regular communications about CPU programming and opportunities to volunteer and/or participate in CPU initiatives. CPU general body members also receive access to CPU's Slack community of 150+ politically engaged students on campus, including a channel with opportunities in politics (internships, scholarships, research, etc.) and a forum to advertise their own clubs, events, etc.

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The deadline to apply is Friday, January 27th at 11:59pm. Applicants will receive an update on their applications by Monday, January 30th. For questions or concerns, please email the Columbia Political Union Executive Board at cpu@columbia.edu, or follow us on Instagram @columbiapoliticalunion.