Alumni - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As a new registrant or long time user of theLoop, we know that you are bound to have a question or two that hasn’t been answered by info found within the site. So we’ve compiled a whole host of FAQs that will hopefully settle your quandary. And, just in case you have a “Q” that we don’t have an “A” for, post a message on the Message Board. We promise to answer your question and consider adding it to one of the categories below.

Logging In

Q: This is my first time to the site. How do I obtain a new username and password?
A: Visit theLoop, your alumni online community, at www.colum.edu/alumni and select “Haven’t registered yet?” The system will ask for your last name, your first name, and your date of birth.

Correct: 2/2/1986

Incorrect: 02/02/1986, 02/02/86, or Feb. 2, 1986

Q: The system does not recognize my birthday. What do I do?
A: If the system does not recognize your birthday, it is probably because we do not have it in our database. In order for us to upload it, you will need to send an email with your full name, grad year, and date of birth (DOB) to alumni@colum.edu. Once your DOB is uploaded, you should be able to login within 1 business day.

Q: I am revisiting the site. How do I log in?
A: From theLoop homepage, enter your username and password (which were provided when you registered) in their appropriate fields.

Q: I forgot my username or password…what should I do?
A: If you forgot your username or password, don’t fret. From theLoop homepage, click on Forgot your username or Forgot your password. The system will ask for your email address and automatically send you your username or password.

Alumni Services

Q: What is an Alumni Card and how do I get one?
A: An alumni card is available to all of our CAAN members. With an alumni card you can gain access to on-campus facilities such as the library, the open computer laboratories, and the health facility at Roosevelt University. Other benefits and partner discounts may become available and can be added or withdrawn without notification. You must present a valid government issued ID with your alumni card to utilize on campus services. To obtain an alumni card, please send an email to alumni@colum.edu or call 312-344.7934.

Q: How can I view the Career Resources that are available to alumni?
A: TheLoop hosts several valuable career resources, including Columbia Works (our free online job board), an online directory, a schedule of our monthly networking meetings, and more. Follow the Alumni Services link and select Career Services to view all of the resources available to you.

Q: What additional benefits are provided for alumni?
A: In addition to career resources, there are other benefits for alumni, including short term health care after graduation, home and auto insurance, discounts at a variety of restaurants, theatres, museums, and more! For a complete list of benefits please visit the Alumni Services page.

Q: What are the benefits of the Alumni Online Directory?
A: The Alumni Online Directory is a feature that will allow you to keep in contact with more than 70,000 of your fellow alumni. We highly encourage the use of the directory as a career resource tool, for personal and professional networking and for college-related activities.

Q: How do I search for alumni?
A: Follow the Search the Directory link in the navigation column to the right to search for alumni. A “simple search” will allow you to search for alums by entering a first or last name, class year, or company name. Follow the “Advanced Search” link for more search options, such as degree, major, student organization involvement, and more.

Q: I purchased an Alumni Print Directory. When will another one be published?
A: We contract this service every 3-5 years. To search for alumni please utilize our Online Directory that we continually update with the most recent information.

Q: What is email forwarding?
A: Email forwarding allows you to set up a permanent Columbia email address that will forward messages to your existing email account. It is a terrific way to stay in contact with the college and your fellow alumni as you move, change jobs, or email accounts.

Q: How can I set up an email forwarding account?
A: Once logged in to theLoop, you can set up a permanent alumni email account by following the My Settings link on the bottom right side of the page. From there, click the Email Forwarding link to create a Columbia College email account. All incoming emails will then be sent to a forwarding address of your choice. Your email account will be good for as long as you keep it updated with your current email address.

Q: How often do you send out emails?
A: The national email blast is sent out once a month. Regional CAAN emails are sent out once a month, or to announce or remind about events. The number of emails will increase around Manifest and the Alumni Reunion Weekend, our two largest events of the year. To edit your email preferences, please visit My Settings page and click on Email Settings. There you can select the particular emails you want to receive.

My Info

Q: How can I update my biographical and contact information?
A: To update your bio or contact information, click on My Profile. From there, select the "Edit Your Bio" link near the top of the page next to your name. Across the top of this page is a selection of tabs. Click on a tab to edit the info within it (you may need to scroll down the page a little bit for the content to be visible). For example, click “Home Contact” to edit your street address or email address.
NOTE: Please be sure to click “Save and Continue” at the bottom of the page after making any changes within each tab.

Q: I have updated my mailing address, but I am not receiving emails that contain information for alums in my new town/city. How can I do that?
A: Once logged in, click My Settings on the bottom right hand side. From there follow the Email Settings link. This will open the "Manage my e-mail settings" page where you can select the kinds of email communications that you would like to receive.

Q: How do I upload photos on the “My Bio” page?
A: After logging in, on the right hand side towards the bottom is a My Profile link. There will be an icon with the words “ADD A PHOTO!” on it. Instructions will lead you through the process of uploading pictures to your bio page. Photos must be less than 300K in size, no wider than 500 pixels and in a JPEG or GIF format.

To add a photo album, follow the instructions from above and click right above the icon on “Edit Photo Album” above your bio page photo. From there, follow the instructions on how to add a photo album and how to edit one that currently exists.

Q: Who has access to my bio information?
A: Your information is available only to other alums that have logged in and Columbia alumni administrators. The alumni directory is password protected and is not accessible to the general public.

Q: How do I keep my biographical and contact information private?
A: To make information public (viewable) or private (hidden) please click on “Edit Your Bio” near the top of the My Profile page next to your name. This will open the “Edit Your Bio” page.
Across the top of this page is a selection of tabs. Click on a tab to edit the info within it (you may need to scroll down the page a little bit for the content to be visible). For example, click “Home Contact” to edit your street address or email address. If you do not want your information to be public, please make sure that the check box to the left of the content is NOT checked. If a box is checked, the content next to it will appear on your Bio page. You may check as many or as few boxes in any of the tabs that you see on your “Edit My Info” page.
Note: Please be sure to click “Save and Continue” at the bottom of the page after making any changes within each tab.

Getting Involved

Q: What is CAAN?
A: CAAN is an acronym for the Columbia Alumni Association & Network. It was put together to help organize and unite Columbia's 70,000-plus alumni. The goals of each chapter reflect the interests and desires of the individuals who become involved, work to support scholarships, provide mentorship, welcome young alumni, organize networking events, and more. To find the CAAN Chapter nearest you, please visit CAAN/Alumni Chapters.

Q: How do I join CAAN?
A: Great news, you’re already a member of CAAN! Being an alum of Columbia automatically makes you a part of the association without filing any documents or paying any fees. However, to take full advantage of the benefits offered to CAAN members, you will need to obtain an alumni card. (Please see: What is an Alumni Card and how do I get one?)

Q: How much does it cost to join the Columbia Alumni Association & Network?
A: Membership in CAAN is free! (Prior to 2005, membership in the Alumni Association was $40 a year!) You may be asked to purchase tickets to events or to support your local chapter. These fees are necessary to cover the costs of the events, speakers, performers, etc.

Q: How do I become more involved?
A: Checking out the alumni webpage and participating in alumni events as often as you can is the first step. We are always eager to have alums help out in any way shape or form with upcoming events. Check out the Giving to Columbia page to see how you can share your time, talent, or treasure! This is a growing organization, we need your help!

Q: I want to connect with alumni in my area but there’s no chapter nearby. What can I do?
A: If you are thinking of starting up an alumni chapter in your area, we'll be happy to assist you. Just send an email to Josh Culley-Foster, the National Director of Alumni Relations, at jculleyfoster@colum.edu.

Q: I received mail from one of Columbia’s vendors! What’s up with that?
A: Columbia’s office of Alumni Relations has partnered with a select number of reputable partners to offer you valuable services at a discounted rate. To notify you of these services, our partners have sent out information concerning these offers. Supporting our partners contributes to improving alumni programming and student scholarships.

If you would like your name removed from our partner mailing list please send an email to alumni@colum.edu and request “no vendor/partner solicitations” in the email body. You will still continue to receive Demo Magazine and event invitations.

Giving to Columbia

Q: How do I give online?
A: Logon to www.colum.edu/giving. Here you can give online to select accounts with any sized gift.

Q: What is the Alumni Scholarship Fund?
A: Founded by an alumni board in 2003, the Alumni Scholarship Fund gives yearly scholarships to current juniors and seniors to allow them to complete their degrees. To learn more please visit the Alumni Scholarship Fund Page.

Q: What is the Presidents Club?
A: The President’s Club is Columbia’s most prestigious giving society, recognizing gifts to the college of $1,000 or more per year. President Club members receive special invitations to Columbia’s most exclusive events and VIP opportunities including celebrity receptions and behind the scenes tours.

Q: How do I join the President’s Club?
A: By giving $1,000 or more per year to any area or scholarship at Columbia College you will be recognized as a President Club member. Please contact Kim Clement at kclement@colum.edu or 312-344-7084 for more information.

Cool Stuff

Q: What is SEEN?
A: SEEN is a webpage full of photographs from past and present events in the Alumni world. Check it out - you might be in one of the photographs!

Q: How do I upload videos?
A: After logging in, on the right hand side there will be a link called The Channel. This page will direct you to a set of instructions for how to upload multiple videos. If your flash player is not up to date, it will ask you to upgrade by installing the newer version.

Q: I love Columbia! How can I show my pride?
A: We love Columbia too! So we’ve created a few stylish screensavers and desktops to deck out your computer Columiba-style. If you are more interested in decking out your body or your desk, take a look at the bookstore online!

Q: What is Buy: By Columbia?
A: We feel that it is important to highlight and support the work of those of us in the Columbia College community. Buy: By Columbia includes books and movies created by Columbia alumni and faculty. Please support their work! Please note: Currently we can only highlight works on Amazon.com. To highlight your own website or product links please utilize your Bio page or post a class note or classified ad on theLoop.

Q: My work is listed on Amazon.com and I would like it added to the Columbia list. How do I do that?
A: Please send an email to jculleyfoster@colum.edu with all of the following:

The amazon.com URL
Your name, grad year, and dept.
Your role in the work (i.e author, editor, cinematographer, etc.) The posting will join the list within 48 hours.

Demo Magazine

Q: What is Demo Magazine?
A: Demo Magazine is the official publication for alumni and friends of CCC. It is published 3 times a year.

Q: How do I subscribe to Demo Magazine?
A: Please submit the Demo Magazine subscription form. We will include you on future mailings of the magazine.

Q: How is content selected for Demo Magazine?
A: Story ideas are considered by the Demo editorial staff, and promising ideas are taken to an editorial advisory committee for review and discussion. In its content selection, Demo strives for a vibrant mix of stories about alumni, faculty and staff, and student life; college history; events; alumni news; and original artwork. Content within the Class Notes section is collected from the Class Notes section on theLoop. So if you want it in print, post your note online!

Q: How do I obtain past issues of Demo?
A: The content, plus extended features of each issue of DEMO are republished online at www.colum.edu/demo. Limited supply of each issue may be available if you require a paper issue. Please contact demo@colum.edu to request availability.

Ideas, questions, and comments are encouraged at demo@colum.edu.

The Staff

Q: Who are the people behind the scenes of the Alumni Relations Office?
A: Josh Culley-Foster is the National Director of Alumni Relations, Michelle Passarelli is the Director of Alumni Operations, and Cynthia Vargas is the Director of Alumni Programming and Chapter Development--all three are based out of Chicago. Sarah Schroeder is the Director of Alumni Relations, West Coast, and is based out of Los Angeles. Together, this outstanding team works on events, CAAN chapter development, and much more! To find out more, visit on the Contact Us page.