Home > Resources and Services > SIPA Computing > Fees and Access
Fees and Access
All students must have a Columbia University ID with a valid SIPA lab sticker to use SIPA lab facilities. A $160 per semester lab fee is charged on the tuition bill to all SIPA students;
Non-SIPA students must secure guest IDs in order to gain access to the SIPA computer lab during class sessions. Guest IDs will not be available during the first week of classes, but shortly thereafter they will be provided to each registered non-SIPA student. Guest ID’s will allow non-SIPA students to access the SIPA computer lab during class time only. Non-SIPA students will obtain their guest IDs from the SIPA Consultant Desk in 510 IAB.
Non-SIPA students who wish to use the SIPA computer lab outside of regular class/recitation time must pay $160 per semester (payable by check or cash in 510 IAB). Non-SIPA students who choose not to pay this fee should consult their course instructor or TA and the IT office at their own school about any special software required for the course. SIPA IT is not equipped to provide technical support to non-SIPA students who have not paid the $160 per semester fee.
Dual degree students are not charged a fee for using the lab when they are registered at another school. Every semester, the Office of Student Affairs will provide a list of dual-degree students who are not in residence at SIPA to SIPA IT so that they will have access to SIPA computing services. If you require assistance, please contact Dean Leah Barrett at geg41@columbia.edu.
All ID-related transactions are conducted in Room 510 during office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Every effort is made to process all IDs within 3 business days. Faculty must request an ID for use in the SIPA computer lab through the department assistant, Room 1314 IAB.
When users pick up their ID in the SIPA lab, they will receive instructions for logging into the SIPA network. This information should not be shared with anyone. Also, users must log out of the system and observe all the lab rules. Failure to observe these rules can mean unauthorized access to user files and printing credit. Furthermore, we cannot fix any damage done to user files or reimburse you.
All users will have a print credit for 1500 single-sided pages or 3000 double-sided pages of free black and white laser printing per semester during the academic year. Each account is credited after the student has registered at SIPA for the term. Subsequent laser printing can be purchased in increments of 25 pages for $1. The laser fee is $0.04 a page. Color printing is $0.40 a page. Laser IDs and diskettes can also be purchased in the lab during the office hours. Any unused printing balance at the end of each term is nonrefundable and does not carry forward.