About Us

Our Community

As a progressive think tank, we analyze problems and discuss pragmatic policy solutions. We host weekly discussions on a diverse range of policy issues, ranging from nuclear energy to urban policy to school choice. Most importantly, discussions are designed to engage everyone irrespective of previous knowledge on the subject. Fact sheets are provided at the beginning of each meeting and knowledgeable Center Directors facilitate each discussion. At the end of every meeting, members may choose to share some final thoughts on their ideal policy action.

Our Impact

In addition to weekly meetings, the Columbia Policy Institute also provides more focused opportunities for members. We are organized into six policy centers that work on yearly and semesterly initiatives. Examples of previous initiatives include the 2021 Economic Recovery Policy Hackathon, a successful student-led movement to include carbon neutrality in Columbia’s 2020 Sustainability Plan, and a successful campaign to pressure Barnard into terminating its contract with Aramark, a dining services provider guilty of numerous human rights violations.

Your Voice

Every year we publish the Columbia Policy Journal, our organization’s policy journal. All Roosevelt members are highly encouraged to write a piece for the Journal for a center of their choosing. Policy pieces are typically written over winter break and edited during the spring semester. Policy-writing experience is not required nor expected, and most authors do not have any experience prior to writing for the Journal. We provide policy-writing workshops, and writers work closely with experienced Center Directors throughout the writing process.