In the spirit of using NSOP to recruit bright-eyed freshman, the Jester, Columbia’s humor magazine, has released a fake NSOP guide. Find it on their website or in news racks around campus beginning this afternoon. It’s somewhat similar to the actual guide, except there are way more dinosaurs.

Dear Class of 2016: We hear you’re going to the zoo tomorrow. And because we know things can get pretty wild at the zoo (especially when they have a DJ “mixing tunes”) we want to make sure that you stay safe before, during, and after your encounter with the wild side. Below are all the […]

It’s official—the sweet ’16ers are here! The international/West-Coast ones, at least… In honor of their arrival, campus is wearing its finest. John Jay got new, temporarily stain-free carpets… until some freshperson vomits on it during NSOP oh wait that’s Carman spills some Massaman sauce from their Wondee delivery whilst making a heated point in a […]

If you’re in the Columbia area today, you may hear the distant roar of squeaky blue bins, frantic parents, and strangled cries of freedom from the children they just dropped off. Which means only one thing: it’s move-in day, and NSOP is upon us once more, as all the non-COOP freshmen move in to begin […]

One of the most controversial issues at Columbia last year was the return of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program. It was the talk of the national media and dominated campus politics for a good semester. Bwog brings you up to speed with this primer on ROTC at Columbia. Some historical context: Columbia has played […]

It’s over! We hope that you freshpeople have enjoyed getting to know Bwog as much as we’ve enjoyed getting to know you. Relive the best of this week’s NSOP coverage: Highlights: Overseen: codewords, totes, parents and more Overheard: the things they said Swag: free things that Bwog found, including slushie cups Photobwogging: orientation in pictures […]

Calling all artsy freshpeople and returning students alike! Bwog wants to take a moment to draw your attention to one of our weekly features, Where Art Thou? Every Wednesday, we post a guide to theater and arts happenings in the Columbia community that week. The “Columbia community” doesn’t mean only Morningside Heights—let us know what […]

As you freshpeople look forward to the next four years, seniors are anticipating their last. Whatever they’ve been through during their time at Columbia, one questions plagues them more than any other: if you had to give up either oral sex or cheese for the rest of you life, what would you choose? Rajib Mitra, […]

Local politics might not be your chief concern as you prepare to uproot your entire universe, move across the country, and attempt to make friends with a few thousand other over-achieving geeks, but there are plenty of reasons to care about your new home! With countless unions, special interests, businesses, and millions of people, New […]

As of right now, they’re still saying, “Hi,” to everyone they see. Keep your ears open, because freshpeople are a feast of audible delights: Mingling on the John Jay green: “I’m pretty sure that every time I’ve had champagne at Christmas it was just sparkling grape juice.” “There’s also prosecco, that’s Italian” Group of youngish […]

We hope you’re starting to find your sea legs by now. We’ve some real treats for you today. Get yourself wiser courtesy of Bwog alum Menachem Kaiser, GS ’09: A good title on a paper will help you far more than you might realize. Whatever it is you kinda dream about doing in life, do it […]

At one time, students arrived at Columbia with nothing in their backpacks but textbooks, notebooks, and a Macbook Pro. Such halcyon days are long gone now, and we’re sure that many members of the Class of 2015 have iPhones and Droids. Bwog’s own app aficionado Peter Sterne identifies the perfect app for… Navigating the City […]

Peel yourself out of bed and go ‘splorin. Classes start soon, so before you get lazy, make this Apple your oyster. Some weekend suggestions: Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, the annual unicycle festival, Brazilian Day, The Central Park butterfly garden, Upright Citizens Brigade, eating. Structure a full day around finding the best pickle, pizza or bagel. Pick […]

Consent is still sexy at the NSOP HQ. We’ve heard from freshpersons about the classic Class Act and the first Lit Hum class, and now we’re getting down to the saucy stuff. Bijan Samareh, CC’15 consented to report: Attention all first years! If you missed yesterday’s Consent 101 and Branching Out With Health Services seminars, […]

Mornin’ freshpeople! We heard you were on an island last night! How the kids branched out before: NSOP renting out iconic New York places has been a tradition. Last year, 2014 was on a boat, 2013 danced in the zoo, and 2012 bonded in Victorian Gardens. But maybe dear ol’ 2011 had it best when […]