Ask Human Resources
Have questions or need help?
Representatives from the HR Service Center (HRSC) and Benefits Service Center (BSC) are here to support you.
Explore the topics below to find the right team, or review the FAQs for answers to common questions.
HR Service Center
Ask the HR Service Center (HRSC) questions about employment, pay, tax info, personal data and general information.
- Hiring and personnel transactions (PAC)
- HR policies and procedures
- Job applications and employment
- Paychecks and direct deposit
- Personal data
- Changes to personal information
- Vacation and sick time
- Tax information (W2s, 1042s); tax treaty exemption
- General information
Contact Us
Submit a ticket to the HR Service Center:
Speak with HRSC representatives:
Phone: 212-851-2888
Office Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Related Resources
- My.Columbia
- People@Columbia (PAC)
- Support for Current Employees
- Employment Verification
- Forms & Documents
Benefits Service Center
Ask the Benefits Service Center (BSC) questions about health coverage, leaves, tuition, and retirement and savings accounts.
- Medical, dental, vision or prescription drug benefits
- Benefits during leaves of absence
- Retirement and/or retiree insurance
- Retirement savings accounts (TIAA or Vanguard)
- Tax savings accounts (FSAs, HSA, Transit/Parking Reimbursement)
- Tuition
- Well-being and life status changes
Contact Us
Speak with BSC representatives:
Phone: 212-851-7000
Secure Fax: 212-851-7025
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Mailing Address:
615 West 131 Street, Mail Code 8703
Studebaker 4th Floor
New York, NY 10027
Related Resources
Ask HR - FAQs
If you don't have access to Self-Service in People@Columbia (PAC), it is because you have not yet been set up in PAC. Please have your HR manager or Department Administrator submit your new hire paperwork (if not already submitted) to the HR Processing Center (HRPC). HRPC can take up to 2 weeks to enter your information in the system. Once your credentials are loaded into PAC, you will have access to Self-Service.
To make changes to the W-4 form, go to My.Columbia to view and/or update your HR data.
For other forms, such at IT2104, please mail original copies to:
Human Resources
615 West 131st Street
4th Floor Studebaker
Mail Code: 8702
New York, NY 10027
If your check was deposited to a wrong (outdated) bank account, it is likely you updated your direct deposit information after payroll was already closed for processing. If the bank account is no longer a valid account, the funds will be returned to Columbia. Once the funds are received by Columbia, they will be redeposited using the updated banking information you have entered.
Ask your HR manager/Department Administrator to submit your "Personnel Action Form (PAF)" with copy of the back up to the HR Processing Center (HRPC).
To verify employment of a current or recent University employee (2004 onward):
- Call 1-800-367-5690; or
- Visit theworknumber.com (Employer Code: 1259)
Columbia University offers retirement planning and financial savings programs to help you plan for your future. Available programs may vary according to your employment group. Visit Retirement for more details.
UHC ID cards have member information for medical, vision, and prescription drug coverage. You do not need separate cards for each benefit. After enrolling in a medical plan, it can take three weeks for a UHC ID card to arrive in your mail.
If necessary, you can print a temporary UHC ID card two weeks after enrolling. Create an account on myuhc.com to print a temporary ID card. Use your Social Security Number, date of birth, and Group number 712790.
Dependent Care FSA funds can pay for eligible dependent day care expenses. Healthcare FSA funds can pay for eligible healthcare expenses.
Unless you opt out on myuhc.com, amounts you owe for medical, vision, prescription drug and/or dental claims under the Columbia-provided plans will automatically deduct from your Healthcare FSA.
After enrolling in an FSA, check the mail for a Health Care Spending Card (a debit card with a declining balance equal to your annualized contribution). This card is linked to your Healthcare and/or Dependent Care FSA accounts. It can be used at participating providers. If you do not use the card, you may submit a claim directly to UHC. You will receive a check at your home mailing address, or you can sign up for direct deposit.
A monthly dollar amount of your choice, up to the annual IRS limit, is deducted pre-tax from your pay.