About the CPU

See also: The CPU Constitution & How to Get Involved

The Columbia Political Union, or CPU, is Columbia University's largest and most active political organization. It is unique as Columbia's only non-partisan political organization, and in this capacity, the CPU works with every other undergraduate political group on campus. The CPU's mission is to increase political involvement, create fora for open discussion and debate, and provide access to information. The CPU puts on special events and has hosted speakers such as Howard Dean, John Ashcroft, Al Gore, John McCain, Robert Rubin, Hillary Clinton, Phyllis Schlafley, and Arianna Huffington. The CPU also publishes a quarterly magazine of political commentary, The Columbia Political Review, puts together issue-based expert panels, hosts the campus' only multi-partisan political blog, publishes non-partisan informational election guides certified by both the College Republicans and the College Democrats, runs voter registration drives, and moderates debates between the College Democrats and the College Republicans.

There are many opportunities to get involved and we welcome all volunteers, regardless of experience. Please check out our website at www.cupolitics.org or email the board at cpu@cupolitics.org.

See the Events section for a more extensive list of the speakers and events we have hosted.