What CCSC Can Do for You

By Michelle Oh

"What have you done for me lately?" As a student, you have the right know and there's a lot we'd love to share with you. Despite the commotion of trying to get into the right classes, organizing your optimal schedule, and catching up with friends which comes at the beginning of each term, we want to start the semester off right by letting you know what we've done and what we plan on doing. Whether it's programming a series of spring events, improving the Wein food court, or something as simple as making Splenda available as an alternate sweetener in the dining centers, the CCSC does its best to listen and respond to your concerns. So, take a moment to read and let us know what more we can do for you.

Early in the fall semester, the CCSC took decisive action in response to the unexpected policy changes up at Baker field. In collaboration with the Engineering Student Council and the General Studies Student Council, we successfully worked with the administration to modify the policy to better accommodate students and their experience at games. In response to pressing student concern the CCSC created the position of the Pre-Professional, Scholars, and Fellowships representative, which is currently filled by Michael Accordino, CC '07, who now works closely with the relevant offices, as well as specific student groups, to proactively meet students' concerns and needs.

Working closely with the other Councils, Vice President for Policy, Izumi Devalier, CC '07, and Academic Affairs Representative, David Ali, CC '07, have made major strides working with the faculty to reduce the rising cost of textbooks by urging them to post the require course books well in advance, while also working with the Columbia Bookstore to improve the Buy-Back program, which would enable students to earn back more money for their used books. Building off of last year's initiative, Student Services Representative, Laura Taranto, CC '07, helped see through the implementation of two satellite fitness centers on the 8th and 16th floors of East Campus. In response to direct student feedback, Student Services Representative, Alex Green IV, CC '06, successfully drafted a proposal to have shopping carts available for check-out at the hospitality desk to ease students' grocery shopping experience. Continued conversation with the CCE has paved the way for the upcoming launch of a CULPA-like database of internships held by your peers designed to assist you in your internship search.

On the programming front, the Welcome Back Party and Midnight Mania both drew in over 800 students each. Thanks to the good work of the Campus Life Committee, led by Vice President for Campus Life, Sy Cabria, CC '06, study breaks have become more creative and sporadic supplemental treats in Lerner have been organized to help students de-stress and unwind. Laura Taranto, CC '07, and Neda Nevab, CC '08, brought back last year's unprecedented Columbia Restaurant Week, partnering with a record number of great local restaurants and will be back again this week from 1/23-1/27 and 1/31-2/3. And as always, your class officers have continued to lead their class council in introducing new events to foster class unity.

In an effort to become more accessible to the student body, the CCSC hosted a dinner for Presidents of over 50 student organizations, convened in McBain Lounge for a weekly meeting, and secured a bulletin board in the lobby of Lerner to better broadcast upcoming CCSC events. Izumi Devalier, CC '07, worked extensively with members of SEEJ, SOL, USCC, SPEAK, among others, joined under the Financial Aid Reform Coalition (FAiR), Beth Katz, CC '06, reached out to members of the Hillel to address concerns regarding sensitivity of religious holiday observances, and the CCSC also worked with LionPac to recommend modifications to the current grievance procedures in place. The Columbia College University Senators also hosted their first ever Senate forum and Marcus Johnson, CC '07, has collaborated with SCEG to better address concerns about Columbia's proposed expansion into Manhattanville.

There are also a number of projects that will continue in the semester ahead of us. Vice President for Funding, Andrew Russeth, CC '07, is working to set up trips organized through residential halls to Costco; Jessica Cohen, CC '09, is drafting a proposal to provide take-out boxes in John Jay dining hall; Nishant Dixit, CC '07 is looking into long-term storage options for theater groups; members of all four councils are finalizing preparations for Glass House Rocks 2006. The CCSC is also continuing efforts to bring Jamba Juice into Lerner, to line the walls of dormitory basements with bike hooks, to expand satellite fitness centers into McBain and wireless in Lerner. We also remain committed reevaluating curriculum and student programs to better ensure a community that is safe and free of all forms of prejudice.

Needless to say, there are many other projects your council members are working hard on, but that doesn't mean we're too busy to hear what you have to say. What we do is inspired by you. We want to remind you that your voice is important and a catalyzing force in what we are able to achieve as a council. So if you have a moment, we encourage you to email us at ccsc@columbia.edu with any questions or additional feedback.

The author is a Columbia College senior and president of the Columbia College Student Council.