Columbia Shifts SGB Oversight

High-level administrators decided this week to move the Student Governing Board of Earl Hall to Student Affairs, headed by Dean of Student Affairs Chris Colombo, SGB executive board members reported Friday night.

The board, which oversees all political, activist, and religious student groups, currently reports to University Chaplain Jewelnel Davis, who in turn reports directly to Provost Alan Brinkley. With the change, the board will likely become part of Student Development and Activities, somewhat farther removed from the University's central administration.

Students on SGB's executive board expressed concern about whether the shift will force the board to change its policies. Leaders of SGB groups and students on the governing board will meet over the coming weeks to discuss potential problems with the move and come up with a strategy to make the transition as smooth as possible.

SDA currently advises the Activities Board at Columbia, the largest undergraduate club board, which houses all cultural, academic, and competitive student groups.

Each governing board has its own policies which it uses to decide which student groups to recognize and how to allocate funding. Leaders of SGB also help member groups with planning and cosponsoring events.