ABC Chooses New Board

Paula Cheng, CC '08, was elected the new president of the Activities Board at Columbia as the organization picked its 2007-2008 executive board.

Working with Cheng will be incoming vice president Dominic McClure, CC '08, treasurer Jacob Weaver, CC '09, and secretary Samantha John, SEAS '09. ABC is responsible for recognizing and funding student groups from within the Office of Student Development and Activities.

Weaver encouraged those interested to join ABC.

"We would encourage people who want to get more involved in ABC to do that," he said.

"I'm very excited about the new board," said Cheng, who ran unopposed, immediately following the announcement. "We'll work together very well and make a lot of improvements building on top of this year's."

The executive board will oversee the 13 representatives and three council liaisons on the general board, who are chosen separately. Among other things, the executive board helps divide up allocations for club funding and make decisions about new group recognition.

"We're going to tackle some big problems this year, including space issues, funding issues, and Web site issues," Cheng said.

"A lot of improvements will be based on the feedback we got from students this year," McClure said.

Outgoing ABC president Keith Hernandez, CC '07, expressed excitement about the new executive members after he made the announcement.

"There is a great amount of talent and leadership ability in this group," he said. "It seems like they'll work really well together as a team, as a unit."

"ABC has committed itself to developing premier service for student groups, being the strongest advocate for student groups, creating policies and procedures that are clear and concise, to avoid becoming just another bureaucratic impasse," Hernandez added. "This new group will do wonders, and it will be a very exciting year for ABC and the entire Columbia community."