What to expect from your student councils

CCSC? ESC? Following Columbia’s student council scene requires some brushing-up on acronyms.

Each undergraduate school—Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College—has its own board of student representatives who plan activities and work with administrators. Despite differences in structure, the four councils often work together in shaping student life.

COLUMBIA COLLEGE STUDENT COUNCIL
Learned Foote, CC ’11, pulled away to win one of the most competitive CCSC presidential races in recent years. Foote’s party, Stand Columbia, was unique in that the majority of the ticket was composed of underclassmen, which he said is important for his board’s vision.

CCSC was involved in a number of hot-button issues last year, such as their support of a proposal to allow gender-blind doubles in Columbia dorms. The proposal was shot down, but with the possibility of a pilot program to test out open housing, the issue will likely be revisited this year.

ENGINEERING STUDENT COUNCIL
If you’re an incoming SEAS student, Chris Elizondo, SEAS ’11, is your captain.

In a process unique to their council, ESC’s boards are chosen in internal elections, not by the general SEAS student body. The ESC constitution was changed last year to allow spectators to watch the council’s deliberations, but council members vote individually and their votes are private.

This past year, the council divided its two University Senate seats between the school’s undergraduate and graduate populations. Previously, there had been two seats, each of which could be held by an undergraduate or a graduate student, but after the council held a referendum, one seat is now designated for each demographic.

GENERAL STUDIES STUDENT COUNCIL
Jacqueline Thong will be helming this year’s GSSC after an uncontested election. The council has some seats to fill—some positions were left empty after last semester’s elections due to poor voter turnout.

GSSC has pushed for enhanced GS financial aid for years, as well as for more comprehensive student housing. Last year’s GSSC also fought for Latin diplomas for their school (GS diplomas are printed in English), but the proposal was shot down by GS Dean Peter Awn.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
While this year saw a boom in sorority participation, Barnard’s SGA is still struggling to decide whether to officially recognize sororities. While SGA does provide financial gifts to the Inter-Greek Council each year, its constitution states that it can’t officially recognize groups that choose members on a “discriminatory basis.” The Inter-Greek Council has said that if Barnard participation continues to increase without SGA recognition, it may consider capping the number of Barnard students allowed to join sororities.

The issue was not resolved last year, and will almost certainly crop up again this semester under the watch of SGA President Lara Avsar, BC ’11.