The Activities Board at Columbia University
December 4th, 2007 Posted in University NewsThe Activities Board at Columbia University, also known as ABC, is a governing board for undergraduate student organizations at the university. The membership of student clubs consists of students enrolled in any of the four undergraduate schools at Columbia, such as Columbia College, the School of engineering and Applied Science, the School of General Studies, and Barnard college.
ABC serves to aid student organizations by making recommendations to the Office of Student Development and Activities in regards to new group recognition, funding the initial allocations and approving the expenditures of groups that are recognized by ABC, with the exception of the undergraduate councils, determining funding and policy guidelines for recognized organizations, with the exception of the undergraduate councils, and providing a Judiciary Committee to enforce these guidelines if necessary. ABC is responsible for funding over 160 student organizations at Columbia University. It is one of five governing boards that operates under the Columbia University student council. Their range of functions include pre-professional, academic, competition, cultural, special interest, performance, publication, media, performing arts, and larger scale events. However, the ABC is not responsible for some recognized groups, such as social, political religious, community service, sports teams, honorary societies, or fraternal organizations. Operating under the Office of Student Development and Activities, the Activities Board at Columbia provides many resources and much advice for student organizations and clubs. The ABC determines which student groups are permitted access to its many resources, which are granted by the Office of Student Development and Activities, or SDA, and the Lerner Hall Administration. The administration provides groups in ABC access to space, such as mailbox, storage closets, and accounts in Lerner Hall and various other buildings. They also permit official use of the Columbia University name. There are hundreds of student clubs and organizations available to join at Columbia University. The Activities Board at Columbia helps to determine which of these many organizations will be included in their organization, and aids these clubs with their many expenditures and other concerns. The ABC also works in conjunction with the Office of Student Activities to prepare a comprehensive calendar of the many diverse campus programs and events. Students taking advantage of the programs will have the opportunity to interact with others that share their same interests, as well as learn valuable skills, such as how to work well with others, that will help prepare them for life after college.