Student Government

Activities Board at Columbia (ABC)

The ABC is a part of Columbia's student government that is responsible for funding over 160 student groups here on campus. The ABC is one of five governing boards that operate under the student councils. ABC groups have a broad range of functions that include: pre-professional, academic, competition, cultural, special interest, performance, publication, media, performing arts and large scale events. The ABC is not responsible for any recognized group that falls under the following categories: social, political, religious, community service oriented, sports team, honorary society, or fraternal organization. The ABC operates under the Office of Student Development and Activities, who provides advising and resources and manages all ABC accounts.

In addition to granting money, the ABC also determines which student groups can have access to the resources granted to groups by the Office of Student Development and Activities (SDA) and by the Lerner Hall administration. The administration provides ABC groups access to space in Lerner (and other buildings), a mailbox, storage closets in the Student Activities area (on Lerner 5), an account, and permits official use of the "Columbia" name.

The ABC also serves the following four purposes:

1. Recommendations for recognition to Student Development and Activities;
2. Initial funding and approval of expenditures of those groups recognized, with the exception of the undergraduate councils;
3. Determining funding and policy guidelines for Student Development and Activities recognized organizations, with the exception of the undergraduate councils;
4. Empaneling a Judiciary Committee to enforce above guidelines.

Executive Board Descriptions

• The President ensures that the board is able to run smoothly and efficiently. He/she runs meetings, organizes the board and attends inter-group meetings with members of the other governing boards. The President also holds elections each spring.
  
  
• The Vice President runs meetings in the absence of the President. He/she also is responsible for directing ABC policy towards groups and heads up the policy committee each spring to review possible changes in the constitution or guidelines.
  
  
• The Treasurer organizes the ABC budget and is responsible for monitoring all of the accounts of groups. He/she is authorized to make purchases for the Board and chairs the Appeals Committee during the fall semester.
  
  
• The Secretary takes minutes and attendance at all meetings and answers all general correspondence addressed to the ABC. He/she also chairs the Recognition Committee during the fall semester.
  
  
• The Representatives-at-large are the primary contacts of ABC recognized groups. Each rep is assigned to a set of groups and is responsible for reviewing their budget and approving events. The next section will have a more detailed description of a Rep's responsibilities.
  
  
• The Liaisons are the contacts for their respective student councils. Since the ABC receives funding from all three student councils, the liaisons also serve as voting members, partaking in our decisions. They also report back to the councils with a summary of our meetings.

Role of ABC Representatives

The Representatives are the primary contacts for ABC recognized clubs. Each group is assigned a personal representative who will approve events and assist with long-term planning. Questions about ABC, policies, accounts, etc, can be answered by reps. Specifically, reps are responsible for the following:

• Communicating with groups: Representatives are responsible for establishing and maintaining a working relationship with executive members of their assigned groups.
• Tracking groups' expenditures: Representatives must track their groups’ expenses and approve spending.
• Office Hours: Every representative and e-board member holds weekly office hours in the student
  government office (SGO) on the fifth floor of Lerner Hall.

Overview of ABC Policies and Procedures

The ABC has policies, procedures and guidelines in place for organizations that are detailed in their constitution.
The following are outlined:

Please refer to the ABC website for more detailed information.