CANDIDATENAME:       Justin A. Kim

SCHOOL/YEAR:     SEAS 11’

EMAIL/CONTACT#: 201 694 3544

WHAT CAN & DOES AN ABC REP DO?

ABC Reps help groups navigate the Columbiabureaucracy, aid groups in event & financial planning and support thedevelopment of student life on campus. Reps are advocates for the groups theyoversee and are crucial in identifying areas in which ABC, the administration,and other student leaders can help improve students' experiences at Columbia.

The Rep sits on the Activities Board, whichconsists of 20 members. Throughout the year, the ABC votes on the allocation offunds, recognition of student groups, the granting of appeals and has a vitalrole in determining the agenda for the Activities Board. We are seeking 13highly motivated and passionate individuals to apply for these positions. Thisis a great place to learn more about student groups and funding, to gainleadership experience and to make an impact on campus.

1.     ABC Website: http://cuactivitiesboard.org

2.     ABC Funding Guidelines: http://www.cuactivitiesboard.org/FundingGuidelines.doc

3.     ABC Clubs: http://www.cuactivitiesboard.org/Public/ourclubs.php

CandidateStatement:

Allcandidate statements will be put up on the ABC website in the order they arereceived.It is to your advantage to submit early as your candidate statement willappear before the others are up. In your candidate statement, please explainyour interest/qualifications/ideas for the position of ABC rep, making sure toanswer the questions below. You may either give separate responses to each orjust address them all in one statement. Please also attach a photo with your application.

EachABC rep represents one of the following 13 general groups:

CulturalGroups (4)

SpecialInterest (i.e. Culinary Society) (2)

Competition(1)

Publications(1)

Scienceand Engineering (1)

Academicor Pre-Professional (1)

Performance:Dance (1)

Performance:Instrumental/Vocal (1)

Performance:Theater (1)

1)Why do you want to be an ABC rep?

Asan ABC representative, I want to help facilitate the betterment of Columbiaclubs and activities. I think ABC reps have a big responsibility inrepresenting their clubs/organizations. That their problems questions andconcerns get communicated to the board is essential for them to not onlyoperate successfully but also in turn create successful events and besuccessful on campus.

2)As an ABC Rep, which groups would you be most interested in representing?Explain your interest in those groups as well as any prior experience withthose groups or other related qualifications.

Iwould like to represent the culture groups on campus. I believe strongly inthe efforts and events of culture groups. The spreading of awareness, theexposure of culture, all these actions which promote identity,self-empowerment, and diversity all make the campus and greater communitystronger. Through philanthropic efforts, displays of culture, and forums ofthought, I feel that I could advocate and communicate greatly with and forthese groups.

Ihave been a part of the committee for the organization of the Chinese AdoptedSiblings for Youth (CASPY) and am co-associate director on the Columbia boardfor the New York Asian American Students Conference. Knowing the backside ofplanning and budgeting, seeing it all from the perspective of the club, I ambetter able to understand the needs of clubs to carry out events. In this way,I believe I will be more accommodating as well as better able to assess needsof clubs and distribution of funds accordingly.

3) Namesome changes that you believe would positively impact ABC?

Ibelieve there is always room from improvement, that the struggle for perfectionis one thing that should never be dropped. I believe the ABC representativehas an obligation to come to a better understanding of the clubs and groups herepresents. While to realize that idea involves cooperation on both sides, Iwould as a representative get to know my groups very well and urge otherrepresentatives to know their groups better. In turn, I would help communicateand explain all processes and policies of appeals and other procedures thatthey should know, and with these two things, I believe ABC would be much moreeffective.

4)Name 1-3 policy initiatives that you think ABC should pursue next year.

1) I believe spaces for studentactivities should be increased. Creating and continuing a dialogue withadministration to allow more students to use an increased Lerner space. Argueagainst student life fees that go to spaces in unused classrooms.

2) Simplification and elucidation on the appeal process. Speaking to members,the process is very mystified and causes confusion. Many clubs are unaware whento fill out the appeal, some think it's unfair and creates bias. I think wecan solve this by making the process more clear, transparency, accountability,change funding guidelines to make it easier to understand, and the appealsreceived by other clubs public and therefore even more transparent.

3. Intergroup collaboration. I believe the community is most successful when itharnesses its resources together. Different perspectives and experiences offera broader range of talents. I believe that groups should be encouraged to worktogether, whether it be through even some fiscal incentives.

Past& Current Activities at Columbia:
Pleasedetail your involvement at Columbia (you may attach a resume).

Thispast semester, I was on the food committee for the Chinese Adopted SiblingsProgram for Youth and co-associate director on Columbia University’s board forthe New York Asian American Student Conference. I am also a member of LambdaPhi Epsilon.

Commitments for 2009-2010:
Pleasedetail your commitment to other club positions, jobs, internships,responsibilities (i.e. RA) for 09-10.

Currently, I have no commitments, butwill be applying for Director of the New York City Asian American StudentConference.

Deadline:Sunday, April 26, 2009 by 11:59pm to abc@columbia.edu.