CANDIDATENAME: Mustafa Hameed
SCHOOL/YEAR:
EMAIL/CONTACT#:
***Youmust be able to commit to weekly ABC meetings starting at 8:30pm on Wednesdays,as well as additional weekly hour-long committee meetings for the entire2008-2009 academic year.
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.
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
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?
ABCis arguably the best way to get involved with Columbia’s extracurricularcommunity as a whole: serving as a rep is an opportunity to connect with dozensof clubs on a regular basis. For me, that capacity to participate meaningfullyand immerse myself in Columbia’s extracurricular scene is without a doubt myprimary motivation. The chance to work with clubs to enable all manner ofactivities and functions is an enticing prospect, particularly given Columbia’swide variety of student groups and organizations.
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.
AlthoughI really don’t carry any definitive preferences, I would be most interested inworking with Cultural Groups (particularly Asian). Although I have been onlyminimally involved as a member of groups in these categories, I avidly attendevents put on by clubs such as Asian American Alliance, Organization ofPakistani Students, and many other cultural groups, and would enjoy theopportunity to represent them in ABC and work with them to enable theiractivities. Other specific categories that I would like to work with areSpecial Interest and Performance. Again, however, I have no criticalpreferences, and would look forward to working with any of the categories ofstudent groups, having been involved with a fairly diverse amount in variouscapacities.
3) Namesome changes that you believe would positively impact ABC?
Ibelieve ABC would benefit from being more accessible to the student body as awhole, starting with the accessibility of information on funding an activity orstarting a club or student group. Complaints against “the bureaucracy” are atthis point a cliché, but more publicity on how to start an organization woulddefinitely be a positive step, whether simply putting up flyers in residencehalls (particularly freshmen dorms) or putting notices or ads in the Bwog orthe Spectator.
4)Name 1-3 policy initiatives that you think ABC should pursue next year.
I believe that it is imperative for ABC to increase its approachability tostudent groups and those wishing to start student groups. Thus, initiatives ofthis nature should be a priority. Transparency of the process of funding andmore widespread awareness among members of student groups of the mechanismsinvolved with funding would certainly increase financial responsibility amongthose organizations and be a giant step forward for more efficient andeffective interaction between ABC and student groups on a regular basis.
Past& Current Activities at Columbia:
Pleasedetail your involvement at Columbia (you may attach a resume).
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Commitments for 2009-2010:
Pleasedetail your commitment to other club positions, jobs, internships,responsibilities (i.e. RA) for 09-10.
Currently,the only major commitments I have for 2009-2010 are as follows:
CIRCA,Executive Board (Head Delegate)
HelvidiusGroup – Journal of Politics & Society, Executive Board
At presentI have no plans for any internships or jobs during the school year.
Deadline:Sunday, April 26, 2009 by 11:59pm to