CANDIDATENAME:       TIMOTHY LAM

SCHOOL/YEAR:     COLUMBIA COLLEGE/ 2011

EMAIL/CONTACT#:         tjl2111@columbia.edu

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, which consistsof 20 members. Throughout the year, the ABC votes on the allocation of funds,recognition of student groups, the granting of appeals and has a vital role indetermining the agenda for the Activities Board. We are seeking 13 highlymotivated and passionate individuals to apply for these positions. This is agreat place to learn more about student groups and funding, to gain leadershipexperience 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?

Iwant to be an ABC Representative because I have a personal interest inrepresenting Columbia students and, by virtue, the groups that they areinvolved in. The thought of helping Columbians advance their interests simplyappeals to me. Furthermore, I have often heard students express the feelingthat there seems to be a lack of a “Columbia Community.” I feel that such acommunity depends on the activity of student groups. Students will feel moreconnected to Columbia if they are able to explore their interests outside ofthe classroom. I want to be part of building a Columbia Community as an ABCRepresentative.

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 be most interested in representing the Academic/ Pre-Professional Groupprimarily because I am currently a Pre-Medicine student. I have been involvedwith the Charles Drew Pre-Medical Society since I was a freshman when I servedas its Publicity Directory. This year, I served as the Co-President of the Society. In this capacity, I have organized panels and workshops with doctors and otherhealth care professionals to direct Columbia’s pre-medicine students towardtheir future goals. For instance, I organized and coordinated a panel onsummer research in the medical field, a field trip to Yale School of Medicine,and a mentor-mentee event with students at Columbia University Medical Center. The club had restarted only a year before I joined due to a decline ininterest, and it required much work to reestablish a fairly unknown club oncampus at the time. However, with hard work, I can truly say that Charles Drewis now making significant impact for pre-medicine students on campus.

3)Name some changes that you believe would positively impact ABC?

Iwould implement several changes that would positively impact ABC. I wouldimplement a bi-monthly, ABC Basic Training test. This diagnostic assessmentwill allow the Activities Board to check that clubs are staying up-to-speed ona guidelines set forth at Basic Training, in particular the Treasurer’sResource Manuel. As a check-up on groups, this test could even be an online,open-book assessment. Furthermore, I would advocate that all groups meet withtheir SDA advisor on a bi-monthly basis for a “state of the group” update. Bothof these checks are intended to identify which groups are active and fulfillingtheir role on campus— not to badger them. It is important to know whichstudent organizations are actively engaging with Columbia students in order toknow, for example, how much money should be allocated to these groups and ifthey continue to deserve ABC recognition. If one group is not active on campusin their purpose, then they are tying up money that could be given to a newgroup or a more active organization that will improve student life.

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

First,I would implement a bi-monthly, ABC Basic Training test. I would advocate itas an online, open-book assessment. Second, I would encourage student groupsto meet with their advisor on a bi-monthly basis for a “state of the group”update. Both of these initiatives would allow ABC to distinguish activeorganizations on campus. For these active organizations, more money andprivileges will be appropriately allocated. These initiatives are meant toprovide reward incentives for active and engaging clubs that improve studentlife at Columbia.

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

Duringfreshmen year, I served as Publicity Director of the Charles Drew Pre-MedicalSociety. I was also a general body member of the Columbia Political Union. Iworked in the laboratory of Professor Tulle Hazelrigg at Columbia, and I wasadmitted to the Columbia Bartending Agency. In the summer between my freshmenand sophomore year, I worked for Inside New York, a Columbia student enterprisethat operates under the Center for Career Education. It publishes an annual NewYork City guidebook. As a sophomore, I served as Co-President of the CharlesDrew Pre-Medical Society. I was also a staff writer for the blog of theColumbia Political Union.

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

Next year,I will be serving as University Senator for Columbia College. Also, I will bea staff writer for the Columbia Political Union’s blog. I will not be involvedin any internships or jobs, and I will not be an RA.

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