CANDIDATENAME: Phil Wu   

SCHOOL/YEAR: SEAS/2011

EMAIL/CONTACT#: fw2144@columbia.edu/7028856630

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?

Afterparticipating in club activities on campus ranging from CSC’s Lunar Gala toAMSA’s doctor-student dinner event, I’ve witnessed firsthand the importance ofexternal funding and guidance to the success of these events that make up avital part of the college experience and after college preparation. In becomingan ABC rep, I am hoping to do two things. My first goal is to improve studentlife and community on campus, especially in areas pertaining to culturalawareness. My second goal is to help students prepare for post-college life,especially in areas pertaining to job/internship search and general networking.These goals can be achieved if the right allocation of funding is given to theright student groups.

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.

Thereare three main groups I am interested in representing: Asian Culture Groups,Science/Engineering Groups, and Academic/Pre-Professional Groups. I have been ageneral body member of KSA and CSC since I’ve entered college. I activelyparticipate in almost all of their events, including elections. I am currentlya member of AMSA’s public health committee. As an engineer with a pre-medconcentration, I understand the importance of pre-professional advising andgeneral guidance in the areas of research, job search, and resume buildingtechniques. Having experience and understanding of Asian culture and knowledgeof what is important in career hunting, I believe I would best represent theseparticular groups. I am also very actively involved in a fraternity. Myfraternity often hosts events with many Asian culture clubs. As a result, I amaware of the responsibilities and difficulties these clubs have to face.

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

Althoughthe status quo is effective and efficient most of the time in regards tobooking Lerner space, I believe improvements could still be made. During busyperiods of the semester such as the beginning few weeks and the last few weeksof school, space allocation for clubs becomes very limited. If more space canbe made available (which is especially valuable in NYC) to students duringcertain calendar periods, it would greatly improve the processing and approvalfor space for more clubs.

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

1. Helpclubs become more aware of outside funding programs. Given clubs more optionsfor money is the best way to foster growth. Although ABC’s is limited in theamount of money it can allocate, this should not restrict the growth of certainclubs that did not receive an adequate amount of funding.

2.There is still a large divide in the Columbia community, mainly as a result ofconflict of interests. It should be ABC’s top priority to dissolve theseconflicts and aim to help clubs collaborate. This can be achieved by increasinginterclub interaction by making special funds only available to clubs thatco-host an event. In addition, space can be given priority to collaboratingclubs in order to foster interaction.

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

KSAgeneral body member

CSCgeneral body member

CUAMSApublic health member

AAAgeneral body past member

AcademicAssociates Program

LambdaPhi Epsilon

BiomedicalEngineering Society past member

AmericanInstitute of Chemical Engineers

APAAMmember

(seeresume for other details)

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