CANDIDATENAME: David Mao
SCHOOL/YEAR: SEAS / 2010
EMAIL/CONTACT#: dqm2101@columbia.edu /718-690-1574
***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 or justaddress 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?
Havingbeen heavily involved with groups on campus that work towards building acohesive communities, I see working as an ABC rep as the taking the next stepin furthering the goals I have worked towards throughout my college career.This past year, I have had a crash course in understanding ABC, whether itÕsthrough my work as vice president of AMSA, applying for ABC recognition forColumbia Lion Dance, or getting to know some of the people in ABC. It isthrough these experiences that I have come to realize how the policies that ABCsets and the decisions it makes are so critical to the success of many groupson campus. The responsibility that ABC holds to these clubs is immense and Ihope that the skills and experiences I have had as a student leader and as anenthusiastic member of the Columbia community can be put to use by serving asan ABC rep.
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.
Thetwo groups that I am most interested in representing are the ones that I havespent the most time with. I have been on Columbia University Lion Dance for thepast three years and I have had the opportunities to work with numerous culturegroups. I had also spent a brief period on APAAMÕs board and met many leadersin the Asian community.
Inaddition, I have spent three years on AMSA (American Medical StudentsAssociation), and I have developed a greater understanding of the goals ofpre-professional clubs. This past year, I have served as the AMSAvice-president and helped with logistics of most of the events. In thiscapacity, I have been exposed to the challenges of finding space on campus aswell as the difficulties that come with seeking the help of Columbia administrators.I have long felt committed to AMSA, and though next year I will not be on theboard, I am still interested in helping AMSA as well as other pre-professionalgroups navigate the governing groups of Columbia.
3) Namesome changes that you believe would positively impact ABC?
Thenumber of ABC reps and the number of positions on the board can be increased.This can expand the services that ABC offers as well as improve the overallquality of the work of the ABC reps.
Also,ABC training can be improved to include some hands on activities to reduce thevolume of questions that will occur later on.
Moreover,the new group recognition process should be revamped to be more intuitive oralternatively place more emphasis on educating groups seeking recognition on theprocess.
4)Name 1-3 policy initiatives that you think ABC should pursue next year.
Providemore incentives for organizations to find creative ways of cutting costs andgenerating revenue.
Encourageorganizations to work together in order to reduce the number of redundantevents as well as increase attendance at events.
Past& Current Activities at Columbia:
Pleasedetail your involvement at Columbia (you may attach a resume).
AmericanMedical Students Association
VicePresident (Õ08-09)
á
LionDance
Co-PresidentInternal (Õ08-09)
á
LambdaPhi Epsilon
PhilanthropyChair (Õ06)
á
á
á
á
Commitments for 2009-2010:
Pleasedetail your commitment to other club positions, jobs, internships, responsibilities(i.e. RA) for 09-10.
I will be an RA next year, and I will also serve one more semester as PresidentInternal of Lion Dance.
Deadline:Sunday, April 26, 2009 by 11:59pm to