CANDIDATENAME: Anum Javed Akram
SCHOOL/YEAR: CC 2011
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?
>A lot of campus groups have trouble navigating Columbia’s bureaucracy, gettingrecognized and getting approval for appeals. I would like to help make thisprocess easier and more transparent.
>Being on ABC will help me understand Columbia’s bureaucracy and thisunderstanding will translate into a broad insight into how finances operate,what events work, how different groups approach their problems etc.
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.
>I would like to represent the Science and Engineering and Dance groups. Thesetwo sets of groups are often under-represented and their limited fundingprevents them from putting on some great events. I have been part of the AmericanMedical Student’s Association for 2 years. As co-chair of Global Health, whileorganizing our various fundraisers and awareness events, I felt pressed to cutback on so many expenses and initiatives that would have impacted the communitypositively. I know that a lot of other Science and Engineering groups face thesame problems. Having struggled with these problems, I also understand where itis that clubs could spend less and where they need more money and assistance.
>The dance groups often struggle with issues of recognition, representation andfinances. They add so much personality and color to the Columbia community butare insufficiently recognized for their talented and efforts. They overstretchtheir schedules to do paid off-campus gigs so that they can raise more money topay for their costumes, travel expenses etc. As part of Dhoom, I experiencedall this first-hand.
3) Namesome changes that you believe would positively impact ABC?
3)Right now, ABC is almost exclusively a funding organization. By establishingstronger links between representatives and clubs, ABC will be able to assistclubs with other problems they might be experiencing such as navigatingColumbia’s bureaucracy, getting approval for an outdoor barbeque, arranging forPublic Safety to be at the event.
4)Name 1-3 policy initiatives that you think ABC should pursue next year.
4)> I think each ABC representative should meet with his/her assigned clubstwice or thrice a semester or sit in on a few of their meetings to get a senseof where the club is headed, the problems they are facing etc.
>ABC should work more closely with offices like OMA and the student councils tobe a stronger presence on campus.
Past& Current Activities at Columbia:
Pleasedetail your involvement at Columbia (you may attach a resume).
1. Iwas an Organizational Committee Member for the Muslim Student’s Associationfrom 2007-2008.
2. Ihave served on the Executive Board of the American Medical Association’sColumbia chapter for one year as co-chair of CU Global Health. I am continuingthis next year.
3. Ihave been a Resident Adviser for one year (2008-2009) and will continue nextyear.
4. Ivolunteered for Project Health for two semesters (Spring and Fall 2008).
5. Itutored for the Double Discovery Center for two semesters (Spring and Fall2008).
6. Ihave been on the dance team, Dhoom for one semester.
Commitments for 2009-2010:
Pleasedetail your commitment to other club positions, jobs, internships,responsibilities (i.e. RA) for 09-10.
1. Iwill continue to be co-chair for CU Global Health.
2. I aman RA in Ruggles next year.
3. I amManaging Editor for Consilience, the Journal of Sustainable Development nextyear.
4. Iwill continue to be on Dhoom.
Deadline:Sunday, April 26, 2009 by 11:59pm to