CANDIDATENAME:       Phillip Bak

SCHOOL/YEAR:     2011

EMAIL/CONTACT#: pb2292@columbia.edu

WHAT CAN & DOES AN ABC REP DO?

ABC Reps help groupsnavigate the Columbia bureaucracy, aid groups in event & financial planningand support the development of student life on campus. Reps are advocates forthe groups they oversee and are crucial in identifying areas in which ABC, theadministration, and other student leaders can help improve students'experiences at Columbia.

The Rep sits on theActivities Board, which consists of 20 members. Throughout the year, the ABCvotes on the allocation of funds, recognition of student groups, the grantingof appeals and has a vital role in determining the agenda for the ActivitiesBoard. We are seeking 13 highly motivated and passionate individuals to applyfor these positions. This is a great place to learn more about student groupsand funding, to gain leadership 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?

Ihave been part of the Columbia University for nearly two years now and I couldnot help but notice that there are in fact very few things that hold ustogether as a community. More importantly I came to realize that studentprepared events such as culture shows were what kept Columbia Universitytogether.

Notonly did these pose as an opportunity to socialize and leave our desks, but italso brought out new faces from all over campus, from the teacher’s college allthe way to law school.

Afew months into school I became disturbed and devastated by the lack of unityand school pride on this campus. This is what fuels my desire to be an ABC representative.I would strive to optimize the allocation of funds so that student groups whoshow passion, dedication and the potential to strengthen the Columbia Identityare uninhibited in terms of finance when striving to reach their goals.

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.

SpecialInterest : Culinary Society

CulturalGroups

Performance:Dance, Vocal

ThoughI have been to other events, I have chosen the above because I believe thesefew have the potential to really reach deep into the community and bringeveryone together.

Thefood that the Culinary Society made and served was not only delectable, but itgave people an excuse to sit around and eat together in groups of strangers.This is definitely something that rarely happens on campus outside of a dininghall.

CulturalGroups, I believe, have the exceptional ability to bring people togetherbecause of the sheer scale of its productions. Events that really blew me awaywere Lunar Gala, Tamasha and Project 4 (KSA).

Danceand Vocal is awesome because it brings everyone who shares friend circlestogether to enjoy the hard work of their peers. In particular Raw Element’s improvementover the past year was admirable.

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

BecauseI have never been part of ABC and only recently found out, by pure chance, ofthis opportunity, I cannot comment intelligently on this question. I goal is tobecome a representative and really get my hands dirty before striving to makeany changes.

Iam willing to learn and do what it takes to contribute to my peers.

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

BecauseI have never been part of ABC and only recently found out, by pure chance, ofthis opportunity, I cannot comment intelligently on this question. I goal is tobecome a representative and really get my hands dirty before striving to makeany changes.

Iam willing to learn and do what it takes to contribute to my peers.

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

Fraternity:Sigma Phi Epsilon

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

None.

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