ABC-recognized groups have access to various resources, including:
Category A: Roughly 20% of current ABC groups are category A, which means that instead of being allocated a yearly budget, the club can appeal for up to $250 a semester. All new groups are recognized as Category A groups.
Category B: Roughly 75% of current ABC groups are category B, which means they can request an allocation in the spring and appeal for additional funds throughout the year.
Category C: Heritage months and the Varsity Show are category C; they must request allocations at least six weeks before their first program, but need not request an allocation during the spring like category B groups.
Dual Recognition: Dually recognized groups (i.e. recognized by both Barnard's SGA and ABC) must have a membership consisting of at least one-half CC, SEAS, and GS undergraduate students.
Category Promotion: A Category A group must have been recognized for at least two semesters before the board will consider a category promotion. A group seeking category promotion must demonstrate a need for ABC funding to be able to fulfill the goals of the group above $250 per semester.
Applying for Recognition: A group seeking ABC recognition must demonstrate promise for future sustainability (through membership numbers, events already held, etc.) and a need for ABC funding and other resources that come with ABC recognition (noted above), and should not overlap with the mission of any existing ABC organization. ABC accepts applications during the fall and the spring (watch the website for deadlines), and the New Group Recognition committee will review all applications and presentations from the groups. Click on the New Group Recognition link under for more details!
Every ABC club has an official Columbia account (log in to your club page to find your account number!). Although the ABC representative and SDA/OMA advisor may advise clubs about the status of their account, the Club Treasurer assumes FINAL responsibility for the management and tracking of his or her club's account. Student Affairs Central Business Office (SACBO), located on the 6th floor of Lerner, will provide financial statements for all clubs in their mailboxes at the end of each month, which reflect expenses and revenues that were processed during that month. However, clubs should be cautious in using this statement as an absolute guide since there are often pending transactions that are not reflected in the account statement.
If you want a copy of your financial statement before the end of the month, visit SACBO on the 6th floor of Lerner--they can always print out a copy for you.
A club's initial allocation, determined on a yearly basis, is derived from the Student Life Fee that all CC, SEAS, and GS students have to pay. For that reason, guidelines for the spending of allocation are somewhat strict in order to ensure the most efficient distribution of those funds (for example, not allowing a club to throw daily pizza parties). Appeals from ABC that are granted during the year are also considered a part of allocation. Any allocation that is not spent by the end of the school year is reclaimed by ABC.
A club's revenue includes all money that is generated by a club (e.g. advertising revenue, ticket sales, or co-sponsorships from other organizations, etc.). That amount rolls over from year to year.
ABC clubs may appeal for extra funding for an event at any point during the school year. All appeals will be reviewed by the board on a case-by-case basis. Appeals are only awarded for unexpected or emergency expenses. ABC has a very limited budget, so as much as we would like to support every group that needs additional funding, we simply cannot do so. Therefore we only grant appeals in exceptional circumstances.
SDA/OMA Advisors: In addition to signing off on all e-forms, SDA/OMA advisors support groups with their programming ideas and event planning. Log into the ABC website to see who your advisor is, and feel free to email them or drop by their office on the 5th floor of Lerner if you need any assistance with programming (or if you just want to introduce yourself!).
As an ABC-recognized group, you can reserve space in Lerner, classrooms throughout campus, many residential hall lounges, Earl Hall, St. Paul's Chapel, and the Intercutlural Resource Center. For information on how to book specific spaces, visit our Guide to Space.