ABC-recognized groups have access to SDA resources including:
Category A: Roughly 30% 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 70% of current ABC groups are category B, which means they can submit a budget request of any sum in the spring and may appeal for additional funds throughout the year.
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 and/or SEAS and/or 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 groupabove $250 per semester in order to move to Category B.
Applying for Recognition: A group seeking ABC recognition must demonstrate promise for future sustainability (through membership numbers, events already held, etc.), 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 "ABOUT ABC" for more details!
Every ABC club has an SDA 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. SDA Financial Services 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 also be cautious in using this statement as an absolute guide since there are often pending transactions that are not reflected in the account statement.
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 stricter, in an attempt to ensure the most efficient distribution of those funds (for example, not allowing a club to throw daily pizza parties). Appeals to 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 the 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. The club must make a case explaining why they feel that funding beyond their current budget is necessary.
SDA/OMA Advisors: In addition to signing off on all E-Forms, SDA/OMA advisors support groups with their programming ideas and event planning. All SDA/OMA advisors have office hours. Please see the SDA/OMA section in Fact Files for more information.
University Event Management Staff: To book rooms in Lerner and other campus spaces, clubs must talk to the UEM staff, located on the 7th floor of Lerner Hall, or use the Lerner Hall Event Management System (EMS) online at www.columbia.edu/cu/lernerhall. Clubs may also request services through UEM, such as tech set-up, catering, or additional furniture in rooms. Please see the UEM section in Fact Files for more.
Financial Services: The SDA Financial Services assistants can help clubs with the status of their finances.