C.R.E.A.M: Cash Rules Everything Around Millie

Like most governing bodies, SGA gets a ton of money at the beginning of the year and is given the task to budget it out for the year. Unlike some governing bodies, SGA tells you exactly how much money goes where. Expert Mint.com user/retired financial advisor Lauren Beltrone tells you what you want to know.

That intro was kind of misleading because budget was the third item of SGA’s agenda and it wasn’t even that in-depth. Tricked you there, econ majors. SGA started off the year by introducing the other student government big-shots (AKA presidents). Brian from ESC wants to collaborate more with the other colleges, Peter from CCSC wants to up Columbia’s housing standard of living (from all you peeps out there, can I get an “A/C?”) and Peter from GSSC wants to do more programming or GS’ younger demographic. The younger demographic? But I thought GS students were all 27-29! Nope—you’re wrong! GS currently has the largest group of people under the age of 21 in the history of GS. Peter didn’t specify what percentage of the student body that is, but we do know it’s a lot. All in all, though, I think the most important take-away here is that 50% of Columbia’s undergraduate student body is run by Peters.

Part two of the meeting was led by Associate Dean for Student Life, Alina Wong. If you haven’t already had the pleasure of working with Dean Wong, find an excuse to do so immediately. She’s dedicated to supporting student life programs and building the Barnard community. She said she’s all about promoting “equity, inclusion, and respect.” Dean Wong is a regular administrative guest at SGA meetings, so expect her to keep cropping up in my subsequent SGA summaries. Finally moving onto the finance, SGA was pretty much allotted the equivalent to $220 per student (you do the math). The head of the budget went through her slides quickly, and the only thing that caught my eye was the $18,000 going to Senior Week. Was that a miscalculation? Maybe.

Last but not least, remember that first-year elections are happening right now. Candidates submitted their intent to run forms last Friday, and the turnout was huge. Voting began this Monday and will end tomorrow, Friday, at noon. Results will be announced this Friday as well. Don’t forget to vote electronically on your myBarnard.