As part of the ongoing efforts to alleviate the impact of moving the GS Class Day a day earlier, the other three undergraduate student councils have pledged some money ($2,012: what a random amount!) toward funding a reception for GS seniors on May 14th, the originally planned date of the ceremony. Solidarity! According to sources, the administration has not offered any additional money in support of the event, which GSSC is currently attempting to fund independently.

You may recall that quite a bit has taken place since the change was announced rather suddenly.

Note this well: the deadline to apply for money from Dean Awn’s fund is tomorrow, April 30th, at noon. If you’d like to take advantage, send an e-mail to gsclassday@columbia.edu with the following information, taken from an e-mail sent by Awn on April 24th.

  • Full name and CUID (that thing with the “C” and lots of numbers)
  • A written letter of appeal that describes why this change will either prevent your family from attending GS Class Day or create an excessive financial hardship.
  • Number of people affected and relation to graduate.
  • Documentation of original expenses and new expenses projected or incurred (airline or train change-fees) will eventually have to be provided. If documentation is already available, please forward a copy with your request.

E-mail from the councils after the jump.

The full text:

In Support of the Students of the School of General Studies

The Columbia College Student Council, Engineering Student Council, and Student Government Association of Barnard College would like voice our collective support for the students of the School of General Studies. We are disappointed that President Obama’s visit will prevent some graduates, and their friends and families, from attending General Studies Class Day.

As a sign of our support, we offer $2,012 towards the alternate reception on May 14 for those graduates and their families who were not able to change their travel plans, pending further decisions about its funding from the administration. We hope that President Bollinger, as well as Dean Awn, Dean Rodgers, and Dean Limardo, will continue to look for ways to help those affected.

Signed,
Columbia College Student Council
Engineering Student Council
Student Government Association