though barnard printing might be pissed when you need color copies

Fire up your printers, it’s flyering time!

ABC has just voted to join SGB in not complying with Barnard Student Life’s new Posting Policy.  This is a big step as ABC represents over 150 student groups.  In their statement (below) they announce that ABC will take full responsibility for any “sanctions” given to ABC groups who do not obtain approval before flyering.  The November issue of The Blue & White Magazine, on campus next week, will feature a full story on Barnard Student Life.

Update: Saketh Kalathur, ABC President, sent an email to ABC group leaders with strong words.

“This policy was implemented by Barnard’s Student Life Office over the summer without the knowledge of ABC … We have been in communication with Barnard’s SGA since then.  However, we have become dismayed at the lack of progress made on the issue…

We hope that by promoting noncompliance, Barnard will realize that this is an important issue for student groups and will work to create a more sensible policy.  It is unacceptable for policies to be implemented that affect student groups without prior feedback from student leaders such as yourselves.”

SGA is having their weekly meeting now. Kalathur and David Fine, SGB Chair, are said to be speaking.  Updates as we get them.

The Activities Board at Columbia (ABC) is the largest undergraduate governing board at Columbia University, representing over 150 cultural, academic, pre-professional, publication, science, engineering, dance, vocal, theater, and special interest groups on campus. Throughout the year, students in ABC groups program extraordinary events at both Columbia and Barnard. Upon the announcement of Barnard’s new posting policy, the ABC received feedback from student leaders who were concerned that this policy was not in the best interest of their groups or of student life. After seeing a lack of definitive progress made on this issue over the past two months, the ABC has voted not to comply with Barnard College’s Student Life office’s Posting Policy.

The ABC firmly believes that this policy is detrimental to student life at Columbia and Barnard. More importantly, however, the ABC is disappointed that Student Life implemented this policy without considering the true impact it would have on student groups. Any change in policy that affects student groups should be brought to the attention of the ABC for feedback prior to implementation.

To ABC groups: We urge you to be respectful of Barnard’s campus. Use only blue painter’s tape, and post only on permitted bulletin boards. If you choose not to obtain prior approval from Student Life for your posters, the ABC will take full responsibility for any sanctions placed against you.

To Barnard Student Life: We urge you to repeal your new posting policy and sit down with ABC to discuss guidelines for posting on Barnard’s campus. If you engage student leaders to create a sensible posting policy, the ABC will ensure that it is followed by all student groups. To the greater Columbia community: The ABC is committed to representing the interests of student groups on campus. We have made it our mission to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and ensure that the voices of all club leaders are heard. For any organization that is considering policies that will affect student groups, we urge you to reach out to the ABC as early as possible so that we may work together to positively impact student life at Columbia.

Signed by The Activities Board at Columbia on October 22, 2012
Saketh Kalathur, President
Julian Richardson, Vice President
Chloe Ruan, Treasurer
Tony Lee, Secretary
And the 13 Representatives-At-Large

All boldings by ABC.

Weapons against the war on fun via Shutterstock