Pumpkinification is not to be taken lightly

Despite the relatively large number of agenda items, last night’s CCSC meeting was a bit like running on a treadmill: a lot of exerted effort, but little net accomplishment.

Updates:

• Not much by way of Class Councils, though 2016 is off to a rather impressive start, tackling an SGO revamp, planning a DJ-battle-type party, and improving first-year inter-dorm relations (if you know what I mean *wink*). Also, 2013 is designing class sweaters, which is the best idea ever. And if the ridiculous pumpkinification of literally everything is any indication: it’s October! So look forward to a myriad of Halloween-themed events in the coming weeks.
• Academic Affairs Extraordinaire Steven Castellaños, in addition to continuing work on Academic Integrity, is now working with admin towards creating a policy that would allow freshmen to take multiple courses Pass/Fail.
• Student Project Grants will be starting up again soon, so if you’re a student or group of students with an idea (preferably a good one) keep an eye out for that. Also, Capital Fund applications are now open.
• This week is… HOMECOMING WEEK! Woo! Yeah! Community! Sports! Everything Columbia students totally care about all in one jam-packed week! But in all seriousness, VP Campus Life Yanyi Luo described an awesome, fun-filled week including performances by the marching band, dancing, collaboration with Barnard for Founders Day (Tuesday), a carnival (Wednesday), finger painting (Thursday), and free Koronet tonight 6-7. Students are encouraged to show up in their usual Koronet-consuming state, which means, in the words of one 2015 Council Member, “an excuse to day drink [!!!!!!]”

State of the Arts:

• VP Policy Will Hughes gave a presentation on his work assessing the condition of the CU Arts Initiative. Conclusion: woeful. More on that later this week.

John Jay Study Space

• The E-Board has been working with Vicky Dunn of Dining and Scott Wright of Housing to have John Jay open after hours (around 9:30-1am) as a study space for students. Dunn and Wright agreed to a pilot program, the details of which were listed in a resolution presented to the entire Council last night. However, after concerns about which students would have swipe access to the dining hall and which councils might help CCSC cover their half of the $7,000 Dining/Housing would have to pay someone to essentially put away condiment bottles (prompting questions of where this $7K number came from), the resolution was tabled for later discussion.

Blast from the Past

• Former Intense Guy at CCSC Meetings Barry Weinberg, CC’12, stopped by, presumably to relive the glory days. Also talked about Deantini’s proposed Alumni Mentoring scheme for juniors and seniors, which he (‘tini) “apparently came up with himself.” How we missed your subtle snark, Barry.

NYT Subscription

• Apparently, all those free New York Times lying around campus aren’t really “free”: they cost money. Like… real dollars. 40,000 of them per semester. This cost is currently split three ways between Low, Dining/ResLife, and CCSC, but no other undergraduate (or graduate) council pays in. Since the papers are distributed in fairly open places that allow pretty much anyone to take one (or three), there are concerns over CC students bearing an unfair amount of the subscription cost. Several solutions to the issue were expressed, including moving to online subscriptions only available to CC students or undergrads (pending other councils’ contribution), stopping the service altogether (though no one was in favor of that), or moving distribution to residence halls.

Student Life Fees

• In an effort to dispel rumors, VP Finance Daphne Chen outlined the breakdown of at least what CCSC does with the Student Life fees they receive ($108 of the $698 each student pays per semester): ~60% goes to governing boards for student clubs and organizations’ budgets, ~8% goes to “surplus,” and the rest goes to funds (Capital, Travel) and internal allocations.

Underused Space Initiative

• CCSC President Karishma Habbu and VP Policy Hughes were present during a walkthrough with Housing of underused campus space. Basically, there are a number of huge empty spaces on campus (Ruggles basement, Schapiro basement, the “Schapatio,” second floor EC lounge) that would be great for students if remodeled correctly. PrezBu referenced the River basement as an ideal for these spaces, saying that it was “everything a basement should be!”

Halloween Madness via Shutterstock