This week’s ESC meeting focused on getting information out about meetings, changes, and also about general events. Initiatives haven’t formally begun, but Bwog’s new ESC Bureau Chief Lori Luo will keep you posted!

Meet Your Representatives!
The meeting began with the different representatives introducing themselves, their positions and their favorite drinks! Here are some of Bwog’s favorites:

  • E-Board President Alina Ying – Boba
    • This sentiment was echoed by many other ESC Representatives
  • Senior Class Representative Young Jae Ryu – Gin and Tonic with lots of lime
  • Vice President of Student Life Bret Silverstein – Green Tea (specifically, the real stuff)
  • Senator Joe Hier – Mountain Dew
  • Senior Class President Sambhav Jain – Earl Grey Tea (because he’s sick right now)
  • Sustainability Representative Ade – Yerba Mate
  • Senior Class Representative William Fesjian – Water

Meetings with Important People
President Alina Ying presented some announcements from her meeting with Cristen Scully Kromm, Dean of Undergraduate Student Life. Important changes since last year include the opening of the new Makerspace, a new option for first-years to have mail delivered to their rooms, compostable coffee lids and that EC now has ovens. President Ying did not go into detail about the changes, but Bwog will continue to keep you updated. Of note, there will also be a Homecoming Barbecue due to the popularity of Surf and Turf. President Ying also brought up the main Finance change that if any organizations’ accounts are in overdraft, it will be frozen. This is a rule applicable to everyone. She also emphasized to ESC that they should remember that ESC is unique to have more representatives to spearhead initiatives and to be cognizant of voices outside of ESC.

The ESC Eboard met with Scott Wright, Vice President of Campus Services, to discuss dining and housing advisory boards as well as environmental sustainability. They also report that the school is increasing cleaning staff, who will also now clean on the weekends.

Specific Reps have also met with people! The Vice President of Finance Sophia Sagandyk has met with the SEAS Dean Travel Fund committee. Applications are now open to any clubs with travel expenses, and clubs can go and pitch for funding. She also plans to meet with other Finance Vice Presidents about Joint Co-Council Sponsorships (JCCC) and about clarifying which clubs get funding. The Vice President of Student Life Bret Silverstein will be meeting with Columbia athletics to discuss collaborations in regards to basketball mania.

Miscellaneous Updates

  • Vice President of Finance Sophia Sagandyk hopes to implement a subsidized Metrocard initiative this year based off of CCSC’s program for low-income students. She will be meeting with Josh Lucas, Executive Director of Student Engagement and ESC Advisor, to discuss this.
  • Senior Class President Sambhav Jain has created a 2020 Class Day Speaker search form for people to recommend fields and names they’d like to see. He has also created a SEAS Class of 2020 Facebook group to have an exclusive page for direct communications. Finally, he encourages the Class of 2020 to go to the Dean’s Reception on Wednesday, September 19.
  • There will be a transfer mixer this week organized by the Class of 2021 as well as an event called Just Dessert for the sophomore and junior classes next week.
  • Vice President of Communications Adheli Gonzalez encouraged people to sign up for the ESC Peer Mentorship Program.
  • Racial Diversity and Inclusivity Representative Sabina Thomas has reached out to STEM-related clubs to meet with their E-boards. If you are in on an E-board or know friends who are who’d like to talk with ESC, please respond to the email she sent out.

Hi, I’m Lori, SEAS ‘23 and the new ESC Bureau Chief. I’ll be covering the ESC meetings this semester for Bwog! Please let me know via comment if there is anything you want to know about ESC, and I’ll try my best to find out.

ESC’s drink of choice via Flickr