Since ESC’s members are busy planning cool initiatives (and with midterms), this week’s General Body Meeting was concise and productive.

The meeting began with a discussion about a survey that some of the council members are working on. This survey is meant to gather data about students’ experiences to determine if a pass/fail policy for this semester would be useful to students and to see what other support students might need. 

The council members took a few minutes to review the text of the survey and then asked questions to help develop it further. VP Finance Naomi Kim (‘22) noted that CCSC sent out a similar survey and asked if the councils are working together on this pass/fail project. VP Policy Angel Mancera (‘23) answered that they are not currently collaborating, but ESC will look into that as a possibility.

Class of 2025 President Spencer Austin (‘25) pointed out that much of the proposed survey is not relevant to first year students. The survey as it currently exists asks extensively about past experiences with SEAS courses and pass/fail policies at Columbia. The council likely will not change the survey, but first year students are encouraged to fill out as much of the survey as they can.

Student Body President Kennedy Salamat (‘23) then recapped a meeting she attended with Vice President of Facilities Scott Wright. They discussed how locations that accept Flex often have broken Flex machines. Wright will work with these stores to notify students when this is the case. 

Wright also shared that the university is looking to make the Faculty House a permanent dining location. This may be on a different floor than the current Faculty House dining location. JJ’s will have expanded dining hours, at least until two or three in the morning once dining has enough staff.

In her meeting with Wright, Salamat also learned about dorm renovations. Renovations to the John Jay lounge are complete. Next up for freshman dorms is the Wallach lounge. This will likely be turned into a gaming lounge and should be finished before spring break.

VP Student Life Matthew Wahl (‘23) shared that the first Explore NYC Initiative trip was a success. This Thursday the program will be going to the Empire State Building. The class councils also shared upcoming events including pre-professional workshops, a silent disco, and a game night at Hex&Co.

Lerner via Bwog Archives