The referendum and SGA election yielded a 55% voter turnout. Barnard SGA announced its 2024-2025 student representatives. The majority of students also voted for divestment from Israel.
On Monday, April 29, the Barnard Student Government Association (SGA) announced the results of its April 2024 election. Below are the elected representatives for the 2024-2025 academic year:
SGA President: Quan Ha
Vice President of Policy: Adrienne Chacon
Vice President of Equity: Rishika Gupta
Vice President of Campus Life: Ashfia Islam
Vice President of Finance: Jazmin Roper
Vice President of Academic Affairs: Nazira Davroni
Vice President of Student Services: Ella Ferguson
Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees: Jacqueline Yang
Representative for Inclusive Initiatives: Angelica Lopez-Tucker
Representative for Sustainable Initiatives: Eva Salmon
Representative for Alum & Career Services: Nina Thakur
Representative for Seven Siblings Relations: Miranda Ye
Representative for Campus Affairs: Aelia Thakkar
Representative for Information and Technology: Jessica Ye
Representative for Food and Dining Services: Anum Ahmad
Senior Class President: Aurelia Tan
Junior Class President: Cameron Murray
Junior Class Vice President: Sherry Chen
Sophomore Class President: Sania Hammad
In addition to SGA’s elected positions, the voting process this year included a college-wide referendum concerning divestment from the Israeli economy as well as canceling the opening of the Tel Aviv Global Center and phasing out the Dual Degree Program between Columbia University and Tel Aviv University. Out of the 1676 election voters, 1591 chose to participate in the additional referendum. These results follow a parallel election at Columbia College, which also overwhelmingly passed the divestment referendum.
The first question on the referendum ballot asked, “Should Columbia University and Barnard College divest all stocks, funds, and endowment and refrain from further investment in companies profiting from or engaging in the Israeli economy?” This issue yielded 90.99% of students voting in favor of divestment, 7.1% voting against, and 1.9% abstaining from the referendum.
The next question focused on Columbia University canceling the opening of the Tel Aviv Global Center– a new endeavor intended to build on the university’s “existing collaborations in Israel,” and intended to “facilitate further engagement and partnerships.” This question yielded 85.26% of of students voting in favor of canceling the Global Center’s opening, 9.12% against, and 5.6% abstaining.
The final question on the ballot posed Columbia University phasing out from its dual degree program with Tel Aviv University, which was supported by 82.45% of voters, opposed by 10.79%, and abstained by 6.74%.
The referendum does not present binding action for Barnard administration; rather, it reflects the sentiments of students in regards to divestment. With the election’s 55% voter turnout, the referendum exceeds the 30% participation requirement for the Columbia College referendum. It is unclear whether or not the Barnard divestment referendum includes the same requirements.
Email sent from the SGA Elections Commission to members of the Barnard community at 6 pm on Monday, April 29:
Dear Barnard community,
Thank you to all candidates and to all students who participated in elections. It is our pleasure to announce the results of SGA’s Spring 2024 Elections:
SGA President:
Quan Ha
Vice President of Policy:
Adrienne Chacon
Vice President of Equity:
Rishika Gupta
Vice President of Campus Life:
Ashfia Islam
Vice President of Finance:
Jazmin Roper
Vice President of Academic Affairs:
Nazira Davroni
Vice President of Student Services:
Ella Ferguson
Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees:
Jacqueline Yang
Representative for Inclusive Initiatives:
Angelica Lopez-Tucker
Representative for Sustainable Initiatives:
Eva Salmon
Representative for Alum & Career Services:
Nina Thakur
Representative for Seven Siblings Relations:
Miranda Ye
Representative for Campus Affairs:
Aelia Thakkar
Representative for Information and Technology:
Jessica Ye
Representative for Food and Dining Services:
Anum Ahmad
Senior Class President:
Aurelia Tan
Junior Class President:
Cameron Murray
Junior Class Vice President:
Sherry Chen
Sophomore Class President:
Sania Hammad
Should Columbia University and Barnard College divest all stocks, funds, and endowment and refrain from further investment in companies profiting from or engaging in the Israeli economy?
Yes: 1525 votes (90.99%) with provisional ballots *91.34%
No: 119 votes (7.1%)
I abstain: 32 votes (1.9%)
Should Columbia University cancel the opening of the Tel Aviv Global Center?
Yes: 1429 votes (85.26%) with provisional ballots *85.68%
No: 153 votes (9.12%)
I abstain: 94 votes (5.6%)
Should Columbia University phase out the Dual Degree Program between Columbia University and Tel Aviv University?
Yes: 1382 votes (82.45%) with provisional ballots *82.87%
No: 181 votes (10.79%)
I abstain: 113 votes (6.74%)
SGA Total Votes: 1761 (55% of voting population)
Referendum Total Votes: 1676 *voters had the opportunity to opt out of seeing the referendum and 85 voters chose to do so
A provisional ballot was sent to 8 voters with 7 voters submitting. These voters were given the wrong class year ballot and submitted prior to addressing that concern. Those votes did not impact or change the results in any for Executive, Rep Council, or Class Year therefore those votes are not reflected in those totals.
The provisional ballots results tied to the referendum are reflected above.
If you are interested in being a part of SGA, please feel free to run or apply/sign-up for an SGA committee! Applications will be sent out in the SGA newsletter in the fall.
Thank you to all the students who voted.
All the best,
The SGA Elections Commission
Eliza Marie Tagle, Senior Rep. to the Board of Trustees – Chair
Tyra Manning, Junior Rep. to the Board of Trustees – Chair
Mariame Sissoko, SGA President
Magan Chin, Senior Class President
Avalon Fenster, Representative to the University Senate
Emily Lan, Vice President for Policy
Barnard via Bwog Archives