Pass/Fail Policy
Marking a significant and major stride in the progress of student-administration relations here at Columbia, Neda Navab's and David Alis' pass/fail procedure was  voted in by the Columbia University Committee on Instruction:
New Pass/Fail Procedure Passes Committee; Plan allows students to choose Pass/Fail option and still receive regular letter grades for courses.

The aftermath:
Many Elect for New Pass/D/Fail Option

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Project Athena
The goal of Project Athena is to create a much needed students' guide to Columbia.  We've spent the year compiling information on everything from what students really think about the different dorms to what food places are open at 2am.  Anything and everything you've ever wanted to know about Columbia, Morningside Heights, and eventually New York will be included and all from the perspective of the students.  The guide will be available online in a Wikipedia format, which will allow all members of the CU community to add any of their own helpful insights to life at Columbia! Expected release: Spring 2006.

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Students for Environmental and Economic Justice (SEEJ)
The Columbia community overwhelmingly wants to help to protect and not harm our environment. Thousands of cartons of paper are bought annually to feed the University’s needs, and most of it comes straight from the tall trees of the forest as opposed to recycling bins. What does recycling matter if no one makes the industry cost-effective by buying recycled? To this end, Students for Environmental and Economics Justice would like to see a university-wide 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper policy.

The decision of paper purchasing is taken only every five years at the university. The administration and the students need to take this opportunity, which is only months away, to make sure all departments accept nothing less than 100% recycled. With full consensus from all departments the price change from the existing virgin or 30% recycled to 100% recycled paper will be much diminished.

Other peer institutions have already paved the way for environment-friendly policies. Princeton University currently uses only 100% recycled, while Cornell University is slowly making the same transition. Columbia University should not hesitate to be at the vanguard of such a movement, as it has been in other fields.

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New Council Created ColumbiaTrak Workshop series
Career services has been a point of emphasis for the council since the year’s outset. The ColumbiaTrak workshop, attempts to acquaint students with the ColumbiaTrak system, while also allowing them to become better acquainted with their Career Service advisors. In addition to the numerous Interview and Resume building workshops offered, ColumbiaTrak has proven effective, drawing considerable attendance amongst the first-years for which the series was designed.

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John Jay dining- Fresh orange juice, fortified soy milk, boxed meals, etc;
The council has been working with extensively with dining throughout the year. We have worked to bring fresh orange juice and more health conscious options such as fortified soy milk. Additionally, the council has worked extensively with the boxed meal program. Last week, the council worked with Scott Wright to found the boxed breakfast program (containing a bowl of cereal, a carton of milk, a drink, a piece of fruit or fruit salad, and a breakfast bar) which debuted on Tuesday, April 12th.

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CU Round Up Charity Program
The council founded the CU Round-Up program to help bring the surrounding Columbia community and neighborhood sorely needed funds. As part of CU Round-Up, customers at the Columbia University bookstore will be asked to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar to be donated to charity. The proceeds will be placed in a fund and given to a non-profit local or student organization, which will be selected by the 2008 class council from student nominations. The program will run at the beginning of each semester and for the last two weeks of this year.

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Response within 48 hours to all student concerns voiced via e-mail through the council constructed CCSC 2008 Website
The CCSC 2008 site has been an important part of the council’s operations this year. The council has received nearly 200 student suggestions and comments throughout the year. These comments, in addition to being responded to in a prompt manner, served to set a large portion of the agenda for CCSC 2008 meetings. Website suggestions led to the acquisition of gaming for Carmen, planted the seeds for the ColumbiaTrak series, and helped shape CCSC 2008 meetings throughout the year.

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Free emergency sexual health testing
Columbia previously required that all students have insurance to cover the cost of sexual health testing for STDs. However, some students may not be able to do so, either because they do not have insurance or their insurance sends itemized statements to their parents’ address. In order to remedy this potentially serious problem, the council worked with administrators to set up an emergency fund so that those who were otherwise not able to do so could receive testing. The program has been successfully implemented.

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Pool and air hockey tables in Carman lounge
The council had worked to get gaming into Carman, but was disappointed when the tables lacked necessary equipment. The equipment was later acquired through an individual council member’s purchase, allowing for the table’s to begin being utilized.

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Alumnae Relations
The council has worked to greatly expand alumni relations, largely utilizing the newly instituted Grandfather Class program (between CC 58’ and CC 08’). The council organized many events including the Alumni Panel, monthly alumni dinners and lunches (in which students from CC 08’ are selected randomly for attendance), and the alumni dinner presentation planned for the end of April.

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CCSC inspired free New York Times
CCSC worked this year (highlighted by an extraordinary effort by CC 2007 council members) to bring the school nearly a thousand free copies of the New York Times every weekday.

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Monthly study breaks and social events
Monthly study breaks, in conjunction with events like The West End Halloween Bash, offer students a chance to have a little fun while meeting other members of the class. Additionally, study breaks offer a respite for those who enjoy the idea of free food.

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Columbia University National Undergraduate Film Festival
Sponsored by CCSC-2008, Columbia University hosted its first annual national undergraduate film festival on April 9th, 2005. This festival featured the twelve best short films created by students at the undergraduate level from across the country.  Finalists were chosen from an impressive pool of over 70 submissions and come from over 40 campuses nationally. On the day of the festival (Saturday April 9^th from 6-9PM at Lerner Cinema), selected films were judged by a panel of professionals already working in the film industry to win awards in nine different categories.

Website: http://www.CUfestival.com/

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Resolution #1 Laundry Convenience

Summary: Students often find that laundry machines are either all being used during peek hours. In these cases, students must waste valuable study time waiting for available machines. Other schools, such as Carnegie Mellon University, have utilized online systems which e-mail selected students when machines are available. This saves time and assuages tempers.

Result: Resolution passed, and the council will meet with appropriate administrators to talk about implementing such a system.

Resolution #2 Service Learning

Summary: Many peer institutions such as Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania have service learning components to their curriculum. Effectively, service learning is the active application of what one learns in the classroom in the community. An example of service learning would be teaching a resident from a neighboring community about a topic (take sexual education, for instance) one researched for a course such as University Writing. This offers students the opportunity for practical application of knowledge while positively impacting the surrounding community.

Result: Resolution passed.

Resolution #3 More Study Time Needed!

Summary: During the fall semester this year, Columbia students will have two days to study for finals. Many peer institutions offer far more time, with Princeton even going so far as to offer eight days. The proposal states that next year the calender will be modified for the fall semester so as to allow three study days in fall 2005. This will provide students with the opportunity to feel more prepared for final exams.

Result: Resolution passed- Working with administration to hammer down calendar change.

Resolution #4

Summary: Currently, students who wish to take out a bin from the Department of Housing and Dining must pay a fee of $10 for every hour they have a bin out beyond the second. This does not raise revenues in any significant matter, but does provide an inconvenience to the students. This charge applies even when there are empty bins available. The council moves that throughout the year (with the exception of within two weeks of check in or checkout time as these are the when the bins are most needed), the bin rental period be changed to eight hours.

Result: Resolution Passed- Action has been implemented, change made.

Resolution #5

Summary: Like the bin return, Columbia hospitality charges a fee to encourage students to return spare keys in a timely fashion. However, unlike the bin, no one is deprived of using a service as a result of the students possession of the key. The council moves that the key return fee be eliminated, as the payments from students do not significantly raise revenues, but are merely a hassle.

Result- Resolution passed- School Council is currently talking to administration about implementing change.

Resolution #6

Summary: All dorms with the exception of Woodbridge, Clairmont, and Ruggles (Such a resolution does not affect you now but will in a year or two), have printers either within the dormitory or in an adjacent dormitory. Many students do not bring printers to school, and thus these dorms not having printers presents a significant problem for some students. The council moves that the Department of Housing allocate necessary funds to provide said dormitories with printers.

Result: Resolution passed.

Resolution #7

Summary: Due to the importance of fostering a strong sense of community among Columbia students and alumnai/ae, an expansion of the Columbia eCommunity would give current and past Columbia University students a better ability to exchange information, announce events, and faciliatate communication. It is crucial that students are made to feel that they are a part of the larger Columbia University community from the time they enter Columbia. Therefore, introducing students to the eCommunity during their first year at Columbia will give them the next four years to develop the habit of using this important tool. Columbia will take steps to involve undergraduate students in the Columbia University community, including admitting all undergraduate students into the Columbia University eCommunity and encouraging Columbia Clubs around the world to induct undergraduate students.

Result: Resolution passed.

Resolution #8

Summary: It is proposed that the Division of Student Affairs, through the Office Scholars and Fellows, initiate a pilot program to be called the "Summer Scholars." This program would provide subsidized housing and meal/transportation for twenty to thirty Columbia undergraduates to participate in unpaid internships during the summer following their Junior year. Acceptance criteria: Not yet cemented.

Result: Resolution passed. CCSC supports Summer Scholar Program, and moves forward to Student Affairs.

Resolution #9

Summary: The Columbia community overwhelmingly wants to help to protect and not harm our environment. The decision of paper purchasing is taken only every five years at the university. The administration and the students need to take this opportunity, which is only months away, to make sure all departments accept nothing less than 100% recycled. With full consensus from all departments the price change from the existing virgin or 30% recycled to 100% recycled paper will be much diminished. Columbia University should not hesitate to be at the vanguard of such a movement, as it has been in other fields.

Result: Resolution passed. CCSC supports Students for Environmental and Economic Justice (SEEJ).