A plan to engage more Columbia students of diverse backgrounds in civic projects was unveiled by Columbia College Student Council President Chris Glaros at a press conference last Thursday in John Jay Lounge attended by senior faculty, administrators and students.
The effort, called the Civic Engagement Program, is designed to address a problem--how to take strength from diversity and build a true community at Columbia, Glaros said. Building on such programs as Community Impact and the Double Discovery Center, he said the Civic Engagement Program, designed especially for first year students, would be organized to reflect the diversity of Columbia's undergraduate student body.
The effort would serve the community and involve more students in civic activity, such as community service, political activism, economic development, including New York City and Columbia's neighboring institutions. Additional volunteers would be sent to work in programs with community members. Glaros said the framework for the program will be worked out over the next few months.
He said he hoped a collaborative process would evolve, in which students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members would work together to develop an operational program.
He envisions that a full-time staff of 3-5 people would be needed to implement the program.
Glaros said the program has the backing of the Columbia College, Barnard and Engineering student councils, and the Earl Hall student governing board.
More than 50 senior faculty have been listed as supporters.
Among the faculty speaking at the press conference were Eric Foner, De Witt Clinton Professor of History; Judith Russell, professor of political science, and Robert Hanning, professor of English and comparative literature.
Columbia University Record -- March 29, 1996 -- Vol. 21, No. 21