About the SGB
The only governing board comprising students from all four undergraduate schools, the Student Governing Board (SGB) represents political, religious, activist, and humanitarian groups on campus. Created to meet student demands for a self-governing student caucus during the '68 protests, the SGB has traditionally served as the guardian of free speech and students' rights on campus.
For complete infromation on the SGB and a guide to resources for student organizations, see:
Constitution and Judicial Process
Download the most recently amended version of the constitution here:
- Constitution, March 2009 (PDF)
The SGB may hear complaints against individuals or groups only that specifically relate to violations of a member group’s constitution or SGB rules or guidelines as outlined in the SGB Constitution and By-Laws. The SGB may also hear complaints against groups that relate to violations of University rules. A complaint is considered to come from a group if the group has decided to bring the complaint through its normal decision making procedure (i.e. a vote of the executive board).
Guiding Principles
The SGB, OSGA and the Division of Student Affairs have agreed to a set of Guiding Principles that govern the interaction of SGB groups and the SGB board with Student Affairs staff. It includes a committment to open communication, mutual respect, as well as safeguards for groups. Please check out the attachment:
Sustainability Pledge
We the SGB are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our programming as groups. We seek to serve as a model for the greater campus community by striving, whenever possible, to meet the following goals:
- Reducing our use of bottled water
- Fliering more efficiently and making better use of paperless publicity, like Bwog and listserves
- Purchasing local, biodegradable, recyclable, and/or recycled products
- Cutting down on waste
New Group Recognition
For a detailed description on how to create an SGB group, plus some helpful tips, read the Guide to New Group Recognition.
In short, there are three steps to SGB recognition if you consider yourself a political, religious, activist, or humanitarian group:
First, you submit a cover letter, a membership list which includes the name, e-mail address, school, and year of graduation of each member (at least 10 undergraduate members, from any of the four schools, are required, and the president and treasurer must be undergrads), a constitution, and a letter of intent outlining your group's goals and purposes, past and future activities, whether you need funding, and what your group would benefit from gaining SGB recognition. Email these to us at sgb@columbia.edu and we will schedule a time for you to come and make a brief presentation before the SGB e-board. The Fall 2009 deadline for submitting all materials is Sunday, November 1st.
- Cover Letter (Word Document)
Second, you make that presentation - a five to ten minute talk outlining your group, its goals, what hole it's filling on campus, what events - if any - you've already had, and what you'll gain from SGB recognition. Then we'll ask you questions. SGB often has two concerns: the extent to which your group's purpose mirrors that of an already recognized group, and whether your group might fit better under a different governing board. Usually within a week after you present, we will make a recommendation regarding your group's recognition.
Third, towards the end of the semester at the SGB Town Hall, you will make a much shorter presentation of about five minutes, describing your group's mission. There, representatives from all of our groups will come together to ask you questions and then vote on new group recognition, the final step in the process. It takes a 2/3 majority of the assembled representatives from each club to override the e-board's recommendation.
You can initiate this process in either the Fall or the Spring semester. Just be aware of our recognition deadlines, which are posted online.