About the SGB

The only governing board comprised of 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, download:

Constitution

Download the most recently amended version of the constitution here:

SGB Group Recognition

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 undergraduates are required but they can come from any of the four schools 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.

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. 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 two minutes, describing your group. There, representatives from all of our groups will come together to vote on new group recognition, the final step in the process. It takes a vote of 2/3 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.