Students from all four schools express concern surrounding GS Class Day
As reported in today’s paper, last night students convened at a town hall meeting to discuss their opinions on the sudden schedule shift for General Studies’ Class Day. Since then, student representatives from all four undergraduate schools have released a joint statement calling for the administration to be as accommodating as possible to students who have been financially or emotionally burdened by the date change. Continue reading for the full statement, and click here for Spectator’s coverage of the town hall.
Standing Together with the School of General Studies
April 25, 2012
The sudden and unexpected rescheduling of the School of General Studies Class Day has placed undue financial and emotional burdens upon the students of General Studies and their families. We are heartened by the creation of a GS Class Day Travel Fund and hope that the administration will work to accommodate as many people as possible so that they are able to take part in the celebration of the amazing accomplishments of the graduating seniors in GS.
Continue reading the statement after the jump.
We are disappointed with the manner in which this change has been communicated to the GS student body. President Bollinger’s e-mail did not acknowledge the enormous emotional and financial burdens the move of GS Class Day places on the families and friends of GS seniors. We request a formal apology to those students and their families that have been affected by the move. We also wish to see the creation of an event during the originally scheduled Class Day ceremony, in an alternative location, to accommodate those individuals who cannot change their plans or wish to attend in addition to Class Day. This event should be paid for in full by the Columbia and Barnard administrations as a gesture of goodwill and understanding to recognize both the achievements of the graduating GS seniors and the support and sacrifices made by them and their loved ones.
Additionally, we are saddened by the conflict between the new GS Class Day time and the undergraduate Baccalaureate Service. The Baccalaureate Service is the only graduation event that brings together graduating seniors from the four undergraduate schools in an intimate setting to celebrate each other’s accomplishments and our passage together through Columbia. This is to be the first year in which all four undergraduate schools will have seniors speaking at the event, and we are hopeful that any GS students who would like to attend will be accommodated. Those who cannot attend will be deeply missed by their Barnard, Columbia College, and Engineering classmates.
Columbia is a unique and challenging experience for each and every individual who ventures through the Columbia gates, regardless of which school he or she attends. Graduation is a celebration of the culmination of the years of hard work invested to satisfy the requirements of a Columbia University degree. This would not be possible without the immense support of family and friends, the very individuals who wish to be present at Class Day. Every graduating individual deserves the right to be able to celebrate with those individuals in their life who have made this accomplishment possible.
Representatives and members from all of the undergraduate schools stand in solidarity with graduating seniors of the School of General Studies. Though there are four separate undergraduate schools, we stand as one undergraduate student body – celebrating the experiences and perspectives that every group and individuals add to this community. We wish to move past the animosity that has been presented toward various groups and remind students that we are here to support each other and wish that every member of our community feel included and welcomed.
Signed,
Logan Donovan, ESC VP Policy, 2011-2012, Author
Barry Weinberg, Student Governing Board Chair, 2011-2012, Author
Jacqueline Thong, GSSC Student Body President, 2010-2012
Jennifer Wisdom, GSSC Student Body President Elect, 2012-2013
Jose Robledo, University Senator, GS 2009-2012
Kyle Riggle, GS’12, GSSC Senior Class VP, 2011-2012
Aki Terasaki, CC’12, CCSC President, 2011-2012
Will Hughes, CCSC VP Policy, 2012-2013
Yanyi Luo, CCSC VP Campus Life, 2012-2013
Kenneth Durell, University Senator (2010-2012), CC ‘12
Ryan Cho, CC’13, Vice President Policy 2011-2012, President, Multicultural Greek Council
2012
Nate Levick, ESC President, 2011-2012
Tim Qin, ESC President, 2012-2013
Akshay Shah, University Senator, SEAS 2012-2014 [and co-founder of EventSalsa, which is affiliated with Spectator]
Jim Huang, ESC VP Communications, 2011-2012
Siddhant Bhatt, ESC VP Finance, 2012-2013
Bora Kim, ESC VP Policy, 2012-2013
Mary Byers, ESC 2013 Class President, 2009-2013
Daniel O’Leary, ESC 2014 Class President, 2012-2013
Jessica Blank, SGA President 2011-2012
Naomi Cooper, SGA VP Finance 2011-2012
Sarah Steinmann, SGA VP Communications 2011-12, SGA VP Student Activities 2012-13
Julia Kennedy, BC ‘13, SGA VP for Student Government 2012-2013
Mara Wood, SGA VP Finance 2012-2013
Rachel Ferrari ‘13, SGA Vice President 2011-2012
Leah Greenbaum, CC ’12, Spectator News Editor, 2011
David Fine, Student Governing Board Chair, 2012-2013
Maryam Aziz, CC’13, Student Governing Board Vice-Chair, 2012-2013
Daniel Bonner, 2012 Hillel President; SGB Vice Chair 2011-2012
Arvin Ahmadi, CC’14, Ivy Council VP Internal, 2012-2013 [and a Spectator opinion columnist]
Ben Totushek, Fight for Manhattanville, GS 2008-2011, SIPA 2011-2012
Aly Jiwani, University Senator, SIPA 2012-2013
Scott Saverance, University Senator, SIPA 2010-2011
Robert Wintersteen, GS’12
Wilfred Chan, CC’13, Student Wellness Project
Margo Kulkarni, SEAS ‘12
Learned Foote, CC’11 [and CCSC President 2010-2011]
Ryan Mandelbaum, CC ’13 [and CC 2013 Class President]
Katie Johnson, GS ‘11
Iban Goicoechea, GS ‘15
Dominique Mosbergen, CC ‘11
Katharine Celentano, GS ‘14
Jia Ahmad, CC ‘11
Daniel Lagana GS ‘13
Jasmine Senior, CC ‘12, CCSC VP Campus Life 2011-2012
Elle Littlefield, GS ‘12, GS Alumni Affairs Representative 2011-2012
Deborah Robertson, BC ‘13, SGA Representative for Campus Policy 2011-2012, 2012-2013
Varun Char, CC ‘14,
Julianna Burt, BC ‘12
Angelica Hoyos, GS ‘13, GS Working Students Representative
Benjamin Briggs, GS ‘12, GSSC Comptroller
Keith Miller, University Senator, TC 2011-2012
Ayla Kalani, GS ‘12
Justin Nathaniel Carter, University Senator-elect GS ‘14
Miguel Orea & Abril Dozal, Chicano Caucus
Winn Periyasamy, BC ‘13, SGA Rep for Student Services (2011-2012), Rep for Community Development (2012-2013)
Frank Yin, ESC VP Finance 2011-2012
Miguel Morel GS ‘12, GSSC Community Service Representative
Amna Pervez GS ‘14, Legislative Assistant
As of 9:45 p.m., 19 new signatures have been added.
As of 9:45 p.m., the statement is now also saved as a Change.org petition.
If this were the 1950′s and GS was a person, my guess would be that GS would be black. Here, in he 2000′s, discrimination has a new flavor, and that would be the non-tradional kind. A sad aire of oppression for GS students indeed.
If Good Will Hunting was real, he would have gone to GS. And dropped out with financial aid problems soon after.
Good Will Hunting knew he didn’t need to pay for an education.
The sudden change of GS Class Day is having enormous repercussions for students and their families. I do not understand why, if Class Day cannot be moved to another venue on Monday, it cannot be set for Sunday afternoon – perhaps 2 p.m. or so. That would give those families who had reservations, or who can change to flights on Sunday morning, a chance to arrive and see our children walk.
The early Sunday time necessitates at least one extra night at a hotel ( the dorms aren’t available then), if not two. Families of GS/JTS graduates, and other observant Jewish families will now have to take an extra day off work on Friday, May 11, to travel to NYC before Shabbat begins at sundown. (There are no overnight flights after 9 p.m. on Saturday night.) JTS graduation is not until the morning of Thursday, May 17. So we are now talking about 6 nights in hotels and dorms, and a minimumm of 5 days of lost works.
This is an incredible situation. I cannot begin to imagine the stress on our students who are trying to prepare for their last set of exams. I cannot express how angry I am about this situation.
I am glad you are speaking out. As a Orthodox Jewish GS student this was the first thing and concern that came to my mind. Moving class day to Sunday morning creates substantial difficulty for observant students and our families. As you pointed out, this means taking off a minimum of one extra day from work and difficulty with flight schedules or not being able to attend.
There is a lot more to this fiasco than realized with the naked eye.
Is easy being responsible, I have 2 creidt cards, recently applied for another one therefor cancelled one I had, because I have established myself that I won’t have more than two creidt cards. In five years I am with them, I had only paid interest in 3 cycle periods, I am always looking forward to full pay my balance, even if I stay with little money after that, is so easy, I don’t know why is so hard for people to control them self with the use of creidt cards. lol.
The sudden change of GS Class Day is causing enormous repercussions for students and their families. I do not understand why, if Class Day cannot be moved to another venue on Monday, it cannot be set for Sunday afternoon – perhaps 2 p.m. or so. That would give those families who had reservations, or who can change to flights on Sunday morning, a chance to arrive and see our children walk.
The early Sunday time necessitates at least one extra night at a hotel ( the dorms aren’t available then), if not two. Families of GS/JTS graduates, and other observant Jewish families, will now have to take an extra day off work on Friday, May 11, to travel to NYC before Shabbat begins at sundown. (There are no overnight flights after 10 p.m. on Saturday night.) JTS graduation is not until the morning of Thursday, May 17. So we are now talking about 6 nights in hotels and dorms, restaurant meals for almost a week, and a minimum of 5 days of lost work.
This is a horrendous situation. I cannot begin to imagine the stress on our students, who are trying to concentrate on their last week of classes and prepare for exams. I cannot express how angry I am about this fiasco.
Dear Mom 1000 Miles from NYC,
At the Student Council meeting last night, we all bounced around some ideas to plan our own celebration/ceremony on Monday the 14th at the same time…different place. It would be great if the GS graduates could wear their caps and gowns and have their names called and process in front of all friends and families who couldn’t be there on Sunday the 13th. While Barnard and Columbia may have tried to rob you of honoring and celebrating your child’s achievements, it seems that something is being done by the students here to make that up to you. And while you might break the bank to get here, I hope the GS students and the Student Council can create a special ceremony for you on our own to make it worth your while. And while Bollinger probably won’t be able to attend our homemade graduation, since he needs to prepare for his PR moment with Obama, I can confidently say that he will not be missed. In fact, I would prefer if he weren’t even invited.
Sincerely,
Jessica Durdock GS 2012 Graduate
Thank you so much for sharing this new grmamar curriculum. My 8DS has mastered the basics of grmamar, but I have been looking for the next level that will allow him to dig a little deeper. This seems perfect for his level (approx. 3rd-4th) and I especially love that it uses the Bible to teach the lessons. What a great way to hide God’s word in the heart of a child!
…and thanks to the support from the undergrads from the other schools. you are great.
I’d love to write a review of these prtcodus on my blog, and also receive email notifications when the next sections are available. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get Unit 2 to download to PDF. Any suggestions?
http://www.change.org/petitions/standing-together-with-the-school-of-general-studies#
Thanks, Jessica, for your encouraging words and for taking the leadership role for your class. A class celebration/ceremony on Monday is a great idea. Good luck to you, and all your classmates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVIZMBV6QfU
General Studies Class Day fiasco featured on NY1 news segment.
Columbia Students – please pass this on and stand in solidarity with your fellow undergraduate schools!
PASSED: GSSC RESOLUTION ON GS CLASS DAY
SUBJECT: The unfair, uninformed, and spontaneous move of The School of General Studies Class Day 2012.
WHEREAS we are honored and humbled by the unity expressed by all Columbia University and affiliated schools, the alumni community, and current students
WHEREAS we acknowledge and understand the need for increased security procedures surrounding the visit of a sitting United States President to the Columbia University CampusWHEREAS the move of GS Class Day creates an unfair and undue financial and logistical burden to graduating GS Seniors and their familiesWHEREAS this change forces students and faculty to choose between attending GS Class Day and other planned commitments including Baccalaureate and other religious commitmentsWHEREAS the communication surrounding this move was untimely and insufficient to allow for appropriate changesWHEREAS President Bollinger’s unsympathetic message failed to sufficiently acknowledge the inconvenience that has been placed upon the GS community and their familiesWHEREAS the University administration’s modest financial reparations fail to meet the need demonstrated of all graduating GS seniorsWHEREAS the move of The School of General Studies Class day is unacceptableTHEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The School of General Studies Student Council, on behalf of all General Studies Students, especially the graduating seniors and their families, request a formal and sufficient apology from President Bollinger. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The School of General Studies Student Council, on behalf of all General Studies Students, especially the graduating seniors and their families, requests guaranteed financial compensation for all fees incurred from altering planned travel and lodging. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a celebration event be organized for GS graduatingseniors and their families on May 14th during the original class day time.Reviewed and adopted on the 24th of April, 2012 by The School of General Studies Student Council.Signed:Jacqueline ThongStudent Body President, General Studies Student Council
BOLLINGER, AWN, and SPAR:
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. DON’T PRESUME THAT AN ANONYMOUS STATEMENT “FROM THE UNIVERSITY” RESONATES WITH ANY SINCERITY OR ACCURACY.
YOUR ANONYMOUS STATEMENT IS ABOUT AS EFFECTIVE AS ALL OF THE COWARDLY ANONYMOUS STATEMENTS ON THIS COMMENT PAGE.
AND DO NOT PRESUME TO COMMAND US GRADUATES AS TO HOW WE SHOULD VIEW OR PARTICIPATE IN OUR GRADUATION DAY.
And to any anonymous commenter judging the life experiences of our military vets, student-parents, or other GS’ers who have ‘lived a little’ (to say the least), remember that this day is not just about getting a diploma. It might be about so many other symbolic things. Things that might be only valid to an individual, but valid nonetheless.
As I previously stated:
I AM NOT APPEALING TO THE COMPASSION OF OUR INCOMPETENT, COWARDLY UNIVERSITY LEADERS. I IMPLORE THEM TO INCREASE THAT “MODEST FUND.”
GET OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO CLASS DAY ON MAY 13TH. RIGHT YOUR WRONG. GET IT DONE.
STOP WORKING ON YOUR INSINCERE, RECYCLED GRADUATION DAY SPEECHES. KEEP WORKING ON FIXING THIS FIASCO.
AND PUT A NAME TO THE FACE OF THIS UNACCEPTABLE CIRCUMSTANCE.
BOLLINGER: EARN OUR HANDSHAKES ON CLASS DAY.
Signed,
Jessica Durdock
GS 2012