General Studies Lounge

This is the collection of weekly email updates sent to the General Studies Student Body:

Past Updates:

Friday evening a large group of General Studies newcomers gathered at Alma Mater to engage in some fun social activities away from Morningside.

As part of GSCC’s Pre-Orientation schedule, the brand spanking new students embarked on their first experience hanging out afterhours in New York City. Led by alum, Joel Pichardo GS’08, the group trekked down to the East Village and hopped from several dive bars to classier liquor establishments. Newbies enjoyed the mix of cheap prices and high quality company while discussing what lies ahead in their first Columbia semester.

The group enjoyed the night as much as they could; staying out until the wee hours of the morning to savor what is left of their free time.

Special thanks to Joel Pichardo, Robert Clemens, James Agapoff, Kristen Hutzler, and Helena Lellis for participating with this event.

Several General Studies students and administrators gathered in Lewisohn Lounge for the annual Orientation Prep meeting on the Friday afternoon before Orientation week. 

Henry Ford himself couldn’t be more proud as volunteers formed productive assembly lines to compile folders, magazines, candy and other goodies into trendy GS bags. The group enjoyed hardy laughter as they exchanged past orientation experiences and shared memories of their own orientation days.

The incoming class of fall 2008 will be formally welcomed on Monday, August 25th and treated to a classy after party sponsored by GSSC.  Those wanting even more fun throughout the week have the option to participate in the many activities outlined in the extensive, Extended Orientation schedule which is full of joint undergraduate school events, activities, workshops and club meet & greets.

Special thanks to Assistant Dean Leslie Limardo and Martha Palaguachi, NSOP 2008 GS Programmer and GS Student Orientation Coordinator who both have been working since January to prepare a proper welcome to the School’s newest students. 

A few General Studies pros spent the afternoon with some incoming students Wednesday as part of GSSC’s Pre-Orientation events. 

Gathering at Alma Mater, the group of excited newcomers was led on a fantastic tour by the School’s own Melissa Van, an official Campus Tour Guide. Hiking up stairs, strolling through the lawns and skipping up and down the pathways (OK, there was no skipping); the Pre-Orientation group was treated to quite a few nuggets of knowledge.

Did you know President Dwight Eisenhower, former Columbia University President, insisted on having a GS bulletin appear in his portrait? It now hangs in Butler Library above the stairway going from the second to third floor, behind the security desk at the main entrance.

The group ended the afternoon chowing down and sipping some great strawberry iced tea at the cafeteria in the Interfaith Center. The newest GS students discussed their enthusiasm with the upcoming semester as the pros shared their wishes for summer break to be extended.

This year there is an exciting opportunity for students to apply to a
number of open positions in Student Government. If you are interested,
familiarize yourself with the GSSC Constitution as it lists the
responsibilities and requirements of all the positions on council.

Candidates will be interviewed by the GSSC at the first meeting, 2
September 2008, 7:30 pm, Lerner Hall 5th Floor. Appointees must be
available for the weekly meetings on Tuesday nights at 7:30pm.
Candidacy will be contingent on being able to attend the GSSC Retreat
the weekend of the 13th of September 2008. There will be no exceptions
to these requirements.

Interested? Check out this page

This year there is an exciting opportunity for students to apply to
a number of open positions in Student Government. If you are
interested, familiarize yourself with the GSSC Constitution as it lists
the responsibilities and requirements of all the positions listed
below.

Candidates will be interviewed by the GSSC at the second meeting,
September 9th 2008, 7:30 pm, Lerner Hall 5th Floor. Appointees must be
available for the weekly meetings on Tuesday nights at 7:30pm. 

Interested? Email Elie Colley at eac2148@columbia.edu

Open Positions:

Student Services Representative

Columbia University provides a tremendous number of resources to
students. The Student Services Representative is a voting member of the
student council who makes students of General Studies aware of these
resources and the administration aware of possible gaps in service.
Strong communication, collaboration and team-building skills matched
with a strong commitment to student services. A last detail about this
role is that it will fill in gaps for our military veteran students as
the council at large works to improve how the school works with
veterans.

Alumni Affairs

Maintaining a link to the experience, successes and learnings of our
General Studies alumni is an essential element creating successful
career events, senior gift campaigns, and informed decisions within the
student council. The Alumni Affairs representative shapes the
relationship between GS alumni and the student body and council.
Another, aspect of this role is working with the Center for Career
Education (CCE) to better serve the needs of GS students and inform
students about interesting CCE offerings. Qualities of creativity and
persistence will benefit candidates as they find new ways to match
alumni with mutually engaging events with current GS students.

Parent's Representative