Student Government Association (SGA)
Our Mission
The Student Government Association of Barnard College aims to facilitate the expression of opinions on matters affecting the Barnard community through active communication between students, administration and faculty.
With various forums for collaboration, such as committees and weekly Representative Council meetings, SGA strives to promote open dialogue and action that will enhance student life at Barnard College. All Barnard College students, by virtue of having paid student activities fees, are members of the SGA.
Thus, SGA calls on all Barnard College students to take initiative in continuing the SGA’s tradition of equitable self-government and to hold both administrators and students accountable to the College’s larger mission, to foster women leaders and intellectuals.
Please stop by our office in the Student Leadership Collective located on the first floor of the Diana Center right off of Liz's Place Cafe. Swing by with any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions you have for SGA. Think we should be talking about something that hasn't yet been mentioned? Let us know - email sga@barnard.edu.
Stay up to date with SGA by liking us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BarnardSGA, following us on Twitter www.twitter.com/BarnardSGA, on Instagram www.instagram.com/barnardsga/, and on Snapchat (BarnardSGA). If you have any questions, feel free to email us at sga@barnard.edu. We can't wait to hear from you!
Get Involved
SGA Spring 2019 Class Council Applications
The deadline for all applications is Friday, February 1, at 10pm.
SGA Spring 2019 Open Committees Applications
Committee on Inclusion and Equity
Sustainable Initiatives Consulting Board
Student Health Advisory Committee
Student Academic Advisory Board
If you have any questions, please email VP for Policy Mia Lindheimer at mil2122@barnard.edu.
Committees
Committee on Policy
The Committee on Policy explores all policy related issues on campus, as well as issues of gender-based discrimination and harassment, including sexual assault and all other forms of gender-based misconduct. The Committee documents all proposed amendments between years of constitutional review. Notes from meetings and details about amendments shall be documented in the VP Policy’s transition documents.
Contact: Mia Lindheimer, Vice President for Policy | mil2122@barnard.edu | Committee Facebook Page
Campus Life Committee
The Campus Life Committee plans Desserts After Dark, SGA Day, SGA Brunch, and a Student Leadership Dinner, per academic year. The Committee will also coordinate with the Columbia College Student Council, Engineering Student Council, and General Studies Student Council to organize university-wide events such as Basketball Mania, Homecoming Fair, and Glass House Rocks.
Contact: Hannah Stanhill, Vice President for Student Life | hjs2144@barnard.edu| Committee Facebook Page
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee's two main functions are to represent Barnard student's financial interests and to allocate Student Government Association (SGA) funding, which is derived from Student Activities Fee.
Members of the Finance Committee shall attend meetings of JCCC, the Capital Investment Fund, the Presidents and Provost Fund, and any other funds initiated by the undergraduate councils. The committee also allocates externally to Columbia University Governing Boards and thus to undergraduate student groups at Funding at Columbia University (F@CU) with the three other undergraduate student councils.
The committee allocates internally to SGA, Class Councils, and specific Barnard organizations including McAC, Bulletin, and Skip Stop. The Finance Committee shall see that the selected SGA Endowment projects in the fall semester are completed in conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer of Barnard College. The committee monitors and manages the appropriate use of the allocated funds through monthly reconciliation forms and facilitates the transfer of funds. The Finance Committee shall meet regularly with the Chief Operating Officer of Barnard College to address financial concerns of students.
Contact: Rachel Nordlicht, Vice President for Finance | rn2380@barnard.edu
Committee on Public Relations
The Committee on Public Relations manages all strategic communications. The committee handles the publicity of SGA events and builds up public relations through flyering, email, social media, and any modes of communication deemed fit. The committee also updates the SGA website and manages all SGA communication with the press. The committee organizes and maintains all archival materials and transition documents. It also plans and executes Town Halls, Fireside Chats and any other events centered around communication at Barnard.
Contact: Kim Samala, Vice President for Communications | ks3404@barnard.edu
Constitutional Review Committee
The Constitutional Review Committee revises the SGA constitution once every three years. This committee is in charge of identifying what works well and what does not work within SGA, areas that are lacking representation, and process improvements for the future. Periodically, the Committee will submit constitutional amendments to the Representative Council for approval, and the student body will vote on proposed changes during the spring elections season. The Constitutional Review Committee is comprised of two members of the Representative Council, two members of the SGA committee system, and two students who are neither members of Representative Council nor other committees.
Contact: Mia Lindheimer, Vice President for Policy | mil2122@barnard.edu
Sustainable Initiatives Consulting Board
The Sustainable Initiatives Consulting Board (SICB) is composed of appointed students actively researching and assessing campus sustainability in order to maintain and/or improve the social commitments of the College. It works with students and administrators in developing policies and building infrastructure to increase campus sustainability, from waste reduction, energy consumption, and water conservation. The Representative for Sustainable Initiatives will also work with the SGA Finance Committee and the SGA Green Fund.
Contact: Caroline Cutlip, Sustainable Initiatives Representative | cgc2129@barnard.edu | SICB Facebook Page
Student Academic Advisory Committee
The Academic Advisory Committee addresses student's needs and concerns as they relate to academic policy on campus. The Academic Advisory Committee will work closely with related concerns that tie directly to the faculty, the Deans, The Provost, and the Registrar.
Contact: Solace Mensah-Narh, Academic Affairs Representative | sbm2184@barnard.edu | Committee Facebook Page
Committee on Inclusion and Equity
The Committee on Inclusion and Equity works to promote open discussion, foster community dialogues, support and develop policies, programs, and practices that engage the community in building an inclusive campus climate. Students on this committee survey several areas of Barnard College, in particular, the student body, faculty, and administration, and present thoughtful and practical approaches to improving the dynamics of inclusion and equity in all facets of the College. The committee addresses issues of identity, surrounding, but not limited to, sexual orientation, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, socioeconomic class, education, citizenship, and ability. The committee creates forums in which students can participate in meaningful and evocative discussions surrounding the above issues.
Contact: Tirzah Anderson, Inclusion and Equity Representative | tba2114@barnard.edu | Committee Facebook Page
Campus Affairs Committee
The Campus Affairs Committee addresses issues related to Residential Life, Career Development, Barnard College Alumnae Relations, and Public Safety. The committee meets regularly in order to discuss concerns of the following offices and how to approach them. The Campus Affairs Committee is spearheaded by the SGA Representative for Campus Affairs, who meets with these offices regularly to voice concerns and create dialogue around campus issues.
Contact: Chelsea Sinclair, Campus Affairs Representative | cs3556@barnard.edu| Committee Facebook Page
Food Advisory Board
The Food Advisory Board holds food-related events on campus and serves as a liaison between the student body and the Office of Dining Services by addressing food-related matters that involve on-campus dining options.
Contact: Yeliz Sezgin, Food and Dining Service Representative | yjs2116@barnard.edu | Board Facebook Page
Student Health Advisory Committee
The Health Advisory Committee addresses issues with Primary Health Care, Furman Counseling, the Office of Disability Services and Well Woman. The Health Advisory Committee is spearheaded by the Representative for Health Services.
Contact: Ava Adler, Health Services Representative | aja2180@barnard.edu | Committee Facebook Page
Committee on Arts and Culture
The Committee on Arts and Culture ensures that student artists and cultural groups are recognized and valued on campus. The Committee also seeks to incorporate art and culture into the lives of Barnard students. They work with art-focused student groups, the Administration and the Board of Trustees. They will display student artwork in residence halls and buildings on campus through mural projects and exhibitions throughout the academic year. Additionally, the Committee publicizes art events and programs taking place around campus and in the New York City area.
Contact: Phanesia Pharel, Arts and Culture Representative | plp2116@barnard.edu | Committee Facebook Page
Seven Sisters Committee
The Seven Sisters Committee is spearheaded by the Representative for Seven Sisters. This committee is responsible for organizing Barnard's participation in the annual Seven Sisters conference, hosted by a different Seven Sister College every fall semester. The committee is also responsible for coming up with creative ways to work with the other institutions and alumnae to increase the ties between the Seven Sister colleges.
Contact: Idris O'Neil, Seven Sisters Representative | ho2263@barnard.edu | Committee Facebook Page | Committee Instagram
Transfer, International, and Commuter Students Interests Committee
The Transfer, International, and Commuter Student Interests Committee shall explore the interests of Transfer, International and Commuter students in each class. TICSI functions to advocate for student voices on campus and to provide opportunities for community building.
Contact: Hannah Yoo, Senior Class VP | hsy2114@barnard.edu ; Celine Zhu, Junior Class VP | csz2105@barnard.edu ; Norah Hassan, Sophmore Class VP | nah2157@barnard.edu | Committee Facebook Page
Committee on Instruction
The Committee on Instruction (COI) is, “The College’s principal formulator of educational policy.” The committee is chaired by Patricia Denison, the Associate Provost. In addition to the chair, the committee consists of two faculty members from each of the four faculty voting groups, The Dean of the College, the Dean of Students, and the Registrar. The Dean of Library and Information Services and a representative from Development also attend. Four students sit on the COI at any one time -- the Academic Affairs Representative, who is elected by the members of SGA for a one year term, and three appointed students, who serve two-year terms.
Contact: Solace Mensah-Narh, Academic Affairs Representative | sbm2184@barnard.edu
Barnard Library Academic Information Services Committee
The Barnard Library and Academic Information Services committee is involved in discussing and planning events related to the Library, academic computing, and information technology at Barnard College. The committee provides support with navigating courseworks, the class registration process and course-related issues. The committee meets three times each semester (in October, November, and December during the Fall Semester, and in February, March, and April during the Spring Semester).
The committee is comprised of the Chair, the Dean of Library and Academic Information Services, and one faculty member from each of the four faculty voting groups, in addition to two faculty members “at-large.” Four students sit on BLAIS -- the Representative to the Engineering Student Council, who is elected by the members of SGA, and three appointed students, who serve one-year terms.
Contact: Yasmine Kaya, Information and Technology Representative | yjk2111@barnard.edu | Committee Facebook Page
Senior Class Council
The Senior Class Council is led by the Senior Class President, which meets on a weekly basis. The responsibilities of the Council entail organizing senior class events, planning the Senior Class Dinner with Alumnae Affairs, planning the Senior Toast, fundraising for the class, organizing events with our peer institutions of Columbia, organizing Lerner Pub, assisting with the organization of the Winter Gala and Senior Week, collaborating with Career Development and the Dean of Studies, assisting with the distribution of class apparel, and organizing the Blood Drive.
Contact: Rhea Nagpal, Senior Class President | rn2389@barnard.edu
Junior Class Council
The council organizes Junior Class events to raise class spirit and participation, including Junior Class Dinner, fundraising activities to raise money and class spirit, along with events in collaboration with Columbia College, The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the School of General Studies. The council reaches out to Juniors studying abroad, organizes one blood drive with the Office of Disability Services, and plans a Student Career/Networking Dinner. The council e-mails updates to the Junior Class.
Contact: Gabi Garcia, Junior Class President | gmg2159@barnard.edu
Sophomore Class Council
The Sophomore Class Council acts as the representatives to the Barnard sophomore class. It updates the class through email and organizes class events. The Class President leads the Sophomore Council in study breaks and other activities to raise class spirit and participation, including the Sophomore Class Dinner, the Sophomore Class Major Toast, a welcoming event in the fall and the Study Abroad High Tea Send Off in the spring. It also throws fundraising activities to raise money and class spirit. It holds events collaboration with other Columbia undergraduate schools, and a blood drive with the Office of Disabilities.
Contact: Tina Gao, Sophomore Class President | tqg2001@barnard.edu
First-Year Class Council
The First Year Class Council acts as the representatives to the Barnard first year class. The responsibilities of the council include planning events and sending out regular emails in order to update students about upcoming events and available resources for first years. The Council meets weekly in order to plan for events such as the First Year Class Dinner, study breaks and other activities, fundraising events, and the Winter semi-formal with all four undergraduate colleges. The First Year Class Council is led by the First Year Class President and Vice President. This committee is led by the First-Year President, elected in early Fall.
Contact: TBA
Elections
The Barnard College Student Government Association: Election Guidelines
SGA Elections Mission Statement on Fairness
All Barnard College students, by virtue of having paid student activities fees, are members of the SGA. In accordance with the mission statement of SGA, elections are held in the Fall and the Spring to allow for active student participation within their government. To ensure that a diverse range of student interests are represented, all students are welcome and encouraged to run and apply for open positions. The SGA Elections are a free and fair process in which candidates are encouraged to fully express their opinions, while respecting their fellow candidates and classmates. The Elections Guidelines exist not only as a rule book but as a community code of conduct that should motivate each candidate to act in accordance with these values. It is of utmost importance that all interested candidates and all their affiliates familiarize themselves with our elections guidelines. If there are any concerns or questions regarding the fairness of these elections, please contact the Elections Commission, which oversees this process.
The Elections Commission consists of four SGA representatives and a representative from the Barnard Honor Board.
The Elections Commission: sgaelections@barnard.edu
Senior Rep. to the Board of Trustees: Tamar Dayanim
Junior Rep. to the Board of Trustees: Jessica Cruz
President of SGA: Nicola Kirkpatrick
University Senator: Adara Rosenbaum
Senior Class President: Rhea Nagpal
Honor Board Representative: Elizabeth Wiita, egw2115@barnard.edu
If you have any questions regarding the SGA Election Guidelines, please contact sgaelections@barnard.edu
View the Election Guidelines as a PDF.
Updated: March 2019
Executive Board
SGA President
Nicola Kirkpatrick | nrk2121@barnard.edu
Vice President for Policy
Mia Lindheimer | mil2122@barnard.edu
Vice President for Campus Life
Hannah Stanhill | hjs2144@barnard.edu
Vice President for Finance
Rachel Nordlicht | rn2380@barnard.edu
Vice President for Communications
Kim Samala | ks3404@barnard.edu
To contact the entire Student Government Association Executive Board, please email sga@barnard.edu. Thank you.
Representative Council
SGA Representative Council consists of a variety of representatives for specific interests plus the President and Vice President of each Barnard class. Rep Council meets every week on Monday at 8:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Dining Room of the Diana Student Center. All are invited, most welcome, and encouraged to attend. Additionally, please feel free to contact a Representative directly with any concerns or questions - email addresses are listed below.
Please don't hesitate to meet with your Representative Council during their office hours, all of which are held in the SLC Room (inside Liz's Place) unless noted.
SGA President
Nicola Kirkpatrick | nrk2121@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Vice President for Policy
Mia Lindheimer | mil2122@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Vice President for Campus Life
Hannah Stanhill | hjs2144@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Vice President for Finance
Rachel Nordlicht | rn2380@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Vice President for Communications
Kim Samala | ks3404@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
University Senator
Adara Rosenbaum| arr2202@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Senior Representative to the Board of Trustees
Tamar Dayanim | trd2117@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees
Jessica Cruz | js4593@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Sustainable Initiatives
Caroline Cutlip | cgc2129@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Inclusion and Equity
Tirzah Anderson | tba2114@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Food and Dining Services
Yeliz Sezgin | yjs2116@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Arts and Culture
Phanesia Pharel | plp2116@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Academic Affairs
Solace Mensah-Narh | sbm2184@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Campus Affairs
Chelsea Sinclair | cs3556@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Information and Technology
Yasmin Kaya | yjk2111@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Seven Sisters Relations
Idris O'Neill | ho2263@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Representative for Student Health Services
Ava Hadler | aja2180@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Senior Class President
Rhea Nagpal | rn2389@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Senior Class Vice President
Hannah Yoo | hsy2114@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Junior Class President
Gabi Garcia | gmg2159@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Junior Class Vice President
Celine Zhu |csz2105@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Sophomore Class President
Tina Gao | tqg2001@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Sophomore Class Vice President
Norah Hassan | nah2157@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
First Year Class President
Grace D' Haiti | gvd2105@barnard.ed
Office Hour: TBA
First Year Class Vice President
Lea Herzfeld | lh2833@barnard.edu
Office Hour: TBA
Finance
Finance
Please contact SGA Vice President for Finance Rachel Nordlicht at rn2380@barnard.edu with any finance-related questions.
Important Forms
All Class Councils, SGA Committees, and Groups who currently receive funding from SGA must fill out a reconciliation form by 11:59 PM on the first day of every month. Forms must be filled out and submitted regardless of whether or not funds were used. Failure to comply will result in the freezing of your account. Please download the form here and email the completed version to SGA Vice President for Finance Rachel Nordlicht at rn2380@barnard.edu.
Spending Money
There are three ways for clubs to spend allocation money:
1. Petty Cash
In case of an emergency only, Petty Cash of up to $50 can be obtained; see Maria Pasquali in the Student Life Office, 301 Diana.
2. Student Life Credit Card
Clubs can obtain the Student Life Credit Card to make purchases. Note that the credit card can only be used in the Student Life Office, so all purchases must be online or over the phone. Clubs should take into account shipping cost and time if they wish to use the card. The card can be obtained from Maria Pasquali in the Student Life Office
3. Reimbursement
Students can spend money out of pocket and submit receipts to Maria Pasquali for reimbursement. You will be reimbursed through the receipt of a check a few weeks after the request. Note that you must give all your receipts to Maria Pasquali. If you do not have your receipts you will not be reimbursed. Also, note that sales tax outside of New York State cannot be reimbursed.
SGA Funds
View opportunities for additional funding here.
Constitution and Bylaws
Student Government Association Constitution
If you have any questions regarding the Constitution, please contact the SGA Executive Board at sga@barnard.edu
View the current Constitution as a PDF here.
Updated March 11th, 2019.
Student Government Association By-laws
If you have any questions regarding the SGA Bylaws, please contact SGA Vice President of Policy, Mia Lindheimer at mil2122@barnard.edu.
View the By-Laws as a PDF here.
Updated April 11, 2019.
Meeting Minutes
Barnard College Student Government Association Representative Council convenes public meetings every Monday at 8:00 PM during the academic year in the 2nd Floor McIntosh Dining Room of the Diana Center. The minutes and presentations from these meetings are posted here. Please note that no direct quotes may be taken for publication from SGA Meeting Minutes.
Any questions or inquiries for statements should be directed to Kim Samala, SGA Vice President for Communications, at ks3404@barnard.edu.
For the 2019-2020 Representative Council Meeting Minutes, please email Kim Samala, SGA Vice President for Communications, at ks3404@barnard.edu to be sent a copy.
2017-2018 Representative Council Meeting Minutes
2016-2017 Representative Council Meeting Minutes
2015-2016 Representative Council Meeting Minutes
2014-2015 Representative Council Meeting Minutes:
2/23 Rep Council meeting was all internal - no public minutes
Presentations, Resolutions, and Statement of Support
10/8/2018 Statement of Support for Carbon Neutrality Initiative
3/22 Desserts After Dark Survey Results
10/3/2016 Divest Task Force Presentation
10/26/2016 Divest Task Force Event Notes
10/31/2016 Desserts After Dark Results Fall 2016