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, 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!

SGA Spring 2022 Class Council and Committees Applications and Election Running Details

SGA Spring 2022 Election Guidelines can be found here 

Overview of Spring Election Timeline

Wednesday, April 6th - Tuesday, April 12th 

Attend one of the mandatory information sessions on Zoom. Links will be sent to the school.

Wednesday, April 13th

9am: Intent to Run form due.

Thursday, April 14th

12pm: Confirmation of Candidates. Electronic Campaigning begins. 

Tuesday, April 19th

6 pm: Speeches due for candidates unable to attend the Candidate’s Forum.

8 pm: Candidate’s Forum in Milstein LL

Wednesday, April 20th

12pm: Voting opens on Qualtrics.

Monday, April 25th

12pm: Voting closes on Qualtrics

5pm: Results will be announced 

If you have any questions, please email SGA President, Edidiong Emily Ndiokho at enn2113@barnard.edu. 

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: Parker Watts, Vice President for Policy | pw2463@barnard.edu | 

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: Miso Kim, Vice President for Campus Life | mk4380@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 the financial concerns of students.

Contact: Kennedy Yeager, Vice President for Finance | kay2115@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 flyers, 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: Tiffany Vo, Vice President for Communications | tbv2105@barnard.edu | 

University Relations Committee 
The University Senator chairs the University Relations Committee. The University Relations Committee works to develop initiatives and discusses policy measures that have University-wide benefits.

Contact: Vivian Todd, University Senator | vmt2121@barnard.edu |

Committee on Sustainability
The Committee on Sustainability 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: Delaney Michaelson, Representative Sustainable Initiatives | dm3618@barnard.edu |

Academic Affairs 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: Steely Forrester, Representative for Academic Affairs | smf2227@barnard.edu |

Committee on Instruction
The Committee on Instruction (COI) is the College's principal formulator of educational policy. Membership of this faculty committee consists of two full-time faculty members from each of the four faculty divisions, and is chaired by the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Curriculum. The Dean of the College or a designee, the Registrar and a designee, and three student members of SGA serve in an advisory capacity to the faculty as ex-officio members. Student membership consists of the Academic Affairs Representative, who is elected by SGA for a one-year term, and two appointed students, who may serve up to two-years.

Contact: Vacant Position, contact Parker Watts, Vice President for Policy | pw2463@barnard.edu | 

Committee for Inclusive Initiatives
The Committee for Inclusive Initiatives works to promote open discussion, foster community dialogues, support and develop 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: Mariame Sissoko, Representative for Inclusive Initiatives | ms6153@barnard.edu |

Campus Affairs Committee
The Campus Affairs Committee addresses issues related to Residential Life, Public Safety, Facilities Services, Events Management, and the student body. 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: Vacant Position, contact Parker Watts, Vice President for Policy | pw2463@barnard.edu | 

Food Advisory Board
The Food Advisory Board holds food and dining-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. The Food Advisory Board is chaired by the Representative for Food and Dining, who serves as the primary point person for all food-related issues and services for students on campus.

Contact: Bannon Beall, Representative for Food and Dining | bkb2133@barnard.edu |

Student Health Advisory Committee
The Student 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: Emily Lan, Representative for Health Services | hl3234@barnard.edu |

Committee on Arts and Culture
The Committee on Arts 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 and the Administration. 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: Anique Edwards, Representative for Arts and Culture | ate2120@barnard.edu |

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: Ariel Wu, Representative for Seven Sisters | cw3324@barnard.edu |

Committee on Student Development
The Committee on Student Development is responsible for guaranteeing the interests of Transfer, International, and Commuter students. The committee is head by the Representative for Student Development and works to actively solicit input and concerns from Transfer, International, and Commuter students and work with relevant offices to solve those issues as well as to advocate for student voices on campus.

Contact: Melody Chen, Representative for Student Development | mc4255@barnard.edu |

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: Audrey Pettit, Senior Class President | agp2147@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: Myesha Choudhury, Junior Class President | mac2486@barnard.edu |

Sophomore Class Council
The Sophomore Class Council acts as the representative 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 in collaboration with other Columbia undergraduate schools, and a blood drive with the Office of Disabilities.

Contact: Avalon Fenster, Sophomore Class President | atz2106@barnard.edu |

First-Year Class Council
The First-Year Class Council acts as the representatives of 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 the 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: Summer Jones, First Year Class President | saj2166@barnard.edu |

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 normally consists of four SGA representatives and a representative from the Barnard Honor Board. 

The Elections Commission: sgaelections@barnard.edu

President of SGA: Edidiong Emily Ndiokho  

Vice President for Policy: Parker Watts

Vice President for Campus Life: Miso Kim

Vice President for Finance: Kennedy Yeager 

Vice President for Communications: Tiffany Vo

Vice President for Equity: Christina Juste

If you have any questions regarding the SGA Election Guidelines, please contact sgaelections@barnard.edu

View the Election Guidelines as a PDF.

Updated: November 4, 2019

SGA President
Edidiong Emily Ndiokho | enn2113@barnard.edu

Vice President for Policy
Parker Watts | pw2463@barnard.edu

Vice President for Equity
Christina Juste | cfj2109@barnard.edu

Vice President for Campus Life
Miso Kim | mk4380@barnard.edu

Vice President for Finance
Kennedy Yeager | kay2115@barnard.edu

Vice President for Communications
Tiffany Vo | tbv2105@barnard.edu

Office hours | Tuesdays, 12-2pm in the SLC located in Liz's Place, Diana Center

To contact the entire Student Government Association Executive Board, please email sga@barnard.edu. Thank you.

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 as well as Executive Board during our office hours, Tuesdays 12-2pm, which are held in the SLC Room (inside Liz's Place) unless noted. 

SGA President
Edidiong Emily Ndiokho | enn2113@barnard.edu
 

Vice President for Policy
Parker Watts | pw2463@barnard.edu 
 

Vice President for Campus Life
Miso Kim | mk4380@barnard.edu 
 

Vice President for Finance
Kennedy Yeager | kay2115@barnard.edu 
 

Vice President for Communications
Tiffany Vo | tbv2105@barnard.edu
 

Vice President for Equity
Christina Juste | cfj2109@barnard.edu
 

University Senator
Vivian Todd | vmt2121@barnard.edu
 

Senior Representative to the Board of Trustees
Alicia Benis | ab4645@barnard.edu
 

Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees
Hilda Gitchell | hjg2118@barnard.edu 
 

Representative for Sustainable Initiatives
Delaney Michaelson | dm3618@barnard.edu
 

Representative for Inclusive Initiatives
Mariame Sissoko | ms6153@barnard.edu
 

Representative for Food and Dining Services
Bannon Beall | bkb2133@barnard.edu
 

Representative for Student Development
Melody Chen | mc4255@barnard.edu
 

Representative for Arts and Culture
Anique Edwards | ate2120@barnard.edu
 

Representative for Academic Affairs
Steely Forrester | smf2227@barnard.edu
 

Representative for Campus Affairs
Vacant Position, contact Vice President for Policy, Parker Watts | pw2463@barnard.edu
 

Representative for Information and Technology
Eliza Marie Tagle | ett2113@barnard.edu |
 

Representative for Seven Sisters Relations
Ariel Wu | cw3324@barnard.edu
 

Representative for Student Health Services
Emily Lan | hl3234@barnard.edu
 

Senior Class President
Audrey Pettit | agp2147@barnard.edu
 

Senior Class Vice President
Chloe Capetanos | cac2310@barnard.edu 
 

Junior Class President
Myesha Choudhury | mac2486@barnard.edu 
 

Junior Class Vice President
Carina Layfield | crl2149@barnard.edu 
 

Sophomore Class President
Avalon Fenster | atz2106@barnard.edu
 

Sophomore Class Vice President
Catherine Conlin | ccc2211@barnard.edu 
 

First-Year Class President
Summer Jones | saj2166@barnard.edu
 

First-Year Class Vice President
Grace Welte | gaw2141@barnard.edu 
 

Please contact SGA Vice President for Finance, Kennedy Yeager at kay2115@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.  Email the completed version to SGA Vice President for Finance, Kennedy Yeager at kay2115@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 Yasmin Neil in the Student Life Office.

2. Student Experience & Engagement (SEE) Credit Card
Clubs can obtain the SEE Credit Card to make purchases. Note that the credit card can only be used in the SEE 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 Yasmin Neil in the SEE Office.

3. Reimbursement
Students can spend money out of pocket and submit receipts to Yasmin Neil 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 Yasmin Neil.  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 the simplified guide for campus co-sponsorships and funds here.  

1. Joint Council Co-sponsorship Committee (JCCC) of CCSC, ESC, GSSC, and SGA Funds 
The mission of the JCCC is to provide funding for a student group under extenuating financial circumstances, including travel costs, or for a student group that wishes to start new programming but doesn’t have extra funds to do so. The JCCC exists to provide emergency funding for student groups on campus. More information is provided in the JCCC Constitution & Guidelines (2019-2020).

For the JCCC application form, click here. This form is the first step for students to apply for this funding. Following your submission of this form, you will be scheduled for a brief 2-3 minute presentation, and 10 min Q&A session, which will be the final step in the process of the application.

Applications are due 3 days before the Sunday at which the group would like to present, and the JCCC application is open all year.

2. SGA Co-Sponsorship Fund
The SGA Co-Sponsorship Fund is a vehicle for direct impact on Barnard students and student groups. Though the fund is limited ($6,000 for the year, with roughly $3,000 to be distributed per semester) it is intended to provide necessary funding for initiatives that student groups, committees, and individuals design to impact the Barnard community.

To apply for this fund, groups must be GBB recognized, an SGA council/committee or unrecognized student groups must have a GBB recognized group or SGA council/committee as a cosponsor. Columbia clubs who have Barnard members may also apply. For more details on the SGA Co-Sponsorship guidelines, click here.

Click here for the application.

3. Endowment Proposal
The SGA Endowment Fund provides funding for projects that reach the largest and broadest amount of students in a financially responsible way. All accepted projects should enhance student life at Barnard and/or contribute to the overall academic community. SGA invites all Barnard students to propose a project that reaches an expansive number of students.

In the past, approved Endowment Fund proposals have included: new printers installed in residential halls, new seating for the Diana Center, opening the Diana Center roof to student access during lunches, and the purchase of reusable thermoses for the entire student body.

Click here for the 2020-2021 Endowment Proposal application.

Updated December 1, 2020

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 November 4, 2019. 

Student Government Association By-laws
If you have any questions regarding the SGA Bylaws, please contact SGA Vice President of Policy, Parker Watts at pw2463@barnard.edu.

View the By-Laws as a PDF here.

Updated September 12, 2020. 

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. However, in pandemic times, meetings are live streamed and saved on the SGA Facebook page. 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 Tiffany Vo, SGA Vice President for Communications, at tbv2105@barnard.edu.

For the 2021-2022 Representative Council Meeting Minutes, please email Tiffany Vo, SGA Vice President for Communications, at tbv2105@barnard.edu to be sent a copy. Or access them here, which is also located in SGA's linktree.

2017-2018 Representative Council Meeting Minutes

2016-2017 Representative Council Meeting Minutes

2015-2016 Representative Council Meeting Minutes

Presentations, Resolutions, and Statement of Support

10/8/2018 Statement of Support for Carbon Neutrality Initiative 

3/22 Desserts After Dark Survey Results

4/18 Ombudsperson Resolution

10/3/2016 Divest Task Force Presentation

10/26/2016 Divest Task Force Event Notes

10/31/2016 Desserts After Dark Results Fall 2016