Difference between revisions of "Improve Columbia"

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This page is a comprehensive plan to '''improve Columbia''' for its students. It is currently based on an article published in the [[Columbia Spectator]] on April 30, 2007.<ref>[http://media.www.columbiaspectator.com/media/storage/paper865/news/2007/04/30/Opinion/Staff.Editorial.The.Little.Things-2887893.shtml Columbia Daily Spectator: Editorial: The Little Things]</ref>
+
This page is a comprehensive plan to '''improve Columbia''' for its students. It is currently based on an article published in the ''[[Columbia Spectator]]'' on April 30, [[2007]].<ref>[http://media.www.columbiaspectator.com/media/storage/paper865/news/2007/04/30/Opinion/Staff.Editorial.The.Little.Things-2887893.shtml Columbia Daily Spectator: Editorial: The Little Things]</ref>
  
 
== Campus and buildings ==
 
== Campus and buildings ==
  
 
=== Campus and outdoor spaces ===
 
=== Campus and outdoor spaces ===
* Replace aging bricks on College Walk
+
* <del>Replace aging bricks on [[College Walk]]</del> - old bricks have been replaced by asphalt pavers
* Keep one field on the quad open at all times for recreation
+
* Improve the drainage on campus, especially the East Campus landbridge
 +
* Keep one field on [[South Lawn]] open at all times for recreation
 
* Improve campus wheelchair accessibility
 
* Improve campus wheelchair accessibility
* Improve the drainage on campus, especially [[College Walk]]
 
 
* Provide dedicated distribution racks for all campus publications
 
* Provide dedicated distribution racks for all campus publications
 +
* <del>Keep 117th Street gates (at Broadway and Amsterdam) open until 9 pm</del> - as of May 2013, the gates will be open until 10pm
  
== Buildings ==
+
=== Buildings ===
 
* Provide more electrical outlets in all libraries and classrooms
 
* Provide more electrical outlets in all libraries and classrooms
 
* Design future buildings without grossly violating the campus aesthetic
 
* Design future buildings without grossly violating the campus aesthetic
Line 17: Line 18:
 
=== Bathrooms ===
 
=== Bathrooms ===
 
* Install motion-sensitive sinks in all public bathrooms
 
* Install motion-sensitive sinks in all public bathrooms
* Put paper-towel dispensers in all campus bathrooms
+
* Install paper-towel dispensers in all campus bathrooms
  
=== Lerner Hall ===
+
=== [[Lerner Hall]] ===
 
* Bring the comfortable chairs and computers back to Lerner's lobby
 
* Bring the comfortable chairs and computers back to Lerner's lobby
 
* Extend Lerner's hours
 
* Extend Lerner's hours
 
* Provide USPS services in Lerner
 
* Provide USPS services in Lerner
* Free Lerner 6
+
* <del>Make Lerner 6 available for student use</del> - 2009 renovations created office space for Judicial Services, Dean's Office, and Financial Aid.  Discussions about use of now vacant 4th floor spaces underway as of fall 09.
  
 
=== All libraries ===
 
=== All libraries ===
 
* Allow students to bring water into all libraries
 
* Allow students to bring water into all libraries
  
=== Butler Library ===
+
=== [[Butler Library]] ===
 
* Move ashtrays away from the Butler doors to the Butler steps
 
* Move ashtrays away from the Butler doors to the Butler steps
* Allow outside food and drinks in Butler, especially after Blue Java closes
+
* Allow outside food and drinks in Butler, especially after [[Blue Java]] closes
 
* Open the sixth floor of Butler, and the third floor reference and card catalog rooms 24/7
 
* Open the sixth floor of Butler, and the third floor reference and card catalog rooms 24/7
 
* Open Butler stacks 24/7
 
* Open Butler stacks 24/7
* Put vending machines in Butler
+
* Put [[vending machines]] in Butler
* Remove unattended belongings in Butler at specified times
+
* <del>Remove unattended belongings in Butler at specified times</del> - Scheduled cleaning of 24/7 rooms moves unattended belongings to Butler's Lost and Found.
  
 
== Technology ==
 
== Technology ==
Line 49: Line 50:
  
 
=== CUIDs ===
 
=== CUIDs ===
* Allow complete swipe access between Barnard and Columbia
+
* Allow complete swipe access between [[Barnard College]] and Columbia
* Remove Social Security Numbers from CUIDs
+
* <del>Remove Social Security Numbers from [[CUID]]s</del> - project completed in 2008.
* Add a second card-swiper in EC, especially on weekends
+
* Add a second card-swiper in [[EC]], especially on weekends
  
 
=== ROLM phones ===
 
=== ROLM phones ===
* Provide free local calls and inter-school calls on ROLM phones
+
* Provide free local calls and inter-school calls on [[ROLM]] phones
  
 
== Academics ==
 
== Academics ==
  
 
=== Departments ===
 
=== Departments ===
* Expand the human rights and ethnic studies majors
+
* Expand the human rights, sustainable development, and ethnic studies programs.
 
* Revive the African Institute
 
* Revive the African Institute
 
* Improve inter-departmental communication
 
* Improve inter-departmental communication
 +
* Create a home economics course, or a variety of home economics courses (like cooking, family management - how to not be a part of the divorced population, household management, crafts, sewing, etc.)
  
 
=== Bookstore ===
 
=== Bookstore ===
 
* Stock course books in the bookstore according to the number of students registered
 
* Stock course books in the bookstore according to the number of students registered
 +
* Sell or provide electronic copies of textbooks
  
 
=== Course registration and technology ===
 
=== Course registration and technology ===
* Combine the course bulletin and directory of classes
+
* Combine the [[Course Bulletin]] and [[Directory of Classes]]
 
* Update all department and campus Web sites regularly and implement a common content management system, such as [[w:Drupal|Drupal]]
 
* Update all department and campus Web sites regularly and implement a common content management system, such as [[w:Drupal|Drupal]]
* Update online listings for Major Cultures and the science requirement based on available courses
+
* Update online listings for [[Major Cultures]] and the science requirement based on available courses
* Allow students to see professors' names when registering for Core classes
+
* Allow students to see professors' names when registering for [[Core Curriculum]] classes
 
* Release course evaluation data
 
* Release course evaluation data
* Create more sections of Art and Music Humanities and set some aside specifically for sophomores and first-years
+
* Create more sections of [[Art Humanities|Art]] and [[Music Humanities]] and set some aside specifically for sophomores and first-years
* Make course syllabi available online for all students
+
* Make course [[syllabus|syllabi]] available online for all students
  
 
=== Seminars ===
 
=== Seminars ===
Line 81: Line 84:
 
=== Advising ===
 
=== Advising ===
 
* Standardize departmental advising
 
* Standardize departmental advising
 +
 +
===Study abroad===
 +
* Better facilitate the transfer of credits from institutions abroad to Columbia majors and transcript in general
  
 
== Housing and dining ==
 
== Housing and dining ==
Line 86: Line 92:
 
=== Housing ===
 
=== Housing ===
 
* Provide cheaper interim housing between the spring and summer sessions
 
* Provide cheaper interim housing between the spring and summer sessions
* Provide subsidies for summer housing
 
  
 
=== Residence halls ===
 
=== Residence halls ===
 
* Regularly clean laundry rooms and install change machines
 
* Regularly clean laundry rooms and install change machines
* Provide A/C in all dorms; turn it on before May 15
+
* Provide air conditioning in all dorms, and turn it on before May 15
 
* Install thermostats in dorms
 
* Install thermostats in dorms
 
* Renovate aging dorms
 
* Renovate aging dorms
 
* Install bigger kitchen sinks and more counter space in all dorm kitchens
 
* Install bigger kitchen sinks and more counter space in all dorm kitchens
  
=== Dining Dollars and Flex ===
+
=== [[Dining Dollars]] and [[Flex]] ===
 
* Allow all first-year [[John Jay Dining Hall|John Jay]] meals to roll over into sophomore year
 
* Allow all first-year [[John Jay Dining Hall|John Jay]] meals to roll over into sophomore year
 
* Do not require [[meal plan]] for non first-year Barnard students living on the quad
 
* Do not require [[meal plan]] for non first-year Barnard students living on the quad
* Implement off-campus Flex, especially at [[Labyrinth]] and [[Village Copier]]
+
* <del>Implement off-campus Flex, especially at [[Labyrinth]] and [[Village Copier]]</del> - Completed in 2009.
 
* Accept Flex dollars at all campus eateries
 
* Accept Flex dollars at all campus eateries
  
 
=== All dining locations ===
 
=== All dining locations ===
 
* Provide more vegetarian and vegan options at all campus eateries
 
* Provide more vegetarian and vegan options at all campus eateries
* Provide fresh, free water at all campus eateries
+
* Extend [[Ferris Booth Commons|Ferris Booth]]'s breakfast options to later in the morning
* Provide a spinach option at the 212 salad bar
+
* <s>Keep [[JJ's Place|JJ's]] open on weekends 24/7 and extend weekday hours</s> EDIT: [[JJ's Place|JJ's]] is now open on the weekends, though not 24/7
* Replace the Wein food court with a more viable option
 
* Extend Ferris Booth's breakfast options to later in the morning
 
* Keep JJ's open 24/7
 
  
 
=== Dining halls ===
 
=== Dining halls ===
 
* Provide more-varied and better-quality fruit in John Jay
 
* Provide more-varied and better-quality fruit in John Jay
* Install a soy milk dispenser in John Jay
+
* <del>Install a soy milk dispenser in John Jay</del> - dispenser added in summer 2007
* Extend the hours of John Jay and [[Hewitt]] dining halls
+
* Extend the hours of [[John Jay Dining Hall|John Jay]] and [[Hewitt Dining Hall|Hewitt]] dining halls
* Install a deli bar in John Jay
+
* <del>Install a deli bar in John Jay</del> - added in summer 2007
  
 
== Student life ==
 
== Student life ==
  
 
=== General student life ===
 
=== General student life ===
* Hold monthly fireside chats with administrators other than PrezBo
+
* Hold monthly fireside chats with administrators other than [[PrezBo]]
* Emulate the Barnard Babysitting program at Columbia
+
* Emulate the [[Barnard Babysitting]] program at Columbia
  
=== Student government ===
+
=== Student government and clubs ===
* Allow students to vote online in CCSC elections
+
* <del>Allow students to vote online in [[CCSC]] elections</del> - Online voting began in 2008.
 +
* Increase funding for [[student clubs]]
 +
* Allow students to determine, at least in part, which groups get the funds from their student activity fees
  
 
=== Events ===
 
=== Events ===
* Sell Miller theater and discounted New York theater tickets at Lerner's box office
+
* Sell [[Miller Theater]] and discounted New York theater tickets at Lerner's box office
* Devise better programming for campus events such as Bacchanal
+
* Devise better programming for campus events such as [[Bacchanal]]
 
* Allow students to drink more than one beer per hour at campus events
 
* Allow students to drink more than one beer per hour at campus events
  
 
=== Student jobs ===
 
=== Student jobs ===
* Provide more on-campus jobs for students who don't have work study
+
* Provide more on-campus [[jobs]] for students who don't have work study
  
 
== Student facilities ==
 
== Student facilities ==
  
 
=== CCE ===
 
=== CCE ===
* Expand CCE's alumni networking
+
* Expand [[Center for Career Education|CCE]]'s alumni networking
* Increase CCE's resources and improve its offerings
+
* Increase CCE's resources and improve its offerings, particularly outside finance
  
 
=== CPS ===
 
=== CPS ===
* Move Counseling and Psychological Services to a more accessible location
+
* Move [[Counseling and Psychological Services]] to a more accessible location
 
* Allow students to make CPS appointments online
 
* Allow students to make CPS appointments online
  
 
=== Gyms ===
 
=== Gyms ===
* Allow students to sign up for Dodge Gym's aerobics machines online
+
* Allow students to sign up for [[Dodge Gym]]'s aerobics machines online
 +
* Make Dodge gym a clean, pleasant place to be
 
* Put satellite gyms in more dorms
 
* Put satellite gyms in more dorms
 
* Reinstate equipment rentals in Dodge
 
* Reinstate equipment rentals in Dodge
 
== Accomplished! ==
 
* [[Calendar|Provide an events wiki for all student groups]]
 
* [https://directory.columbia.edu/people/ Create a comprehensive online phone directory for all students and departments]
 
* [[Core Curriculum texts|Make more Core texts available online]]
 
* [http://www.google.com/univ/columbia Streamline and improve the Columbia website's search engine]
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 +
 +
== See also ==
 +
*[[WTF Columbia]]
  
 
[[Category:Student life]]
 
[[Category:Student life]]

Latest revision as of 16:25, 25 April 2022

This page is a comprehensive plan to improve Columbia for its students. It is currently based on an article published in the Columbia Spectator on April 30, 2007.[1]

Campus and buildings

Campus and outdoor spaces

  • Replace aging bricks on College Walk - old bricks have been replaced by asphalt pavers
  • Improve the drainage on campus, especially the East Campus landbridge
  • Keep one field on South Lawn open at all times for recreation
  • Improve campus wheelchair accessibility
  • Provide dedicated distribution racks for all campus publications
  • Keep 117th Street gates (at Broadway and Amsterdam) open until 9 pm - as of May 2013, the gates will be open until 10pm

Buildings

  • Provide more electrical outlets in all libraries and classrooms
  • Design future buildings without grossly violating the campus aesthetic
  • Extend hours of classroom buildings with study space

Bathrooms

  • Install motion-sensitive sinks in all public bathrooms
  • Install paper-towel dispensers in all campus bathrooms

Lerner Hall

  • Bring the comfortable chairs and computers back to Lerner's lobby
  • Extend Lerner's hours
  • Provide USPS services in Lerner
  • Make Lerner 6 available for student use - 2009 renovations created office space for Judicial Services, Dean's Office, and Financial Aid. Discussions about use of now vacant 4th floor spaces underway as of fall 09.

All libraries

  • Allow students to bring water into all libraries

Butler Library

  • Move ashtrays away from the Butler doors to the Butler steps
  • Allow outside food and drinks in Butler, especially after Blue Java closes
  • Open the sixth floor of Butler, and the third floor reference and card catalog rooms 24/7
  • Open Butler stacks 24/7
  • Put vending machines in Butler
  • Remove unattended belongings in Butler at specified times - Scheduled cleaning of 24/7 rooms moves unattended belongings to Butler's Lost and Found.

Technology

General IT

  • Provide consistent wireless coverage across campus, especially in dorms
  • Include Barnard on the University-wide e-mail listserv

Printing

  • Replace aging printers in computer labs around campus
  • Allow print quotas to roll over from week to week (like cell phone minutes)
  • Install color printers around campus
  • Regularly replace toner in printers

CUIDs

  • Allow complete swipe access between Barnard College and Columbia
  • Remove Social Security Numbers from CUIDs - project completed in 2008.
  • Add a second card-swiper in EC, especially on weekends

ROLM phones

  • Provide free local calls and inter-school calls on ROLM phones

Academics

Departments

  • Expand the human rights, sustainable development, and ethnic studies programs.
  • Revive the African Institute
  • Improve inter-departmental communication
  • Create a home economics course, or a variety of home economics courses (like cooking, family management - how to not be a part of the divorced population, household management, crafts, sewing, etc.)

Bookstore

  • Stock course books in the bookstore according to the number of students registered
  • Sell or provide electronic copies of textbooks

Course registration and technology

  • Combine the Course Bulletin and Directory of Classes
  • Update all department and campus Web sites regularly and implement a common content management system, such as Drupal
  • Update online listings for Major Cultures and the science requirement based on available courses
  • Allow students to see professors' names when registering for Core Curriculum classes
  • Release course evaluation data
  • Create more sections of Art and Music Humanities and set some aside specifically for sophomores and first-years
  • Make course syllabi available online for all students

Seminars

  • Standardize seminar registration processes across schools and implement online registration
  • Allot seminar times before registration

Advising

  • Standardize departmental advising

Study abroad

  • Better facilitate the transfer of credits from institutions abroad to Columbia majors and transcript in general

Housing and dining

Housing

  • Provide cheaper interim housing between the spring and summer sessions

Residence halls

  • Regularly clean laundry rooms and install change machines
  • Provide air conditioning in all dorms, and turn it on before May 15
  • Install thermostats in dorms
  • Renovate aging dorms
  • Install bigger kitchen sinks and more counter space in all dorm kitchens

Dining Dollars and Flex

  • Allow all first-year John Jay meals to roll over into sophomore year
  • Do not require meal plan for non first-year Barnard students living on the quad
  • Implement off-campus Flex, especially at Labyrinth and Village Copier - Completed in 2009.
  • Accept Flex dollars at all campus eateries

All dining locations

  • Provide more vegetarian and vegan options at all campus eateries
  • Extend Ferris Booth's breakfast options to later in the morning
  • Keep JJ's open on weekends 24/7 and extend weekday hours EDIT: JJ's is now open on the weekends, though not 24/7

Dining halls

  • Provide more-varied and better-quality fruit in John Jay
  • Install a soy milk dispenser in John Jay - dispenser added in summer 2007
  • Extend the hours of John Jay and Hewitt dining halls
  • Install a deli bar in John Jay - added in summer 2007

Student life

General student life

Student government and clubs

  • Allow students to vote online in CCSC elections - Online voting began in 2008.
  • Increase funding for student clubs
  • Allow students to determine, at least in part, which groups get the funds from their student activity fees

Events

  • Sell Miller Theater and discounted New York theater tickets at Lerner's box office
  • Devise better programming for campus events such as Bacchanal
  • Allow students to drink more than one beer per hour at campus events

Student jobs

  • Provide more on-campus jobs for students who don't have work study

Student facilities

CCE

  • Expand CCE's alumni networking
  • Increase CCE's resources and improve its offerings, particularly outside finance

CPS

Gyms

  • Allow students to sign up for Dodge Gym's aerobics machines online
  • Make Dodge gym a clean, pleasant place to be
  • Put satellite gyms in more dorms
  • Reinstate equipment rentals in Dodge

References

See also