Blake Jones

Biography

I am from Reading, U.K. and I am running for International Students Rep because I have the experience and commitment to excel in the role. I served on CCSC as Disabilities Rep this past year and, despite covid making progress difficult, learnt how to get things done. Currently, I am collaborating with CPS on reworking the initial evaluation process for students. I am running for this position because the past year has been tough for international students and the year ahead is uncertain, but my experience means I am well placed to navigate whatever new challenges may arise.

Platform

1. Advocate for students who cannot return to campus

Not all international students may be able to return in the fall and Columbia’s current policy is that anyone who cannot return must defer a year. I will sit on the Committee on Instruction to advocate for international students facing these concerns and seek assurances that they can continue their education. I will campaign for accommodations such as camera recordings of lectures and online sections of Core classes.

2. Institutionalise winter meals

ID Taskforce has done an amazing job of providing meals for students staying on campus for the past two years, but it is dependent on CCSC members campaigning each year. I will work with ID Taskforce to make winter meals a permanent fixture, whether through USL or a permanent allocation in CCSC's budget.

3. Set up ISOP 2.0 for rising Sophomores

Many rising Sophomores have not had the opportunity yet to move to the US and transition to a new country. I will work over the summer with the ISOP organisers and NSOP 2.0 organisers to provide programming for Sophomores moving to NYC for the first time. I will also work with Housing to give international students some extra days of housing before the scheduled move-in for this transition.

4. Collaborate with administrators and other colleges for visa policy change

US embassies around the world are only gradually reopening and are not prioritising student visas. I will work with the administration and student leaders at other colleges over the summer to create a public pressure campaign on the government. The priority will be speeding up the process to ensure freshmen and sophomores are able to get visas in time for fall and also adjustment of OPT rules to count virtual learning in the pandemic as enrolment time.