Rads Mehta

Biography

Hi! I'm Rads (she/her). I’ve been on 2022 Class Council for two years. I'm most proud of leading the Butler Banner Project, focused on uplifting marginalized women of color writers. I received the 2020 Barnard Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grant for documenting and enhancing student activist work. I’ve worked with CPS and ODS to improve their services, from an outside referral program to an equitable disability housing system. I've met with countless departments and administrators, giving me deep institutional knowledge.

As soon as we get back to campus, you can find me waiting in line for Ferris grilled cheese.

Platform

I want to restructure CCSC’s Policy committee around collaboration and efficacy.

CU on Houseparty! plans to focus on:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

– Collaborating with cultural organizations to help fund, organize, and publicize the many valuable events they put on

– Building off work done by other CCSC members to increase meeting spaces for identity-based groups

Financial Accessibility

– Covering co-pays for students meeting with outside mental health practitioners

– Subsidizing NYC cultural events (museums, shows, day hikes––you name it!)

– Designing financial literacy and financial aid officer assignment programs to help students navigate their aid

– Expanding CCSC’s Metrocard Program to increase the number of swipes and students on the program

– Addressing food insecurity by expanding the Columbia farmshare program and the free food events during winter break

Mental Health + Wellness

– Working with CPS and the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to establish an excused absence and delayed deadline system for students dealing with mental health issues

– Fighting stress culture in the libraries with initiatives like the Butler Meme Gallery and adding bean bags + exercise balls to the reading rooms

– Helping students return from medical leave by creating a system where they could opt-in to be paired with CPS counselors or other students in similar situations to ease their transition back into Columbia 

– Partnering with SHIFT to continue advocating for faculty and TAs to attend trainings on helping students dealing with mental health issues 

COVID-19 Response for Spring + Summer 2020

– Instituting a one-time Summer Work Exemption Grant for summer 2020 to cover the expected summer earnings student contribution for students who receive financial aid, in a similar form as Barnard

– Scheduling an in-person commencement for the Class of 2020 next academic year

– Developing a resources grant for students to buy technology, school supplies, and other materials they need for remote learning

http://tinyurl.com/cuonhouseparty