Dear Students:

You are invited to join Columbia Health’s Student Health Advisory Committee, otherwise known as SHAC.

SHAC comprises student leaders from the Morningside campus of Columbia University who advise the Columbia Health leadership team on the health needs and concerns of students, as well as provide feedback on various initiatives. In addition, members for coming academic year will represent students’ perspective as Columbia Health executes on its 2018-2021 Strategic Plan.

If you are interested in joining SHAC, please send an email to 

shac@cumc.columbia.edu with your full name, school, year, and a short statement about why you are interested in serving as a member of SHAC.

Over the past years, SHAC members have helped Columbia Health review communications strategies, provide student input on the annual student health insurance renewal, rebrand the flu vaccine efforts, review Disability Services registration processes, and design outreach materials to address myths about Columbia Health’s programs and services. SHAC students participated in the triennial AAAHC reaccreditation survey for Columbia Health. They have also been instrumental in implementing the JED Strategic Plan through participation in working groups.

Member commitments:

·         Attend monthly meetings (usually on a Thursday at 5:30pm) during the academic year and actively engage in the conversation (food will be provided)

·         Represent the student perspective on new, existing, and developing health and well-being efforts

·         Represent health-related issues at student council/group meetings and relay feedback to the committee and Columbia Health leadership

·         Contribute relevant experience and perspective that will add value to the work of the group as well as benefit the student

·         Amplify Columbia Health messages and initiatives through organic and social media channels

·         Maintain academic and behavioral good standing throughout membership

·         Maintain the highest level of confidentiality

·         Term: one academic year (September to May)

Benefits:

·         Amplify student voices

·         Impact decision-making at the highest level

·         Media training

·         Inclusion in Columbia Health website and communications campaigns

This is a very exciting time for Columbia Health as we implement and iterate on a number of key initiatives, many of which have been informed by feedback from SHAC.

We hope you’ll consider joining SHAC and being part of promoting the health and well-being of the Columbia community.

Columbia Health provides on-campus resources and services to promote student health and well-being while at Columbia University. To learn more about our organization, visithealth.columbia.edu.

In health,

Melanie Bernitz MD, MPH
Associate Vice President and Medical Director
Columbia Health