Whereas in March 2008, the 2007–2008 Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) passed a resolution entitled R8: Regarding the Pay & Benefits Committee, which renamed the Pay & Benefits Committee and its responsibilities to the “Student Advocacy Committee”; and

Whereas it is stated in R8:
“Be it further resolved that the GPSA charges the 2008—2009 Student Advocacy Committee to develop a working model of the committee’s operation, that includes a monthly public meeting where issues germane to the committee’s purview are addressed, and a suitable course of action recommended”; and

Whereas, it further states in R8:
“Be it further resolved that the 2008—2009 Student Advocacy Committee recommend further changes to the GPSA Charter by the first assembly meeting of spring semester of 2009 that further refines its goals as a committee”.

Be it therefore resolved that the 2008–2009 GPSA Student Advocacy Committee has complied with R8 in that the committee has met on a monthly basis and has produced such a working procedure, which was presented to the GPSA Voting Assembly on January 26th, 2009; and

Be it further resolved that the Student Advocacy Committee recommends that the following additions (written in bold) be made to the GPSA Charter:

9.7 Student Advocacy Committee
The Student Advocacy Committee will be charged with investigating the needs and desires of graduate and professional students regarding issues and concerns relating to their finances, mental and physical health, and general well being. These issues shall include but are not limited to stipend levels, health insurance coverage, child care, mental health. The Student Advocacy Committee shall meet at least once a month during the academic year and will work in consultation with other relevant committees and interested parties. In order to be more fully aware of the current issues being faced by the graduate and professional student community, the Student Advocacy Committee will hold at least one town hall meeting per year, which will be open to the Cornell Graduate and Professional Student community.

In addition to those appointed as members of the Student Advocacy Committee, any graduate student who serves on a university committee whose focus follows Student Advocacy will be appointed as ex-officio members. These committees shall include, but are not limited to: Board on University Health Care Services, University Assembly Transportation Advisory Committee, Child Care Subcommittee, President’s Council for Alcohol & Other Drugs, President’s Council on Mental Health & Welfare, Joint Assembly Financial Aid Review Committee and Family Services Committee. All ex-officio appointments will be made with the consent from the current Operations and Staffing Committee.

Be it finally resolved that this resolution be sent to Peggy Beach, Director of the Office of Assemblies and Alison Power, Dean of the Cornell Graduate School.

Respectfully Submitted,

Brian Michael Forster
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly At-Large Representative
Student Advocacy Committee Chair 2008–2009

Briony Horgan
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly Physical Sciences Representative
Student Advocacy Committee Member 2008–2009