Student Assembly

MINUTES
Cornell University Student Assembly
November 1, 2007
4:45 — 7:00 P.M.
Memorial Room, Willard Straight Hall

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 4:45 p.m.

II. Roll Call

Present: Mazdak Asgary, Chris Basil, Dan Budish, Asa Craig, Mark Coombs, Samantha Dong, Josh Feldman, Adam Gay, Elan Greenberg, Vince Hartman, Ryan Lavin, Ian Lesyk, Ashley McGovern, Steven Matthews, Carly Milller, Arjun Natarajan, Austin Redmon, Amy Richter, Ahmed Salem, Rammy Salem, Christopher Sarra, C.J. Slicklen, Rebecca Smith, Rebecca Stein, Sanjiv Tata, Andrew Wang

Excused: Lance Polivy

III. Open Microphone

C. Slicklen asked if any members of the audience wished to speak.

Jen Davis, on behalf of the junior Class Council, asked when the SA would be discussing and voting on the Class Councils allocation.

A. Gay said that a couple of issues relating to the organization’s budget application have arisen. The SA is currently dealing with these issues and representatives have been meeting with administrators. The Class Councils application will be discussed at the November 12 Appropriations Committee meeting.

IV. Announcements/Reports

Residence Life Committee Update — Rammy Salem

R. Salem said that an effort is being made to create programs that establish a greater sense of community on West Campus.

SA Budget Update — Adam Gay

A. Gay said that the assembly needs to readdress the budget. The budget that the assembly approved at the beginning of the year was more skeletal. Since then more specific expenses have come forward. He asked all representatives to let him know of committee expenses by the end of the week so that he can put together a more concrete and complete budget.

Committee Information Update — Ryan Lavin

R. Lavin encouraged committee chairs and liaisons to update the assembly when appropriate.

CUPD/SA Partnership Update — C.J. Slicklen

C. Slicklen said that he went for a ride-along with a member of the CUPD. He asked anyone interested in doing the same to contact him. He and the police officer discussed the department’s relationship with the Greek Community. He hopes that the SA will become very influential in regards to the CUPD. He welcomed Jon Feldman, IFC president, who was sitting in for Lance Polivy.

Cornell Fitness Centers Discussion — Mazdak Asgary

M. Asgary said that he met with the new director of the Cornell Fitness Centers. They spoke about installing hand sanitizers because the machines only get cleaned twice a day. However, there are budget constraints. The fitness centers have a budget of approximately $1.1 — 1.2 million but 80% are fixed wage and space costs. The discretionary budget is therefore very small. The fitness centers pay athletics $100,000 for their use of the five spaces which the fitness centers feel is appropriate. He said that the towels are washed with a strong detergent. They are not willing to open a new location and count the two facilities in Teagle as separate locations. Helen Newman is 5th on the lists of renovations and will be completely redesigned by 2011. He said that the meeting represented the first time that students had reached out to the fitness centers staff. The director said that he would appreciate student input.

C. Slicklen asked if it would be appropriate to create an ad hoc committee to further explore the Cornell Fitness Centers.

M. Asgary said that he is uncertain as to what the committee would do. Since the fitness centers have such a small discretionary budget it would be very difficult to implement any suggestions that a committee could make.

V. Business of the Day

There was a motion to move Resolution 8 to Business of the Day. It was seconded. There was dissent.

A. Salem said the resolution addresses a serious issue. It should thus be allocated the amount of time it deserves. He did not see the need to push forward and rush the discussion of Resolution 8.

The motion failed. Resolution 8 would not be moved to Business of the Day.

Funding Request for Ivy Council — D. Budish

D. Budish said that the funding request for Ivy Council would increase because the SA is sending more people. This year, 7 SA members and 7 non-SA members will be attending Ivy Council. Ivy Council will be held at Yale. The council is group through which representatives from all the Ivy League schools discuss policy issues.

R. Lavin thanked D. Budish and pointed out Cornell’s strong presence at the Ivy Council. A strong delegation is important for the upcoming council since Cornell may be hosting the event next semester.

There was a motion to move Resolution 8 to Business of the Day. It was seconded. There was dissent. By a vote of 18 to 4, Resolution 8 was moved to Business of the Day.

Resolution 8 — Resolution for the Improvement of the Well-being of the Asian and Asian-American Population at Cornell — Adam Gay, Andrew Wang, Rebecca Lee, Linda Yu, Naveen Dasa, Mark Law, and Bhavna Devani

A sponsor of the resolution thanked supporters in the audience and SA endorsers. The resolution is aimed at improving the well being of Asian and Asian American students on campus. These students account for over 50% of the suicides in the past ten years and are least satisfied with their Cornell experiences. A centrally located community center would allow for the further research, increase access to mental health services and allow for the expansion of the Asian American Studies Program.

A sponsor of Resolution 8 said that they have been circulating a petition and have already collected over 250 signatures in the past few fays. Additionally a number of student organizations have given their full support to the resolution.

R. Lee said that approval of this resolution would be a huge step forward in improving the quality of life for Asian and Asian American students, a community in dire need of recognition and support.

M. Asgary thanked the sponsors of the resolution for putting it together. He said that he is the international student representative and that it bothered him that he had not been contacted in the drafting of the resolution. He said that he supports the be it therefore resolved clause of the resolution but that certain whereas clauses are inappropriate because they contain opinions.

There was a motion to strike whereas clauses 7, 8, 10 and 11 from the resolution. It was seconded. There was dissent.

M. Asgary said that resolutions are supposed to contain objective information. Opinionated whereas clauses are not appropriate.

B. Devani said that the whereas clauses are appropriate. Social science arguments and opinions are objective.

M. Coombs said that there is a lot of information contained in the resolution that he supports however some of it is offensive to him. He feels that some of the whereas clauses were included with the intent of silencing debate. He dislikes the spirit with which the resolution has been brought before the assembly. Open debate is very important.

C. Slicklen said that perhaps the assembly could split the amendment so each clause can be discussed separately. He does agree that opinion clauses are not looked fondly upon.

There was a motion to divide the amendment. It was seconded. There was no dissent. By a vote of 16 to 1 with 1 abstention, the motion passed. The amendment would be divided.

M. Asgary said that he is fine with the resolution as long as there is no opinion in it. Social science articles can be wrong, and does not seem appropriate to cite them as fact when the information cited is not necessary. He said that he has a problem with speculation.

B. Devani said that a similar resolution was passed at Rutgers but that the sponsors are okay with scratching certain whereas clauses.

M. Ye encouraged representatives to vote in favor of the resolution despite the politics. The report of Asian and Asian American students was conducted years ago and no action has been taken.

A. Salem said that certain whereas clauses are very opinionated. He urged them to understand the necessity of having an unbiased, objective resolution.

There was a motion for unanimous consent. It was seconded. There was no dissent. Whereas clauses 7,8,10 and 11 were stricken from the resolution.

There was a motion to call to question. There was dissent. The motion was withdrawn.

There was a motion to table the resolution. It was seconded. There was dissent. 12–9 tabled until the next meeting

The Student Assembly’s Allocation of the 2008–2010 Student Activity Fee — Adam Gay (on behalf of the Student Assembly Appropriations Committee) - International Students Programming Board (ISPB)

ISPB serves a crucial role in representing the international student population as well as fostering cultural awareness and diversity on campus. The board serves as an umbrella organization for international student groups on campus. ISPB funds these organizations and sponsors their own events. The organization is requesting an allocation of $2.03 per student. As Cornell becomes increasingly international, it is important that the entire student body has a chance to experience all these different cultures. The increase in funding coincides with an increase in international students, international student groups, and international events on campus. Fifteen percent of the groups that seek funding through the ISPB receive none at all.

A. Gay said that the Appropriations Committee voted 11 to 1, to fund the organization at $1.90 per student. The $1.90 allocation is an increase from the organization’s previous allocation level of $1.75 per student. He said that although there certainly is an increase in demand, Appropriations Committee members felt that the $1.90 level would maintain an appropriate degree of selectivity.

V. Hartman asked why the Appropriations Committee felt that the organization did not deserve their requested allocation of $2.03 per student.

C. Basil said that $1.90 was the highest justifiable allocation level that the Appropriations Committee could come up with. The organization has some significant internal costs.

There was motion to call to question. It was seconded. There was no dissent. By a vote of 19 to 1, the Student Assembly voted to fund ISPB at the level of $1.90 per student.

The Student Assembly’s Allocation of the 2008–2010 Student Activity Fee — Adam Gay (on behalf of the Student Assembly Appropriations Committee) -Empathy, Assistance, and Referral Services (EARS)

A representative from EARS said that the program has a client-centered model and focuses on three primary facets.

A representative from EARS said that she would be discussing counseling. The EARS room is open seven days a week during the academic year. It is staffed by rigorously trained and professionally supervised volunteers, standing by to provide personal counseling on issues ranging from isolation to anxiety, stress, depression, relationship issues, eating disorders�the whole gamut of issues faced by individuals from every part of the campus. These volunteer counselors handle more than 7�calls and walk-in visits to the EARS counseling room every academic year. No issue is too big, or too small for EARS counselors.

A representative from EARS said that she would be discussing training. More than 400 trainees participate in Beginning, Advanced, or Intensive training every year. All three twelve-week training series run concurrently on Monday nights every semester. The weekly, two-and-a half hour workshops offer in-depth skill work in communication and counseling skills. Sessions are open to all, whether for personal life skills, or as preparation for becoming a counselor. The trainings also give members a chance to learn alongside people from throughout the campus. Trainees learn about empathetic listening, human relations, leadership and helping skills, and they gain self-understanding, compassion and appreciation for others.

A representative from EARS said that she would be discussing outreach. EARS members who pass a rigorous evaluation to become counselors many also volunteer to be trainers at all three EARS levels�and also to lead outreach workshops for campus groups. Outreach programs include; training for RA’s and Orientation Leaders, Peer Advisors, Medical Assistants, Leadership Conferences, academic classes, residence hall groups, etc. These workshops reach more than 700 additional members of the Cornell Community.

A representative from EARS said that the organization is requesting an allocation of $1.25 per student. The request is the same at it was during the previous funding cycle.

A. Gay said that the appropriations committee voted unanimously to fully fund the organization at the requested level of $1.25 per student. The organizations provides and invaluable, highly utilized service that warrants the requested level of funding.

R. Salem emphasizes that EARS provides a service that clearly either directly or indirectly affects all students.

A. Wang said that EARS provides wonderful training. He appreciates that they are not asking for an increase.

In response to a question posed by A. McGovern, a representative from EARS said that the vast majority of counseling is done via the telephone. Specific numbers are not available.

A. McGovern asked why the group needed three phone lines.

A representative from EARS said that it is common to get more than one call per moment. It is not appropriate to put individuals seeking counseling on hold and it is necessary to be able to answer all calls. The third phone line is an emergency line to protect both the counselors and the callers.

C. Slicklen said that the organization does great work.

There was a motion to call to question. It was seconded. There was no dissent. By a vote of 19 to 0 with 1 abstention, the Student Assembly voted to fully fund EARS at their requested amount of $1.25 per student.

A. Craig wondered if the assembly could discuss why the Rockefeller bus stop was being taken away. He said that the construction is occurring behind the gate and that the sidewalks remain open. He does not understand why the bus stop is being taken away.

C. Miller said that there are usually a lot of trucks parked by the sidewalk and near the bus stop. These trucks may interfere with the bus schedule. She suggested that the transportation committee look into the issue.

A. Richter said that the bus stop is being taken away because the sidewalks will be closing in the near future. If the sidewalks are closed, then the bus stop will not be accessible.

The Student Assembly’s Allocation of the 2008–2010 Student Activity Fee — Adam Gay (on behalf of the Student Assembly Appropriations Committee) - Slope Day Programming Board

L. Rapoport introduced her self as the Chair of the Slope Day Programming Board. The mission of the board is to work with the Cornell Community to plan and promote a Slope Day centered on the celebration of the past year, through working to break down social barriers, building a greater sense of tradition and community, and fostering an environment where students, staff and faculty can come together as one Cornell. She said that the Slope Day Programming Board is requesting $15.00 per student which is a $3.00 increase from their previously allocated amount of $12.00 per student. The board is requesting an increase to improve their current level of Slope Day programming by way of musical talent and Slope Fest programming. The funding received from the Student Activity Fee is a small proportion of the over-all event budget. The student funds are solely used for promotion and programming on Slope Day, while a whole host of other costs from security to staffing and support are covered by the University Administration. She outlined many of the expenses associated with the event.

A. Gay said that the Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to fully fund the organization at their requested amount of $15.00 per student. There was lot of debate and discussion with the committee feeling that Slope Day is an incredible event. The committee is thrilled by the organization’s relationship with the administration.

A. Wang asked why the administration was slowly transferring costs of Slope Day to the board.

L. Rapoport said that it is more so the student’s responsibility to fund the event. Many faculty and staff contribute by volunteering.

J. Feldman said that he and the Greek Community are very supportive of Slope Day. The board does great a great job and works well with the administration. This past year the Greek Community worked effectively to mitigate some of the risk inherent to the event.

C. Slicklen commended the organization on their great work.

There was a call to question. It was seconded. There was no dissent. By a vote of 20 to 0 with 1 abstention, the Student Assembly voted to fully fund the Slope Day Programming Board at their requested amount of $15.00 per student.

The Student Assembly’s Allocation of the 2008–2010 Student Activity Fee — Adam Gay (on behalf of the Student Assembly Appropriations Committee) -Cornell Concert Commission

M. Chua said that the purpose of the Cornell Concert Commission is to provide the campus and general community with large scale musical entertainment at a reduced price to full-time students. CCC is operated by and completely comprised of Cornell University students. Over the past three years, CCC has brought nationally popular and widely sought-out musical talent with ticket prices never rising above $20 for students. Additionally part of the mission of CCC is to assist other student groups in bringing musical acts to the Cornell Campus. Approximately 5% of the CCC’s budget is dedicated to offering co-promotions to any student group, aiming to bring musical talent onto campus for events open to the entire student body. CCC is funded through the SAF and earns money from ticket income. Ticket income varies by show. Money goes towards production/hospitality, promotion, office expenses (insurance, storage, phone, copies and co-promotions.

A representative from CCC said that the commission tries to set ticket prices so that the ticket income covers artist honorariums. Student tickets are always cheaper than the general public and become available earlier. The commission is requesting a $12.00 allocation which is not an increase from the last cycle. The $12.00 allocation is the smallest budget that the commission can operate on.

A. Gay said that the Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to fully fund Cornell Concert Commission at their requested amount of $12.00 per student.

In response to a question posed by A. Salem, M. Chua said that freshmen are not allowed to serve on the commission’s executive board. Executive board positions entail significant responsibilities that can only be handled after some experience is acquired. Members are required to be on the commission for two semesters before they can run for an executive board position.

V. Hartman said that issue of executive board membership had been discussed last year. He asked why honorariums are significantly increasing and why it is harder to get bands than in the past.

M. Chua said that band costs are rising due to increased piracy. Playing shows typically represents the band members’ livelihoods. Additionally there has been a big consolidation in the industry allowing artists to bid up prices which translates into the CCC being more limited to midsized bands.

In response to a question asked about co-sponsorships, L. Rapoport said that the CCC is not a good place to start in seeking funding. The amount that the commission can allocate is better suited to address organizations’ needs that arise after the funding process for their concerts has begun..

There was a motion call to question. It was seconded. There was no dissent. The SA voted unanimously to fully fund the organization at the requested amount of per student.

VII. New Business

Resolution 7 — Transportation-focused Generic Environmental Impact Statement (t-GEIS) Rammy Salem and Andrew Wang

R. Salem said that the resolution is pretty straightforward. The idea behind the resolution is to show support for the t-GEIS project and to advocate for its continued development with University support. The GPSA recently passed a similar resolution and it would be great if the SA could pass a similar one.

C. Basil said that the UA recently passed a similar resolution as well. They however conditionally supported the t-GEIS project and will revaluate it as it changes. He suggested that the sponsors change the working so that it is clear that the SA supports the project as it is currently formulated and will consult further as the project moves forward.

The sponsors were amendable to the suggestion.

There was a motion to table Resolution 7. It was seconded. There was no dissent. The resolution was tabled.

VIII. Adjournment

There was a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded. There was no dissent. The meeting was adjourned.