Student Assembly

Minutes
Cornell University Student Assembly
February 5, 2009
4:45 — 6:30pm
Art Gallery, Willard Straight Hall

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 4:48 pm

II. Roll Call

Representatives Present: V. Andrews, N. Baker, C. Basil, A. Brokman, E. Cusick, E. Diakow, M. Heinz, N. Junewicz, N. Kumar, A. Latella, R. Lavin, M. McDermott, G. Mezey, T. Miller, N. Raps, R. Salem, O. Sandoval, E. Shannon, R. Stein

Representatives 1/2 Unexcused: A. Craig,

Representatives Excused: L. De Lencquesaing, B. Smith

Representatives Unexcused: A, Garcia-Verdin, Y. Yao

Liaisons Present: A. Miller, S. Tata

III. Approval of the Minutes — January 29, 2009

E. Diakow called for acclimation. It was seconded without dissent. The minutes were approved.

IV. Open Microphone

No one chose to speak.

V. Announcements/Reports

Committees Staffing Announcement — Tony Miller

VP Miller thanked the office of the assemblies. He said that there are 40 or so committees to go through. A lot of the committees have a maximum number of members as per the charter. He’d like each chair to go through their committees and let him know about people who’ve been absent for more than two meetings. That way they can get people who want to join into the committee.

Ivy Leadership Summit Reminder — Alex Latella

A. Latella wanted to remind everyone that he and S. Purdy are leaving tomorrow at noon for the ILS, which is this weekend. Hopefully there will be an update next Thursday.

ResLife Committee Update — Nikhil Kumar

They had their first meeting of the semester this past Monday. They took the time to read and catch up on projects left from last semester. Among them was a project Y. Yao started with laundry rooms on north campus and one taken on by E. Cusick with the transportation department involving bus passes. They also discussed the housing master plan and that the undergrads input is included. They should be updating soon. Finally, they had been thinking about an online forum, discussion, or venue to take on student commentary. They have been talking to Ari about that.

A. Miller asked if there was a Greek representative on the committee. N. Kumar replied that there was not and to please send him an email so they can work out for one to be there. If anyone wants to show up, there’ll be a meeting the following Monday, email him with more questions.

University Accreditation Announcement — Ryan Lavin

There was an email sent from him about this committee that wants to recruit members. Right now B. Smith, N. Raps and N. Kumar are on the list. It’s a commitment but is a great opportunity and he wanted to know if anyone else was interested.

Employee Assembly Report — Emily Cusick

They had the second EA meeting of the semester and in it, they discussed sustainability efforts affecting Cornell employees and a forum to discuss these. It’s tentatively planned.

DC Lobbying Trip

R. Lavin wanted to encourage SA members to participate and to let R. Salem know if you want to participate. R. Salem said the date is around the 20–21 of March. It’s a good opportunity. R. Lavin said that a pre-requisite at this point is to receive federal financial aid.

Elections Update — M. McDermott

As of mid-day yesterday there have been about 20–25 packets signed out. Class councils are up to speed by using their elections system. For people who did sign out packets, there were two papers missing. Emails have been sent out. They’re slate eligibility forms and a pink sheet for President and Executive Vice-President about rules. There will be an email sent out to all student organizations reminding people that they are in the midst of an election. WVBR has been in contact. There’s been talk of a having a Presidential and Executive Vice-Presidential radio debate prior to elections kicking off. This is a new media output this year.

Trustee Nominating Committee- VP Miller

He and CJ Slicklen are undergraduate representatives for this. Just approved their calendar. Won’t be moving on elections until after spring break. If there are any questions, bring it to him or CJ

Communications Committee Announcement

VP Junewicz said that they are going to be discussing the moratorium, campus life and residential issues. The committee will meet Tuesday at eight to get it out soon and let her know if you want to submit something.

Moratorium update —R. Lavin

Already have the account and assemblies information. They’re getting more information from the Student Activities Office and they will be notified every week about this.

There will be executive session. This week

R. Salem asked about the provision put in about new student groups and the criteria. R. Lavin said that it’s up to the SAO but no groups have come up.

VI. Business of the Day

Academic Calendar Discussion

R. Lavin read the Academic Calendar Changes Discussion Page. There will be discussion. He will type a report and send it to the ILR school professor in charge.

VP Miller said that the first thing is that option A) add Wednesday and take no additional day off is ridiculous. The idea of not getting Labor Day off is astounding to other peer institutions. His recommendation is a federal holiday off.

R. Stein said that she chooses choice D because she thinks that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving would be ideal. Especially because classes end Wednesday at noon. People need time to get home and if you don’t live in the tri-state area, it’s ridiculous. She thinks it would serve students best.

A. Brokman said that he chooses B and thinks it’s ironic and sad not to get Labor Day off.

A. Craig said B for the time being but many professors already give them the Wednesday off before Thanksgiving. He would say Labor Day and if to send a note, to perhaps look at MLK day.

N. Raps said that from the freshmen perspective, they don’t know about being able to argue for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off. And all the busses chartered through Cornell don’t leave before then. She chooses D.

N. Junewicz chooses D as well and said especially due to weather conditions; it would give people more time to travel.

O. Sandoval says E to make fall break longer by one day to recover from prelims.

E. Cusick chooses B because it’s not just the students; it’s the Cornell community. This way parents get Labor Day off too.

R. Salem says D because even though it’s a half-day, he doesn’t see the significance of one federal holiday over another. He thinks there is a minority of professors giving prelims and finals that Wednesday. It would be doing the students of service.

VP Miller asked a point of information: does staff work on Labor Day? A. Epstein replied that staff has off but students and academics do not.

R. Stein was under the impression that Cornell has a policy against giving off for those days. A. Epstein said that there is a deliberate policy not to favor one holiday over another, but as far as national holidays, it varies with each holiday as to the reason why they don’t have off.

R. Lavin noted that adding a day to the calendar in the fall does shorten the gap.

A. Miller agreed that having Labor Day off is really early. He would choose D or E.

E. Diakow said that since fall semester is all shorter, she thinks we should add a day, get off for labor day AND thanksgiving. She votes for B and D.

VP Mezey said that as much as he would like Ash Wednesday through Good Friday, he opts for B and D because Labor Day makes sense with the ILR School and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with travel.

V. Andrews said that the issue with taking off any day but Labor Day is that taking off another day does take away from the working people. If you take a day besides Labor Day, a lot of these people won’t be receiving checks for that. So B.

M. Heinz says D for the travelling reasons and adding a Wednesday to take away a Wednesday makes sense.

R. Stein would like to say that C is the worst idea and is confusing.

R. Lavin took a poll of which are the most wanted. B and D were most popular.

R.22 Slope Day Finances — Greg Mezey and Ryan Lavin

VP Mezey said that none of the language has really changed. A couple of changes from last time were that they were confused on the mechanism. Basically, five dollars goes per year. Apparently the investment income goes in and the five dollars is held per year and then the whole large chunk goes into the fund at the end of the year. So the change to the charter is on the list. R. Lavin said that they’ve been speaking with the Slope Day Programming Board (SDPB) and their goal is to at least keep the level of quality. Note that we thought we might’ve had to contribute 30–40,000 and they’re not going to give more than they need, so this gives the capability of taking money to re-give. This isn’t giving a set amount. VP Mezey said that they are working with SDPB to talk about ways to save money and the like. R. Lavin said they’ve managed to make $30,000 so that this is the last chunk.

E. Diakow thinks that it doesn’t hurt anything and it’s a good cause. She is in full favor of it.

M. Heinz asked where the money goes. R. Lavin replied that it is reinvested. VP Basil replied that it’s not being used now. VP Mezey said that this money isn’t in an interest bearing account. It’s being held and invested at the end of the year. It’s not losing any money from that.

R. Salem asked if there are negative effects. VP Mezey said that the investment principle doesn’t grow as much. That’s a tradeoff of having it sit there or to help the largest student activity on campus. R. Lavin noted that maybe it’s better to spend now than invest it.

V. Andrews really likes the way it’s formatted and the way it works. They still have control of the money and aren’t allocating it to use however they want. This allows them to work together so students don’t pay for unnecessary things. As an assembly, it gives us time to look at future options. It seems like the university isn’t going to fund slope day. They don’t want to do this every year, and can find other ways to raise money in the future for how slope day will be run.

M. McDermott said there’s a worrier in his mind about the precedent it sets because of the endowment. If we make a precedent of it going in, he wanted to know what would that be. VP Mezey said that right now there are no guidelines for how it will be used. If the next generation of assembly members decides to tap into it, they have the ability to do that. If it is necessary, they have that decision. It’s not our call to dictate the future. Putting more formal guidelines helps to not put a hand into the pot whenever necessary. R. Lavin said that this problem would probably come up again next year. Probably will have to do something similar next year, but the byline funding will correct that.

A. Craig replied that some of his comments about the precedent have been said. He thinks it’d be helpful for SDPB to come in and talk about ideas. For instance, not having as top notch of a musical artist. There are some things to be looked at but it is a good resolution.

As a point of information, V Andrews responded that he asked the person from SDPB to make a presentation, but they are not here.

A. Brokman thinks that if this endowment is eventually going to cover the expenses, it’ll be at least 20–30 years before this takes place. He thinks that considering that the funding was cut, this is the best way. He called to question. It was seconded without dissent.

By a roll call vote of 18–0−0 the resolution passes unanimously.

VII. Unfinished Business

R.20 Smooth Transition of Executive Board — Andrew Brokman and Octavio Sandoval

A few weeks ago, they came forth with it. It is now more specific and refined. It outlines certain things that a new president elect should do. Especially because this is the first time for open elections, and they think they should be prepared for any alternative. A. Brokman discussed the changes made. He thinks that whoever steps into those shoes should be prepared.

V. Andrews think that it’s great and the one issue that comes up is how to enforce this. He thinks that the fourth Be It Therefore Resolved is a good method by making it an honor thing. But maybe instead of just turning it in, they could say it on the last meeting of the semester.

He motioned to strike before the president’s term expires and add “during the last meeting of the semester, the president elect must sign and read a document stating, I�” The amendment is found friendly. (The current resolution is on the website.)

A. Miller replied that his question was in regards to enforcement. This should help. He likes this.

R. Stein said that the one thing she has to ask is why wasn’t it a requirement to take office. It seems like the resolution doesn’t have bite without that. There’s nothing saying if you don’t do this you won’t take office. A. Brokman replied that this is a law we pass and we should administer it without the punishment.

VP Miller wants to go on the record saying that it would happen anyway. This does nothing wrong, it’s all positive. A. Brokman wanted to add that in the past, the president wasn’t elected by the public. They are changing the rules for the first time. In order to make the transition, they need to prepare for this. They shouldn’t just lose knowledge as a new president is elected.

N. Raps wanted to say that this is a great addition. She wishes she’d talked about it before and thinks they should pass it.

M. McDermott thinks coming from the discussions during the elections rules, these were the questions. And the possibility of lack of experience and respect, this will help with the transition and help to alleviate the fears.

R. Salem called to question. It was seconded without dissent. The resolution passed by a vote of 17–0−0.

VIII. Executive Session

IX. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 PM to go into executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Brittany Rosen