Minutes
Cornell University Student Assembly
November 17, 2011
4:45pm — 6:30pm
Willard Straight Hall, Memorial Room
N. Raps called the meeting to order at 4:49pm
I. Call to Order / Roll Call
- Voting members present: S. Balik, G. Block, S. Breedon, D. Brown, A. Chopra, R. Desai, A. Gitlin, R. Gitlin, D. Goldberg, M. Gulrajani, G. Hoffman, J. Kay, D. Kuhr, J. Lee, J. Mueller, D. Muir, A. Nicoletti, A. Pinkney, N. Raps, P. Scelfo, U. Smith, E. Szulman, N. Treffeisen, A. Wolford, E. Yeterian
- Non voting members present: A. Bores, A. Santangelo
- Voting members tardy: J. Rau
- Non voting members tardy: A. Raveret
- Excused absences: A. Meller
II. Open Microphone
III. Announcements / Reports
Outreach Update — U. Smith
- Upcoming events after Thanksgiving break
- J. Kay will be handing out free chocolates in Ives Hall
- J. Lee will be holding a transfer session — free donuts and cider
- N. Treffeisen will have his event from 11/28 to 12/3
- Asks that members put up profile pictures on the SA website by Friday (11/19/11) so that students can see who they are
Club Sports Update — D. Goldberg
- The Club Sports Committee has met twice already
- Thomas Hayford has done a great job leading the meetings
- Second meeting: Brainstormed ideas for resource allocation and set week-long goals
- One goal is to create a beta website / forum so that all 32 teams can post and ideas they had
Dining Update — E. Szulman
- Multicultural initiative at 104 West! Is progressing successfully
- There is a tentative menu of things to be served at the pub
Tech Campus Update — E. Szulman
- Filming was wrapped up this weekend — hop to make it public in the near future
- An alumni video will be on the website in 24 hours
U.A. Codes & Judicial Committee Update — P. Scelfo
- Committee met yesterday to discuss Title IX
- Currently, University Policy 6.4 handles sexual harassment cases where faculty/staff are accused, and the JA system handles cases where students are accused
- The letter proposed by the Obama administration in April requires that codes be changed
- Question to keep sexual harassment cases where students are accused in the JA system or move everything to 6.4
Pub Update — N. Raps
- The pub is moving along well — the next logistics meeting will be after Thanksgiving
- On a different note, the student senate from Ithaca College are here to observe the SA today — SA members will in turn go and observe the senate from Ithaca College
Meeting Announcement — A. Gitlin
- The SA meeting after Thanksgiving (12/1/11) will be held in the Biotech building, not the WSH Memorial Room
- An additional meeting is scheduled for that Friday (12/2/11) in case everything is not covered on 12/1/11. These are the last meetings of the semester, so everything must be finalized
- The 12/2/11 meeting will be in Rockefeller from 4:30 to 6:30 and there will be food
IV. President Skorton
- Spent time talking with alumni about some of the issues Cornell has been facing.
- Surprised that many people outside of the university are not aware of the SA and what it does
- Thinks it a good idea that emails be sent out as a reminder to alumni and parents about the SA and its progress
- Wei Yang (CAPSU Treasurer)
- CAPSU has been trying very hard to address important issues in the community an was denied by-line funding
- Many people feel that they cannot find enough support on campus, so CAPSU does a lot of one-on-one outreach
- There was a concern with over-programming with the student organization of the community, so they all work to plan one big event: Asia Night — there is a rapid demand from he student body to expand the program
- Is there any further plan to support minority students and campus diversity in financial and social means?
- President Skorton
- Does not want to insert himself into the process of the SA
- The Administration is well aware that they need to do more in terms of support — even in the recession, they have put in more funding
- The University Diversity council was reorganized to include more people in meetings — they have not achieved all the goals they have set, but will continue to reach in the right direction for things that need to be done
- Dean Hubbell: 626 Thurston was opened and organizations were re-located to make use of that space. A lot of progress has been made despite financial stringency. He will do what he can to advocate for CAPSU and its needs. The alumni are very supportive as well
- President Skorton: Would like that this topic be continued on student leader meetings
- R. Desai: The University Diversity Council was charged with defining inclusiveness so that the rest of the university could set measure goals. The Student have been left to plan, but have not heard from the Administration. What should people be accountable for regarding diversity students on campus?
- President Skorton: They are working to establish concrete, far-reaching goals throughout campus. They are taking heir time to ensure that they are not making a general statement, but rather focusing specifically on different parts of the university community. Accountability will be related to success in recruiting a diverse campus, but hopes that everyone will agree with the concept that organizations are better off when they are more diverse
- Adrian Palma (Co-Chair for LAL): How does Cornell plan to provide more financial aid for future undocumented students?
- President Skorton
- In the last 3 years, Cornell has expnded financial aid by more than double.
- There many financial constraints, but they are nonetheless thinking very actively of what can be done. They are looking into possibilities for things that cannot be done through federal sources.
- Will have a summary of what is being done after Thanksgiving break
- Would be fabulous if the university can pass the NY version of the Dream Act
- G. Block: As NY’s contribution to the school decrease, will there be an increase in tuition across the board or just for in-state residents? Also, how is Cornell helping out the middle class, as they are not eligible for federal aid?
- President Skorton
- This is a top concern, as the middle-class is having a harder time than normal due to the recession. They are doing their best to offer more financial aid
- The budget amount for financial aid has gone up considearably, but has reached an asymptote
- In regards to the first question, they plan to keep the increase the same among both sides
- R. Gitlin: The Arts and Sciences students are very excited about the new humanities building. What progress has been made in terms of fundraising?
- President Skorton
- Just over 75% of the way there — optimistic that they will go the distance on the project very soon
- First capital project since 1905 for the humanities — encouraged by huge response from Cornell and alumni community
- Cornell’s philanthropic community, even in recession, has been extremely generous
- On a different note, the annual fund has gone up each year during the recession, which is astounding
- N. Raps: Will email President Skorton with questions of the community members. Will also put together an update to send to Cornell alumni and parents
V. Business of the Day
Appropriations Special Projects Decision, Owego Thanksgiving — A. Nicoletti
- Special Project Grant: $889.70
- SA is one of six or seven organizations sponsoring the dinner
- If the amount requested is between $200.00 and $1,500.00, then it only goes through the Appropriations Committee. Any request over $1,500.00 requires approval from the SA as well
- R. Desai: Echoes support and importance of this event
Appropriations Special Projects Decision, B.L.U.E. Late Night Shuttle — A. Nicoletti
- Special Project Grant: $934.00
- B.L.U.E.: Blue Light User Extension
- Funded last year as well
- Amount granted is 2/3 cost of shuttle — two other organizations will cover the remaining cost
- The Women’s Resource Center is asking for continual funding for the shuttle through by-line funding, but this grant is not part of that — it is only for this semester
Appropriations Committee Recommendation, MGLC — A. Nicoletti
- Allocations: previous cycle - $0.50, requested $0.50, recommended $0.50
- MGLC: Multicultural Greek Letter Council
- Many events thrown by the MGLC and its chapters are recruitment based — Committee felt this was appropriate since events are open to the entire community and celebrate the culture
- The majority of expenditures are food related — Committee felt this was appropriate based on the events thrown
- Call to question, seconded
- Vote: 19–0−3
- The SA approves funding
Appropriations Committee Recommendation, Alternative Breaks — A. Nicoletti
- Allocations: previous cycle $1.00, requested $1.50, recommended $1.35
- Alternative Breaks is one of two public center programs that the Student Activity Fee sponsors
- Alternative Breaks offers service-based spring break trips
- Asked for an increase to expand the NYC trip and too ad new trips (demand for Florida)
- Committee was concerned by balance of SAF subsidy and trip fees — did not award full request since the people attending the events should pay more than the rest of the student body (through trip fees)
- Committee was concerned that the cost for food was too high — Alternative Breaks said that food averages to two $5 meals per person
- Call to question, seconded
- Vote: 21–0−2
- The SA approves funding
Appropriations Committee Recommendation, ALANA — A. Nicoletti
- Allocations: previous cycle: $7.25, requested $8.75, recommended $8.75
- ALANA: African Latino Asian Native American programming board
- ALANA is a broad multicultural umbrella organization that is part of the Student Activity Fee
- ALANA originally requested a $1.75 increase instead of $1.50. However, with the development of the Umbrella Programming Fund (UPF) proposal, they adjusted their requested to $1.50
- Committee was pleased with the direction that ALANA is heading in
- Committee wanted to make sure that the SA continue a joint dialogue and discussion with ALANA regarding the UPF amount of $225.00 and how that should be broken up among the umbrella organizations
- U. Smith: Was the request based off of the UPF that was proposed? Hesitant to award the increase if the decision has not been discussed with all parties involved
- A. Nicoletti: The UPF proposal is not final, but the increase must go toward umbrella programming
- N. Raps: There is no set plan for the UPF — it is something that the SA will be working on with student leaders throughout the year
- D. Kuhr: What is done to enforce that the allocation is used for umbrella programming?
- A. Nicoletti: The SA would go into Appendix B of the SA charter and specify that ALANA funding must be used for umbrella programming
- D. Kuhr: In the worst-case scenario, if the UPF disintegrates, is there a way to go back and take out the $1.50 increase before the year is done?
- A. Nicoletti; Money cannot be taken back once it has been awarded
- M. Gulrajani: Since the amount was not thoroughly discussed, the SA does not know if the amount is too much / too little. Hesitant to pass a number if it is unclear where it will be applied
- A. Nicoletti: There is a general idea of where the funds will go, but they do not have all the data. The SA has to be a little trustworthy that the money will be spent well
- M. Gulrajani: Concerned that $1.50 is an over-allocation
- A. Nicoletti: Thinks that $1.50 is less than what they need. If, however, it does turn out to bee too much, it can be apportioned off in the Spring
- G. Block: Would it be possible to get more information about where the $1.50 amount comes from?
- A. Nicoletti: Currently, $0.95 from ALANA goes to programming. With the $1.50 increase, that figure goes to $2.45. Does not believe that the Committee will see the budget of LAL, NASAC, and BSU before the recommendation needs to be sent to President Skorton
- PRESIDENT SKORTON ARRIVED — Discussion to be resumed
- A. Nicoletti: In response to concerns about a lack of dollar breakdown, the SA has implicitly agreed to this funding by not funding CAPSU. Denying this increase would make the SA look irresponsible. Unsure if the UPF amount of $225.00 and the allocation of $1.50 are enough, but that these amounts will be spent well. The cost of waiting one week or two years for the next cycle to analyze the budget is outweighed by the benefit that will come from trying to solve issues now.
- J. Mueller: There is no time to waste. Details of the UPF can be discussed in the future
- ALANA representative: Guarantees that the $1.50 allocation will go directly toward the UPF, as agreed upon by the entire organization. More than likely, more than $1.50 will toward the UPF
- Call to question, seconded
- Vote: 22–0−1
- The SA approves funding
Resolution 24: Garbage Cans on North Campus — R. Gitlin, E. Yeterin, D. Muir, P. Scelfo
- They have been working very hard with facility administrators to get the resolution trough
- Condering using special projects funds to partly fund the garbage cans
- Talking with the Administration about using cheaper garbage cans (changing from current $600 cans to $300 cans)
- Resolution says that the SA endorses the implementation of garbage cans and does not do anything else
- N. Treffeisen: Why did the previous resolutions not pass? Also, in the last “whereas” clause, is that a known fact? (the lack of garbage cans causes the Facilities Services unnecessary additional cost associated with picking up littered garbage”
- P. Scelfo: Facilities did not specify how much they spend for people to pick up litter, but they have said that they spend more
- A. Gitlin: The Administration has identified the issue, especially in the winter when students toss their trash before getting on the bus
- J. Kay: Doy you know a ballpark estimate cost for the SA?
- P. Scelfo: There are currently 3 proposed locations for new cans. If they use current cans, it will cost $1800. If they can use the cheaper cans, it will cost $900. Also, the garbage can locations are on the current garbage pickup route
- E. Szulman: If it costs Facilities Services to pick up litter, why are they not more supportive of paying for the new cans?
- P. Scelfo: That is the idea — still speaking with them
- D. Muir: Believes this an important issue. The benefit of trash cans on campus outweighs the $1800 amount for the cans
- Call to question, seconded
- Call for acclamation
- Resolution 24 passes
VI. New Business
Resolution 26: Reinforcement of Accessibility for Student Activity Fee Funded Events — R. Desai, S. Breedon
- There was a resolution passed last year: on the SAFC application, there was to be included a checklist of requirements to be done, one of which was that events should be accessible to all students
- That resolution was not binding, so there are still a lot of groups hosting events that are not accessible to all students
- Talia Shear (President of Cornell Union for Disabilities Awareness)
- The resolution is not specifically tied to funding — it is just a friendly reminder to organizations. They are not accusing clubs for leaving students with disabilities out, but the email is to serve as a reminder and will hopefully be tied more forcefully in the future
- On the checklist, there was a box for people to check saying that they had contacted Student Disability Services regarding their event. No emails have been received
- A. Nicoletti: Having trouble with the first email (Appendix IA) — what is your reaction to the threatening way in which it is coming across?
- R. Desai: Groups that have done this accidentally will not be penalized, but groups that have been specifically asked to move their events due o accessibility issues and have not done so will be penalized
- D. Kuhr: What do you hope to hear? Are you hoping to get emails back from organizations that know that they are accessible?
- T. Shear: Not expecting a response back in terms of emails, but hopes that organizations will contact Student Disability Services regarding accessibility of their events
- D. Kuhr: Is this the right time for the resolution? Will next semester be better when events are being planned?
- T. Shear: Believes the sooner the better. There are organizations that are currently planning events for next semester, so they would like the email to get out as soon as possible
- N. Raps: Will not motion to move the resolution to Business of the Day since there are concerns with the wording and the time is running short
Resolution 27: Commemoration of Transgender Day of Remembrance — N. Treffeisen
- Motion to move to Business of the Day, seconded
- Believes this very important to bring up to the community
- Every year, there are 15 or more people killed because of prejudice-related crimes for being transgender
- Thinks the resolution is a great way for the SA to recognize that
- E. Szulman: Is there a reason why it is “in America” as opposed to “global”?
- N. Treffeisen: Not particularly — just wanted to keep it relevant to us
- Call to question, seconded
- Call for acclamation
- Resolution 27 passed
VII. Executive Session
Meeting adjourned at 6:14pm
Respectfully submitted,
Chelsea Cheng