Minutes — October 4, 2012
Cornell University Student Assembly
4:45pm — 6:30pm, Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room
I. Call to Order/Roll Call
A. Gitlin called the meeting to order at 4:48pm
- Members present
- S. Balik, J. Batista, G. Block, E. Bonatti, G. Braciak, S. Breedon, I. Chen, M. Cho, R. Desai, A. Gitlin, R. Gitlin, D. Iwaoka, D. Kuhr, J. Lee, M. Lukasiewicz, J. Marshall, J. Mueller, D. Muir, C. Pritchett, P. Scelfo, U. Smith, M. Stefanko
- Members excused
- I. Harris, T. Hittinger, G, Lovely
- Members unexcused
- A. Chopra, N. Terrones
II. Approval of the 9/27/12 Minutes
III. Open Microphone
- Brendan ‘15:
- Cornell Outing Club offers outdoor trips to students. Their lodge has been closed for the winter and they are looking for help to find and renovate a new space
- Camilla
- Working to create clearer policies to safeguard against cyber bullying
- U. Smith: The Residential Life Committee is also looking into the issue. Hopefully the Codes and Judicial Committee will help as well
- Wes
- CU Composting: sustainability initiative to bring composting programs to North and West Campus
III. Announcements/Reports
Leadership Roundtable Announcement — U. Smith
- In response to sexual assault cases: FB campaign and extension of BLUE service
Smoke Free Campus Announcement — G. Block
- Progress is being made, but there is still a lot to do before any recommendation can be formalized. Looking for any members willing to help
Appropriations Committee Announcement — R. Desai
- Invites members to attend Monday meetings
IV. Business of the Day
Special Projects Request: CU Compost — R. Desai
- President of CU Compost: Kelsey Erickson
- Plan to set up a composting bin in Collegetown behind Schwartz — requested funds to cover 10 months of maintenance
- Appropriations Committee supports the idea but felt that they should only fund for the next 2 months (3 including funds from the club) while they search for a more sustainable source
- S. Balik: Motions to amend funding to $370 — unanimous approval by Environmental Committee
- D. Iwaoka: Can the group reapply for funding?
- U. Smith: Other resources to look into: Collegetown Programming Board, residential programming, Green Revolving Fund
- Wes: Asked for 10 months of funding so they can fully explore all other funding alternatives and to establish a stable model
- G. Block: Should respect decision of Appropriations Committee. Club should reach out — there are many groups that would be interested and would provide funding
- Call to question, seconded, dissent expressed
- Vote to vote: 13–6−2
- Discussion continues
- J. Mueller: What are students doing for composting now? What will prevent non-Cornell students from using the bin?
- Currently people are sneaking compost into CTB
- People who have reached out to CU Composting will receive training on how to use the bin
- M. Lukasiewicz: Suggests drafting a resolution to present at the next Collegetown Council meeting — good way to get landlord support
- Call to question, seconded
- Motion to amend funding to $111
- Call to question, seconded
- Motion to end debate, seconded, dissent expressed
- Appropriations funding decision stands: $74
Resolution 9: Establishment of the Student Assembly Diversity Affairs Coalition — U. Smith
- Coalition primarily consists of students and college faculty — purpose to oversee implementation of specific initiatives from Towards New Destinations
- R. Desai: Motion to strike phrases involving the Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion, found friendly
- D. Kuhr: Motion to amend: ‘A3C’ to ‘Asian and Asian-American Center’, found friendly
- U. Smith: Motion to amend: Strike ‘a representative from JAMIC’ and replace ‘a representative from the LGBTRC’ with ‘the SA LGBT At-Large representative and an Executive Board member from Haven’
- R. Desai: Who would run the committee?
- The Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion (R.10)
- C. Pritchett: JAMIC is currently going through a restructure — will potentially serve the same function as this coalition
- Resolution states that other groups will be joined in the effort as the coalition sees fit
- S. Breedon: Questions the ability of the coalition — will their recommendations be actionable and implementable?
- Reason why faculty is involved — they are asking for help on how to implement their initiatives
- Call to question, seconded
| S. Balik | Abstain |
| J. Batista | Abstain |
| G. Block | Yes |
| E. Bonatti | Yes |
| G. Braciak | Yes |
| S. Breedon | Abstain |
| I. Chen | Yes |
| M. Cho | Yes |
| A. Chopra | Absent |
| R. Desai | Yes |
| R. Gitlin | Abstain |
| I. Harris | Absent |
| T. Hittinger | Absent |
| D. Iwaoka | Yes |
| D. Kuhr | Yes |
| J. Lee | Abstain |
| G. Lovely | Absent |
| M. Lukasiewicz | Abstain |
| J. Marshall | No |
| J. Mueller | Yes |
| D. Muir | Abstain |
| C. Pritchett | Abstain |
| P. Scelfo | No |
| U. Smith | Yes |
| M. Stefanko | Yes |
| N. Terrones | Absent |
Resolution 10: Creation of the Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion — U. Smith
- D. Kuhr: Motion to strike section 10 and renumber accordingly, found friendly
- D. Iwaoka: Believes SA needs a structured commitment for diversity — this position will accomplish that
- G. Block: Why an executive position instead of a strong committee?
- Position will allow formal connections with Administration
- P. Scelfo: new position will bring the Exec Board member total to 9 (27% of assembly members) — too big of a board
- Looked at many different school structures — many are very effective with big exec bodies
- Director (Sly) Mata (Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusiveness in AAP): SA currently has a very weak voice — they are not at tables where decision are being made. This coalition will help accomplish that — the assembly needs to recognize its charge and take proper action
- J. Mueller: Motion to table the resolution until next week
- Vote: 7–12–1
- Motion fails
- Call to question, seconded
| S. Balik | Yes |
| J. Batista | Yes |
| G. Block | Yes |
| E. Bonatti | Yes |
| G. Braciak | Yes |
| S. Breedon | Abstain |
| I. Chen | Yes |
| M. Cho | Yes |
| A. Chopra | Absent |
| R. Desai | Yes |
| R. Gitlin | Abstain |
| I. Harris | Absent |
| T. Hittinger | Absent |
| D. Iwaoka | Yes |
| D. Kuhr | Yes |
| J. Lee | Yes |
| G. Lovely | Absent |
| M. Lukasiewicz | Abstain |
| J. Marshall | No |
| J. Mueller | Yes |
| D. Muir | Yes |
| C. Pritchett | Yes |
| P. Scelfo | No |
| U. Smith | Yes |
| M. Stefanko | Yes |
| N. Terrones | Absent |
Resolution 11, 13, 14, and 15 tabled until the next meeting.
A. Gitlin adjourned the meeting at 6:50pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Chelsea Cheng