SA: Resolution 36: In Support of the establishment of an International Student Centre

Sponsored by: Enrico Bonatti ‘14

Whereas, there are over 4,000 International Students at Cornell;

Whereas, international students necessitate very unique needs, different from those of other student groups;

Whereas, although the ISSO (International Students and Scholar’s Office) gives tremendous support to international students with immigration related issues and through selected programs, there is no designated center where international students can meet and access resources or receive sufficient support specific to their needs;

Whereas, these factors lead the international student body to be very fragmented, under-supported and less integrated both at Cornell and in the US - as a result increasing the chance of potential psychological and logistical difficulties;

Be it therefore resolved, that the Student Assembly strongly supports the establishment of an International Student Centre, a physical space operated in conjunction with the ISSO where international students can meet as well as receive the indispensable support they need;

Be it further resolved, that in order to begin this project the University President commission a task force comprised of representatives from the Office of the Dean of Students, the ISSO, and international students to closely examine and gather information regarding the following:

• Determining the scope and vision of the center in order to solve issues that international students have that are currently not being met by the current structure of the University
• Consolidating all the currently available resources for international students under the one roof of the new International Student Center (e.g. ISSO, meeting space for international students, international resources, learning support)
• The practices of our peer institutions and how their results differ from those of Cornell
• An inventory of the spaces that currently exist on campus that would support such a center, being readily accessible to students and physically connected to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)

Be it further resolved, that this task force report its findings back to the SA at the first meeting of the Spring 2014 semester;

Be it finally resolved, that this proposed center be established within the next two calendar years of the date of this resolution.

Respectfully Submitted,

Enrico Bonatti ‘14
International Representative At-Large

(Reviewed by: Residence & Community Life Committee, 2/12/2013)

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