Minutes
University Assembly
Wednesday, August 26, 1998
WSH Art Gallery
4:30 PM

I. Call to Order

Esposito called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m.

Attendance:

Present: Dennis Carlson, Benjamin Perry, Philip Righter, A. Ramon Thomas, Jacob Werner, Gary Brandt, David Di Bene, Michael Esposito, Marian Hartill, Yrjo Grohn, David Levitsky, Betty Lewis, Ellis Loew, Alan Mathios, Marvin Pritts

Absent: Linda Yannone, Larry Russell

Excused: Richard Moore

II. Additions to the Agenda

No additions were made to the agenda.

III. Open Forum

No comments were made during the open forum.

IV. Announcements

To begin the 1998 — 1999 University Assembly, M. Esposito asked all members to give a brief, informal introduction.

• M. Esposito — is serving his third year on the U. A. and the E. A. He also served as the chair for the 1997 — 1998 University Assembly
• M. Pritts — was asked by the Dean to participate in the U. A. for his first year
• G. Brandt — is seated on the E. A.
• D. Carlson — a graduate student, serves on the GPSA
• Y. Grohn — a faculty member of the Vet School
• M. Hartill — has served on the E. A. and the U. A.
• A. Mathios — filled in at the end of the 1997 — 1998 U. A. service period
• J. Werner — serves on the S. A.
• P. Righter - is serving on the U. A. and S. A.
• B. Lewis — is serving her second U.A. appointment
• R. Thomas — seated on the GPSA and UA
• D. Levitsky — is serving his second appointment to the UA
• D. Di Bene — serves on the EA

M. Esposito announced that the UA would be participating in the Annual Assemblies Fall Retreat, which is to take place on September 2nd, 4:30 p.m. at the Ithaca Yacht Club. A. Ramon Thomas noted that although he had not replied to the invitation, he was planning to attend the retreat. All other members present commented that they had already replied to the invitation.

M. Esposito reminded the UA body that the Judicial Systems Orientation would be taking place on September 15, from 4:00 to 6:00 in the Edwards Room in Anabel Taylor Hall. He suggested that those foreign to the procedures of the judicial system on campus attend this introductory meeting. M. Esposito explained that the UA assists the Judicial Administrator in altering the Campus Code of Conduct, as well as monitoring the Judicial Codes and Hearing Review Board.

V. Approval of the Minutes

The minutes of 4–29–98 were unanimously approved with no alterations.

VI. Business of the Day

M. Esposito reviewed the 1997 — 1998 University Assembly actions and accomplishments. He remarked that one of the largest accomplishments was the renovation of the election process of the UA. Instigated by the Student Assembly, the election process was changed to a combination of direct election from the respective constituency and appointments from that assembly. The problem with the previous appointment procedure was that it created a dual alliance to two assemblies, and along with the corresponding committee responsibilities, this taxed the schedules of the students and others involved. He pointed out that this new system should meet the needs of the University Assembly, without overusing the members. He announced that this amendment to the UA and other corresponding assemblies charters were made and will be in practice in the upcoming spring election.

M. Esposito acknowledged that the UA also reviewed and supported amendments to the Campus Code of Conduct.

The 1997 — 1998 UA passed a resolution to support participation in campus government. Due to the fact that some supervisors were not allowing employees to participate in campus government, the UA felt it necessary to voice its support for the employees.

The past UA also passed a resolution in support of a safe Slope Day. Based on the past years accident statistics, the UA voiced it’s encouragement for a safer celebration by publishing the resolution in the Cornell Daily Sun.

M. Esposito commented that the UA also participated in the charity hockey tournament. Based on the success of last year’s tournament, an even more fun-filled and prosperous tournament is expected this year.

Most importantly, M. Esposito pointed out, the fact that the UA laid a foundation for a more active University Assembly in the future. Last year’s assembly reexamined the charge of the UA and reestablished a more active committee system.

The UA also supported a particular option of the Campus Data Access policy.

M. Esposito commented that an alcohol policy was presented to the UA and is now in the revision process after hearing the comments of the U. A.

M. Esposito then discussed the goals for the 1998 — 1999 UA He remarked that this year’s UA needs to build on the foundation of the past UA and become a more empowered and active University Assembly.

G. Brandt questioned if the UA should be monitoring the current record implementation procedures being instituted on campus (PeopleSoft). M. Esposito commented that the UA needs to review policies more. R. Thomas questioned what work could be done before having to vote on supporting the policy. M. Esposito replied that the implementation representative could be invited to speak at a future UA meeting. D. Di Bene noted that not many people were heard from on policy changes. He stated the example of the move of all freshmen to be housed on north campus of last year. In that instance not much input was presented on that major policy change. A. Mathios added that Cornell will be going through 3 to 4 plans to renovate the appearance of the campus and suggested the UA be involved in these changes. M. Esposito suggested the UA should be involved in these renovation plans through the Campus Planning Committee. D. Di Bene noted he would be interested in serving as a second member on the Campus Planning Committee.

M. Esposito explained that the past UA was hindered by a poor attendance record. He urged members to become acquainted with the attendance policy, which will be enforced at a stricter level then in the past year. He emphasized that poor attendance led to extra meetings at the end of last year and he disliked having to call these additional meetings.

G. Brandt suggested that each assembly represented in the UA should invite a special guest to the UA meetings. This would allow the guests to view the proceedings of the UA as well as introducing the members of the UA to these people and their backgrounds. M. Esposito commented that these guests could be anyone on campus, not necessarily new members of the Cornell Community. By inviting these special guests to the UA, this would allow that guest to present their work and purpose to the assembly.

A. Mathios suggested a summary of the power of the UA by given to assist the new members in learning the role of the assembly. M. Esposito noted that there was an introduction to the UA at last years orientation meeting. C. Gardner quickly summed up the power of the UA She explained that the authority of the UA comes directly from the Charter. She expressed that the UA has little legislative power, but can make suggestions that are taken into consideration before a ruling on a particular topic. The UA also has direct oversight of the Campus Code of Conduct. The University Assembly can create presidential approved amendments to the Code. C. Gardner noted that the UA also participates in hiring the J.A. as well as seating the Hearing and Review Board and the Ombudsman Committee. She added that the UA also has legislative authority over CURW, Campus Store, Transportation, and Gannett Health Center. This authority is enforced through the use of the advisory committees. Overall, the University Assembly does hold a large amount of authority. C. Gardner noted that she will supply books containing the charter to those who have not received it.

VII. New Business

M. Esposito announced that the current executive board was seated on a temporary basis. He noted that the undergraduate, graduate students, faculty, and employees, each have one seat on the executive board. Everyone presently seated on the temporary board was willing to remain in that position and no other members of the UA wanted to run for a seat on the board.

The following Executive Board was unanimously elected to serve the 1998 — 1999 University Assembly:

M. Esposito — Chair - Employee Representative
D. Carlson — Vice-Chair — Graduate Student Representative
P. Righter — Undergraduate Student Representative
B. Lewis — Faculty Representative

M. Esposito asked that each member of the executive board or another volunteer, report the proceedings of their respective assembly to the UA.

M. Esposito then reviewed the present representatives to each of the committees the UA serves on. He then commented that both the committee of Financial Aid and the UA liaison to the Dean of Faculty were presently vacant. G. Brandt pointed out that the liaison position was important to faculty members and that the meetings were full of very energized and vigorous debates. D. Levitsky volunteered to fill the position of UA liaison to the Dean of Faculty. The position on the Financial Aid committee was left vacant, due to the fact that the UA presently has two vacant student positions and that committee position would be best served by a student.

M. Esposito then reviewed the responsibilities of a University Assembly representative on a committee. The representative must be sure that meetings of the committee have convened and that leadership is elected. Minutes must be taken at the committee meetings and forwarded to the University Assembly. The UA representative must also report the actions of that committee to the assembly. The representative should also be sure the committee has a regular meeting schedule. M. Esposito emphasized that these committees need to be up and running as soon as possible. He added that the Office of Assemblies has information concerning the committees and meeting schedules.

G. Brandt added that a new physician has been hired for Gannett Heath Center. He noted that this new physician is dedicated to student health care and would be a good example of a special guest to the University Assembly. He also questioned the possibility of serving refreshments at the beginning of each UA meeting.

M. Esposito reminded the members of the UA that the Fall Retreat of Assemblies was approaching on September 2nd and the Judicial System Orientation was scheduled for September 15th.

VIII. Adjournment

M. Esposito adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p. m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark A. Frontera