Minutes
University Assembly Meeting
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
4:30 � 6:00 p.m.
316 Day Hall

I. Call to Order

C. Walcott called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.

Roll was taken via sign-in sheet

Voting Members Present: R. Ataya, W. Candell, J. Feldman, E. Cortens, E. Strong, M. Walsh, K. Baier, J. Blair, L. Lawrence, N. LaCelle, W. Ghiorse, H. Howland, C. Walcott, R. Wayne

Voting Members Absent: A. Brokman, C. Cunha, G. Yorgakaros, M. Hatch, E. Loew

Non-voting Members Absent: B. McKinney, A. Craig, D. Evensen

Also In Attendance: A. Epstein, A. O’Donnell, Y. Zhang

II. Approval of the Minutes from March 30, 2011

E. Cortens suggested three minor changes, with those changes, the minutes were voted on and approved unanimously.

III.Call for Late Additions to the Agenda

There were none.

IV. Procedural Vote: Approve By-laws Amendments Agreed on at 3/30 Meeting

E. Cortens said the most important change from last meeting was regarding the committee membership, which changed from the 8-member model to the 11-member model. H. Howland moved to approve the amendments, E. Strong seconded. By a vote of 11–1−0, the amendments to the By-laws passed

V. Charter Response from President Skorton

C. Walcott said President Skorton has two basic suggestions. The first is to add “on its own initiative” to Article 3, Section 1. C. Walcott said this was not a substantive change. M. Walsh moved to approve this change, J. Feldman seconded. By a vote of 13–0−0, the change was approved.

C. Walcott read the second change about the UA deferring to the Faculty Senate in matters of educational policy. There was a brief discussion. L. Lawrence said educational decisions do belong with the FS. E. Cortens said this change does not change the level of authority we have in the first place.

By a vote of 10–2−1, this change was approved.

M. Walsh said he is against this change because students should have a say in some of the academic decisions that affect them, such as the use of Blackboard. C. Walcott said the UA can take a look at the Blackboard issue because it does span across constituencies.

Discussion on Committees

E. Cortens said in order to ease the transition into the new committee structure, we can write a resolution for next year’s UA to continue the childcare sub-committee. E. Strong said we can’t mandate the next UA to do anything. J. Blair said we could recommend they do this however. E. Cortens said we are taking it for granted the sub-committee would want to continue to operate under the current conditions. L. Lawrence said he would contact Brenda Marston to see what the sub-committee would like to see happen for the future. A. Epstein asked if the UA would be able to fully engage with the sub-committee, including for staffing issues. H. Howland said we can recommend the Campus Welfare committee have a Childcare Ad-hoc committee; they can decide not to do it if they don’t have the staff power.

M. Walsh said half of the people currently on the UA will not be returning next year. How can we prepare the newcomers to run the UA under the new Charter and By-laws? R. Ataya suggested instructions at the Assembly Orientation and e-mails over the summer to bring them up to speed. C. Walcott noted the new Charter and By-laws are much easier to read. J. Blair said we can reach out and explain the process to the newcomers. L. Lawrence suggested a UA-specific orientation. E. Cortens said the GPSA does that and Brian Forster did a great job putting together an informal handbook for the new members to help them further. M. Walsh said he would like to see something happen before next fall, and the new members should meet ASAP. J. Feldman said he will touch base with the new undergrads on the UA. H. Howland suggested contacting Bill Fry to find out the new faculty appointments. C. Walcott said he would do this.

Bias Response Program

R. Ataya gave an update on the Bias Response Program. They are in the process of redesigning the program based on the input they received. There are open meetings coming up on the following dates:

• April 25, 9–10am
• May 4, 9–10am
• May 5, 10:30–11:30am

All meetings will take place in 163 Day Hall. He said he would send an e-mail to the UA members to share the dates.

R. Ataya also asked about the book lists for courses. Since professors give book lists to the Cornell Store in advance, students should get the list with enough notice to prepare and get more affordable books, but they do not.

E. Strong said he remembered the presentation the Cornell Store gave to the UA several years ago. They did say it is an impossible task to get all faculty members to submit their book lists in time to buy textbooks back before students leave the previous semester. C. Walcott said he doesn’t see why the book lists can’t be made available to the students sooner, and to more vendors than the Cornell Store; this is a good issue to do a resolution on. J. Blair said it is a complex financial model and the Cornell Store has its reasons, though it may not be in the students’ best financial interest. L. Lawrence suggested having a representative from the Cornell Store come back and give the UA an update.

VI. Adjourn

H. Howland moved to adjourn, M. Walsh seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 p.m.