The UA meets several times per month on the fourth floor of the Physical Sciences Building.
On February 15, the Faculty Senate debated three resolutions, subject to an electronic vote after its hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting. Voting is now closed, and the Dean of the Faculty announced that all three resolutions were adopted.
Tenure Clock
The first resolution would extend the “tenure clock” for the Johnson College of Business from six years to eight years. It passed by a vote of 84 yes to 15 no. There are 130 voting members in the Faculty Senate. Some senators wrote that they were concerned that this would increase “the hellish years of uncertainty” of non-tenured faculty. Since the University bylaws give the faculty the final say in making this decision, this vote likely cements the policy.
Free Expression and Academic Freedom in Cornell Global Hubs
The second resolution, put forward by seven faculty senators, applies Cornell’s policies of free expression and academic freedom to its global hubs. The resolution passed by a vote of 65 yes to 25 no. Some comments questioned the wisdom of naming China specifically in the resolution.
The faculty already adopted a policy on this that was also ratified by the Board of Trustees. That policy did not expressly state that it applies to Cornell programs abroad. Now, the faculty has spoken, and that ambiguity has been clarified. However, even though the decision is binding, Day Hall could ask the Faculty Senate to reconsider.
Gynecologist
The final resolution dealt with recommendations for Cornell Health to hire a full time MD gynecologist. The same resolution was adopted by the University Assembly, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, and Student Assembly.
President Pollack rejected the recommendation each time, explaining that Cornell Health hires general practitioners with students being referred to outside specialists when needed. Having the Faculty Senate endorse the same resolution will likely not change the views of Cornell Health nor the economics for solving the problem.
The resolution passed by a vote of 98 yes to 9 no. Some of the written comments said that they would have liked to hear from Cornell Health before the vote was taken. If the Employee Assembly also approves the resolution, it will be put on the agenda of the Board of Trustees, which is expected to support President Pollack’s position on the issue.
