- Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) member Conor Hodges (‘21) recommends new S.A. subcommittee on first-response
- Nominee for the new Office of Ethics introduced to Student Assembly
- Reps question lack of information transparency during by-line funding process
- Veterans Day Resolution sent to President Pollack’s desk
Student representatives met this Thursday afternoon in the Memorial Room to discuss a wide-range of topics, including public safety and transparency in the by-line process.
Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) member Conor Hodges (‘21) spoke at today’s assembly meeting. The PSAC was tasked with reforming public safety and first-response options by university president Martha Pollack following widespread, national protests in 2020.
In addition to updating the Assembly on PSAC’s progress, Hodges requested the passage of two resolutions. The first would call on the PSAC to provide an annual update to the Student Assembly. The second resolution would create a subcommittee under the Student Assembly, which would focus on alternative first-response systems.
Students With Disabilities Representative At-Large Duncan Cady (‘23) and Undesignated At-Large Representative Lucas Smith (‘22) introduced the first nomination to the new Office of Ethics, which replaced the Research and Accountability Committee earlier this year. During remarks, nominee Naveen Sharma highlighted his previous record of holding student representatives accountable. Sharma added that the new Office of Ethics should primarily provide recommendations on actions taken following ethics violations.
By-line announcements caused quite a stir as the interim Vice President of Finance Valeria Valencia (‘23) presented by-line budget proposals to the full Assembly. Valencia reported that Cornell Athletics and Physical Education (CAPE) would not have its by-line funding amended, despite having significant rollover funds from the previous cycle. CAPE is the organization which provides students with the Big Red Sports pass.
Several representatives asked if they could receive more information on CAPE’s specific budget request. Cady asked Valencia if the exact rollover amount could be disclosed. College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Representative Adele Williams (‘24) and Minority Students Liaison At-Large Henry Wade (‘23) inquired as to what CAPE specifically spent its by-line funding on. Valencia responded by saying that the Appropriations Committee could ask CAPE representatives to elaborate further.
Cady announced that the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, the University Assembly, and the Student Assembly each passed the text of Resolution 32 “Calling on Cornell University to Appropriately Recognize and Honor Veterans Day.” The resolution will now be headed to President Pollack’s desk for consideration.
Despite a week having passed, the Student Assembly did not elect a new, permanent Vice President of Finance today.
The Cornell Review is launching the Willard Straight Dispatches news series, which will provide news highlights of the Student Assembly’s meetings to our readership.
