Just Say No

As the University Council and Trustees meet this weekend in Ithaca, many different interest groups are making demands on Cornell. Their proposals are not helpful to Cornell students’ interests nor do they benefit the university long term. This is so obvious, the following advice is superfluous to the weekend’s deliberations, but we thought we should articulate how many Cornellians stand on these issues.

Just say no to the proposals to divest from the weapons industry. This demand is the subject of a Friday rally. As a nation, the federal government decides weapon procurement policy and controls the sale and export of military weapons. If the protesters want to change those policies, they must engage in a national conversation and not attempt to coerce Cornell to take their side in what must be a national debate. The strength of the US economy, from which all CML members benefit, is composed in part by companies that, among other things, manufacture weapons. There is no logical reason to exclude categorically such companies – who are fully compliant with national policy – from Cornell’s investments. Nor should Trustees or alumni be stopped from investing in such companies.

As to the CML’s sudden objection to Board Chair Kraig Kayser’s investment in Moog, Inc. the nature of that company is important. Moog started in 1951 by two brothers, and has grown to be a major employer of engineers and skilled labor in East Aurora, NY. Using defense contracts to boost the depressed economy of upstate New York is commendable, not a basis for protest. To the extent that Kayser’s investments help keep jobs in the area, he should be commended as well.

It is worth noting that in addition to “oligarchs” on the board, there are elected student, faculty, employee, and alumni trustees as well.

Just say no to the Ithaca Teachers Association, the union for the Ithaca City School District, who demands that Cornell increase its annual contribution to the school system from $650,000 per year to $10 million per year.  They are making this demand as the schools start their budget process for 2025-26. About 80 people attended a rally on Oct. 17 to support these demands.

In fall 2023, Cornell had 26,278 students meaning that if Cornell were to grant this request for a $10 million voluntary payment, tuition could increase by $381 per student, with no benefit to Cornell students.

A year ago, the school board and Cornell agreed upon the $650,000 payment through 2031. Essentially, the ITA is advocating an early termination of that agreement. In addition to an annual cash payment, Cornell supplies free chilled water to air condition Ithaca High School.

Just say no to the Cornell Graduate Students United (CGSU), a union representing Ph.D. candidates who are not receiving fellowships, The CGSU is demanding that Cornell conduct standard and the disciplinary consequences of misconduct should be subject to collective bargaining between Cornell and the recently recognized CGSU. Specifically, the CGSU wants to bargain over the fate of Momoduo Taal, a leader of the recent disruption of the ILR Career Fair. All graduate students should be subject to the Student Code, just like undergraduate students or professional students.

Until now, Cornell has just said no to all of this.  Huffing and puffing at this weekend’s Trustee – Council Weekend should not affect those answers. The protesters are entitled to express their views in a lawful manner, but we note that there are many students who disagree with them.