After a six month hiatus, the Student Assembly elections have been reactivated, with many candidates making their last pitches to their peers before the official voting period begins.
The presidential debate on September 24th featured the incumbent Executive Vice President Catherine Huang, incumbent At-Large representative Uchenna Chukwukere, and campus politics newcomer Dillon Anadkat making their case as to why students should elect them to serve as the highest ranking member of the Student Assembly.
During her opening remarks, Executive Vice President (EVP) Huang highlighted her platform of defunding and demilitarizing the Cornell Police Department (CPD), increasing student accessibility to health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and committing to carbon neutrality. EVP Huang highlighted her recent work with the Cornell Abolitionist and Revolutionary Society to defund and “demilitarize” CPD, as well as her work with the People’s Organizing Collective to campaign for the abolition of the student contribution fee.
Anadkat highlighted his status as a political newcomer, using his opening statement to point out the dysfunction within the Student Assembly, as well as administration policies that he sees as failing the student body. In particular, Anadkat highlighted three pillars of his platform: Greek life reform, student athlete accommodation, and international student assistance. “I think it’s time for a fresh face to lead the Student Assembly and be gone with the career politicians we’ve seen for the last few years,” Anadkat said.
Representative Chukwukere outlined his four point platform of crisis response, accountability, accessibility, and equity. Rep. Chukwukere highlighted what he saw as the crises of COVID-19 and racism rising in this country, which “Cornell is not exempt to.” Chukwukere highlighted previous work as the founder of the #DoBetterCornell campaign, as well as a proposal to defund CPD. Chukwukere also elaborated on the proposal for an Alternative Justice Board, where administration and students could work together to ensure students are protected during the pandemic. Rep. Chukwukere also called for oversight of CUPD, as he has heard more stories of “escalating use of force” by officers. If elected, Chukwukere would also advocate for a review of the Code of Conduct under undergraduate student control.
At the beginning of the cross examination period, both Chukwukere and Huang highlighted national issues, particularly heightened racial tensions in the United States. In response, Anadkat made a commitment to keep the Student Assembly “neutral and apolitical,” citing that resolutions tied to national issues divert resources away from time that could be spent serving the student body. Huang responded by explaining that some national issues affect students, such as recent Title IX reforms by the Trump administration. Anadkat responded by saying that preventing assault on campus should be a top priority and that S.A. interference in national politics, as showcased in the BDS vote, could be discriminatory. Chukwukere responded to Anadkat, explaining that many students are affected by national issues, specifically the current Supreme Court vacancy and minority rights.
The candidate forum for all other seats up for election focused on very similar issues, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the need for greater diversity training on Cornell’s campus.
Multiple candidates highlighted the need to increase awareness and accessibility to the Student Assembly. The incumbent College of Engineering representative Osai Egharevba highlighted the need to reach out to students on social media, particularly Reddit. First Generation student representative, Salima Ali promised to reach out and vocalize the concerns of her constituents.
On the subject of the COVID-19 pandemic, some candidates called for a more strict adherence to the Behavioral Compact. Transfer representative candidate, Frank Lexa said that Cornell was “one bad party away” from a larger epidemic. Lexa urged students to adhere to the Behavioral Compact to ensure a complete in-person semester. On the other side of the issue, freshman representative candidate, Kion Yaghoobzadeh described student enforcement of the compact as “creating a toxic environment on campus.”
Other candidates promised enhanced and improved student health services. College of Engineering representative candidate, Annie Vail promised to work to improve mental health resources for students during the pandemic. Freshman representative candidate, Amari Lambert highlighted one part of her platform, creating more safe events for freshman students during the pandemic.
There was one contentious moment during the debate. In response to a moderator’s question about racial justice and the COVID-19 pandemic, University Assembly representative candidate Bennett Sherr promised to work to defund, disarm, and abolish CUPD. Sherr then asked a fellow candidate for the University Assembly, Avery Bower, “How can you feel as though you can best represent the Cornell community when in your words you have penned articles attacking ‘black supremacy’ and demonizing Black Lives Matter protestors?”
After a while, Bower responded by saying that he did not criticize the merits of the Student Assembly’s recent donation to political campaigns, but rather he was pointing out “endemic corruption” within the Assembly. Bower went on to emphasize the need for more resources for students of color as well as training to understand and prevent instances of racism. Bower also highlighted that Jewish students on campus and across the nation are facing an uptick in anti-Semetic attacks. Bower ended his response to Sherr by saying, “I’ve been trying to run a positive campaign. I don’t think this is the type of negativity we need in the Undergraduate Assembly.”
As a reminder to our readership, the Cornell University Student Assembly election voting period begins this Tuesday at 12:00 PM and ends this Thursday at 2:00 PM. An email will be sent to all undergraduate students’ emails with a link to vote.
