SA R. 21 / GPSA R. 5
A Joint Resolution Between the SA and the GPSA
Regarding the Allocation of the Student-Elected Trustee Seats

Whereas the Charter of Cornell University, Article 115 of New York State Education Law, states in Section 5703, Paragraph 1.d:
At all times, such board trustees shall include at least�two trustees to be elected from among and by the membership of the university’s student body at Ithaca. And,

Whereas the Bylaws of Cornell University Article II, Section 2, Paragraph 4.d specifies:
Two trustees shall be elected from among and by the membership of the University’s student body at Ithaca for terms of two years each, one being elected each year. And,

Whereas neither the Cornell University Charter or Bylaws differentiate these seats with regards to either the undergraduate, graduate, or professional community; and

Whereas the election of either two graduate/professional or two undergraduate trustees in consecutive years leaves one constituency without representation in university government at the highest level for at least one year; and

Whereas representation by faculty, employees, alumni, undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on the Board of Trustees is not proportionally representational, it ought still to reflect the broad interests, background, and experiences of those respective communities;

Be it therefore resolved that the Student Assembly and the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly recommend the Cornell University Board of Trustees to designate one Student Elected Trustee seat to undergraduate students and one Student Elected Trustee seat to graduate and professional students.

Be it further resolved that both Student Elected Trustees continue to serve two-year terms and that the election of each is staggered so that an undergraduate is elected in the spring of odd numbered years and a graduate or professional student is elected in the spring of even numbered years. ‘ ’ ‘ Be it further resolved′ ’ that in accordance with the Bylaws of Cornell University, the Student Elected Trustee will continue to be elected from among and by the membership of the University’s student body at Ithaca.

Be it further resolved that an evaluation of the election process shall be carried out by the Trustee Nominating Committee, in consultation with the Student Assembly and Graduate and Professional Assembly, in fall 2010 and submitted to the Board of Trustees in time for their January 2011 meeting.

Be it finally resolved that this resolution be distributed to the Chair of the Committee on Board Membership, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, University Council, Secretary of the Corporation, President of Cornell University, Director of the Office of Assemblies, and Chair of the Trustee Nominating Committee.

Respectfully submitted,

Douglas Mitarotonda, Student Elected Trustee, 2005–2007 Kwame Thomison, Student Assembly President, 2006–2007 Janet Vertesi, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly President, 2006–2007

October 2006