As discussed Monday, 26 March 2007.

Whereas the GPSA’s Graduate Community Initiative calls for better integration of the graduate and professional student community, including between departments and professional schools;

Whereas the GPSA has jurisdiction over student affairs in Ithaca and Geneva, but the student councils at Weill Cornell are autonomous under their Board of Overseers;

Whereas students at Weill Cornell face many of the same issues that our graduate and professional community faces at Ithaca and Geneva, such as lack of interdepartmental engagement, and poor housing options;

Whereas there is substantial overlap between the intellectual pursuits at Weill and Ithaca under the umbrella of life-sciences, such that graduate student research could benefit greatly from better infrastructure to support exchange;

Whereas students at Weill Cornell are disadvantaged within their institutional setting, lacking a ‘Dean of Students’ or similar student life advocate, while the GPSA is well supported by Ithaca administration;

Whereas the GPSA is concerned to integrate graduate and professional student life, and a wide gulf exists between the Medical students and the PhD students at Weill Cornell;

Be it therefore resolved that the GPSA affirms its commitment to improving the relationship between both campus governments through better communication and opportunities for exchange;

Be it further resolved that the Presidents of the Weill Cornell Medical and Graduate Executive Councils be added to the GPSA’s mail lists, such as GPSA-L and GPSAINFO-L, to keep them informed of Ithaca campus events; and that occasional events at Weill be added to GPSAINFO to keep Ithaca campus students aware of their extension in New York City;

Be it further resolved that efforts be taken to include Weill students in larger GPSA events, such as the GradBall, perhaps involving chartered transit supported by the University;

Be it further resolved that the Presidents of the Weill Cornell Medical and Graduate Executive Councils make a brief presentation to the GPSA — in person, by teleconference or videoconference, or by email exchange — at least once per academic year;

Be it further resolved that at least the Executives of each council visit each others’ campus communities at least once per academic year;

Be it further resolved that the GPSA urge Cornell to adopt a student price for their bus service between Weill and Ithaca that is either free or affordable to graduate students, and examine options for short term (i.e. overnight or two-day) stays by graduate students at either campus;

Be it further resolved that the GPSA recommends improved video-conferencing technology in lab and social spaces between Ithaca and Weill: for example, between the new Student Center and the student space at Weill;

Be it finally resolved that this resolution be circulated to the Presidents of the Executive Councils at Weill Cornell, Dean of Graduate Studies Alison Power, Dean of Students Kent Hubbell, and President David Skorton.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Vertesi
GPSA President
March 26 2007