GPSA: R.8: A Resolution regarding the Staffing of Committees

As discussed Monday, 26 March 2007.

Whereas the staffing of the standing internal committees is clearly defined in the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly Charter, while the staffing procedures of external committees and liaison positions are not clearly defined, and;

Whereas the General Committee of the Graduate School allocates seats to:

“Two graduate students selected by the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) as non-voting members.”

giving the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly authority over choosing those members but not defining how they are chosen, and;

Whereas in this position, the appointed representative to the General Committee of the Graduate school deals with matters of confidentiality, and;

Whereas, in the past the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly has chosen its representatives to the General Committee of the Graduate School via majority vote during business meetings and;

Whereas, the University Assembly through article 8.1.1 of their charter, which reads:

“Except when an ad hoc committee contains only UA members, the respective Assemblies shall be responsible for selecting their constituents for membership on ad hoc committees established by the UA, in accordance with the latter’s specific prescription as to their membership.”

thus granting authority to the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly to staff the graduate and professional student representation to these committees, and;

Whereas the GPSA has been given authority by numerous committees at Cornell to appoint representatives, but the GPSA has yet to describe a method of appointment.

Be it therefore resolved that Chapter 9.1 of the Charter of the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly be amended to read:

9.1 Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the officers of the GPSA, of which there shall be at least three (3). The Executive Committee shall ensure the smooth operations of the GPSA. These officers are empowered to speak for the GPSA on issues that must be addressed before the next regularly scheduled general or business meeting. All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be subject to the approval of a majority vote of the seated GPSA members. The Executive Committee shall establish agendas for the general and business meetings of the GPSA. The Executive Committee shall make appointments to university committees, liaison positions, and all other external committees that become vacant prematurely.

and,

Be it further resolved that a Chapter 9.2 of the Charter of the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly be changed to read:

9.2 Operations & Staffing Committee

The Operations and Staffing Committee will be chaired by the Secretary of the GPSA. The Operations and Staffing Committee shall, from time to time, review the Charter and procedures of the GPSA to see that they are in accordance with the needs of the GPSA and University and other necessary guidelines and recommend changes to the GPSA. This committee shall also make committee appointments, and prepare necessary associated documents and application forms for appointments to GPSA, assemblies, and university committees. The Secretary shall present the process for committee appointments at the September Council of Representatives meeting. Upon reviewing applications to committees, the Operations and Staffing Committee shall select qualified graduate and professional students to fill positions on university committees. The committee will approve the appointments to all external committees by majority vote. All external committee appointments shall be complete by the September Assembly meeting in each Academic year and presented to the Assembly at that meeting. The appointments shall be subject to the review of the Executive Committee. In the case of premature vacancy, the Executive Committee may staff these external appointments by majority vote.

9.2.a. Operations and Staffing Committee appointments

The Operations and Staffing Committee shall appoint the following:

1. Two (2) representatives to the General Committee of the Graduate School, one in alternating years, to serve two-year terms
2. Two (2) students to the University Neighborhood Council
3. One (1) representative to the Trustee Nominating Committee
4. One (1) student each to the Student Assembly committees on Dining Services, and Information Technologies.
5. One (1) student each to the Committee on Minority Education, the Faculty Advisory Committee on Athletics & Physical Education, the Committee on Academic Freedom & Professional Status of the Faculty, and the Academic Programs and Policy Committee
6. One (1) liaison officer each to the Faculty Senate, the Employee Assembly and the Student Assembly as ex-officio, non-voting members
7. One (1) student representative to other external committees: including the Committee on Alcohol & Other Drugs, the Slope Day Steering Committee, the Diversity Council, the Council on Mental Health and Welfare, the Student Insurance Advisory Committee, the Student Library Advisory Committee.

9.2.b. University Assembly Committee appointments

The Operations and Staffing Committee, in conjunction with the Graduate & Professional representatives of the University Assembly, shall appoint graduate and professional representatives and liaisons to all committees under the jurisdiction of the University Assembly, including:

1. One (1) student to be appointed to the Campus Planning Committee, Cornell Store Administrative Board and the Cornell United Religious Work Advisory Board.
2. Two (2) students to be appointed to the Joint Assemblies Financial Aid Review Committee, the Budget Planning Committee, the Board on University Health Services (with two alternates), the Codes and Judicial Committee, the Transportation Advisory Committee, the Transportation Hearing & Appeals Board.
3. Three (3) students to be appointed to the Joint Assemblies Multicultural Issues Committee.

and,

Be it further resolved that section 5.2 of the Charter of the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly be changed to read:

5.2 President responsibilities

It shall be the responsibility of the President of the GPSA to represent the Assembly in university affairs, to chair all business meetings of the GPSA, meetings of the Executive Committee, and the general meetings of the GPSA in the absence of the Vice-President. The President of the GPSA shall serve on the Assemblies System Review Committee.

and,

Be it finally resolved that this resolution be sent to Jim Glenn, Graduate Chair of the University Assembly, Peggy Beach, Director of the Office of Assemblies, Graduate School Dean Sunny Power Graduate School, President David Skorton.

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael Jay Walsh
Vice President, Graduate & Professional Student Assembly
January 29, 2007

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