R.2 Regarding the Reduction in Maximum Individual Funding for Cornell Students with Children and the Graduate Student Response

Whereas the Fiscal-Year 2009–2010 Cornell University Graduate and Professional Student Childcare Grant maximum available individual funding is set tentatively at $1500 with the last two funding cycles set at $5000;

Whereas the reduction in funding is not due to a direct cut, but rather the transfer of the Grant’s administration from the Office of Human Resources to the Graduate School and the Provost’s Office reinstated the existing, but not enforced, maximum individual funding of $1500;

Whereas the Childcare Grant is a unique assistantship program for Graduate and Professional Students with Children among our Peer Ivy League Institutions;

Whereas the Graduate and Professional Student Community (hereafter referred to as the GPSC) composed and circulated a letter entitled “Reduction in Child Care Grant 09/10 for Students with Children” addressed to the Cornell University’s President Skorton, outlining and addressing the benefits of the initial Childcare Grant Program and the impacts of the Grant’s alteration;

Whereas the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (hereafter referred to as the GPSA) serves as an official advocacy link between the Graduate and Professional Student Community and Cornell University’s Administration as empowered in Article 2.01 of the GPSA Charter;

Be it therefore resolved that the GPSA submit with this resolution and publish on the GPSA website the letter “Reduction in Child Care Grant 09/10 for Students with Children” supporting the re-evaluation of the child care grant allocation, as suggested by the constituents that are affected, fulfilling the requirements of Article 2.01.b of the GPSA Charter;

Be it further resolved that the efforts of Cornell University’s Administration to provide balanced and constructive assistance to the GPSC with Children be formally recognized;

Be it further resolved that GPSA Student Advocacy Committee be tasked with maintaining communication between Cornell University’s Administration and the GPSC with Children fulfilling the requirements of Article 6.04.g of the GPSA Charter;

Be it finally resolved that this resolution be sent to David Skorton, President of Cornell University; Kent Fuchs, Cornell University Provost; Kent Hubbell, Dean of Students; Alison Power, Dean of the Graduate School; and Brenda Marston, Cornell Childcare Services Subcommittee Chair.

Respectfully submitted,

Cresten Mansfeldt
Student Advocacy Committee Chair
GPSA Physical Sciences Voting Member

Justine Haimi
Student Advocacy Committee Member

Billie Gould
Student Advocacy Committee Member
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Committee Member

Ben Heavner
GPSA Physical Sciences Voting Member