R11. Resolution Regarding the Graduate Community Initiative as it pertains to Cornell Strategic Planning.

Whereas it is the responsibility of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) to address current and anticipated needs of a healthy and vibrant graduate and professional student body;

Whereas it is the responsibility of Cornell University administration, as well as academic and business units within the university, to promote a healthy and vibrant graduate community;

Whereas the Cornell Strategic Plan currently being drafted, will certainly have an impact on the academic and non-academic aspects of student life at Cornell;

Whereas the Graduate Community Initiative (GCI) (http://assembly.cornell.edu/GPSA/20070312GraduateCommunityInitiative) addresses critical and constant issues in graduate and professional student life at Cornell;

Whereas the GCI employs an integrated and proactive approach across schools and disciplines, examining all relevant university services and resources;

Whereas the GCI was informed and drafted with the participation of many affected and interested constituencies, departments and individuals- including but not limited to the:

• Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
• Student Elected Trustees
• University Assembly
• President David J. Skorton
• Vice President Student and Academic Affairs Susan Murphy
• Dean of the Graduate School Alison Power
• Dean of Students Kent Hubbell
• Graduate and Professional Student Housing
• Kris Corda, Director of the Big Red Barn;

Whereas the GCI has already addressed several issues identified in the Cornell Strategic Planning Advisory Council’s draft document of Jan 27, 2010;

Whereas the GCI was presented to the Trustees of Cornell University on March 12, 2007.

Be it therefore resolved that as Cornell University establishes a strategic plan to carry itself into the future, it is time to actively and meaningfully incorporate principles outlined in the GCI towards the kind of graduate student community we would like to foster on campus;

Be it further resolved that the GPSA host a GCI working session Town Hall meeting- to review the GCI and to discuss the graduate community’s desire for updates to the existing GCI document;

Be it further resolved that the GPSA kindly requests the attendance and participation of all interested, including the (or the designated representative of the):

• Strategic Planning Advisory Council
• Student Elected Trustees
• Vice President Student and Academic Affairs
• Dean of the Graduate School
• Dean of Students
• Director of Graduate and Professional Student Housing
• Director of the Big Red Barn
• Student representatives involved in Strategic Planning subcommittees;

Be it further resolved that the GCI working session Town Hall be held in the Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room on March 1, 2010 at 5:30pm till 7:00pm;

Be it further resolved that the GPSA shall use the GCI review and updating process as a framework for engaging with the strategic planning process of Cornell University as a whole;

Be it further resolved that the GPSA shall submit a resolution to vote on March 15, 2010, addressing and emphasizing key needs of a healthy and vibrant graduate community which the GPSA believes should align and be realized within the final Strategic Plan for Cornell University that is to be submitted in 2010;

Be it finally resolved that this resolution be delivered to the above noted invited participants, Provost Kent Fuchs and President David J. Skorton of Cornell University.

Respectfully Submitted,

Edward Strong
GPSA at-large Representative. Graduate Student Chair, University Assembly.

Ben Heavner
GPSA Physical Sciences Representative.

Erica Gutierrez
GPSA Social Sciences Representative. Executive Vice President.

Chris Clarke
GPSA Social Sciences Representative.

Cresten Mansfeldt
GPSA Physical Sciences Representative.

Michael Walsh
Cornell Student Elected Trustee.