WHEREAS, The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) has an “ethical responsibility” to ensure that the money from the Graduate and Professional Student (GPS) Activity Fee is “well spent” (Bylaws, Section 3.05(h)(i)); and

WHEREAS, The GPSA recognizes that along with setting and distributing the GPS Activity Fee comes accountability (Charter, Article VIII, Section 8.02); and

WHEREAS, The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Finance Commission (GPSAFC) Funding Guidelines specify a process for appealing allocations, ensuring this accountability to graduate student organizations; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, the process by which groups request funding has moved from a paper-based system to an online system; and

WHEREAS, In these changes, the appeals process has also changed, necessitating an update to the Funding Guidelines; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the GPSAFC Funding Guidelines are amended—

(1) In Section VIII—

(A) By striking point 1 and inserting: “An organization that feels that an inadequate allocation was made by the GPSAFC, either to its annual budget or a special project request (SPR), should submit a new SPR requesting additional funding. The SPR will be reviewed by the GPSAFC at its monthly meeting.”; and

(B) By striking point 2 and inserting: “An organization that feels treated unfairly by a GPSAFC funding decision has the right to appeal. An organization may submit an appeal to contest the GPSAFC’s interpretation of the Funding Guidelines (but not an allocation).”; and

( C) In point 4—

(i) By striking subpoint 1 and inserting two new sections:

“ 1. The organization is advised to reach a resolution with the GPSAFC on an informal basis by contacting the GPSAFC chairperson via e-mail (gpsafc@cornell.edu).

2. If the matter cannot be resolved on an informal basis, the GPSAFC chairperson will provide the organization with an Appeal Form. The organization must fill out and submit the Appeal Form with proper signatures.”; and renumbering the following ones

(ii) In subpoint 5 by inserting “(GPSA-AC)” after “Appropriations Committee”.

(2) In Section XII—

(A) By inserting a new point to read: “ Amendments to the Funding Guidelines must be presented to the GPSA for discussion at least one meeting in advance of the meeting in which the final vote will take place.”.

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Office of the Assemblies for the purpose of updating the website.

Respectfully Submitted,

Vinay Pagay
GPSAFC Chair

William Kreuser
GPSA Appropriations Committee Chair

Evan Cortens
Counsel to the GPSA