Student Assembly

As discussed Thursday, 1 March 2007.

Whereas, the closing of Cornell University on February 14, 2007, was poorly executed in that the interests of all members of the Cornell community were not properly taken into account, especially with regards to the timing and feasibility of the decision;

Whereas, members of the Cornell community were poorly notified of the university’s decision to close, and many felt they lacked the ability to give relevant information and input regarding the circumstances they or other members of their constituency may have faced in such conditions;

Whereas, Article 1.3 of the Student Assembly Charter reads: 1.3 Welfare of Student Community The SA will have the authority and the responsibility to examine any matters which involve the interests or concern the welfare of the student community and to make proposals concerning those issues to the appropriate officers or decision-making bodies of the University; Whereas, it would be appropriate for all parties with an interest in the operation of the university to have some input and/or voting power to the decision-making bodies of the university, as such decisions affect all parties with an interest in the operation of the university;

Whereas, parties with an interest in the operation of the university shall be defined as students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional), faculty, staff, and administration, in no particular order;

Be it therefore resolved that the Student Assembly recommend to President David J. Skorton and Vice President for Finance and Administration Stephen T. Golding, as well as other members of the Senior Administration, that an “Emergency Management and Crisis Steering Committee” be created by the Senior Administration so that appropriate and timely information be given to the decision-making body(s) in times of emergency;

Be it further resolved that the Student Assembly recommend to the Senior Administration that guidelines regarding the meeting time(s) and makeup of said committee be created so that it can be called into action when necessary;

Be it further resolved that the Student Assembly recommend that this committee convene in the interim of the next weather crisis to discuss procedures and communication at Cornell University during times of weather and other crises;

Be it further resolved that the Student Assembly recommend that the committee membership include students, faculty, staff, and members of the administration;

Be it further resolved that the Student Assembly respectfully ask the Senior Administration to report back to the Student Assembly regarding the creation of such a committee, and if such a committee is created, to report back regarding the infrastructure and makeup of the committee;

Be it finally resolved that Student Assembly representatives may be asked to serve on this committee due to their role as representatives of the undergraduate community.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mazdak Asgary ‘08 Parliamentarian

C.J. Slicklen ‘09 Vice President for Public Relations School of Hotel Administration Representative