Student Assembly

R.30 Creation of an Undergraduate Housing Rate Scale

Whereas, the Cornell University Campus Life Department website states that the West Campus Residential Initiative (WCRI) was created “to develop a first-year residential experience, reshape the upper-level student experience, and guarantee on-campus housing for transfers, sophomores, and first-year students.”

Whereas, the implementation of the WCRI directly resulted in the dismantling of the Transfer Center Programming House, and consequently, almost all transfer-related programming.

Whereas, the WCRI does not outline any policy with regard to the blocking of transfer students.

Whereas, the WCRI failed to include any designated staff member fit to deal with transfer-related issues.

Whereas, transfer students are currently dispersed in small pockets throughout West Campus, Collegetown, and the Townhouses houses on North Campus.

Whereas, the Student Assembly Committee on Transfer Affairs has drafted and analyzed a transfer housing survey which was completed by 527 transfer students, including 133 who lived in the transfer center and 159 who transferred in the current academic year.

Whereas, the survey results state that 88 percent of students who lived in the Transfer Programming House in the Class of ‘17 Hall reported a “positive” first-year living experience, while 6 percent reported “somewhat positive” experiences. Another 1.5 percent reported a “negative experience,” and 2.3 percent reported a “somewhat negative” experience. The remaining students reported a “neutral” experience.

Whereas, the survey results state that 36.6 percent of transfer students who matriculated in the Fall of 2008 and Spring of 2009 reported a positive first-year living experience, while 27.3 percent reported “somewhat positive” experiences. Another 8.7 percent reported a “negative” experience, and 18.6 percent reported a “somewhat negative” experience. The remaining students reported a “neutral” experience.

Be it therefore resolved, that a Transfer Programming House is essential to the quality of transfer students’ first-year living experience.

Be it further resolved, that a Transfer Programming House will give transfer students the option to live together with support staff and transfer targeted services.

Be it further resolved, that the Student Assembly recommends that the Administration reinstate a Transfer Programming House.

Be it further resolved, that this resolution be forwarded to the University President David Skorton, Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy, and Dean of Students Kent Hubbell.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew Brokman
Transfer Representative At-Large

Jared Feldman
Vice-Chair, Committee on Transfer Affairs