Student Assembly

R.2 Creation of a Student Ambassador to Doha, Qatar

Whereas, Cornell currently has a campus located in Doha named the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) in addition to the Ithaca and New York City campuses

Whereas, regardless of which campus an enrolled student attends (Ithaca or Doha) he or she is still a Cornell student, working towards a Cornell degree

Whereas, students in the pre-medical program in Doha are currently isolated from the undergraduate population in Ithaca due to a lack of interaction between the two respective campuses and geographical barriers

Whereas, the Medical Student Executive Council - Qatar (MSEC-Q) is currently working on creating a Student Ambassador to the Student Assembly in Ithaca in an effort to reach out to the Ithaca campus

Whereas, the IthaQatar Summer Program led to the conclusion that more communication between students on both campuses during the academic year would lead to a stronger, more cohesive community and enrich the experience of students on both campuses

Whereas, creating two Student Ambassadors to the respective campuses would allow for the flow of ideas, projects and collaborative efforts between campuses that could increase the available opportunities for students on both campuses

Be it therefore resolved, that the Student Assembly shall create a new ex-officio Non-Voting Member called the Student Ambassador to WCMC-Q in Doha, Qatar with a term of one academic year.

Be it further resolved, that the following principles shall govern the selection process, responsibilities and limitations of the Student Ambassador to Doha:

Selection Process The delegate to WCMC-Q shall be appointed by the President of the Student Assembly with the advice and consent of the Student Assembly executive board. The delegate must then be confirmed by a 2/3 vote of the Student Assembly in order to assume the position.

When selecting the Student Ambassador to WCMC-Q the President of the Assembly will strive to select a candidate who has demonstrated a strong interest and commitment to international relations and strengthening ties with the middle east. Important criteria for selection of the Student Ambassador shall include:

• Academic coursework or study abroad experience of relevance to the Middle East
• Experience working with the IthaQatar (IQ) program or International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
• Knowledge and comfort with the Student Assembly and the resources available via the Dean of Student’s Office
• A commitment to bettering student life on both campuses and bridging the two hubs of education

Responsibilities The Student Ambassador to Doha shall have among other unstated responsibilities the following stated responsibilities:

• Act as the bridge for communication between the Ithaca and Doha campuses
• Maintain a working relationship with the leadership of MSEC-Q, the Ambassador to the Student Assembly and the Director of Student Affairs in WCMC-Q
• Work in close conjunction with the IthaQatar Ambassadors program to get students on both campuses involved in generating ideas, making progress on special projects, planning delegation trips and working to the general betterment of student and academic life on both campuses
• Give periodic updates or progress reports to the Student Assembly at least twice a semester
• Spearhead any initiatives endorsed by the Student Assembly or University Administration relating to Doha, Qatar
• Advise and support the growth of MSEC-Q
• Help the Student Assembly, in particular the executive board, in it’s selection of successive Delegates to Doha

Limitations The following limitations shall apply to the Student Ambassador to Doha:

• The delegate shall not have the right to vote at Student Assembly meetings
• The delegate shall not have the speaking and seating rights of liaisons or voting representatives
• The delegate can face impeachment and eventual removal from office with a 3/4 vote of the Student Assembly

Be it further resolved, that the Student Assembly shall select the Student Ambassador delegate for the 2009–2010 academic year or at least place an interim delegate until further arrangements are made.

Respectfully Submitted,

Allen Miller ‘11
IthaQatar, Ambassador

Rammy Salem ‘10
At-Large Representative
Student Assembly, President

Cecilia De Lencquesaing ‘11
Student Assembly, International Representative

Maya Dib ‘11
Transfer student from WCMC-Q
Class of 2013 President-Emeritus, MSEC-Q