Student Assembly

Whereas, The Student Assembly has legislative authority over the Office of the Dean of Students.

Whereas, the Office of the Dean of Students is responsible for New Student Programs.

Whereas, the University is partially responsible for maintaining the health of the student body.

Whereas, many students are currently unaware of the different health services available on campus.

Whereas, many students would benefit from learning the methods one should use when dealing with health related issues and when interacting with others who exhibit symptomatic health problems.

Whereas, the University would benefit from a community approach to promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Whereas, a required orientation event can be used to educate almost all incoming students.

Whereas, the leaders of EARS, Cornell Minds Matter, Haven: The LGBTQ Student Union, and Gannett Health Services agree that a required orientation event is a good community approach to addressing student health issues.

Whereas, the Assistant Dean of Students in charge of New Student Programs, Sarah Jones, is in support of adding a required event on student health, and has found available space in the orientation calendar for the fall semester.

Whereas, Timothy Marchell, the Director of Mental Health Initiatives in Gannett Health Services, has experience speaking about health issues to over a thousand students in Bailey Hall and is willing to lead this required orientation event.

Be it therefore resolved, that the Student Assembly recommends that New Student Programs add another required event to orientation that will cover a variety of student health issues.

Be it further resolved, that the Student Assembly recommends that the required orientation event on student health include education on sexual harassment, substance abuse, academic stress, and the methods for determining and dealing with mental health problems.

Be it further resolved, that the Student Assembly recommends that the structure of the required orientation event be at the determination of the Director of Mental Health Initiatives in Gannett Health Services, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the VP of Academic and Student Services.

Be it further resolved, that this resolution be forwarded to the Director of Mental Health Initiatives in Gannett Health Services, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the VP of Academic and Student Services.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew Brokman ‘11
At-Large Representative, Student Assembly