Student Assembly

Whereas, mental health is central to the academic mission of the university;

Whereas, studies have shown that students have identified academics as the most constant source of stress for university students (“Personal Assessment of Stress Factors for College Students”, Journal of School Health);

Whereas, research on depression and mental health has shown that many suicide attempts were the result of sudden impulses and deteriorations caused by high intensity factors in people who already had mild cases of depression (“Golden Gate Bridge and Marin County suicide statistics”, Jenna Fussell and Maggie Louie);

Whereas, students, faculty and staff who are physically and emotionally well are able to optimize their academic and personal potential;

Whereas, stress has an effect on one’s physical, emotional and cognitive functioning and when stress builds it can negatively affect mental health and physical functioning and may create anxiety, depression or suicidal thinking;

Whereas, students report stress as the #1 health impediment to academic success;

Whereas, the recommendations put forth by this resolution are being supported by the Student Assembly Committee on Residential Life and the Joint Assemblies on Multicultural Issues committee;

Whereas, the Committee on Mental Health and Welfare and Gannett Medical Services have identified the issue of stress and mental health as a critical aspect of student life that needs to be addressed;

Whereas, on April 5, 2010, President Skorton said himself in a Cornell Daily Sun column that he believes the university as a whole needs to “consider the totality of the student experience�I call on my colleagues in the faculty, staff and student body of Cornell, as well as our alumni, to focus on the myriad aspects of student life that together frame the experience of our 20,600 students”;

Whereas, in the aforementioned address, President Skorton specifically addressed faculty, stating: “I call on faculty members to reflect on the classroom environment as well as grading practices, the academic calendar, and advising systems. I ask that faculty think about ways to create a supportive context for students without comprising the academic excellence and rigor that you have achieved”;

Whereas, professors have the ability to influence the classroom environment and thereby limit unnecessary academic stress for students;

Whereas, the Student Assembly, Black Students United, and Minds Matter are hosting a forum for faculty and students to discuss the ramifications of academic rigor and coursework on student life in the Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room on Wednesday, April 6 from 3–4:00 PM;

Be it therefore resolved, that the Student Assembly forward the attached email to Dean of Faculty William Fry, Chair of the Educational Policy Committee Bruce Levitt, Dean of Students Kent Hubbell, and President David Skorton;

Be it further resolved, that the aforementioned faculty and administrator be asked to forward the email to all members of the Cornell University faculty and request their attendance at the event;

Be it finally resolved, that in evaluating the issues set forth in this resolution from both the student and faculty vantage points, faculty engage in an open dialogue both with one another and with the student body as a whole to develop a structure in which these ideas may manifest themselves in a way to benefit the entire Cornell community.

Respectfully submitted,

Roneal Desai ‘13
Student Assembly Minority Representative At-Large

Abby Back ‘11
Concerned Student

Doug DuRant ‘11
Concerned Student