Minutes
University Assembly
Wednesday, September 30, 1998
WSH Art Gallery
4:30 PM

I. Call to Order

M. Esposito called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.

II. Additions to the Agenda

No additions were made to the agenda.

III. Open Forum

North Campus Renovations

D. Di Bene commented that the renovation plans will cause a substantial change to the atmosphere of North Campus as well as the remainder of the residential areas, due to the relocation of Cornell freshmen to North Campus. Included in these plans are alterations to the Campus Dining system. He felt that these changes are very substantial and informed the University Assembly that additional information will be forwarded to the Assembly throughout the entire renovation process. D. Di Bene added that the Campus Planning Committee has been following this issue very closely and the minutes from these meetings will be available to all members of the University Assembly.

Campus Judicial System Orientation

M. Esposito reported that the Judicial System Orientation took place on September 15. He remarked that the orientation session consisted of a review of the judicial process on campus, the Judicial Administrator, the Judicial Codes Councilor and the Judicial Hearing and Review Boards. He commented that the session was interesting and informative.

IV. Announcements

M. Esposito announced that the Assemblies Leadership Breakfast meeting will take place on Tuesday October 6. He explained that this meeting is an assemblies leadership meeting, including representatives of all the Assemblies. He requested any questions the members of the University Assembly desired to be brought up at this meeting, be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

M. Esposito noted that Employee Week was approaching quickly and offered an invitation to all to participate in the events of the week.

He remarked that the Annual Assemblies Fall Retreat was very successful and felt that the abundant input received that evening will serve as an important foundation for addressing the issues raised at the retreat.

V. Approval of the Minutes

The minutes of August 26, 1998 were unanimously approved with no amendments.

VI. Attendance

Present: Dennis Carlson, Philip Righter, A. Ramon Thomas, Jacob Werner, Linda Yannone, Gary Brandt, David Di Bene, Michael Esposito, Larry Russell, Yrjo Grohn, Alan Mathios, Marvin Pritts

Absent: Benjamin Perry, David Levitsky, Ellis Loew

Excused: Marian Hartill, Betty Lewis, Richard Moore

VII. Business of the Day

University Alcohol Policy

Jan Talbot, Community Health Educator/(UHS), appeared in front of the Assembly to address the new proposed University Alcohol Policy. She commented that the draft alcohol policy has been presented to the Student Assembly and the Employee Assembly. She added that she met with both the University and Employee Assemblies this past May, concerning the University Alcohol Policy.

Jan Talbot explained that Cornell is required by law to have an updated alcohol policy. Federal, State, and Tompkins County all require certain specifications be met concerning alcohol on campus. Cornell risks losing federal funding should these requirements not be met by an Alcohol Policy. Other organizations on campus may require stricter standards, however, the University Alcohol and Drug Policy provides the minimum requirements that must be met by each group. All related alcohol documents are grouped into the third page of the alcohol policy. Jan Talbot mentioned that the policy must be frequently reviewed to see if alterations are necessary. The last review of the policy was in 1989. She explained that the board that reviewed the policy consists of representatives from a wide variety of groups on campus: Student Assembly, Student Activities, Faculty, Athletics, the Office of Human Resources, Greek Life, Public Safety, Judicial Administrator, Alumni Affairs, and Campus Life all have representatives that serve on the Review Board for the Alcohol Policy. She announced the goals of the committee were to reformat the policy and identify and clarify the gray areas in the present policy. She reiterated that the policy is to provide the minimum standards and guidelines concerning alcohol restrictions. She remarked that many organizations have stricter policies in effect, such as Campus Life and the Athletic Department.

Jan Talbot commented that the majority of the feedback was coming from the employee body.

Jan Talbot reviewed specific aspects of the Alcohol Policy. She began by explaining the definition of a major event on campus. A major event serving alcohol to faculty and staff consists of an attendance of 50 or more people. Such an event would have to be registered through an online application system.

M. Esposito requested an example of the process of planning an on-campus event be presented in front of the University Assembly. He provided the example of an upcoming Library Exhibit with students and faculty invited.

Jan Talbot responded by suggesting that if students under the age of 21 were to be present, alcohol should not be served at this event. Requests for exceptions to not serve alcohol at an event with minors in attendance must be made in writing.

She pointed out a valid exception to this policy would be to when a caterer is hired to work the event. This way a caterer assumes the responsibility and liability for serving to underage attendants. She expressed the difference between a privately funded event taking place on campus vs. a campus funded event taking place off campus. For any event on campus, approval of the event must be obtained. However, for an event off campus, the Dean of that college must be informed of the event, in which case the Dean assumes responsibility for the event. If this event occurs at a restaurant, the restaurant will assume the responsibility for serving alcoholic beverages.

L. Yannonne questioned how this policy applied to a field trip in which minors would participate. Her question consisted of who would be responsible for a student who took advantage of a field trip environment and became intoxicated while away from the supervision of the campus representative. Jan Talbot explained that the student would not be considered under university responsibility in that situation and the provider of the alcohol would be responsible for that student. Jan Talbot restated that many gray areas exist under this policy. She noted that if a faculty member were to serve alcohol to an underage student at a bar, that faculty member would assume the responsibility. She explained that many people presently hire caterers for home parties to give the responsibility of serving alcohol to that catering company. For faculty and staff parties under 50 people, the Department Head or Dean must be informed. However, for any student event serving alcohol, the required forms must be filed, regardless of the size of the event.

The responsibility of a fraternity or sorority under this policy was questioned. Jan Talbot pointed out that the fraternities and sororities are not university controlled properties. However, for a campus event, such as one taking place on a Quad, the necessary forms must be filed. For all other instances the fraternities and sororities have their own policies they must follow. A question was raised as to the inclusion of alcohol in food recipes. It was decided that since the alcohol burns out during the cooking process, this is not a concern.

Jan Talbot pointed out that this is a very serious issue and is fueled by all the alcohol related deaths to binge drinking in the past few years. She noted that the policy should be reviewed every 2–3 years, in order to stay current with the changing times. She explained that after the policy is passed, it will enter a 6 month interim period, after which it will be reevaluated and then possibly placed into a permanent role.

M. Esposito questioned the influence available throughout that 6 month period. Jan Talbot replied by noting that all opinions will be considered throughout this period.

M. Esposito pointed out that both the GPSA and SA have yet to support the policy, placing the UA in an awkward position. It was noted that the SA was concerned with possible double standards being put into effect between Greek and non-Greek students. Jan Talbot reiterated that groups must follow the stricter alcohol policy. Therefore, the Greek students are only facing stricter standards because their leadership is requesting a stricter policy. The GPSA requested the UA postpone their decision on the matter, until the policy could be further reviewed through the GPSA body. The graduate students feel that they are responsible adults and should not have to follow some of the restrictions of the policy. M. Esposito suggested a member of the review committee meet with the GPSA to review and explain the policy. It was decided to postpone the voting on the support of the alcohol policy until a later meeting.

Dean of Faculty

B. Cooke, Dean of Faculty, met to review the faculty agenda with the University Assembly. He commented that the goal of the faculty agenda is to enhance the undergraduate experience, with an emphasis on improving the interaction between the faculty and students. The initial, simple goal is to encourage professors into calling students by name. By providing professors with class lists with attached photographs and netIDs, an attempt is being made to accomplish this goal.

B. Cooke added that a conference for professors with large lectures is being planned. The goal of this conference is to aid professors in discovering the best way to reach a large body of students by sharing the experiences of other professors.

B. Cooke remarked that a present concern has been the cost structure of the University. Cornell has historically been indifferent to the cost of operating a top university. The main goal of the University has always been to provide the highest quality education. He explained that the increases in tuition costs have been greater then the cost of inflation for a number of years. The time will come when enrollment will suffer due to the high cost of tuition. When this plateau is reached, the University will face financial difficulties. Therefore, actions must be addressed and made now, in order to prevent this situation. He announced that no back-up plan for or alternative to tuition increases exist. B. Cooke emphasized that it is essential to face the financial situation of the University and cut costs in order to reduce the rate of inflation of tuition.

B. Cooke mentioned that the integration of distance learning must also be addressed. Cornell must move in the direction of distance learning in order to reap the benefits that this system can provide. Distance learning can bring more things to Cornell. For example, lectures that take place on campus can be placed on a website to benefit present students and alumni. B. Cooke commented that by raising the cost of admission, the cost of financial aid also increases. Therefore an alternative solution to the financial situation of Cornell must be discovered. The question posed is, how can Cornell trim costs in the future?

B. Cooke mentioned some personal views he holds to help solve the financial situation. He commented that the University needs to consider how to maintain a consistent turnover of faculty. The difference in wages between an associate professor and a retiring professor’s wages helps to balance out the payroll. By supporting an aging staff, this is forcing the budget to increase. B. Cooke suggested that an option be installed that would allow retiring faculty to have a reduced class load, resulting in a reduced salary and benefit package.

A. Mathios suggested that such a program be placed into effect that would offer an aging professor the opportunity to work part-time. He noted that it would be a waste to lose the minds and experience of the aging staff. This would provide a method to keep the older staff in the Cornell community, but to continue to provide for a turnover rate.

It was suggested that the distance learning system would allow a means to create funds while utilizing the experience of the older staff. By utilizing the skill and knowledge of the older staff, their experience would contribute to distance learning, and allow Cornell to use the profits from this to quell the financial situation.

B. Cooke noted another issue being addressed is the fact that the majority of lectures have very few students in each class. It was suggested that an enrollment cutoff be placed on non-major based classes in order to reduce lectures with under 5–10 students. B. Cooke explained that this problem needs to be rectified without damaging the quality of education.

B. Cooke remarked that the emphasis on the undergraduate experience does not mean that research is no longer essential on the Cornell campus.

L. Yannone suggested that some courses be taught by retired professors.

B. Cooke suggested that individual contacts be made with retired professors. For specific courses, freeing the university from other employment obligations.

It was pointed out that some professors prefer to teach graduate level courses, due to the fact that these courses are more related to their research programs, therefore more enjoyable for them to teach.

The example of Math 191/192/193 was brought up. In this class, the large lecture size was eliminated for a collection of smaller class sizes. This exceptional change in payroll cost was made to create a more personal classroom size of 20–30 students. However, graduate students graded all papers, eliminating some of the connection between the students and professors.

B. Cooke commented that they are also trying to correct the language barrier allowing a clearer interaction with students.

M. Esposito suggested a system for community members to input concerns be established. B. Cooke remarked that he would be happy to accept any suggestions.

R. Thomas commented that the Johnson Graduate School of Management is attempting to solicit funds to cover costs if financial changes put into effect. He commented that the business school will lose students due to the increase in tuition fees.

It was noted that professors come to Cornell to instruct high caliber students while performing their research work.

It was suggested that professors serve as consultants for outside companies. By providing their services in the industrial world, professors could raise funds to assist Cornell financially.

B. Cooke commented that each individual department reviews classes, not the University. He noted that this produces a variance among the colleges.

A. Mathios commented that each consecutive year has brought about an increasing class size. This increase in students is slowly deteriorating the atmosphere of a small college in a large university. He also noted that state cutbacks are forcing colleges to think of costs.

B. Cooke noted that 70% of lecture courses enroll 25 or fewer students, and only constitutes 20% of the students. This allows the faculty to believe that they have small class sizes, however the students feel the opposite.

B. Cooke agreed to return to a future University Assembly meeting.

University Assembly Attendance Policy

M. Esposito addressed the University Assembly attendance policy. Based on the fact future University Assemblies will not be made up of all constituencies, M. Esposito suggested an attendance policy be proposed each year.

M. Esposito proposed that a member of the UA only be allowed 2 unexcused absences. He commented that after the 2nd miss, the individual would have a week to contact the executive committee. A violating member would then be asked to resign from the UA or be suspended after the second miss. He noted that there are only eight meetings throughout the year, therefore this new attendance policy is relevant when compared to the number of meetings held.

A. Mathios questioned what constitutes an excused meeting. He commented that people often become very busy throughout the semester, however this should not be considered an excused absence. Medical problems are understandable, but the question exists as to how far this should stretch.

It was suggested that the meeting dates be posted in advance and that people be informed of their absence before the next meeting. M. Esposito responded by noting that the meetings are posted in multiple locations and agreed that people would be informed of their absence.

M. Pritts suggested that the constituent assembly be notified of the absences and be allowed to deal with the individual case however they felt necessary and appropriate.

M. Esposito noted that not everyone on the Assembly will have a constituent assembly to answer to, following the new election procedure. He also reiterated that attendance was a major problem with last year’s University Assembly.

A. R. Thomas questioned if traveling for interviews would count as an unexcused absence. M. Esposito noted that the executive board would decide on the validity of the excuse.

It was noted that it is only common courtesy to announce your absence to a meeting or even to be present at the majority of meetings. Also, because the UA was a volunteer assembly, it was suggested that the member be asked to step down, instead of being removed from the committee.

M. Esposito agreed that he could accept a softer approach instead of a harsh removal.

A. R. Thomas questioned if it would be acceptable to bring children to a future meeting. He commented that due to babysitting constraints, he would rather attend the meeting then miss it due to a lack of a babysitter. M. Esposito agreed that would be fine to allow the children to attend the meetings.

M. Esposito reiterated that the attendance problems hurt the UA and there should be no excuse for missing a meeting besides an emergency. He noted that if more than two meetings are missed, that demonstrates that the member is not committed to serving on the Assembly.

It was suggested the attendance situation should treat a member as innocent until proven guilty, instead of insisting on removal.

It was suggested that the Executive Committee present the case to the UA and an e-mail vote be taken to decide the future of that member on the UA.

M. Esposito announced the Executive Board would work on that form of a policy.

VIII. Adjournment

M. Esposito adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p. m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark A. Frontera