Minutes
University Assembly
Wednesday, February 24, 1999
WSH Art Gallery

I. Call to Order

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

II. Additions to the Agenda

No additions were made to the agenda.

III. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the December 2, 1998 meeting were passed by acclamation.

IV. Report from the Chair

Executive Breakfast

M. Esposito explained that the Executive Breakfast and the Assemblies Leadership Meeting share the same topic of discussion.

University Assembly Program Documents Schedule

Cornell United Religious Work and Office of Transportation Services — March 31, Cornell Campus Store and University Health Services — April 28.

M. Esposito informed those present that program documents will be presented at the next two meetings. He encouraged all of the representatives to read the documents in advance and seek input from their respective constituencies. He emphasized the fact that a quorum is needed during the next two meetings in order to vote on the documents, otherwise extra meetings will have to be called.

V. New Business

Faculty Initiatives

J. Robert Cooke, Dean of Faculty, first discussed the Physical Education Forum (held on February 17th), which he explained to be part of an effort to bring the broad interests of the community together rather than just dealing with the issues on the floor of the Faculty Senate. A report was given by the Department of Athletics on a strategic plan. A Task Force of the Board of Trustees is considering a parallel report which contains some fundamental recommendation that have an impact on the entire campus and he felt should be addressed by members of the community�hence the Physical Education Forum. The trustees will take action on the report March 12, so any suggestions should reach them before that time. He also announced that on March 17th there will be a discussion session held in Kennedy Hall concerning a book being published by the Cornell Press entitled Cornell ‘69. The author will be present and will make a presentation at that meeting. Campus-wide discussions concerning surviving issues that this book highlights are being organized to take place within each academic department. Although the discussions are meant to focus on students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate. He mentioned that he has already held a discussion, on December 9th, 1998 with about 325 faculty members where they discussed student/faculty interaction. The Dean of the Johnson School, advised that it be acknowledged up front that some sort of follow-up will be necessary if the discussions held within each department are effective.

R. Thomas asked whether any surveying will be done prior to the campus-wide discussions.

Dean Cooke replied that the committee as a whole would have to make the final decision on that, but it is likely that they will try. He stated that they hope to have a rough outline of the campaign by March 10th.

M. Hartill clarified that the meeting on March 17th is for the faculty.

Dean Cooke explained that although the forum will deal with faculty-related issues, it will be open to the entire community. No time and exact location have been decided yet.

M. Esposito inquired as to whether it will be the Faculty Senate who will see the recommendations made.

Dean Cooke said that it will depend on the content of the recommendation. Probably different recommendations will be given to each of the constituencies for follow-through.

M. Esposito asked whether the administration has been receptive of this plan.

Dean Cooke replied that they have been very receptive. He added that the academic Deans are quite sympathetic and well understand the significance of such an undertaking. Vice President Opperman is very interested and suggested that it encompass even non-academic departments. He stated that the entire University is eager to have it succeed.

M. Esposito asked whether part of the initiative is a plan for the future and how to attack the changes in athletics and the campus climate.

Dean Cooke said that there are various plans.

M. Esposito asked whether both committees will be made up of a cross-section of the community.

Dean Cooke answered that he organized the discussion on Athletics, which is composed mainly of faculty and few members of some other constituencies.

M. Esposito asked that he outline some issues they have been dealing with concerning Athletics.

Dean Cooke mentioned that they are posted on the web site. One major issue for the faculty has been the question of how much admission standards should be compromised, more than they already have been, to give special consideration to Athletics. For example, there currently exist round table discussions for coaches and members of certain departments do discuss student considerations�this is something that is not done for others. The committee is not asking for changes in admissions standards although there is an interest for preferential treatment. Another issue is the balance between intramural and intercollegiate sports. The report urges that Cornell become more aggressive in intercollegiate competition.

G. Brandt added that the University contributes less than 40% to Athletics. This contribution is less than half of what schools like Harvard or Princeton spend to support athletics.

M. Esposito asked whether there is a difference in financial support between men’s and women’s sports?

Dean Cooke explained that it would be balanced if not for football (since there is no female football team).

D. Di Bene remarked that he thought that expenditures between male and female teams had to be equal by Title 9.

Dean Cooke replied that the expenditure for men’s sports is not significantly higher.

C. Gardner asked why the Board of Trustees feels they need to review the athletic report.

Dean Cooke answered that he was not sure of the reason why.

C. Gardner asked whether it will be taken to the entire Board or just be seen by a committee.

Dean Cooke replied that because he does not yet have an agenda, he does not know, although he thinks it may be going before the whole Board.

M. Esposito inquired as to who the contact person would be if someone were to have a concern or wanted to contribute a thought to either of the initiatives.

Dean Cooke replied that one could communicate with Susan Murphy about the Athletics issue. In terms of the contact person for the campus climate isssue: a committee has been established, which Bob Harris chairs and Robert Johnson co-chairs.

VI. Old Business

University Assembly Recommendatory Resolution Regarding Counseling and Psychological Services

A. Mathios voiced an objection to the first “Whereas” clause stating that it seemed too factual when really it is just a matter of opinion.

D. Carlson, drafter of the resolution, explained that he wanted to convey the idea that Cornell students conceive the stress level as being higher at Cornell than at other institutions.

A. Mathios stated that he thought such a statement might diminish the factual bases of the remaining statements.

R. Jacobs suggested that mentioning a high stress level may be justified by quoting the number of students who visit Gannett for Counseling or Psychological Services for such reasons.

D. Carlson remarked that those numbers are always changing and probably would not make much of an impact.

M. Esposito stated that the resolution needs to lay a foundation for why the Assemblies are asking for an increase services.

A. Mathios proposed to amend the first “Whereas” clause to read: “the stress level of students at Cornell is higher than at its peer institutions and,”

P. Righter asked what the UA is trying to accomplish by passing this resolution. He stated that he did not see the sense in asking the University to require that students have ‘subsidized’ health care.

M. Esposito explained that there is currently a waiting list of 2–3 weeks for those students seeking Counseling or Psychological Services, which is not acceptable.

P. Righter remarked that those students could seek the help of private counselors or psychologists.

D. Carlson agreed that they could do that, but that would defeat the point of offering the service. Counseling and Psychological Services is affordable, thereby making it much more likely for a student to see a counselor should they feel they need to and much more feasible as well. Going into Ithaca for such services would be so expensive and inconvenient that students may choose not to seek the help they may need.

D. Di Bene, who works with 95% of the freshman class, stated such services on campus are very necessary. Many of the students he works with cannot afford a private doctor in Ithaca and some do not want their parents to know they are seeking counseling, which would be an impossible thing to do if they were to go anywhere off campus.

A. Mathios suggested that the resolution should quote the amount of money spent per student in order to strengthen it.

D. Carlson replied that he did not want to quote any numbers he could not confirm. He added that Dr. Meilman has read the resolution and thought it was wonderful.

R. Thomas suggested that some effort be made to identify any kind of trend in the type of service requested could be observed so that the University might invest time in resolving the problem so that it affects fewer students.

D. Carlson said that if Cornell wanted to maintain the ratio of one staff member for every 1500 students, they would need 19 staff members.

G. Brandt mentioned that it may be beneficial to look into the health plan coverage offered to faculty and employees and compare that to what is offered to graduate and undergraduate students and to see whether the same services are being made available to both groups.

D. Carlson said that graduate students receive the benefit of summer visits which only count as half-visits. But he did not see where this might fit into the resolution.

D. Di Bene remarked that it may be too much to put in just one resolution and that the resolution should focus on the recommendation to improve services.

P. Righter stated that the resolution is just asking that students subsidize other students’ health care and that there is a fundamental flaw with doing so. He remarked that if a student feels s/he has such a serious problem that s/he cannot wait a couple of weeks to see a counselor, then they probably need professional care which they can find in Ithaca at their own cost.

D. Carlson pointed out that as a community, we have a responsibility to look out for each other to a certain extent and having all students pay a few extra dollars to supply counseling is not a lot to ask. The same question could be asked of the Student Activity Fee. He emphasized that we should do it because it is the right thing to do.

D. Di Bene added that one student in a crisis is not necessarily alone; s/he interacts with and affects others. Therefore, personal problems can affect the community as a whole.

D. Carlson drew a parallel between the request for additional CAPS funding and Students Helping Students: why should students have to support other students who have had their apartment building burn down? He answered that it was the right thing to do. He added that P. Righter may feel differently toward the subject if he or someone close to him were to be in need of such services.

P. Righter noted that there is a difference between having your house burn down and just needing to talk to someone.

R. Jacobs agreed that he may not be able to understand the importance of the service until he knows someone who has benefited from it.

D. Carlson suggested rewording the first “Whereas”.

C. Gardner agreed with striking the last half as was previously proposed.

Bill Roeschlein, a member of the community, pointed out that they should not have to justify at all why people need counseling.

A. Mathios proposed that the first “Whereas” clause be entirely stricken.

M. Esposito clarified that the second clause will then stand as the first “Whereas” clause.

A. Mathios also suggested amending the first “Whereas” clause (which was the second) by replacing the word compromised with curtailed.

D. Carlson said that he purposely used “compromise” to indicate that the waiting period as well as the twelve-visit limit was compromising the service.

A. Mathios withdrew his amendment.

---note: text to be stricken appears here in italics---

M. Esposito questioned the term “success” in the second “Whereas” clause.

D. Di Bene supported using the term because it suggests that more people trust the service and give it a better reputation overall.

A. Mathios suggested that the clause be amended to read: “the recent success of increase in quality of service provided by Counseling and Psychological Services has created a greatly increased demand for services�”

The fourth “Whereas” clause was amended to read: “this increased demand has created a situation where students�”

G. Brandt proposed that the fifth “Whereas” clause be amended to read: “many students may choose not to wait for forgo service�”

D. Carlson stated that it should be made clear that the reason students choose to forgo the service is because of the wait.

M. Pritts suggested adding: “then forgo service and eschew treatment, the consequences of which have a significant impact on the community, and,”

The final clause was added and reads: “Be it further resolved, that this resolution will be transmitted to the University Board of Health for their due deliberation.”

The Recommendatory Resolution Regarding Counseling and Psychological Services passed as amended with one abstention The resolution reads as follows:

RECOMMENDATORY RESOLUTION REGARDING COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

WHEREAS, many students utilize Counseling and Psychological Services to promote their mental, emotional, and physical health needs, and

WHEREAS, current funding for Counseling and Psychological Services has forced services to be, in some cases, compromised, and

WHEREAS, the increase in quality of service provided by Counseling and Psychological Services has created a great demand for services, especially in the final weeks of the semester, and

WHEREAS, this demand has created a situation where students must wait for up to three weeks to see a clinician, and

WHEREAS, many students may forgo service and eschew treatment, the consequences of which have a significant impact on the community, and

WHEREAS, Gannett Health Center does not have the capacity to increase funds to Counseling and Psychological Services without jeopardizing other equally vital services, and

WHEREAS, the University Assembly recognizes the importance of the services provided by Counseling and Psychological Services in helping to ensure the well being of the Cornell Community, therefore

Be it recommended by this Assembly that the University allocate additional funds to Gannett Health Center for the purpose of increasing the budget of Counseling and Psychological Services.

Be it further resolved, that this resolution will be transmitted to the University Board on Health for their due deliberation.

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis Carlson 02/24/99

Statement on Recent Racial Harassment Behavior on Campus, and Revitalization of the Standing Committee on Freedom of Expression

After much deliberation the document was amended and passed as follows:

Statement on Recent Racial Harassment ing Behavior on Campus, and Revitalization of the Standing Committee on Freedom of Expression:

While the Cornell community strives to exist in an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusion, the unfortunate reality is that on occasion this atmosphere is sadly shattered by the prejudices and hatred ignorance of individuals and groups both on and off our campus. According to the University Campus Code of Conduct, “Civility is a fragile virtue, but one upon which a university ultimately depends.” (p73)

Over the past several months, acts of hatred harassment have disrupted our community. This intolerance shames us all. We must combat hatred and prejudice with acceptance, understanding and compassion. To attack and demean harass others based on skin color, personal belief, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or gender or handicap is inappropriate; to participate in such egregious behavior on this campus is both outrageous and unacceptable. Cornell must continue to be a place where diversity is celebrated, inclusion is encouraged, and learning takes place through civil discourse and the respectful exchange of ideas.

To the shared end of fostering foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion, and as custodians of the University Campus Code of Conduct, we, the members of the University Assembly, respectfully request that President Rawlings revitalize the Committee of Responsible Speech and Expression. Furthermore, we request that the Committee review the University Campus Code of Conduct in light of the recent incidents on campus and determine if changes are needed in our community code; changes that will further foster the principle of freedom with responsibility, where the responsible enjoyment and exercise of these freedoms means respect for the rights of all, including the right to live in a community where hatred, fear and harassment are is not tolerated.

VII. Adjournment

M. Esposito reminded the UA members that their attendance at the next two meetings is vital. He adjourned the meeting at 6:10pm.