Minutes
University Assembly
August 30, 2000
Art Gallery, Willard Straight Hall
4:30 — 6:15 PM

I. Greetings and Call to Order

M. Brown, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.

Attendance:

Present: Matthew Banner, Leslie Barkemeyer, Mike Brown, J.S. Butler, Jeff Ehrenberg, Amy Gerhard, Brian Goodell, Krysta Levac, Kristie McNamara, Aaron Saathoff, Peter Schwartz

Excused: Jeremy Rabkin, Daniel Schwarz

Absent: Timothy Anguish, Donald Barr, Francisco Berry, Linda Clougherty, Dawn Darby, Bhaskar Krishnamachari, Subrata Mukherjee, Donald Tobias

Also Present: Uzo Asonye, Josh Halpern, Robert Johnson, David Mahon

II. Reports

Assemblies Leadership Breakfast - K. Levac

K. Levac reported that the Assemblies Leadership meeting was very brief, because few of the Assemblies had met yet. At this meeting, they prepared for the Fall Advance, and Vice President Henrik Dullea, VP for University Relations, spoke about the search for the Director for the Office of Assemblies.

Assemblies Fall Advance - M. Brown

M. Brown spoke about the Assemblies Annual Fall Advance, which was held on August 29, 2000. He explained that each constituent assembly met with each others, as well as administrators, to give suggestions on how to personalize the institution. One suggestion the UA received was that it would be beneficial for the UA to sponsor leadership softball or bowling activities. This would help members of all the Assemblies build relationships with others outside the Assembly. It was also suggested that the UA help foster respectful relationships among constituent Assemblies. The UA could sponsor an informal discussion group to talk about Cornell or national issues. This may also be a way for Assembly members to interact socially.

III. Additions to the Agenda

B. Goodell relayed to the UA a story, which he feels demonstrates how the staff feels about the administration, and how they feel the administration perceives them.

Once upon a time, the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of the desert. Congress said, “Someone may steal from it at night,” so they created a night watchman, a GS4 position, and hired a person for the job. Then Congress said, “How does the watchman do his job without instruction?” So they created a planning position and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, a GS12, and one person to do the time studies, a GS11. The Congress said, “How will we know the night watchman is doing the task correctly?” So they created a QC position, and hired two people, one GS9 to do the studies and one GS11 to write the reports. Then Congress said, “How are these people going to get paid?” So they created the following positions: a timekeeper, a GS09, and a payroll officer, a GS11, and hired two people. Then Congress said, “Who will be accountable for all these people?” So they created an administrative position, and hired three people, an administrative officer, a GN13, an assistant administrative officer, a GS13, and a legal secretary, a GS08. Then Congress said “We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 dollars over budget. We must cut back on overall costs.” So they fired the night watchman.

IV. Approval of Minutes

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of March 29, 2000. The minutes were approved by acclamation.

In the April 26, 2000 minutes, A. Gerhard pointed out that her name is misspelled twice. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of April 26, 2000 as amended. The minutes were approved by acclamation.

V. Business of the Day

Reverend Johnson, Director CURW

Reverend Johnson, Director of Cornell United Religious Works, spoke to the UA concerning the allocation of space in Anabel Taylor Hall. R. Johnson reported that the situation has been resolved. The groups who were previously using Anabel Taylor, including the Law School and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Resource Center, have been found space in other buildings.

R. Johnson expressed his appreciation to the UA for addressing the issue, and for helping the situation to be resolved.

B. Goodell asked if the construction work being done on Anabel Taylor Hall had been completed? R. Johnson explained that the construction was to repair stone work on the building and that it is still in progress.

M. Brown pointed out that the space issue originally arose as a philosophical debate as to whether non-religious groups should be allowed use of the space in Anabel Taylor Hall. Though it was resolved without debate, he asked whether it might come up again in the future? R. Johnson explained that Susan Murphy, VP for Student & Academic Services has assured him the space will be used primarily for religious offices.

VI. Old Business

Holiday Observances Resolution - J. Halpern

J. Halpern introduced his Holiday Observances Resolution. He explained that he originally proposed this resolution in October of 1999. A professor had made the due date of a paper on a Jewish holiday, and would not negotiate to change the due date.

J. Halpern reported that when the resolution was first presented, the faculty supported the idea of the resolution, but put too much of the burden on the professor. It interferes with how effectively a professor can run their class. For the second draft, J. Halpern explained that he took into account the suggestions given to him by Professors Rabkin and Schwartz, and made the resolution simpler. Draft three was presented at the last UA meeting of last year, and J. Halpen explained that many thought the Whereas clauses were somewhat ambiguous and cumbersome.

J. Halpern further explained the draft presented at this UA meeting is the fourth draft and asks for a twenty-four hour grace period before and after the holiday to allow for travel time or not being able to study. It is up to the student to inform the professor of any conflicts within the first two weeks of the semester.

K. McNamara asked what the current policy is? J. Halpern explained that unless the holiday directly conflicts with a due date, a student must complete the work or take the test.

K. McNamara asked which holidays this resolution would apply to? J. Halpern pointed out that they cannot take into account every holiday, it would be up to the student to inform the professor of any holiday conflicts.

J.S. Butler commented that he finds no problems with the resolution. He also expressed the opinion that the last paragraph of the resolution does not protect students, as due dates may change during the semester, or the due dates may not be set by the second week of the semester. He suggested including in the resolution that students have a fixed time to respond after changes to schedule are announced. J. Halpern agreed and explained he will include that case in draft five.

P. Schwartz remarked that if the due date is scheduled the day after the holiday, this resolution does not apply to that situation. He pointed out the resolution needs clarification to include those tests or papers scheduled close to a religious holiday. J. Halpern agreed to make his intention in the resolution clearer and make the resolution apply if an exam or paper is due within twenty-four hours of a holiday.

M. Banner expressed his support for the resolution. He said that it sends a message to the community that students have options when faced with this kind of problem. He mentioned it would be a good idea to include in the resolution how it should be publicized, so people know what to do. J. Halpern explained that how to publicize the resolution is something that the UA can decide if it passes, as it does not affect the nature of the resolution.

J. Ehrenberg mentioned that the second resolved clause is somewhat ambiguous. He suggested clarifying what type of assignment or exam can and cannot occur during the twenty-four hour grace period.

A. Gerhard suggested that Professors can, on the first day of classes, when they give their introduction to the class, they can include this policy.

A. Saathoff suggested that instead twenty-four hours, that the grace period be defined as one calendar day. J. Halpern commented that one calendar day might be considered too much time.

J.S. Butler pointed out that it is mostly important that they all endorse the idea of the resolution, because anything specific they decide on might change.

M. Brown commented that the most important aspect of this issue is the follow-up that is done and how it is communicated to students and faculty. He suggested that J. Halpern take into account the suggestions given and bring back draft five to the next meeting.

Transportation Resolution - U. Asonye

U. Asonye introduced his Transportation Resolution. He explained that he hoped to pass this onto a current UA member who might like to work on it. He explained that two years ago, the UA did not approve the Transportation Program Document, because it contained a fee increase that had not be communicated to the UA. He also pointed out that because of the consolidation of bus systems, the relationship between the UA and Transportation has changed. The UA no longer has full legislative authority over Transportation. As a result of this consolidation, Cornell has three representatives on the Board of TCAT. The resolution asks that one of the three representatives on this board be from the UA or from the Transportation Advisory Committee, to make sure Cornell issues are addressed. If this is not possible, the resolution asks that there be formal meetings between the UA and the three representatives, so the UA can remain updated on current issues. The resolution also asks that the UA Charter be amended to reflect the changed relationship between the UA and Transportation.

M. Brown expressed an interest in pursuing this matter. He pointed out since the UA is supposed to have authority over Transportation, it should have a voice in the decisions being made.

B. Goodell commented that this resolution is feasible, because the TCAT representatives can be any person, except an employee of TCAT.

U. Asonye pointed out a concern with having students on the TCAT Board is there are decisions made during the summer, when the students are not on campus. He commented there are many committees that operate during the summer with no students, so it is not unrealistic that the TCAT Board could do the same.

K. Levac suggested, if the UA cannot have representation on the Board, that they could have a TAC representative go to the TCAT Board meetings to keep informed on the issues and express Cornell’s concerns.

A. Saathoff mentioned that, during the summer, bus routes are cut down dramatically, and this affects graduate students who need to come to campus. He remarked that input is needed from the students, faculty, and staff who actually ride the buses.

J.S. Butler commented that if the Charter is to be amended, specific language changes would have to be presented. U. Asonye remarked that the language changes could be handled in a separate resolution.

U. Asonye explained that he hoped to pass this resolution onto a current UA member. B. Goodell commented that he is willing to help whomever assumes responsibility. U. Asonye said he would still be a sponsor of the resolution, and M. Brown offered to co-sponsor with him.

L. Barkemeyer commented that the burden of disclosure should be on TCAT, so they would have to keep the Cornell community updated on changes.

VII. New Business

Staff Visibility - D. Darby

This topic was postponed until the next meeting.

VIII. Constituent Assemblies Reports

Faculty Senate

P. Schwartz reported that the Faculty Senate has not yet met this year.

Employee Assembly

B. Goodell reported that the EA recently had their retreat, where they set goals for the year. Some goals include an Employee Emergency Relief Fund for employees and addressing Campus Climate issues.

Graduate & Professional Student Assembly

K. Levac reported the GPSA is currently revising the “Life at Cornell” booklets given to new graduate students. They had a goal-setting session, where they decided they need to promote more awareness of the GPSA. They are also going to look into parking issues and at how the University basically shuts down in the summer, with abbreviated library and dining hours. This is a concern because the summer is when most graduate students have time to get their work done.

Student Assembly

L. Barkemeyer reported that the first SA meeting is scheduled for August 31, 2000. A resolution concerning a Student Assembly Newsletter will be under consideration.

IX. University Assembly Committee Start-Ups

M. Brown reminded everyone to review their committee responsibilities and convene their committees.

X. Adjournment

M. Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m.