Minutes
University Assembly
September 27, 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 4:38 p.m.

Attendance:

Present: Timothy Anguish, Matthew Banner, Leslie Barkemeyer, Mike Brown, J.S. Butler, Dawn Darby, Jeff Ehrenberg, Brian Goodell, Krysta Levac, Kristie McNamara, Jane Mt. Pleasant, Subrata Mukherjee, Jeremy Rabkin, Aaron Saathoff, Daniel Schwarz, Peter Schwartz, Donald Tobias

Excused: Bhaskar Krishnamachari

Absent: Linda Clougherty, Amy Gerhard

Also Present: Khary Barnes, Josh Halpern, Lidija Sekaric

II. Reports

Assemblies Leadership Breakfast

K. Levac reported on the Assemblies Leadership Breakfast meeting of September 15, 2000. Two issues discussed were Committee Staffing, because many committees still need members; and the University Calendar. She explained there was discussion concerning proposed changes to the University Calendar to include Labor Day off.

Assemblies Executive Leadership Meeting

M. Brown reported on the Assemblies Executive Leadership Meeting of September 26, 2000. The leadership of each constituent assembly met with Vice President Dullea, Vice President Murphy, and Provost Martin. At the meeting, they discussed distance learning and how this for-profit entity could affect the Cornell name. They also discussed the Transportation Resolution currently pending on the University Assembly agenda. The administration also brought several issues to the meeting, including office space in Tompkins County Trust Building downtown to house approximately 300 Cornell employees; the West Campus Initiative, which is currently getting underway; and the decision regarding Napster, Cornell has decided not to block access to Napster until a decision is made in the case against it.

III. Additions to the Agenda

No additions were made to the agenda.

IV. Approval of Minutes

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The minutes of August 30, 2000 were approved by acclamation.

V. Business of the Day

Carl Cohen, Assistant Director for Commuter and Parking Services, Transportation Services

Carl Cohen could not attend the UA meeting, so B. Goodell presented the information in his absence.

B. Goodell explained that Transportation Services has a new program it has implemented, called “Crossing Campus.” The program involves passing out reflecting lights attached to brochures that have information about pedestrian safety.

B. Goodell also showed the UA members a new Visitor’s Guide that Transportation Services has printed. This guide helps to orient visitors to which areas on campus they do and do not have access to.

Staff Appreciation Week - M. Brown

M. Brown read a letter he composed that expressed the UA’s appreciation of staff contributions to Cornell.

M. Brown asked that the University Assembly approve this letter, so it could be made public. The members present agreed to approve the letter. M. Brown asked for suggestions on how to make the letter public. It was suggested that it could be published in the Cornell Daily Sun, the Cornell Chronicle, and PawPrint.

B. Goodell asked that the end of the letter include “On behalf of the entire University Assembly.” M. Brown agreed to this change.

The approved letter reads as follows:

September 26, 2000

To the Cornell University Community:

It seems as though Cornell never sleeps. There is always movement on the campus, for somewhere someone is always thinking, always working, always learning. At times it seems that Cornell itself is alive. And just as it is true that no living body can function without the operation of its component parts: the heart, the lungs, and the brain; the lively entity that is Cornell cannot function without the critical contributions of its staff, faculty, and students. As the October 9th commencement of Staff Celebration Week approaches, it is appropriate to realize that the employees of Cornell are truly the hart of the living institution. Just as the human heart provides the energy to keep the other parts of the body moving, the Cornell staff fuel the stomachs of the students, support the enterprises of the professors, transport so many of us where we need to go, and maintain a lookout for our health, safety, and facilities along the way. The dedication and hard work of the Cornell employees make it possible for Cornell to realize its mission of providing a stimulating intellectual climate for all who call themselves Cornellians.

It cannot be expressed in this brief letter, nor in the scope of a single Staff Appreciation Week, how important the employees of Cornell are in creating a wonderful environment in which the students and faculty teach, learn, and grow. The University Assembly fully realizes the vital role staff plays in everything that we do on this campus, and takes the occasion of Staff Celebration Week to recommit itself to representing the concerns of the employees of Cornell as valued members of the University Community. Indeed it is our privilege as an assembly to embrace all of Cornell: staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduates, under a unified governing body.

Thank you to the employees of Cornell for all that you do,

Michael J. Brown
Chair, Cornell University Assembly 2000–2001

On behalf of the entire University Assembly

VI. Old Business

Holiday Observances Resolution - J. Halpern

J. Halpern explained the history behind the Holiday Observances Resolution, and the changes that have been made in Draft 5. He also asked if any professor present would be willing to be a co-signer of the resolution.

J. Rabkin pointed out some grammatical and word changes he would like to see made in the resolution. J. Halpern accepted these amendments as friendly.

P. Schwartz asked that the “or announce” be added to the Let it be Finally Resolved clause, after “That should a professor change�”

P. Schwartz also suggested changing the amount of time the student has at the beginning of the semester to inform the professor of a religious conflict. He suggested using the Course Add Deadline (currently three weeks) as the deadline to inform professors. J. Halpern found this amendment friendly. P. Schwartz also offered to be a co-signer on the resolution.

D. Schwartz questioned who determines what religious holiday would be recognized in this resolution? He also asked what happens for holidays that last for more than one day. He expressed the opinion professors should not be made to surrender all options concerning scheduling. If a student wishes to take time off from school for their holiday they can do so, but the professor should not have to hold up a class for these holidays.

J. Halpern explained he is not asking professors to cancel or disrupt lectures for religious holidays. His resolution deals solely with providing extensions on due dates for those who wish to observe their holiday.

D. Darby asked that the fourth resolved clause be made more gender neutral, by changing “he” to “the student.” J. Halpern found this amendment friendly.

S. Mukherjee asked if there is a compiled list of all religious holidays, that would address D. Schwartz’s concern of who determines which holidays are recognized? M. Brown explained that Robert Johnson of Cornell United Religious Works and the Dean of Faculty J. Robert Cooke work together to make a list of major holidays, but he does not know if it includes all religions.

J. Butler expressed his support for the resolution. He also expressed the opinion that he does not feel that students would take advantage of the legislation .

D. Tobias thanked J. Halpern for writing this resolution and said it sends a favorable message to all students that they have options.

M. Banner mentioned that this is a great resolution, because it protects students and lets them know that it is okay for them to practice their religious beliefs.

B. Goodell said he does not feel this resolution sets up either side for abuse, and it protects both students and professors.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution as amended. The motion passed with a vote of 16–0−1 as follows:

Resolution Concerning Religious Observances

Whereas: Each year there are cases of a prelim, paper, or project that a professor makes due so close to a religious holiday that it curtails a students ability to properly observe their holiday and,

Whereas: Many students do not know what to do if they experience such conflicts with religious observances.

Let it Therefore Be Resolved: The University will take a more active role in ensuring students that they can observe their religious holidays without fear of penalty from their professors and,

Let if Further be Resolved: That professors allow for a 24 hour grace period before and after the holiday to ensure that a student has adequate travel time.

Let it be Further Resolved: That any makeup exam should provide affected students with the same opportunity to earn a grade at the same level of difficulty.

Let it be Further Resolved: It is the student’s responsibility to notify the professor prior to the Course Add Deadline (currently three weeks) if the student has a religious conflict with an assignment, test, project, presentation, lecture, etc, so the professor has adequate time to take the appropriate actions to provide alternate arrangements.

Let it be Finally Resolved: That should a professor change or announce the due date of a test, project, assignment, presentation, homework, etc. after the Course Add Deadline, the student has one week to notify the professor of a religious conflict.

Respectfully Submitted,

Josh Halpern
University Assembly
Student Assembly Director of Elections

Peter Schwartz
Faculty Representative, University Assembly

M. Brown asked for suggestion from the UA on how to follow up with this resolution. It was suggested to inform the Deans of each College, the other Assemblies, the Cornell Daily Sun, the Cornell Chronicle, and all religious organizations on campus. This information could also be included in the Student Policy Handbook, the Course Book from which students choose their courses, and the Add notification sent to all students through e-mail.

Transportation Resolution - M. Brown

M. Brown introduced the Transportation Resolution. The UA Charter states the UA has legislative power over transportation. However, since the merger of the busing systems of Cornell, the City of Ithaca, and Tompkins County, busing is now controlled by the TCAT Board, which has three representatives each from Cornell, Ithaca, and Tompkins County. There are also passenger representatives on the Board, but these people do not have voting privileges. Since the UA no longer has legislative authority over busing, the UA’s Charter does not accurately reflect the relationship. This resolution proposes that one of the representatives on the TCAT Board be a UA designee or TAC member or have the current delegates meet with the UA to discuss busing issues. It also proposes a change in the UA’s Charter, to reflect the new relationship.

M. Brown explained that he has spoken to Hank Dullea, one of Cornell’s TCAT Board members, about this resolution, and he has said it is not practical to include a UA designee as a voting or a non-voting member.

B. Goodell commented that is actually would be feasible to have one of the Board members representatives be appointed by the UA, as the representatives on the Board can be changed. He also said is would be beneficial to have a voting member that rides the bus.

B. Goodell asked that the first resolved clause be amended to clarify that the designee from the Transportation Advisory Committee be a voting member of TAC, as there are many ex officio members. That amendment was found friendly.

P. Schwartz questioned the make-up of the Transportation Advisory Committee. He pointed out that since the President appoints members to TAC, he could choose one of them for the TCAT Board, and that would satisfy what this resolution calls for.

D. Darby agreed with P. Schwartz, and suggested that the resolution be clearer as to how the TCAT representative from TAC or the UA would be chosen.

J. Ehrenberg suggested removing “…a voting member of the Transportation Advisory Committee or…” from the first resolved clause, so it will now read “BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that a designee from the University Assembly…” He pointed out that this addresses P. Schwartz’s concern that the President could appoint one of his selections for TAC to the TCAT Board, thus satisfying the resolution. The amendment was found friendly.

J. Ehrenberg pointed out that the last resolved clause called for changes in the UA charter. He asked whether those changes should be included in this resolution. M. Brown explained that the changes to the charter depend on whether this resolution is accepted, so they cannot yet be proposed. J. Rabkin suggested changing the last resolved clause from “…the charter of the University Assembly is amended…” to “…the charter of the University Assembly should be amended…” This change was found friendly.

K. Levac commented that the resolution needs to be more clear as to what it is asking. It is unclear whether it calls for an additional position on the Board, or that the UA designee be one of the three current positions. She suggested changing the first resolved clause to read “BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that a designee from the University Assembly, as described according to the University Assembly Charter, Article 10.7.2, hold one of the three seats designated to Cornell University on the Board of Directors of Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit…” This amendment was found friendly.

J. Rabkin proposed grammatical changes to the resolution, and these were all found friendly.

M. Brown proposed an additional resolved clause, which says “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that agendas of TCAT Board Meetings be sent to the University Assembly and the Transportation Advisory Committee as soon as they are composed, so that UA/TAC can offer recommendations to Cornell’s TCAT representatives prior to the meeting.”

B. Goodell expressed his opposition to the amendment, as the UA has no legislative authority over TCAT. He explained that the UA can ask Cornell’s representatives to make the materials available, but they can’t order the TCAT to do that.

M. Brown changed the amendment to read “BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that Cornell’s TCAT Board members will submit to the University Assembly and the Transportation Advisory Committee agendas of TCAT Board meetings as soon as they are received so that the University Assembly and TAC can offer recommendations to Cornell’s TCAT Board representatives prior to the TCAT Board meeting.”

L. Sekaric commented that it is not under the UA’s authority to charge a task to a non-UA member. P. Schwartz suggested changing the wording of the amendment to convey that the UA is asking the representatives to make the materials available, instead of ordering them to do so.

J. Ehrenberg commented that this new amendment takes away from the effect of the resolution. He pointed out that the resolution is asking for UA representation on the TCAT Board, but this new amendment is offering a way to avoid that. It gives the impression that if they are unwilling to give UA representation, it would be equally beneficial to just give the UA TCAT Board agendas.

A vote was held on whether to include this new amendment. Inclusion of the amendment failed by a vote of 2–14–1.

M. Brown said he will make the discussed amendments to the resolution and bring a new draft to the October meeting of the UA.

VII. New Business

Jessup Road Resolution - L. Barkemeyer

L. Barkemeyer spoke about the Jessup Road Resolution, passed by the Student Assembly September 21, 2000. She explained that Jessup Road is a very dangerous road and pedestrians need a paved sidewalk along that road.

B. Goodell commented that this is an issue that should be brought to the Transportation Advisory Committee. M. Brown suggested taking this resolution to TAC and report their feedback at the October UA meeting. It could then be voted on during the October meeting.

J. Rabkin pointed out grammar errors and asked if the resolution passed by the UA must be verbatim with the Student Assembly’s resolution. L. Barkemeyer explained that the text of both resolutions does not have to be identical.

J. Mt. Pleasant commented that Jessup Road must have sidewalks and expressed her full support for the resolution.

M. Banner pointed out that if the resolution is postponed until October, a month of construction time is lost.

It was decided to give TAC time to look at the resolution and the UA will vote on it next month.

Hearing and Review Board Appointments - L. Sekaric, Chair CJC

Lidija Sekaric, Chair of the Codes and Judicial Committee, presented the following information to the University Assembly:

A brief overview of the interview process

The Codes and Judicial Committee conducted interviews for available positions on the University Hearing and Review Boards in the Spring 2000 semester. Applications were solicited for students and employees via advertisements prior to any interviewing taking place. Members of the CJC met to discuss interviewing procedures and were given information related to interviewing candidates for the Boards. For interviewing purposes, CJC members were paired in groups of two, with relatively experienced CJC members interviewing with relatively new CJC members. The interview question format has been standardized to help ensure that all candidates were asked the same questions. All candidates were then rated on a pre-agreed scale, with higher numbers on the scale indicating those who best met the ideal of a board member. Candidates who reapply to serve on the Boards are required to go through the interview process each time they reapply, rather than automatically having their term extended. The CJC had decided that it would best serve the Boards to make this stipulation because the applicant pool constantly changes and candidates should be vying for seats equally.

Wesley Tanner, an employee, resigned from Cornell this past summer. This created on employee vacancy on the University Hearing Board.

Vivek Mohan, a student, graduated from Cornell. This created one student vacancy on the University Hearing Board.

Due to the number of qualified applicants who were interviewed by the Codes and Judicial Committee in the Spring of 2000, it is recommended that the following be done with regards to the membership of the University Hearing Board:

• Appoint Marlene Reitz, an employee from the Philosophy Department. Marlene is currently a member of the Employee Assembly and the Transportation Hearing and Appeals Board. In the past, she also served on the Employee Assembly Communications Committee, the Employee Assembly Personnel Policy Committee, and the University Hearing Board.
• Promote Jason O’Connor, ‘02, from the position of alternate on the University Hearing Board to a full member. Jason is an undergraduate majoring in Electrical Engineering/Economics. He was approved as an alternate member and approved to serve on the University Summer Hearing Board by the UA at their April 26, 2000 meeting. Promoting Jason will create one alternate vacancy.

Appoint two student alternates to the University Hearing Board:

• Lori Delale, ‘02, is an undergraduate ILR major. Prior to coming to Cornell, Lori served on the Judicial Board at the University of Pittsburgh. Lori was approved to serve on the University Summer Hearing Board by the UA at their April 26, 2000 meeting.
• Lauren Dolan, ‘01, is an undergraduate English major. She was a member of the Pan Hellenic Board last year, served two semesters as the social chair of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, and worked in a law office during the summer of 1998. Lauren was approved to serve on the University Summer Hearing Board by the UA at their April 26, 200 meeting.

L. Sekaric explained that the CJC is asking for the UA’s approval of these candidates. A motion was made and passed to approve these candidates.

VIII. Adjournment

M. Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.