R. 2: Establishing University Sustainability Committee

Whereas the University Assembly (the UA) is the sole governing body at the university to have elected representation from all major campus constituencies: undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, employees, and faculty; and,

Whereas Article I, Section 7 of the UA’s charter (the charter) states that the assembly may undertake efforts to “examine other matters which involve the interests or concern the welfare of a substantial segment of the University community and make recommendations thereon to the appropriate officers or decision-making bodies of the University”; and

Whereas Article 7 of the charter stipulates that the UA “may establish � standing�. Committees, in addition to those specified in Article 7.2, for the proper performance of its functions, and may prescribe their responsibilities and their membership”; and

Whereas the UA recognizes that creating a culture of sustainability at Cornell requires a university-wide effort, impacts every aspect of the university, and has potential far-reaching benefits to the surrounding communities; and

Be it therefore resolved that the assembly establishes a standing committee called the University Sustainability Committee (USC); and

Be it further resolved that the said committee (USC) be added (underlined passage) to article 10, section 7 of the charter and necessary deletions of incidental words be made as follows:

• 10.7 Campus life standing committees and boards specific articles
• The initial standing committees and boards shall be established in accordance with the following specific recommendations and shall carry out specific responsibilities appropriate to their departments, in addition to those general responsibilities specified in Article 10.6.1 through Article 10.6.4. The initial standing committees and boards are: Board on University Health Services, Transportation Advisory Committee, Cornell Store Administrative Board, and Cornell United Religious Work Advisory Board, and the University Sustainability Committee.

Be it further resolved that Section 10.7.5 be added to the charter and read as follows:

• 10.7.5 University Sustainability Committee
• The University Sustainability Committee (USC) at a minimum shall consist of one (non-voting) member from the University Assembly who will convene and chair the meetings, two members of the Cornell faculty, one of whom is a participant in the Cornell University Center for a Sustainable Future, one graduate or undergraduate student, and two staff members, one of whom is a representative of the Office of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability. Each member shall serve a two year staggered term.
• The USC’s charge shall be to advise, consult, and communicate on matters related to the development and implementation of community sustainability issues, policies and programs. The USC shall offer advice, counsel, and recommendations, to both the UA and to other university sustainability committees and administration officials, on issues and topics that originate from the membership of the several university assemblies and the senate, and the Cornell community at-large.
• The USC shall have the right to remain flexible and fluid in its staffing and membership to meet the needs of the Cornell community as they arise in the many important areas of sustainability at the university. The USC reserves the right to independently research and distill issues of concern and importance to the Cornell community and develop concepts for policy and program development and management for discussion with and consideration by the university administration. Committee members will provide communication to and from their respective constituencies in fulfillment of the aforementioned obligations.
• The USC shall maintain timely communication with the UA through the Office of the Assemblies. Copies of minutes of meetings as well as of other working documents generated by it in fulfillment of this charge shall be filed with that office. The USC shall report issues within its purview to the UA for deliberation and action.

Be it finally resolved that this resolution be forwarded to the President of the University for consideration and action as described in the charter.

Respectfully Submitted,

Martin Hatch
Faculty Representative