CHARTER OF THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY ASSEMBLY
with Amendments and Bylaws as of May 2003

Establishment

Pursuant to the authority delegated to him by the Board of Trustees, the President hereby establishes the University Assembly (UA). Articles 1 through 11 of this document constitute the Charter of the University Assembly.

ARTICLE 1: Authority and Responsibilities

The University Assembly shall, by delegation from the President:

1.1 Legislative authority over conduct

Should authority over academic integrity standards be included? Statement on Student Rights appears to no longer exist.have legislative authority for those aspects of the conduct of members of Cornell University now covered by the Campus Code of Conduct and the Statement of Student Rights. Pursuant to the Henderson Law, proposals for changes in the Campus Code of Conduct shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, when appropriate.

1.2 Hearing and review boards

select the members of the Hearing and Review Boards responsible for the determination of cases brought under the rules referred to in 1.1.

1.3 Legislative authority over policies

have legislative authority over policies which guide the activities of the Departments of Transportation and Mail Services, Cornell United Religious Work, University Health Services, and the Cornell Store. An associated structure of committees and boards shall consider and propose policies for their respective departments to the UA.

1.3.1

Legislative actions of the UA shall be reported to the President. If the action is acceptable, the President will so notify the Assembly. The UA shall respond to any requests from the President for information or reconsideration of any actions. The request for reconsideration must be made within thirty days of notification of the original action. If, after such reconsideration, the UA reaffirms the action and if the President still deems the action to be defective, the President may veto the action of the UA. Any action on which reconsideration has not been requested within thirty days of notification to the President shall be presumed to beconsidered approved by the President.

1.4 Internal operations

have authority over matters concerning the internal operation and maintenance of the UA governing system, including provisions for the creation of bylaws and procedures, and amendments to the Charter of the UA (subject to the restrictions in Article 11).

1.5 Public hearings

conduct public hearings and forums concerning topics of current community interest.

Bylaw 1.5.a

The UA may call for a Sense-of-the-Community Referendum:

Bylaw 1.5.a.1

This is the default provided by Roberts Rules of Order and does not need to be repeated here.The referendum may be called by a majority vote of the UA members present.

Bylaw 1.5.a.21

The referendum voting must be held within a time period deemed appropriate by the UA upon approval of the referendumoccur before any members terms expire.

Bylaw 1.5.a.32

The referendum must be on matters of concern to the entire University community. Therefore,, and all employees, faculty, and students willmust therefore be eligible to vote.

1.5 Academic mattersOther matters

Merge descriptions of authority on academic and other matters.make recommendations to the University faculty or the respective college faculties in academic matters of concern to the UA. examine other matters, including academic 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. Recommendations usually will be made via the President. It is anticipated that, in response to such recommendations, the President will expeditiously reply in writing, informing the Assembly of actions taken in response to its recommendation.

Bylaw 1.6.a

Academic matters may include curriculum, educational philosophy, tenure policy, and all other academic matters deemed suitable by the UA.

Bylaw 1.6.b

Duplicate language — already provided by Roberts Rules of Order.Recommendations shall be made by majority approval of the members present.

1.7 Other matters

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. Recommendations usually will be made via the President. It is anticipated that, in response to such recommendations, the President will expeditiously reply in writing, informing the Assembly of actions taken in response to its recommendation.

1.76.1

have the right to obtain reports on matters within its area of concern from appropriate University officials.

1.87 Establish committees

establish such standing committees and ad hoc committees as are necessary to the performance of the duties of the UA.

1.98 Conflicts’ solution determination

Committee questioned whether this is appropriate? The UA does not have any formal authority over other assemblies so any resolution it proposed would be advisory in nature. No record found of this authority ever being exercised.have authority to determine a solution to conflicts when they cannot be resolved between constituency bodies.

1.109 Agenda and resolution distribution

distribute agendas and pending resolutions to the leadership of the other assemblies at least 24 hours prior to the UA meeting at which they are to be presented.

ARTICLE 2: Membership

Numbers of students and staff are roughly proportional to population sizes. Number of faculty is significantly greater relative to population size. Certain ex-officio memberships are granted to positions that do not exist.The University Assembly shall consist of 21 voting members; six undergraduate students, three graduate and/or professional students, five employees, and seven faculty. The following shall be members of the Assembly, without vote: The Vice President for Student and Academic Services, the Senior Vice President, another member of the central administration appointed by the President, and the Chair of the on Minority Affairs Committee.The Assembly may provide for appointment of additional non-voting members to serve ex officio in its bylaws.

Bylaw 2.a

Reflects current assignment of senior administrators to the assemblies.The Vice President of Student and Academic Services, Vice President of Human Resources, and Dean of the Faculty shall be members of the Assembly ex officio without vote.

2.1 Composition and terms

What authority, if any, should constituent assemblies have over appointment and removal of members? What authority should UA retain? Should the UA be able to fill vacancies on an interim basis if the constituent assembly is slow to act?Members of the UA shall be chosen by and from within the membership of the constituent assemblies as follows: at least, but not limited to two each from the Student Assembly (SA) and Employee Assembly (EA), and one each from the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) and the Faculty Senate. Individual constituent assemblies shall determine a means of identifying/selecting/electing the remaining members as defined in Article 2 of the UA Charter. All members shall serve two-year staggered terms which should be contained within their constituent assembly terms, except for student members who shall serve one-year terms. The Faculty Senate should be thought of as one of the separate constituent assemblies. The UA shall be informed annually of the appointment procedures to be used prior to the appointment taking place. Vacancies shall be the responsibility of the constituent assembly to fill as soon as a vacancy occurs.

2.2 Exclusion

A voting member of the UA may not serve concurrently as a University Trustee, or as a member of the Assembly’s standing committees and boards, except where specified in this Charter.

2.3 Removal

In the absence of an explicit policy for removal of members, the office has required that the appointing body withdraw the member’s appointment in order to remove a member from the Assembly. The committee proposed the following as an alternative process.Members of the Assembly may be removed by affirmative vote of two thirds of seated members of the assembly and consent of the constituent assembly responsible for their appointment.

ARTICLE 3: Officer

The officers of the University Assembly shall be the Chair and the Vice Chair, who shall be from different constituencies.

3.1 Chair

At its organizational meeting in the spring semester, the UA shall elect a Chair from among its members.

Bylaw 3.1.a

The Chair must be elected by a majority of the voting members present. If on the first ballot there is not a majority, then the top two finishers shall have a run-off.

3.2 Vice chair

At its organizational meeting in the spring semester, the UA shall elect a Vice Chair from among its members.

Bylaw 3.2.a

The rules of election for Chair shall also apply to Vice Chair.

3.3 Responsibilities

3.3.1 Responsibilities of the chair

It shall be the responsibility of the Chair of the UA, or in the event of absence, the Vice Chair, to chair all meetings of the Assembly and the Executive Committee and to work with the leaders of the other constituent assemblies in order to provide efficient communication channels.

3.3.2 Responsibilities of the vice-chair

It shall be the responsibility of the Vice Chair of the UA, or a designee, to keep the minutes of all the meetings, notify members of the UA of special meetings and of important matters proposed for action at any meeting, make public and publicize the reports and actions of the UA and its committees where appropriate, transmit reports, actions, and recommendations as the Assembly shall direct. The Vice Chair also shall report periodically on the disposition or current status of the Assembly actions and recommendations. The Vice Chair shall also supervise the exchange of information and opinion between the Assembly and the community at large. The Vice Chair shall further serve as the convener and chair of the Assemblies System Review Committee.

3.4 Removal

The UA may remove any of its officers upon an affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of the seated membership of the Assembly. Immediately thereafter, a new officer shall be elected from among the UA membership for the balance of the term of office.

3.5 Replacement

In the event that the elected Chair must relinquish the position, the Vice Chair shall assume the position and duties and a new Vice Chair shall be elected from the members of the UA at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the UA.

3.6 Executive committee

The Executive Committee of the University Assembly

3.6.1 Membership

3.6.1.1 The Executive Committee shall have four members, including one undergraduate student, one graduate/professional student, one faculty member, and one employee.

3.6.1.2 The Chair and the Vice Chair of the UA shall be members of the Executive Committee, and shall lower their constituency’s representation on the Executive Committee.

3.6.1.3 The members of the Executive Committee, excluding the Chair and the Vice Chair of the Assembly, shall be elected in a caucus of Assembly members from their own constituencies.

3.6.1.4 The Executive Committee shall serve a one-year term, beginning on June 1.

3.6.2 Authority during the academic year.

The Executive Committee shall:

3.6.2.1 prepare the agenda for Assembly meetings.

3.6.2.2 call special meetings of the Assembly when it deems necessary.

3.6.3 Emergency Authority

3.6.3.1 During periods between semesters and during vacations, the Executive Committee shall be authorized to speak for the Assembly on matters of policy under the jurisdiction of the Assembly in those cases when in the Executive Committee’s best judgment, a delay would effectively result in no Assembly participation in a decision being made.

3.6.3.2 Before making any statement for the Assembly, the Executive Committee shall make its best effort to reach all members of the Executive Committee, including those not on campus for their opinion, and shall make its best effort to contact all members and chairpersons whose committees are concerned with the question at hand for their opinion. In its attempt to reach members, the Executive Committee shall be authorized to meet by conference call.

3.6.3.3 The Executive Committee shall follow the practice of inviting to UA meetings those who have a concern for the issue at hand.

3.6.3.4 Any such statement by the Executive Committee shall be reported in full at the first meeting of the Assembly following the vacation or mid-semester break. The report shall include the names of those members of the Executive Committee who participated in the action as well as the vote count.

ARTICLE 4: Other Powers

The University Assembly shall participate in the selection of slates of nominees for the position of Ombudsman, Judicial Administrator, and Judicial Codes Counselor; and concur in the President’s nominations for the University Ombudsman.

4.1 University ombudsman

The UA shall appoint one undergraduate student, one graduate/professional student, one faculty member, and one employee to join with four persons appointed by the President to select two or more candidates for the office of the University Ombudsman. The Ombudsman shall be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the UA. Term of office for the Ombudsman shall be two years, effective July 1. Upon the recommendation of the President and with the concurrence of the UA this appointment may be extended for additional terms.

4.2 Judicial administrator

The UA shall appoint one undergraduate student, one graduate/professional student, one faculty member, and one employee to join with two persons appointed by the President to select two or more candidates for the office of the Judicial Administrator. The Judicial Administrator shall be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the UA. Term of office for the Judicial Administrator shall be two years, effective July 1. Upon the recommendation of the President and with the concurrence of the UA this appointment may be extended for additional terms.

4.3 Judicial codes counselor

The same procedure specified in 4.2 shall be followed for the appointment of the Judicial Codes Counselor. The term of the Judicial Codes Counselor shall be two years, effective July 1. Upon the recommendation of the President and with the concurrence of the UA this appointment may be extended for a maximum period of two years without the need for a search.

4.4 Representation on search committees

The UA, in consultation with the President, shall assure that each search committee named above has minority and female representation and has a reasonable balance of students, faculty and employees.

Bylaw 4.4.a

If the UA by majority vote feels the President’s selections to search committees do not promote reasonable balance or representation, the UA may ask the President to reconsider these selections. The UA should specify how the balance or representation is inadequate.

ARTICLE 5: Protections

In its debates and investigations, the University Assembly and its committees shall respect and protect the rights of individuals.

5.1 Confidential information

When a subject under discussion or investigation requires the use of confidential information concerning an individual, there shall be no public disclosure of this information which identifies the person concerned. All reasonable efforts shall be made to safeguard the confidentiality of this information.

5.2 Infringement on person’s rights

If any member of the University feels that any action of the UA or its committees is infringing that person’s rights under Article 5, then that person may appeal to the Ombudsman to determine whether probable grounds exist for a complaint. If the Ombudsman so determines, he or she shall notify the UA or its committees to suspend all actions specified in the complaint until such time as the matter is resolved through mediation by the Ombudsman.

Bylaw 5.2.a

By majority vote, the UA may suspend any UA actions related to the appeal until the Ombudsman makes a final ruling on the appeal.

ARTICLE 6: Procedures

The procedures of the University Assembly shall be as follows:

6.1 Meetings

At the first meeting of the academic year, the UA shall adopt a schedule of meetings for the remainder of the year. These meetings shall be referred to as the regular meetings.

Bylaw 6.1.a

Regular meetings shall occur during the academic year only. All meetings of the Assembly and its committees shall be publicized and open to the Cornell community, except as specified by Section 6.5.

6.2 Special meetings

Special meetings of the UA may be convened to consider issues of immediate and pressing concern. The Chair of the UA, the President or in the President’s absence, the Acting President, may call a special meeting of the UA. The Chair shall call a special meeting of the UA when requested to do so by any eleven of its members.

6.3 Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the seated members of the UA.

6.4 Roberts rules of order

The procedure for debate and general conduct of business of the UA in all matters not specifically described in this document shall be that of Roberts Rules of Order (latest edition).

6.5 Executive session

With the concurrence of a majority of the voting members present, the UA or any of its committees may go into executive session to discuss confidential matters.

Bylaw 6.5.a

The Assembly must enter into its minutes the purpose of an executive session. No policy decisions shall be made in executive session.

6.6 Speaking privileges

Speaking privileges may be obtained by any member of the Cornell community by notifying the Chair of a desire to speak on a specific agenda topic at least 24 hours prior to a meeting. Consultants invited to a UA meeting by the Chair shall be granted speaking privileges in regard to the particular topic on which they were invited to present information or answer questions. During the course of the meeting the UA may establish additional procedures for granting speaking privileges.

6.7 Orgizational meeting

As soon as possible after completion of the elections in the spring, the newly-elected UA shall hold an organizational meeting to elect a Chair and a Vice Chair. Immediately after the completion of the spring elections the Vice Chair of the outgoing UA shall solicit nominees for the position of Chair and Vice Chair from members of the new UA. The names of the nominees together with short vitae shall be circulated to all members of the new UA not less than seven days before the spring organizational meeting. On June 1st, the outgoing UA shall be officially replaced by the newly-elected UA.

Bylaw 6.7.a

Newly elected UA members shall make every effort to attend the remaining meetings of the outgoing UA.

Bylaw.6.7.b

Attendance by voting members is required at all regular meetings of the UA.

Bylaw.6.7.b.1

Any member who must miss a meeting will notify the Office of the Assemblies at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting, if possible.

Bylaw 6.7.b.2

Any member who misses two or more meetings shall be contacted by the Chair to determine his or her ability or willingness to serve on the UA.

6.8 Agenda

The agenda of the UA meetings shall be set by the Executive Committee. The President of the University or any one member of the UA may request that an item be put on the agenda. Such an item shall be placed on the agenda at the earliest possible time. The agenda shall be made public at least 24 hours prior to the next UA meeting.

Bylaw 6.8.a

It shall be the responsibility of the Chair of the UA or a designee to place on the agenda of each meeting of the UA a Leadership Meeting Forum to propose agenda items for the next Leadership Meeting; the discussion shall be based on a specific list presented by the Chair or designee. The UA may recommend items to be added, deleted, or changed. However the Chair or designee retains final judgment on matters to be presented in Leadership Meetings.

6.9 Minutes

The minutes of the UA meetings and those of its committees shall be available to all members of the University, except for those meetings conducted in executive session (Article 6.5).

6.10 Bylaws

The UA may establish bylaws and other procedural rules as are necessary for the exercise of its authority. The adoption of such rules shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of those voting.

6.11 Response to recommendations

Those officers or decision-making bodies receiving recommendations from the UA shall respond to the Chair of the UA within a reasonable period of time, as defined by the UA, acknowledging receipt of the UA’s recommendations and stating their intended course of action. The eventual outcome of recommendations shall be reported to the UA.

6.12 Other governing bodies

The UA shall work with the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate to establish an effective mechanism of communication between the SA, the EA, the GPSA, the UA, and the Faculty Senate.

Bylaw 6.12.a

Assembly representatives from the Faculty Senate, EA, SA, and GPSA shall be responsible for reporting UA activities to their respective legislative bodies.

6.13 Annual report

The UA shall present an annual report to the President of the University. It shall contain a summary of the UA’s work during the year and in addition describe any outstanding issues that are expected to arise in the future. The report shall be available to all members of the University.

Bylaw 6.13.a

The Chair shall have the responsibility to see that the report is written following the last meeting of the UA and presented to the Executive Committee for approval in May prior to submission to the President.

ARTICLE 7: Committees - General

The University Assembly may establish such standing or ad hoc 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. Those serving on the standing committees and boards of the University Assembly cannot be members of the University Assembly except where specified in the Charter.

Bylaw 7.0.a

No UA committee shall have fewer than three voting members.

7.1 Ad hoc committees

The UA standing committees may establish such ad hoc committees as are necessary for the proper performance of their functions. If such ad hoc committees are to include one or more non-members of the standing committees, the standing committees must request the UA to establish the ad hoc committee. The standing committee may recommend a specific prescription as to the membership of the ad hoc committee.

Bylaw 7.1.a

Committees of the UA shall establish bylaws that define attendance requirements. If the attendance requirement is not fulfilled by any member, the seat will become vacant, and the committee will request that the constituent assembly responsible for staffing fill the vacancy.

Bylaw 7.1.b

Ad hoc committees shall be established and function in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order (latest edition).

7.2 Standing committees

There shall be three categories of standing committees of the UA: Committees of the Assembly, Associated Committees and Campus Life Committees. The Assemblies System Review Committee, Committee on Committees, Codes and Judicial Committee, Joint Assemblies Financial Aid Review Committee, and Joint Assemblies Multicultural Issues Committee shall be Committees of the Assembly. The Associated Committees shall be the Budget Planning Committee and the Campus Planning Committee. All terms shall begin June 1 unless otherwise specified. Campus Life committees are those listed in Article 10.

Bylaw 7.2.a

At least once a semester, each standing committee shall hold a well publicized meeting at which any matter of interest within its jurisdiction can be discussed by any member of the Cornell community.

Bylaw 7.2.b

Standing committees shall file minutes in the Office of the Assemblies. In addition, no later than the end of the Assembly year, standing committees shall file with the Office of the Assemblies an annual report. This report shall include a summary of all unfinished business and the attendance record of all voting members of the committee.

7.3 Standing committees’ operations

All standing, associated, and Campus Life committees and boards shall operate in the following manner. They shall:

Bylaw 7.3.a

make every reasonable attempt to insure that members of the University community affected by a committee’s recommendations are informed of the agenda of committee meetings and of committee recommendations.

Bylaw 7.3.b

place on file in a timely manner with the UA the minutes of all meetings and an annual report summarizing activities.

Bylaw 7.3.c

request that the Chair of the UA place on the agenda of the UA those matters which, in the opinion of the particular committee, are of such significance that they require discussion by the UA.

Bylaw 7.3.d

respond to any requests from the UA for information or reconsideration of recommendations.

Bylaw 7.3.e

make oral reports at a regularly scheduled meeting of the UA at least once a semester.

Bylaw 7.3.f

in the spring organizational period, the Chair of the UA shall appoint Assembly members to act as conveners for each of the UA committees’ first meeting in the fall.

ARTICLE 8: Committees - Specific

The Standing Committees of the Assembly:

• The Committee on Committees
• The Codes and Judicial Committee
• The Joint Assemblies Multicultural Issues Committee
• The Joint Assemblies Financial Aid Review Committee
• The Assemblies System Review Committee

8.1 Committee on Committees

The Committee on Committees (COC) shall have five members: one faculty, one undergraduate student, one graduate/professional student, and two employees. One student and one employee shall be appointed as “alternates”. All terms shall be for two years. Terms shall be staggered and shall begin May 1. The UA Vice Chair shall serve a one-year term as an ex-officio member. A quorum shall consist of one-half the seated members. The respective Assemblies shall be responsible for selecting their constituents for the COC. A chair shall be elected by continuing, outgoing and incoming members of the COC immediately upon selection of new members of the UA. The elected chair may be either a continuing or a new member of the committee. The term of office of the chair shall be one year. The chair may be reelected for additional terms.

8.1.1 Staffing by other assemblies

Except when an ad hoc committee contains only UA members, the respective Assemblies shall be responsible for selecting their constituents for membership on ad hoc committees established by the UA, in accordance with the latter’s specific prescription as to their membership.

Bylaw 8.1.1.a

All vacancies will be filled by soliciting applications. All new appointees will serve the term of the original member until the next election.

Bylaw 8.1.1.b

All committees staffed by the COC shall be responsible for reporting all vacancies to the COC as they occur.

8.1.2 The COC shall, in consultation with the Codes and Judicial Committee, provide a slate of qualified candidates for the Hearing and Review Boards of the campus judicial system, for consideration and approval by the UA.

8.1.3 The respective Assemblies shall be responsible for selecting their constituents for membership on the associated committees, and those members of other University committees and boards when requested. The new members of these committees shall be selected by the end of the spring semester. Seats may be reserved for incoming freshmen.

8.1.4 The respective Assemblies shall be responsible for selecting their constituents for membership on Campus Life committees and boards. The new members of these committees shall be selected by the end of the spring semester. Seats may be reserved for freshmen.

8.1.5 Upon an affirmative vote of at least four of its members, the COC may remove a member of any other committee and the Hearing and Review Boards or remove the chair of any other committee from the position for just cause. Immediately upon removal of a committee member from a committee, the respective Assembly shall select a replacement for the balance of the term of office.

8.2 Codes and Judicial Committee

The Codes and Judicial Committee (CJC) shall consist of three undergraduate students, two graduate/professional students; three faculty members, and four employees, one of whom would be an active member of the CU Police. One-half of the seated membership shall constitute a quorum. All members shall serve two-year terms. Terms shall be staggered. Ex-officio members may include the Judicial Administrator, Judicial Codes Counselor, and Counsel’s Office. Ex-officio members are non-voting.

8.2.1

The CJC shall consider the substantive and procedural rules of the Campus Code of Conduct and the Statement of Student Rights and shall make recommendations concerning changes in these rules to the UA.

8.2.2

The CJC shall provide advice to the Committee on Committees in selecting slates of qualified candidates for the Hearing and Review Boards.

8.2.3

The CJC may review the rules and procedures established by other campus bodies with both rule-making and punitive authority (excluding the faculty procedures for dismissal and censure of faculty members and procedures for the resolution of faculty and employee grievances). If, in the course of such review, the CJC shall find apparent inequalities or inconsistencies within a body of rules or between bodies of rules, or if it shall find a body of rules whose agreement with general notions of due process is questionable, the CJC shall transmit its findings and any recommendations which it may wish to make to the appropriate rule-making body.

8.3 Joint Assemblies Multicultural Issues Committee

The Joint Assemblies Multicultural Issues Committee (JAMIC) shall be composed of the SA and UA with 14 voting members, consisting of five undergraduates (four of whom shall be the two SA Minority Liaisons, the SA International Student Liaison, and the SA Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/ Transgender/ Questioning Liaison), three graduate/professional students, four employees, and two members of the faculty. The Vice Provost for Diversity and Faculty Development shall serve as an ex-officio member of JAMIC. All members shall be appointed as appropriate by the SA and UA for one-year terms beginning May 1 and may be reappointed. A quorum shall consist of one-half of the seated members. Co-chairs shall be one of the four SA liaisons and the UA liaison to JAMIC.

8.3.1

The mission of JAMIC is to promote the awareness of multicultural issues at Cornell, encourage cultural interaction and dialogue within the Cornell community, make recommendations to central administration on issues of concern to the Cornell community, and monitor the University’s implementation of those recommendations. JAMIC shall aim to be a collective voice of the diversity of cultures, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, lifestyles, races, religions, and sexual orientations represented at Cornell.

8.3.2

JAMIC shall have the authority to create subcommittees for multicultural issues of concern to the Cornell community, and will serve as an advisory board for these subcommittees.

8.3.3

Each subcommittee will be chaired by a member of JAMIC or at least have a member of JAMIC serve on the subcommittee. All interested members of the Cornell community may serve as members of a subcommittee. The SA and UA encourage subcommittees to seek nominations from the Minority Faculty/Staff Forum, Office of Minority Educational Affairs (OMEA), International Student Programming Board, Minority Greek Letter Council, and Program House governments. Subcommittees shall consult with JAMIC and are responsible for reporting their activities to JAMIC.

8.3.4

It is recommended that JAMIC meet monthly throughout the academic year (September-May). JAMIC will provide the SA and UA with written minutes from their meetings, as well as a summary report of all subcommittee activities at before the end of each academic year.

8.4 Joint Assemblies Financial Aid Review Committee

The Joint Assemblies Financial Aid Review Committee (JFARC) shall consist of at least six undergraduate students (at least two-thirds of voting undergraduate members shall be recipients of some form of institutionalized financial aid); up to two graduate/professional students to be appointed by the GPSA; two faculty members; one counselor from the Financial Aid Office (FAO); two SA members; and one UA member. The Director of Financial Aid, the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, and the Vice President for Student and Academic Services shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting members. The committee shall be chaired by an SA member and can be convened by either the UA or SA. The committee shall, however, report regularly to both the Student and University Assemblies. Its purpose shall be to review the general policies and implementation of policies concerning financial aid at Cornell. Additionally, JFARC shall be charged with monitoring and administering the Student Helping Students Fund.

8.4.1

This committee will not serve as an appeals board for individual cases. However, should a problem appear persistently, or should it appear that the FAO could be implementing its present procedures in a better way, this committee could act to improve the actions of the FAO.

8.5 Assemblies System Review Committee

The Assemblies System Review Committee (ASRC) shall consist of 5 UA members: the Vice Chair of the UA, who shall convene and chair this committee, and one representative from each of the four constituency bodies. The committee shall have 6 ex-officio members, the chair or present member of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, a present or past president of the SA, a present or past officer of the EA, a former Chair of the UA, a present or past Chair of the GPSA, and the presidential appointee to the UA. When dealing with Article 8.5.3 below, the committee shall be expanded to include up to two members of each of the conflicting assemblies, who shall serve as consultants on the issue at hand and shall also serve as voting members of the committee under 8.5.3.

8.5.1

The committee shall continually review the UA Charter. Furthermore, the committee shall review interrelations between the Assemblies.

8.5.2

The ASRC shall report to the UA at their first meeting of the second semester, at the last meeting, and upon recommending a decision regarding a conflict resolution.

8.5.3

The committee shall review continued disagreements between the assemblies, which cannot be resolved by the conflicting bodies.

Bylaw 8.5.3.a

The committee will meet within 10 working days of notification of continued disagreement by two conflicting assemblies to propose a solution to resolve differences between the conflicting assemblies. The committee’s recommendations will be reported to all assemblies within 15 working days of this meeting.

8.5.3.1 If differences still cannot be reconciled by the individual constituency bodies, the committee will recommend a solution to the UA.

8.5.3.2 The UA’s determination will be binding.

ARTICLE 9: The Associate Committees of the University Assembly

9.1 Campus Planning Committee

The Campus Planning Committee (CPC) shall consist of four presidential appointments, eight position appointments, eight additional members, and ex-officio members. The presidential appointments are made by the President of the University, and those individuals are to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis. The position appointments consist of the Chair of the Department of Architecture or a designee, the Chair of the Department of Natural Resources or a designee, the Director of Plantations or a designee, and the Vice President for Facilities and Campus Services or a designee, the Coordinator of the Landscape Architecture Program or a designee, the Chair of the Department of City and Regional Planning or a designee, the Chair of the Art Department or a designee, and the Director of the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation or a designee.

The position appointees or designees should be individuals with professional and technical expertise in a design related field. The eight at large members consist of one graduate/professional student, two undergraduate students, two employees, and two faculty members, each named by his or her respective Assembly for a two-year term, and one UA liaison. The ex-officio members are added by virtue of their administrative positions at the University and their interest in planning at the University.

The Committee’s charge is to review and make recommendations to the President regarding physical planning for the Ithaca campus including landscape planning and design, circulation and parking, and new construction and renovations as they relate to the overall planning and character of the Ithaca campus. Furthermore, it shall review in consultation with (with the consultation of) the Transportation Advisory Committee, all plans for alterations of or additions to roads and parking lots on the Ithaca campus of the University. The CPC shall seek advice and comments from non-members while discussing a specific issue or design.

9.2 Budget Planning Committee

Budget Planning Committee (BPC) shall consist of seventeen voting and four ex-officio members. Members shall serve three-year terms on a staggered basis with the exception of student members who shall serve two-year staggered terms. Four of the members shall be appointed by the Provost, five shall be position appointments, and eight shall be additional members at large. The five position appointments shall consist of the assistant deans or chief business officers, one representing each of the following college categories: designated, endowed general purpose, and statutory; the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer; and the Vice President for Planning. The eight at large positions shall consist of two undergraduate students, two graduate/professional students, two employees, and two faculty members each named by his or her respective Assembly. The ex-officio members are added by virtue of their positions at the institution and interests in the University’s budget. Ex-officio non-voting members shall be the Director of Institutional Planning and Research; the Director of Budget Management; the Director of Statutory College Affairs; and the UA liaison. The committee’s charge is to review and make recommendations to the Provost regarding the development of the University’s long-range plan and budget policies with regards to such financial issues as tuition, student fees, financial aid, graduate student stipends, enrollments, compensation, and endowed Ithaca employee benefits rates. The BPC shall seek advice and comments from non-members while discussing a specific issue or budget policy. Deliberations of the committee will often be on a confidential basis. The committee shall report periodically to the UA.

9.3 Committee on Family Services

The committee is charged to identify needs of non-academic staff, academic staff, graduate/professional students and undergraduate students with family responsibilities and to address issues related to work/study/life balance, to study proposals brought by members of the university community or administration to meet those needs, and to advise the assembly, Vice President of Human Resources, and other senior members of the university administration concerning such proposals.

The Committee on Family Services consists of fifteen voting members. The constituent assemblies appoint a total of eight voting members from their respective constituencies in the following number: Student Assembly may appoint one, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly may appoint two, the Employee Assembly may appoint three, one employee representative who is part of a Cornell University collective bargaining agreement, and the Faculty Senate may appoint three. The President may appoint up to five voting members who shall be community or university experts in subjects related to family issues and the charge of the committee.

The following serve as non-voting members of the committee: one liaison appointed by the assembly from its members and up to three appointed by the President of the university to serve as liaisons from related administrative units.

Student members shall serve terms of one year in duration, and all other members shall serve staggered, two-year terms.

9.3.1 Subcommittee on Childcare Services

The committee is charged to identify needs of the university community concerning childcare services, to study proposals brought by members of the university community or administration to meet those needs, and to advise the Family Services Commitee, the assembly, the Vice-President of Human Resources, and other senior members of the university administration concerning such proposals.

The subcommittee consists of thirteen voting members. The constituent assemblies appoint a total eight voting members from their respective constituencies in the following number: Student Assembly may appoint one, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly may appoint two, the Employee Assembly may appoint three, and the Faculty Senate may appoint two. The President may appoint a total of five voting members who shall be local community experts in subjects related to childcare, childhood development, and the charge of the committee.

The following serve as non-voting members of the committee: one liaison appointed by University Assembly from its members and up to three appointed by the President of the university to serve as liaisons from related administrative units.

Student members shall serve terms of one year in duration, and all other members shall serve staggered, two-year terms.

ARTICLE 10: Campus Life Committees of the University Assembly

10.1 Establishment

A structure of committees associated with the Departments of Cornell United Religious Work (CURW), Transportation and Mail Services, University Health Services, and the Cornell Store shall be established. The UA shall supervise and coordinate the activities of these committees and boards. The committees and boards shall establish policies for their respective departments, subject to the approval of the UA.

10.2 Responsibility and policy determination

The committees and boards shall take the initiative in, and have primary responsibility for, debating and formulating changes in policies of their respective departments. However, each policy determination shall be submitted to the UA for its approval by majority vote prior to delivery to the President to be put into effect. It is expected that the UA normally would act upon such a policy determination at its first meeting following receipt in the Assembly office. If the UA does not act upon such a presentation from a committee or board within 30 days of receipt in the Assembly office, the policy shall automatically be considered approved and sent on to the President. If the Assembly deems any policy determination of the standing committees and boards to be seriously defective, it may upon majority vote of those present and voting, require that the action be reconsidered by the originating committee. If the matter is resubmitted by the committee or board, the UA may veto the action of the standing committee or board. Such a veto requires a 2/3 vote of the total seated membership.

10.3 University Assembly

The UA may present to a standing committee or board a proposal for addition or change of a policy falling within the jurisdiction of that committee or board, and require consideration of that proposal by the committee or board. If action on the proposal is not taken within a reasonable time, the UA may act upon the matter itself by a 2/3 vote of the total seated membership.

Bylaw 10.3.a

Any proposal presented by the UA or a standing committee or board shall have an assigned time limit within which action on the proposal must be taken.

10.4 Composition

The UA shall have the authority to determine the number and composition of the standing committees and boards specified in Article 10.7. Each change in their number or composition shall require an affirmative vote by 2/3 of the seated membership of the UA. Before the end of the spring semester, the respective Assemblies shall appoint new members to the standing committees and the Transportation Hearing and Appeals Board (see Article 10.7.2). Seats may be reserved for incoming freshmen. The members shall serve two-year, staggered terms. In addition, it is recommended that the faculty appoint faculty members of the standing committees and boards by the end of the spring semester.

10.5 Senior Vice President and Vice President for Student and Academic Services

Senior Vice President and Vice President for Student and Academic Services. The UA shall be kept informed by the Senior Vice President of all matters concerning the policies and budgets of the departments of Transportation and Mail Services, and the Cornell Store. Similarly, the Vice President for Student and Academic Services shall keep the UA informed of all matters concerning the policies and budget of University Health Services, and Cornell University Religious Work. The Senior Vice President shall present proposed budgets for these departments to the UA and seek its advice thereon. Furthermore, the Senior Vice President shall seek the advice of the UA before making any major reallocations of funds among the departments under the policy-making jurisdiction of the UA. The advice of the appropriate departmental committee shall be sought concerning major capital projects.

10.5.1

The Vice President for Student and Academic Services shall also keep the SA informed of all matters concerning the policies and budgets of the various departments under the SA’s policy-making jurisdiction.

10.5.2

The Senior Vice President and the Vice President for Student and Academic Services shall determine, with the advice of the UA and the SA, the funds to be made available for new programs each year. The allocation of new program funds will be made by the Senior Vice President and the Vice President for Student and Academic Services after receiving advice and recommendations from the UA, the SA, and their standing committees.

10.5.3

Any matters that cannot be resolved by the UA and the Senior Vice President or the Vice President for Student and Academic Services for Campus Affairs concerning the authority or jurisdiction of the UA or any of the standing committees or boards specified in 10.7 shall be referred to the President of the University for review and determination.

10.6 Campus Life standing committees and boards general charge

Those standing committees or boards under the policy jurisdiction of the UA shall propose to the UA policies for a specific department consistent with University policies.

10.6.1

The standing committee or board shall consider and propose policies of the department for which it is established. It shall consider and propose budget priorities for the programs and policies of its department, within University budget guidelines. The standing committee or board shall be kept fully informed and receive full cooperation on all matters concerning policy and budget by the head of the department.

10.6.2

Every reasonable attempt shall be made to ensure that members of the University affected by the committee’s or board’s decisions are informed of the agenda of the committee meetings and of committee actions. Minutes of the committee’s or board’s actions shall be reported to the UA. Each committee shall submit an annual report to the UA.

10.6.3

No standing committee or board may establish punitive rules or new tribunals with authority over those matters of personal conduct which are now covered by the Campus Code of Conduct or the Statement of Student Rights and adjudicated by the University Hearing and Review Boards, nor amend existing rules or procedures in these areas, without the approval of the UA.

10.6.4

A chair shall be elected by continuing, outgoing and incoming members of standing committees immediately upon selection of new members by the COC. The elected chair may be either a continuing or a new member of the committee. The term of office of the chair shall be one year. The chair may be reelected for additional terms.

10.7 Campus life standing committees and boards specific articles

The 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 standing committees and boards are: Board on University Health Services, Transportation Advisory Committee, Cornell Store Administrative Board, Cornell United Religious Work Advisory Board, and the University Sustainability Committee.

10.7.1 Board on University Health Services

The Board on University Health Services (BOUHS) shall consist of four faculty members chosen by the faculty, two employees appointed by the EA, two graduate/professional students appointed by the GPSA, five undergraduates (two of whom may be seniors) appointed by the SA, and two members of the Cornell community chosen by the professional staff of the University Health Services (UHS).

All members shall serve three-year staggered terms with the exception of the undergraduates who shall serve two-year terms and the seniors who may serve one-year terms. The non-voting ex-officio members shall be the Director of UHS, the Health Center Administrator, the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, and their designates, and the UA liaison. In addition, three undergraduates, two graduate/professional students, one employee, one faculty member, and one Cornell community member shall serve as “alternates.” Alternates will represent their constituencies and be full voting members of the Board when the full complement of each constituency is not present at any given meeting. One-half of the voting membership, with at least two students and two non-student voting members present shall constitute a quorum for voting purposes. In the absence of a quorum, an oral vote of the seated membership will be supplemented by mail ballots to absent members to achieve the quorum when required.

The Board’s charge shall be to advise, consult, and communicate on matters related to the development and implementation of UHS policies and programs. The Board shall offer advice and counsel to the UHS administration that originate from its membership and the Cornell community at-large and shall provide consultation to the UHS when requested. The Board shall 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 UHS administration. Board members will provide communication to and from their respective constituencies in fulfillment of the aforementioned obligations. Further, it shall review the UHS Program Documents, UHS budgets, and fee structure. To these ends, the Board shall be adequately informed by the UHS staff on aspects of policy, programs, and budget germane to its charge by the Director of UHS.

The Board shall maintain regular and timely communication with the UA through the Office of the Assemblies. Copies of minutes of regular meetings as well as of other working documents generated by it in fulfillment of this charge shall be filed with that office. As indicated, the Board shall report important issues within its purview to the UA for deliberation and guidance. Policies and policy changes shall be recommended to the UA for deliberation, endorsement, and transmittal to the President for approval.

10.7.2 Transportation Advisory Committee

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) shall consist of thirteen voting members. Eight are community members: two undergraduates, two graduate/professional students, two employees, and two faculty members, appointed by their respective Assemblies to serve two-year terms on a staggered basis. Two presidential appointments shall be made from the following administrative departments: Cornell Police; Facilities Management; Environmental Health and Safety; Planning, Design and Construction; Student and Academic Services; and University Relations, two presidential appointments from the following academic departments: Civil and Environmental Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Natural Resources, Landscape Architecture (the academic appointees should be individuals with professional and technical expertise in transportation or a related field), and one presidential appointment from the Office of Budget and Financial Planning. Each are made by the President of the University upon recommendation from the Vice President of Facilities and Campus Services and will serve three-year terms on a staggered basis. Three ex-officio members shall be the Director of Transportation and Mail Services, a liaison from the Transportation Hearing and Appeals Board, and a liaison from the UA.

The committee’s charge is to provide a conduit for community input regarding policies and services related to safe, comprehensive, economical and efficient transportation programs. These include parking, transit, circulation, pedestrian, motorist and cyclist safety and education, and services that meet the transportation access needs for persons with disabilities. The committee shall make policy and program recommendations to the UA and the Senior Vice President. Furthermore, the committee shall review in consultation with (with the consultation of) the Campus Planning Committee all plans for alterations of or additions to roads, parking lots, pathways and walkways on the Ithaca campus of the University. The committee shall report periodically to the UA.

The committee shall have one associated hearing and appeals board and standing committees as appropriate which will work directly with Transportation and Mail Services. Each board/committee shall be charged with carrying out the current policies and procedures and will report periodically to TAC on recommended policy or program changes.

The Transportation Hearing and Appeals Board (THAB) shall review decisions that have been denied in whole or in part by Transportation and Mail Services administrative staff on matters relating to violation appeals, requests for special parking grants for those claiming financial hardship, and exceptions to parking rules and regulations and/or normal permit eligibility criteria.

Membership: THAB shall consist of twelve members nominated by their respective Assemblies and approved by those bodies and one ex-officio member representing the administrative staff of Transportation and Mail Services. Members shall be constituted as follows: four students (two graduate/professional, two undergraduate), four faculty, and four employees. No employee of Transportation and Mail Services or Cornell Police may serve on THAB. The term of membership shall be two years, except that initially, so that terms may be staggered, two faculty, two students and two employees shall serve terms of one year. THAB shall annually elect its own chairperson. Hearings shall require a quorum of three members. In case of a tie vote, the decision shall be recorded in favor of the appellant.

Responsibilities: Violation appeals must each be decisioned separately, considering all relevant facts and circumstances brought to the board’s attention. The board shall only review cases for which it is deemed an error in judgment or procedure was made in the original decision. In cases of requests for special parking grants based on financial hardship, appellants must fully explain why they are unable to use the transportation options available. In cases of requests related to exceptions to parking rules and regulations and/or normal permit eligibility criteria, the board’s decision shall be based on demonstrated need and are subject to space and other limitations.

10.7.3 Cornell Store Administrative Board

The Cornell Store Administrative Board shall consist of two faculty members, two undergraduate students, one graduate/professional student, and three employees. One undergraduate, one graduate/professional student and one employee shall serve as “alternates”. Three administrative appointments are to be made by the Senior Vice President. In addition, the Senior Vice President shall appoint another person to be chair of the board. The respective Assemblies shall be responsible for selecting their constituents for membership. The faculty, student, and employee members shall serve two-year, staggered terms. The Cornell Store Administrative Board shall develop policies for conducting the business of the Cornell Store and shall be responsible for seeing that the policies are implemented by the professional manager. Any major policy change shall be presented to the UA for approval.

10.7.4 Cornell United Relgious Work Advisory Board

The Cornell United Religious Work Advisory Board shall consist of three Chaplains/Advisers named by Chaplains/Advisers; three faculty (two named by Advisory Board and one by UA); three employees (one from the Office of Vice President for Student and Academic Services named by the Vice President for Student and Academic Services; one from EA; one from CRESP named by CURW Advisory Board); two undergraduate students; one graduate/professional student; President, Sage Chapel Choir (named by them); Sage Chapel host/hostess; student named by Assemblies. Six ex-officio members without vote: CURW Director, CURW Assistant Director, CURW Administrative Supervisor, Dean of Students, Vice President for Academic Programs and Campus Affairs. The role of the CURW Advisory Board is to determine general program and building policy for CURW, to review programs, represent the work of CURW within the larger university community, and approve the annual budget. It will also approve group memberships in CURW and make recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Programs and Campus Affairs for those nominated as University Chaplains.

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 appointed by the Cornell University Center for a Sustainable Future, the other by the Faculty Senate, one graduate and one undergraduate student (each appointed by their respective assemblies), and two staff members, one of whom is appointed by the Office of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability the other by the Employee Assembly. 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 the UA, for its deliberation and action, on issues and topics raised by the committee.

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 UA.

10.8 Existing Policies

All policies at present in effect in the departments of Transportation and Mail Services, University Health Services, Cornell United Religious Work and the Cornell Store shall be continued until changed.

ARTICLE 11: Changes in the Charter and Bylaws and Procedures of the University Assembly

An affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the University Assembly shall be required to amend the Bylaws and Procedures of the University Assembly and an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the seated membership those articles of the Charter not excluded in 11.1.

11.1 Articles excluded

Articles of the Charter excluded from the amendment procedure specified in Article 11 are those which appear under the headings, Authority, Membership and Changes in the Charter. An amendment to any of these articles is governed by the procedure set forth in Article 11.2.

11.2 Amendment procedures

Amendment of the articles set forth in 11.1 shall require approval by community referendum (majority vote in each of the three separate constituencies with a minimum of 20% vote of the constituency) and approval of the President. Before setting amendments into effect, it is expected that the President will report impending changes to the Board of Trustees.

11.2.1

An amendment of those articles set forth in 11.1 may be initiated and qualified for presentation to referendum at the next following annual campus election by any one of three pathways:

11.2.1.1 The UA itself, by a 2/3 vote, may present an amendment.

11.2.1.2 The Faculty Senate, the SA, the EA, or the GPSA may present such an amendment by a 2/3 vote.

11.2.1.3 A community group may present an amendment by petition. In order to qualify for presentation at the next following referendum, the petition must be supported by signatures of at least 5% of the total membership of any one of the four constituencies: undergraduate students, graduate/professional students, faculty, and non-faculty employees.

Definitions

University faculty:Any voting member of the University Faculty as defined in Article XV of the University Bylaws. Only University Faculty, except for ex-officio members who do not hold academic appointments, are eligible for the faculty seats on the UA or its committees.

Undergraduate student: Any student who holds a currently valid undergraduate student identification card.

Graduate/professional student: Any student who holds a currently valid graduate/professional student identification card.

Employee: Any regular full-time staff member in the non-exempt, exempt, and academic staff categories.

Constituencies: This word has been used to mean the broad categories of University faculty, undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, and employees as defined above.

University: For the purposes of this document, the word University has been used to mean the Ithaca and Geneva campuses of Cornell University, and all students, faculty, and employees associated with these campuses.