Minutes
University Assembly Meeting
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
3: 30 � 5:00 p.m.
316 Day Hall

I. Call to Order

C. Walcott called the meeting to order at 4:33 p.m.

II. Roll Call

The UA members went around the table and introduced themselves.

Roll was taken via sign-in sheet.
Voting Members Present: A. Brokman, W. Candell, J. Feldman, E. Cortens, E. Strong, M. Walsh, M. Hatch, E. Loew, C. Walcott, R. Wayne
Voting Members Absent: C. Cunha, K. Baier, J. Blair, L. Lawrence, W. Ghiorse, E. Sanders
Non-voting Members Absent: B. McKinney, A. Craig, N. Evensen

Also In Attendance: A. Epstein, A. O’Donnell, Y. Zhang

V. Statute of Limitations Resolution

C. Walcott explained the correction that needed to be made in the statute of limitations regarding fraud. He then moved the resolution. A. Brokman seconded. E. Strong commended the JA for bringing this forward.

The resolution passed by a vote of 10–0−0.

III. Reports of Constituent Assemblies — SA, GPSA, EA, FS

There were no reports.

IV. Call for Late Additions to the Agenda

M. Hatch wanted to discuss the role of the University Sustainability Committee in light of the president’s new implementation committee

R. Wayne asked about the situation with the Bright Horizon childcare center. E. Strong said he has heard about some new developments, though not through any formal channels.

M. Hatch asked about the resolution addressing the harassment issue in the Code of Conduct. C. Walcott said there has been no official response.

VI. Business of the Day — Organization for Next Year

C. Walcott said it makes sense to elect the officers for next year but we should postpone staffing the committees because the number of members present is low and he would like to see a restructuring of the committees eventually.

The constituent groups caucused among themselves to elect the executive committee. J. Feldman was nominated as the undergraduate student officer. E. Strong was nominated as the graduate student officer. C. Walcott was nominated as the faculty officer. There were no employees present to nominate an employee officer.

M. Hatch nominated C. Walcott as chairman. M. Walsh seconded. C. Walcott accepted. There were no other nominations and M. Hatch asked for approval by acclamation. There was no dissent.

M. Walsh nominated E. Strong as vice chairman. C. Walcott seconded. E. Strong accepted. There were no other nominations and E. Strong was approved as the vice chair by acclamation.

VII. Additional Items from the Floor

M. Hatch said the University Sustainability Committee has passed some great resolutions on issues such as the Marcellus shale drilling and the revolving loans. The relationship between this sustainability committee and the president’s implementation committee needs more defining.

M. Walsh said he is serving on the President’s Sustainable Campus Committee (PSCC). He showed a flow chart of the structure and focus areas of this relatively new committee. This committee will be the executive side and the UA’s sustainability committee will be the legislative arm.

M. Hatch asked where the line is between the two and how these two committees are connected. If someone is on both committees, they should be a liaison.

M. Walsh said there are too many groups on campus working on sustainability and no group knows what the other groups are trying to accomplish. M. Hatch said there should be vigorous communication between the PSCC and the Sustainability Committee. M. Walsh said the committee could focus on one important issue per semester.

C. Walcott said M. Hatch and M. Walsh should probably have a discussion offline and determine what kind of relationship the two committees should have.

E. Loew was concerned the more legislative authority does not mean much since the UA cannot really exercise its legislative authority to make important decisions most of the time. The UA should not be getting more legislative authority when we don’t really know what it is.

C. Walcott said that yes, the president needs to sign off on the UA’s resolution, but we are fortunate to have a current president and provost who are willing to listen.

M. Walsh said he sees the community members working along with the administrators to improve sustainability.

A. Brokman said the CJC works because the people on it are already key administrators.

A. Epstein said the charter has not changed in 20 years and it is time for UA to determine areas they wish to remain involved in and issues they wish to add to their mission.

C. Walcott said the discussion should continue next year.

A. Epstein said he will be present throughout the summer to assist in preparing a proposal.

M. Hatch said if the referendum about the UA charter change passes, there should be an ad-hoc committee that meets over the summer to discuss charter changes so the UA can hit the ground running in the fall with recommendations ready to go. He expressed interest in participating in such discussions.

E. Strong gave an update on the Bright Horizon situation. The president needs more time to respond to the resolution the UA passed. E. Strong said he is examining the situation as a part and has spoken to a number of people. The press coverage and the resolution passed by the UA have driven the center to make fast improvements. The CEO of the company has visited the center and the regional manager is living in Ithaca to better focus on the center. More experience teachers have been brought to the center to help the teachers already there. The center is looking to improve the teacher/student ratio and Cornell is looking for where the money will come from, since Cornell pays for the teachers’ salaries.

R. Wayne said he will keep working on a response to the biology curriculum resolution.

M. Hatch said there should be a response to the harassment resolution ideally by the end of the semester.

VIII. Adjournment

C. Walcott adjourned the meeting at 5:26 pm.