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This is an archival copy of the 2006–2017 Assemblies website. This information is no longer updated.

March 30, 2011 Bylaws Draft

Definition of Academic Matters

Explicit inclusion of academic matters makes it appear UA has authority over many subjects that seem to be solely the purview of the Faculty and Faculty Senate. Academic matters may include curriculum, educational philosophy, tenure policy, and all other academic matters deemed suitable by the UA. Recommendations shall be made by majority approval of the members present.

Article 1: Ex-Officio Membership

Remove senior administrators who do not currently have a direct working relationship with the Assembly. Add reference to chairs of associated committees and administrators who expressed interest in direct, regular relationship with the Assembly. The following serve as members of the Assembly ex-officio without vote:

Gannett Health Services removed because notice & comment committee procedures are intended to provide proper route for participation of this unit and its administrator.

  1. the chair of each associated committee of the Assembly.

Removed: Not compatible with new charter process for UA confirmation of certain presidential appointees. Article 2: Approval of Presidential Nominations for Certain Administrative Offices

2.1 Criteria to Request Reconsideration of Search Committee Member Selection

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 Assembly must specify how the balance or representation is inadequate.

Article 2: Protections

2.1 Suspension of Assembly Actions Appealed to the University Ombudsman

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 62: Procedures

2.1 Meetings

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

2.2 Special meetings

Reference to President/Acting President are to the University President — the President of the university technically has authority to compel UA to meet. Special meetings of the UAAssembly may be convened to consider issues of immediate and pressing concern. The Chair of the UAAssembly, the President or in the President’s absence, the Acting President, may call a special meeting of the UAAssembly. The Chair shall call a special meeting of the UAAssembly when requested to do so by any eleventwo-thirds of its seated members.

2.3 Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the seated members of the UAAssembly constitutes a quorum to do business.

2.4 Roberts rules of order

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

2.5 Executive session

With the concurrence of a majority of the voting members present, the UAAssembly or any of its committees may go intoenter executive session to discuss confidential matters. The Assembly must enter into its minutes the purpose of an executive session. No policy decisions shall be made in executive session.

2.6 Speaking privileges

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

Not a current practice of the Assembly. 3.7 Organizational 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.

2.87 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 UAAssembly may request that an item be putask the Executive Vice Chair to place of an item of business on the agenda. Such an item shall be placed on the agenda atThe Executive Board should place the item at the earliest possible time that is practical or refer the item to appropriate committees for further review. The agenda shall be made public at least 24 hours prior to the next UA meetingThe Executive Vice Chair must make the agenda of the Assembly available to members no less than twenty-four hours prior to a meeting of the Assembly.

Except where explicitly stated by the Executive Board, agendas and associated documents are presumed to be public documents that may be shared with the campus community.

These meetings no longer occur. 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.

2.98 Minutes

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

Duplicates and conflicts with charter language regarding bylaw amendment process. 4.10 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.

4.11 Response to recommendations

Incorporated into consultative authority in charter. 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.

4.12 Other governing bodies

By including presiding officers of constituent assemblies, the UA will be the mechanism of communication. 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.

2.139 Annual report

The UA shallChair of the Assembly, in consultation with its members, presents an annual report to the President of the University. It shall containThe report includes a summary of the UAAssembly’s work during the year and in addition describes any outstanding issues or items of business that are expected to arise in the future. The report shall be availableAssembly must make the report available to all members of the University.

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.

2.1410 Timing of Regular Meetings and Notice of All Meeting Times and Locations

Regular meetings shall occur during the academic year only. The Executive Board must publicize and allow the campus community to attend and observe Aall open meetings of the Assembly and its committees shall be publicized and open to the Cornell community, except as specified by Section 6.5.

2.1511 Attendance Policy for Elected Members Not Yet Seated

Newly elected UAselected members of the Assembly shallmust make every effort to attend the remainingany meetings of the outgoing UAthat occur before such members are seated.

2.1612 Attendance Policy for Seated Members

Provide clearer guidance about the purpose of this policy (i.e.: it can be the basis for removing an absentee member) Attendance by voting members is required atSeated and ex-officio members must attend all regular meetings of the UAAssembly. Members must:

  1. Any member who must miss a meeting will notify the Office of the AssembliesChair of the Assembly at least twenty-four hours prior to theany scheduled meeting they are unable to attend, if possible; and,
  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 UAnot miss more than two regular meetings in any session of the Assembly.

If the Chair determines a member has failed to meet any of these requirements, he or she must call for a vote on removal of the member at the next regular meeting of the Assembly.

2.1713 Reporting Responsibilities of Members of the Assembly

Assembly representatives from the Faculty Senate, EA, SA, and GPSA shall be responsible for reporting UA activities to their respective legislative bodies.Presiding officers of each constituent assembly serve as liaisons between the Assembly and their respective constituent assemblies, reporting the activities of the Assembly to their constituent assemblies and the activities of their constituent assemblies to the Assembly.

2.1814 Sense-of-the-Community Referendum

The UAAssembly may call for a Sense-of-the-Community Referendum provided that it: 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.

  1. The referendum voting must be held within a time period deemed appropriate by the UA upon approval of the referendum.can be completed in the current session; and,
  2. The referendum must be on matters of concern toaddresses a concern relevant to the entire University community. Therefore, in which all employees, faculty, and students will be eligible tomay vote.

Article 43: Committees

4.1 Minimal membership requirements Consolidate below. No UA committee shall have fewer than three voting members.

43.1 Ad hoc committees

The UAAssembly, the Executive Board, and the Assembly’s standing committees may establish such ad hoc committees or subcommittees as are necessary for the proper performance of their functions. Any alteration to the charge of such committees and subcommittees or to their membership must be reported to the Vice Chair for Operations before being put into effect.

3.1.1 Composition and terms

The standing committee may recommend a specific prescription as to the membership of thean ad hoc subcommittee, including provisions for the appointment of members who are not members of the standing committee or the Assembly.

No ad hoc committee may have fewer than three voting members. Each ad hoc committee must disband at the end of a session of the Assembly.

3.1.2 Appointment and removal of ad hoc committee members and chairs

Per March 16, 2011 meeting: subcommittees formed and staff at discretion of parent committees Except where otherwise provided, the Vice Chair for Operations, in consultation with the Executive Board, may appoint members. The Executive Board may remove members. A standing committee may appoint members to or remove members from the subcommittees it establishes at its own discretion.

Removed per discussion at March 16, 2011 meeting 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.

Not necessary, will simply specify the attendance requirements elsewhere. Committees of the UA 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.

Not necessary, RROR already cited elsewhere. Ad hoc committees shall be established and function in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order (latest edition).

43.2 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.

Consolidate into another section. 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.

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.

43.2.1 Standing committees’ operationsStanding committee responsibilities

Non-discretionary actions — are these right? AllEach standing, associated, and Campus Life committees and boards shall operate in the following manner. They shall must:

  1. hold and publicize at least one meeting per semester that is open to the campus community where it receives and discusses items of business relevant to its charge;
  2. submit, in a timely fashion, minutes of each meeting to the Vice Chair for Operations;
  3. submit, before May 1, an annual report to the Vice Chair for Operations including a summary of unfinished business of the committee;
  4. make every reasonable attempt to insure that members of the University community affected by a committee’sits recommendations are informed of the agenda of committeeits meetings and of committeeits recommendations.;
    # place on file in a timely manner with the UA the minutes of all meetings and an annual report summarizing activities.
  5. request that the Chair of the UAAssembly place on the agenda of the UAAssembly those matters, which, in theits opinion of the particular committee, are of such significance that they require discussion by the UA.Assembly; and,
  6. respond to any requests from the UAAssembly for information or reconsideration of recommendations.

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

3.2.2 Standing committee composition and terms

Revised hybrid model — UA committees consist of 3 UA members, 8 constituent assembly-appointed members. Unless otherwise specified in its charge, each committee will consist of eleven voting members:

  1. three appointed by and from the voting membership of the Assembly;
  2. one appointed by each constituent assembly from its voting membership; and,
  3. one appointed by each constituent assembly from the constituency it represents.

3.2.3 Appointment and removal of standing committee members and chairs

This gives the UA clear control over all of its committee membership. For removal, a majority of a quorum (probably two members) is required. The Vice Chair for Operations, in consultation with the Executive Board, may appoint members on behalf of the voting membership of the Assembly. The Executive Board may remove members.

Suggestion raised that terms should generally be limited to keep members from staying in one place for too long. Except for compelling circumstances, no person should serve more than two consecutive terms in a given committee.

3.3 Procedures for policy development and legislative actions

The responsibilities articulated in this section apply only to committee business related to the Assembly’s authority in policy development or legislative actions.

3.3.1 Mandatory procedures

Non-discretionary Each committee must:

  1. issue a public notice on the Assembly’s website of each motion related to a substantive policy change, which includes:
    1. a contact to whom inquiries and written comments may be directed,
    2. period of time during which written comments will be accepted, and,
    3. times and locations of any public hearings, if hearings are conducted; and,
  2. issue a report based on its deliberations and any comments received, which the Assembly will incorporate as supporting documentation into any related motion is subsequently adopts.
3.3.2 Normative procedures

Semi-discretionary To the extent practical and appropriate, each committee must:

  1. solicit written comments from campus constituencies for a public comment period of at least two weeks in duration.
3.3.3 Discretionary procedures

Discretionary actions Each committee may:

  1. request reports and information from responsible administrative units;
  2. extend, with public notice, the period of time when written comments are accepted; and,
  3. conduct public hearings, in collaboration with responsible administrative units, to receive oral comments from community members and experts.

Article 4: Charges of Standing Committees

4.1 Codes and Judicial Committee

By delegation from the Assembly, the Committee will review any proposed motion related to:

  • Campus Code of Conduct; and
  • recruitment and appointment of members to the University Hearing and Review Boards.

The Committee may propose, review, and amend resolutions as it deems appropriate. The Committee must approve resolutions referred for its consideration before they can be advanced to the Assembly for a vote and for debate.

4.2 Campus Welfare Committee

By delegation from the Assembly, the Committee will review any proposed motion related to:

  • diversity and inclusion;
  • family support;
  • health services; and,
  • any other topic deemed relevant to campus welfare by the Executive Board.

The Committee may propose, review, and amend resolutions as it deems appropriate. The Committee must approve resolutions referred for its consideration before they can be advanced to the Assembly for a vote and for debate.

4.3 Campus Infrastructure Committee

By delegation from the Assembly, the Committee will review and approve any proposed motion related to:

  • environmental impact and sustainability;
  • information technology;
  • transportation and commuter policies; and,
  • any other topic deemed relevant to campus infrastructure by the Executive Board.

The Committee may propose, review, and amend resolutions as it deems appropriate. The Committee must approve resolutions referred for its consideration before they can be advanced to the Assembly for a vote and for debate.

Article 5: Associated Committees

5.1 Definition and General Specifications

The Assembly may, with the approval of the responsible administrative unit, identify associated committees of the Assembly. Such committees are chartered and managed by the responsible administrative unit, but report additionally to the Assembly and possess the same responsibilities as standing committees of the Assembly.

Each committee’s charge must:

  1. identify of the administrative unit responsible for the committee;
  2. specify responsibilities of the committee; and,
  3. specify composition and terms of the committee.

The following requirements hold except where otherwise provided:

  1. Both the Assembly and the responsible administrative unit must approve changes to the charges of associated committees.
  2. The chairs of associated committees serve ex-officio as non-voting members of the Assembly and are expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings of the Assembly.

Provide a default specification of appointment/removal authority based on current practices. Give UA some power to fill vacancies. Except where otherwise provided, the constituent assemblies may appoint and remove the members of each associated committee assigned to represent their respective constituencies. The Vice Chair for Operations, in consultation with the Executive Board, may appoint members to fill any vacancies that remain after September 1 provided the term of appointment does not run beyond the current session of the Assembly.

5.2 Public Safety Advisory Committee

The Public Safety Advisory Committee (the Committee) is charged to review current campus security policies and procedures and make recommendations for their improvement. The Committee fulfills the University’s obligations under New York State Education Law � 6431. The Office of the President is the responsible unit for this committee.

5.2.1 Responsibilities

The committee reviews current policies and procedures related to:

  1. educating the campus community, including security personnel and those who advise or supervise students, about sexual assault;
  2. educating the campus community about personal safety and crime prevention;
  3. reporting sexual assaults, domestic violence and stalking incidents and assisting victims during investigations;
  4. referring complaints to appropriate authorities;
  5. counseling victims; and
  6. responding to inquiries from concerned persons.

After its last meeting for the academic year but before the last day in June, the Committee must compile and report to the President of the University all of its findings and recommendations for the current academic year.

5.2.2 Composition

The President of the University appoints the following as voting members to staggered terms concurrent with two consecutive sessions of the Assembly:

  1. two undergraduate students from a list recommended by the Student Assembly;
  2. two faculty members from a list recommended by the Faculty Senate;
  3. one graduate or professional student from a list recommended by the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly; and,
  4. one non-faculty employee from a list recommended by the Employee Assembly.

This requirement, unique in the assemblies, is mandated by state law. Each assembly must include at least one female candidate in its list of recommendations to serve on the Committee. At least half of the voting members must be female.

As soon as possible after a vacancy occurs or a new session of the Assembly begins, the Committee must elect a Chair from its voting membership to serve a term concurrent with a session of the Assembly or the remainder thereof.

The following serve as members ex-officio, without vote:

  1. Chief of Cornell Police or a designee;
  2. Judicial Administrator or a designee;
  3. Director of Mental Health Initiatives or a designee;
  4. University Victim Advocate or a designee;
  5. Dean of Students or a designee;
  6. Director of Residential Programs or a designee; and
  7. Vice President of Human Resources or a designee.
5.2.3 Special Provisions

To assure compliance with the state laws the Committee is charged to fulfill, the President:

  1. may, in consultation with the Assembly, alter the Committee’s charge; and,
  2. must approve any proposed change to the Committee’s charge.

8.65.3 Campus Planning Committee

The Committee’s charge is toCampus Planning Committee (the Committee) reviews and makes recommendations to the President regarding physical planning for the Ithaca campus.

5.3.1 Responsibilities

The Committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding the following subjects as they relate to the overall planning and character of the Ithaca campus:including:

  1. master planning;
  2. land use and physical development;
  3. landscape and environmental planning and design,;
  4. infrastructure;
  5. transportation planning;
  6. circulation and parking,; and,
  7. new construction and renovations as they relate to the overall planning and character of the Ithaca campus.

The Committee reviews and discusses the prioritization of “university” and “enabling” projects as identified in the 2008 Cornell Master Plan and other strategic planning opportunities. The Committee reviews, discusses, and advises on revisions to the 2008 Cornell Master Plan prior to their discussion and approval by the senior administration and Trustees.

Furthermore, it shallThe Committee reviews, in consultation with (with the consultation of) the Transportation AdvisoryCampus Infrastructure Committee, all plans for alterations of or additions to roads and parking lots as well as relevant alterations to parking policies on the Ithaca campus of the University. The Committee coordinates with the Campus Infrastructure Committee on all sustainability matters related to land, utilities, and campus development.

The CPC shallCommittee seeks advice and comments from non-members of the wider campus community whilewhen discussing a specific planning or design issue or design.

5.3.2 Composition

The following serve as appointed voting members of the Committee:

  1. two members of each constituency who serve staggered, two-year terms spanning consecutive sessions of the Assembly and are staffed in the same manner as for standing committees of the Assembly; and,
  2. four members appointed by the President of the University who serve staggered, three-year terms spanning consecutive sessions of the Assembly and who possess professional or technical expertise in a planning or design related field.

The following people or their designees serve as voting members of the Committee ex-officio:

  1. the Chair of the Department of Architecture or a designee;
  2. the Chair of the Department of Natural Resources or a designee;
  3. the Director of Plantations or a designee;
  4. the Vice President for Facilities Services or a designee;
  5. the Coordinator of the Landscape Architecture Program or a designee;
  6. the Chair of the Department of City and Regional Planning or a designee;
  7. the Chair of the Art Department or a designee; and,
  8. the Director of the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation or a designee.

The following serve as members ex-officio without vote and provides staff support to the Committee:

  • the University Planner or a designee.

As soon as possible after vacancies occur or a new session of the Assembly begins, the Committee must elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair from its voting membership to serve terms concurrent with a session of the Assembly or the remainder thereof.

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.

5.4 Transportation Hearing and Appeals Board

Associated since the Board’s charge and composition is technical at the discretion of transportation services. 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.

5.4.1 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.

5.4.2 Composition

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.

9.8 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.

Contact UA

109 Day Hall

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY 14853

ph. (607) 255—3715

universityassembly@cornell.edu