WHEREAS, the Office of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion (“the Office”) serves as a liaison to local community organizations that address the employment interests of individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups.

WHEREAS, the mission of the Office entails providing leadership to the Cornell community in areas of equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity, and navigating the “balance” between work and personal life.

WHEREAS, the Office’s recent feedback on Bright Horizon’s comprehensive survey of the Cornell Child Care Center revealed that parent and child satisfaction with the center is high.

WHEREAS, Bright Horizons has been taking advantage of Cornell’s unique resources, including field trip opportunities.

WHEREAS, the survey shows a significant decrease in teacher turnover, as well as a stronger emphasis on structures for teacher training opportunities and support.

WHEREAS, the survey suggests that the center is responsive to and serving the unique needs of this community of families in an exemplary fashion.

WHEREAS, the Office revamped the Bias Response Program to ensure a hospitable and respectable work and learning environment.

WHEREAS, the Office intends to create a mobile application and start outreach initiatives to facilitate the reporting of bias and ultimately stem it.

WHEREAS, the Office is purporting and bolstering its commitment to its mission by creating a more comprehensive and engaging diversity website.

WHEREAS, the Office created several Colleague Network groups to help people navigate the “balance” between personal and work life through the dissemination of information and resources.

WHEREAS, the Office is alleviating the burden many “sandwich generation” (growing class of people who must simultaneously support not only their children, but also their parents/siblings/close relatives as well) faculty and staff are encountering in terms of managing the welfare of younger and older dependents.

RESOLVED, that the University Assembly (“the Assembly”) expresses its appreciation for the Office of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion’s extensive work in fostering and promoting equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity, and a “navigational” balance between work and personal life.

RESOLVED, that the Office continue to expand and advance these important initiates, and further enhance their efforts regarding sandwich generation services.

RESOLVED, that the President’s office strive to ensure adequate resources are allocated to the Office to allow them to carry out and expand these programs.

RESOLVED, that the Office updates the Assembly’s Campus Welfare Committee on the status of these programs and associated resources at least once each semester.

Respectfully submitted,

Ramsey Ataya, Undergraduate
Member, University Assembly and Chair, Campus Welfare Committe