Minutes
University Assembly
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
4:30—6:00 p.m.
401 Physical Science Building

I. Call to Order (0:00:10)

J. Cai called the meeting to order at 4:38 p.m.

Attendance:
Present: J. Burns, J. Cai, A. Gitlin, T. Grove, N. La Celle, J. Il Lee, G. Mezey, E. Newbury, M. Paine, P. Scelfo, B. Schaffner, R. Wayne

Excused: K. Albert, J. Blair

Absent: R. Kay, E. McNelis

Also Present: President D. Skorton, Vice President of University Communications T. Bruce, K. Zoner (CUPD), M. Grant (JA), C. Depew (JA), A. Epstein, A. O’Donnell

II. Approval of the Minutes (0:00:20)

The minutes from the October 16th meeting were unanimously approved with one correction.

III. Reports (0:01:00)

Executive Board (0:01:00)

E. Newbury reported the Board discussed committees at its last meeting. The committees are not full, but enough positions are filled to begin meeting.

Student Assembly (0:01:45)

A. Gitlin reported on the success of “Illuminate the Night.” He also mentioned the SA will be working to recruit new members to the Cayuga Watchers group. Finally, A. Gitlin spoke about the safety survey. The assembly will consider the input garnered by the survey from undergraduate students, the CU Police, and faculty.

GPSA (0:03:00)

M. Paine reported the GPSA also was involved in providing support for the Illuminate the Night program. He additionally reported that the assembly participated in Board of Trustees interactions with the student body and spoke with the Board regarding GCI updates. The GPSA will have more time with the Board of Trustees at their next meeting. Also, the GPSA passed a resolution to make the faculty advising awards committee a standing committee with the goal of ensuring that the awards continue to be bestowed every year.

EA (0:05:15)

T. Grove reported the EA had not met since the last UA meeting and, therefore, had nothing to report.

Faculty Senate (0:05:25)

J. Burns reported the FS had filled all its committees. Additionally, it approved a dual degree program with NY Technion. The FS also held a meeting regarding MOOCs attended by 150 to 200 faculty members. However, very few students attended. M. Paine stated the FS should let A. Gitlin and him know about these meetings in advance so they can communicate the information to their constituencies in order to boost attendance.

IV. Business of the Day (0:06:55)

Mary Beth Grant, Judicial Administrator

M. Grant reported her office had been recently audited. The audit results were very positive, with the need for clarification on a few points noted. Specifically, the audit office asked for clarification of the code regarding the right of an individual complainant to appeal a decision. Also, the language regarding upholding decisions will be made clearer to accommodate partially or fully upholding the decision. M. Grant also said there needs to be an exception of confidentiality for groups found to be hazing its new members. Additionally, M. Grant expressed the need to communicate with the CJC regarding problems with retaliatory conduct in the form of invented counter complaints. Finally, she stated the hearing boards need to be more efficient.

President David Skorton and VP University Communications Tommy Bruce (0:23:05)

The President spoke about the need for contact between the shared governance groups on campus in order to effectively handle campus climate issues. R. Wayne noted the campus climate is made up of individuals acting in a certain manner. He asked if “character” might be a more appropriate term to illustrate this rather than “climate.” D. Skorton replied some issues on campus are societal issues while others are unique to the Cornell campus. The overall goal of the university is to find a balance between openness and safety. Climate can be related to many different things, including transparency and integrity, but also larger considerations beyond the control of the university. Overall, D. Skorton stated he is looking for more shared governance on campus.

T. Grove brought up the issue of the “Lighting Survey.” She stated lighting requests are being identified, but often being declined, being told there is no money available for the improvements. She specifically communicated the issues related to the Ag Quad, namely the lack of a direct path to the street and inadequate lighting. D. Skorton said he had not heard about the issues with the Ag Quad before this and would personally look into it. K. Zoner also responded CUPD will compare prior requests for improvements to find the areas most in need of service.

J. Blair asked D. Skorton about the new university budget model. D. Skorton explained unsustainable spending and volatile markets have necessitated the new budget model. He noted these issues exist even in the presence of robust philanthropy, which continues today. J. Blair expressed concern the administration had not yet communicated the upcoming changes to the general faculty and others who require this information. He stated others need to know about the budget model so they can provide the first round of feedback to the administration. D. Skorton said the new model will require visible financial support for new expenditures. He also offered to ask K. Fuchs to present information to the UA regarding the budget model. The UA accepted this offer.

A. Gitlin asked about the end of semester report and communications from the administration in general. He said his constituency appreciates tangible statements and clear time lines. D. Skorton replied, in addition to the end of semester report, he would be releasing additional communication in the near future. Finally, D. Skorton stressed it is important for people to take responsibility for themselves and, specifically, to read the weekly messages sent out by K. Zoner.

K. Zoner: K. Zoner spoke about the increase in services and the general response of the police department as a result of the incidences this semester. She also noted safety issues, crimes, and other events take place are not made public in the same manner crimes that put people in immediate danger are. However, she stated these infractions do contribute to the overall feeling of safety on campus. K. Zoner said the greatest focus of the department recently has been an increase in programming. She also noted officers are being asked to talk to groups about safety more than ever, indicating the public is growing more comfortable with asking for this help.

Additionally, she said the police department had dedicated three officers to the full time duty of investigating the sexual assault cases. She reported lower level crimes are being reported at higher a higher rate. She also notified the UA of Rave Guardian, a software service that allows the police department to keep track of people walking from place to place in real time, as well as allow every participant’s cell phone to act like a blue light phone. K. Zoner mentioned education regarding the blue light services is more valuable and necessary than many believe. Finally, she stated the department is reviewing the three lighting surveys as well as visiting each location associated with a crime alert to check for possible improvements.

M. Paine suggested to K. Zoner a transportation service for those who live off campus is necessary. He expressed his hope graduate and professional students would be a part of any discussion about this.

A. Gitlin reported the SA is working on a petition calling for year-round blue light shuttle service. He asked K. Zoner for advice regarding the resolution. She responded it is important to describe what the service is lacking as well as the reason the university should take responsibility for the shortcomings. E. Newbury echoed M. Paine’s sentiments, adding the issue of expanding the blue light system might be something best directed toward the Infrastructure Committee.

On the topic of nighttime safety, T. Grove suggested people should be able to park in lots that are closer to where they work for free, especially in the case of people who must work late. There are lots that are restricted 24/7 and is this really necessary?

B. Schaffner brought up the issue of the difficulty related to investigating events that take place off campus. K. Zoner responded CUPD does face challenges regarding locations where the department has no jurisdiction. To help overcome this problem, CUPD is actively communicating with partner police departments from the surrounding area.

J. Blair asked K. Zoner if there was any specific part of any code she would like reviewed. She responded there was nothing specific at the moment.

J. Cai announced the hearing and review board nominations. The nominations were approved with no objections. The five new members to serve on the UHB are T. Overton, J. Ochshorn, A. Flecker, F. Wayno, and B. Meyler. Two current members were appointed to new positions. G. Galbreath was appointed as co-chair of UHB and A. Mooney was appointed as chair of the Review Board.

V. Adjournment

J. Cai adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Noah Wegener
Assemblies Clerk