Minutes
University Assembly Meeting
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Physical Science Building

I. Call to Order

J. Cai called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.

Attendance:

Present: K. Albert, J. Cai, R. Kay, N. La Celle, J. Il Lee, E. McNelis, G. Mezey, E. Newbury, M. Paine, P. Scelfo, B. Schaffner

Absent: J. Blair, J. Burns, A. Gitlin, T. Grove

Also Present: U. Smith, K. Whang, A. Epstein, A. O’Donnell

II. Approval of the Minutes

The minutes from the November 13 meeting were not approved as complete because the UA had been notified of an omission. Instead, the draft was adopted with the understanding that it would be amended at the next meeting.

III. Business of the Day

Ulysses Smith, Student Assembly Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion

U. Smith presented the overall goals of the work he does to foster greater diversity and inclusion. He spoke about the fact that the SA had developed their own plan for considering such difficult issues and suggested that the UA, as well as all other assemblies, do the same. He specifically suggested increased outreach to the particular constituencies that are underrepresented on the committees. He certified the SA would be undertaking a process like this, beginning by analyzing the available data regarding what groups the assembly and its committees represent. He also stated that he wants a metric adopted that would be used to measure how well any action takes into account the diverse range of people it should.

M. Paine asked if U. Smith thought this is a useful exercise for the other assemblies. U. Smith replied it was appropriate because everyone needs to talk about differences between people and then strategies for inclusion. The overall goal would be to generate an effective action plan.

M. Paine noted that the GPSA is working on a graduate community initiative, but they had not yet developed a strategy for presenting the final product. He thanked U. Smith for presenting today and for using a format that would inspire the GPSA in presenting its own information.

Kyu-Jung Whang, Vice President of Facilities Services

K. Whang spoke to the UA mostly about concerns regarding lighting around campus. He started by describing the prioritization of lighting projects. First, he stressed that safety is always paramount and that many strategies are used to identify lighting deficiencies. One strategy involves listening to any reports received from the public. Another involves people walking around campus with the purpose of checking for lighting deficiencies. Once a year, there is a formal campus walk about which includes participation from campus police, Campus Life, and Facilities Services. Two tours of campus are involved. One focuses only around Campus Life facilities while the other focuses on the academic campus. The tours also include any interested parties such as students.

Based on these walk-throughs, a list of deficiencies is made. K. Whang said that Facilities Services will remedy the easily solved problems quickly. The expensive projects are more challenging. He stated that these projects are funded in a manner similar to any other maintenance issue. Facilities Services has a long list of maintenance priorities and tries to address items related to safety first. He clarified that he does not have a specific pool of money from which to fund lighting projects.

K. Whang then reported on the results of this year’s lighting survey. As usual the easy issues will be solved first. Then, K. Whang worked with police to identify the top priorities from the list of larger projects. Those identified this year are the Space Science parking lot, the southwest corner of the Big Red Barn, the Kimball/Thurston parking lot, and the north side of the Maple Ave. area. He expressed hope that the university would provide a special fund for lighting projects.

K. Whang also addressed public questions raised regarding inadequate lighting on the Ag Quad. He acknowledged that some trees obstructed lights. He noted that long term solutions for the Ag Quad problems already exist. The Warren Hall project on the east side of the quad includes additional lighting, but this will not be installed until 2014. The west side of the quad will see considerable renovation, including additional lighting, but will not be completed for several years.

[Karen] from Student and Academic Services joined K. Whang and shared that her group is also aware of lighting issues around off campus housing areas. These are more difficult issues to solve, however, due to the fact that discussion with town or city is required.

B. Schaffner noted she did participate in the Campus Life lighting survey. She stated she was encouraged that lighting might receive its own funding in the future but expressed concern that only four projects were identified as critical. She asked K. Whang how many items were considered but did not make the final cut. [Karen] said there were approximately twenty. B. Schaffner asked if the UA could help in any way. K. Whang responded that he would relay the proceedings of this meeting back to those working on budgeting and that having this discussion had considerably helped his cause.

[Karen] also spoke of other issues regarding lighting. For instance, there is a need for an appropriate safety lighting standard. She also spoke of the issue of overlighting. While safety is a goal, it is also important to respect the nighttime environment. She reminded those in attendance that people cannot necessarily expect to take the shortest route. It is impractical to light all routes to a sufficient level of safety.

M. Paine noted that, as president of the GPSA, about ninety percent of his constituents traverse the campus fringe region that [Karen] has spoken of. He stated that the GPSA and SA are engaging in advocacy and would like to work with [Karen]. He expressed an interest in being included in any further conversations about these issues. K. Whang also added that, even in the case of safety issues in the city, his department can advocate for students’ concerns.

G. Mezey asked about the approximately twenty items that did not make the cut. He wanted to know what happens to these problems. K. Whang said that this list works the same as any other. He stated that not all of the items can be addressed, but he believes that all the critical areas would be addressed. He added that the list sometimes changes from year to year anyway as a result of changing traffic patterns, new building projects, and the like.

E. Newbury asked if walk throughs are the most efficient test. She asked about a form on a website or another method of reporting problems and communicating information. K. Whang responded that the UA was a good place for such communication because all university constituents are represented. He added that many of the lighting issues had recently been brought to his attention because of a generally increased concern for safety.

J. Cai asked about the comments made regarding overlighting. She stated that people report lights being left on even when buildings are closed. K. Whang acknowledged that this is a problem while also noting that buildings can be more heavily occupied than they appear. He stated that he is working on educating the people who occupy these buildings about the importance of their decisions, especially regarding lighting.

R. Kay added it is unfair to assume buildings are unused after hours. He pointed out, in fact, many people work after hours, especially graduate students. He also noted the placement of the Kimball/Thurston parking lot on the list of lighting priorities and expressed an interest in the criteria that caused this. K. Whang confirmed the prioritization of the list is done by the police and, as a result, crime patterns are considered.

Late Addition to the Agenda�[Jake]

[Jake] said that he met with infrastructure to talk about the Green Revolving Fund. He described the fund as a financing mechanism for energy efficiency upgrades. The savings that result then revolve back to the account. He noted this system is used at many other institutions. He also introduced the Billion Dollar Green Challenge. This involves institutions and their revolving funds working together for the purpose of communication.

G. Mezey asked about what projects could realistically be funded with the initial one million dollar investment. [Jake] replied that while full building retrofits and the like would not be possible, high return, smaller projects are abundant and highly feasible.

B. Schaffner noted the university is already working with about 42 million dollars for efficiency and wondered what additional impact could be expected.

P. Scelfo questioned joining the Billion Dollar Green Challenge, especially the software package that is offered to those who join.

[Jake] noted the software includes advanced features that can allow for, among other things, wide visibility of the projects underway. He also noted joining the Challenge would be beneficial for the image of the university because four other Ivy League Universities have already joined.

G. Mezey dispelled concern that, at some future time, the fund would find itself unable to spend as a result of being unable to afford the current technology.

E. Newbury asked if there was a website where one could find information regarding this initiative. [Jake] responded that the website was greenbillion.org.

IV. Open Discussion

E. Newbury noted that the people who presented in this meeting demonstrate the need for working committees. She advised that the UA consider ways to staff the committees, adding that the current September deadline is ineffective.

M. Paine elected to make a report on behalf of the GPSA. He reported that President Skorton and Vice President Murphy attended the last GPSA meeting. They touched on many issues. M. Paine suggested those interested should read the minutes of the meeting or listen to the recording. Among the topics discussed were open online courses, career resources, and hiring processes. He also reported a group of five graduate students would be traveling to Washington D.C. to meet with the five representatives from the region around Cornell.

P. Scelfo reported that the SA did not meet because it was Thanksgiving. The SA will be approving election rules.

B. Schaffner reported on behalf of the EA the Employee Care Fund was completed entirely online for the first time.

R. Kay reported the FS had a presentation by VP Mary Opperman. The meeting led to information being returned to the committees for clarification.

V. Adjournment

J. Cai adjourned the meeting at 5:54 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Noah Wegener
Assemblies Clerk