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Minutes
University Assembly
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
401 Physical Sciences Bldg
J. Blair called the meeting to order at 4:31.
Attendance:
Present: S. Balik, J. Blair, R. Booker, D. Bunck, N. La Celle, E. Loew, M. Lukasiewicz, A. Moore, G. Ruizcalderon, B. Schaffner, U. Smith, R. Wayne
Absent: R. Adessa, J. Burns, M. Dumas, G. Mezey
Others Present: M. B. Grant, A. O’Donnell, M. Powers, C. McGrath
J. Blair welcomed the assembly to a new year and asked for late additions to the agenda. There were none.
The minutes from the April 30, 2013 and May 14, 2013 meetings of the assembly were approved by unanimous consent.
U. Smith stated the Student Assembly has just begun to get under way and are working on several items including staffing.
A. Moore reported the GPSA held its first meeting of the academic year the previous night. He added they are currently working on staffing.
B. Schaffner reported the EA is looking for two new members. The EA is also working on filling vacancies on committees.
J. Burns was not present so there was no report. On behalf of J. Burns, J. Blair reported that the FS is finalizing their recommendations on the Ho Plaza incident.
Over the summer, the assembly made one action, the passage of Resolution 16. The CJC passed this resolution in April of 2013 and it was believed to have been passed by the assembly. However, no conclusive record of this action could be found, so it was approved formally by the UA Executive Committee over the summer. The resolution approved new University Hearing and Review Board members. President Skorton will review the resolution, though the assembly does not anticipate any issues. M. B. Grant asked who must approve these appointments. J. Blair said that he would check.
G. Ruizcalderon reported that, despite remaining vacancies, the committee has begun its work. Specifically, the committee is working with the GPSA on Resolution 4 and K. Zoner Resolutions 11 and 12. These three resolutions are, respectively, Need for Affordable, Quality Off-Campus Housing; Security Design Mandate for New Buildings on Campus; and Calling for Increase Surveillance and Improved Lockdown Procedure. The committee is awaiting replies. Overall, affordable housing is to be the committee’s main effort.
A. Moore reported that there are vacancies on the committee. The committee is looking to make progress on diversity and women’s issues as well as incident management considerations. Overall, the committee is investigating whether required actions in these categories fall under the jurisdiction of the University Assembly.
G. Mezey was absent. J. Blair reported there are four vacancies on the committee. Currently, the committee is working to review President Skorton’s responses to actions from the previous academic year.
J. Blair gave a presentation regarding the foundations and operations of the assembly. This presentation served to ensure all members of the UA, regardless of seniority, have a good understanding of the purpose and mechanisms of the assembly.
J. Blair proposed the meeting schedule of the assembly for the coming academic year. The dates were approved by the unanimous consent of the members present.
J. Blair presented a list of list serves of interest for the assembly and described briefly the purposes of some of them.
J. Blair reviewed each resolution from the previous academic year, discussing briefly the contents of the resolution, the result of any vote, and the status of any required follow up effort. The recommendations were:
To the UA Chair
To the UA Vice Chair
To the Campus Infrastructure Committee
To the Campus Welfare Committee
To the Codes and Judicial Committee
A motion to refer the issues as recommended was made. The motion was seconded. The motion passed 11–0−1.
Campus Infrastructure Committee, Campus Welfare Committee, and Codes and Judicial committee vacancies include two faculty senate and two GPSA members on each of the three committees, two EA members on the CIC, and one EA member on the CWC. All of these assemblies report that they are working on filling the vacancies. E. Loew agreed to serve on the CIC and R. Booker agreed to serve on CWC. U. Smith will continue on the CWC.
J. Blair announced he needs to step down from his position as Policy Advisory Group Advisor and requires a replacement. He agreed to send out an email with more information about the position.
J. Blair asked assembly members to feel free to share issues that they may think ought to be addressed throughout the year.
There were no late additions to the agenda.
J. Blair announced that the next meeting of the UA is to be held on October 8, 2013 and items for this meeting are due by September 28, 2013.
J. Blair adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Noah Wegener
Assemblies Clerk
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Page last modified on October 11, 2013, at 06:24 PM