A fundamental mission of the Office of the Assemblies is to advocate for shared governance by engaging constituencies across campus. 

In support of this mission, our Office has three primary functions:

1. Provide administrative support and financial oversight to  involve community members in the review, recommendation and formulation of non-academic policies through the Student (SA), Graduate and Professional Student (GPSA), Employee (EA) and University (UA) Assemblies, and their respective committees.
2. Engage constituencies across campus, increase participation in the shared governance process and effectively voice the interests and concerns of the non-academic members of the campus community.
3. Maintain channels and processes for the members’ continuous involvement in the decision-making processes of the University.

In practice, this looks like:

• Participating in Assemblies' executive meetings to help draft agendas and recommend consultation with and/or presentation by University administrators when appropriate
• Providing advice and consultation to Assemblies leadership, Assemblies members and committees to encourage thoughtful debate on issues to be presented to and voted on by the Assemblies
• Helping to foster a collegial, collaborative approach to decision-making
• Providing assistance in the review of policies and encourage research and analysis
• Providing reference materials and referral information to Assemblies members
• Providing facilities for meetings
• Maintaining the Office of the Assemblies' website(s), resources, lists and accounts
• Preparing and distributing minutes and other relevant information

In addition, OA:

• Maintains historical materials and public records for reference of past shared governance actions
• Promotes communication and positive relations among governance participants, the community, and the administration through:
  • community forums
  • open hearings
  • meetings with administrators
  • educational and informational sessions
• Serves as a resource for Assemblies and their committee members on governance structure of Cornell University
• Serves as liaison with administrators and community members on issues of concern before the Assemblies
• Conducts elections for the Student Assembly, Employee Assembly, student- and employee-elected trustees
• Tracks, posts, records Assemblies' actions; maintains the public record of legislative history
• Updates the Campus Code of Conduct
• Plans orientation of new members and fall retreat