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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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, we:

• Maintain historical materials and public records for reference of past shared governance actions
• Promote communication and positive relations among governance participants, the community and the administration through community forums, open hearings, meetings with administrators and educational and informational sessions
• Serve as a resource for Assemblies and their committee members on governance structure of Cornell University
• Serve as liaison with administrators and community members on issues of concern before the Assemblies
• Conduct elections for the Student Assembly, Employee Assembly, student- and employee-elected trustees
• Track, post and record Assemblies' actions; maintains the public record of legislative history
• Plan orientation of new members and fall retreat