Dear Andy,   Thank you for conveying to me GPSA Resolution 18: Postponing Spring 2020 Executive Board Elections and Extending Expiring Seats. I fully support and accept this action and wish you all the best with fall elections. I am grateful that the current GPSA leadership is willing to extend their efforts into the start of the fall semester. Thank you for all you do.   Sincerely,   Martha Pollack     Martha E.

Dear Andy,   I was so pleased to receive GPSA Resolution 19: In Appreciation and Recognition of Dean Barbara Knuth's Tenure as Dean of the Graduate School. Dean Knuth’s advocacy and leadership on behalf of Cornell’s graduate and professional students have been a driving force for positive change over the past 10 years. Of particular note, she took steps to enhance the structures of shared governance by strengthening the connections between the GPSA and the Graduate School leadership. Adding two student members with voting rights to the Graduate School’s General Committee

Dear BJ,   Thank you so much for your EA Resolution 1 – “in Support of the Staff Community at the Inauguration of Cornell’s 13th President”.  I am delighted that the employee assembly is encouraging staff presence and volunteerism for my installation.  I believe the decision to continue classes during this event was correct – faculty have well-planned and extensive syllabi for their courses and it can be highly disruptive to their plans when the university decides to cancel all classes.  Certainly faculty may choose not to meet their classes during the event, but I prefer

Dear Hei Hei,   Thank you for submitting EA R2: In Recognition and Appreciation of Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program Participants. My team and I join you in thanking and celebrating our 213 colleagues who chose to take the university’s voluntary retirement incentive. Their dedicated service to Cornell has contributed to many successes, and we have all benefited from their efforts.    Thank you also for co-sponsoring the recent Talent Show.

Dear Cat,   I appreciate Joe’s conveying to me Resolution 43: Opposing Re-envisioning the College of Human Ecology to the College of Public Policy. As you may have seen, Provost Kotlikoff announced that we will be forming a School of Public Policy, and the College of Human Ecology will continue to function as an independent college.   Sincerely,   Martha Pollack     Martha E.

Dear Cat,   Thank you for conveying to me Resolution 1: Reinstating the Power of the AY 2019-2020 Student Assembly. I appreciate the Student Assembly’s willingness to adapt to these changing times and to continue to advocate for our students while the new leadership is not yet established.   Sincerely,   Martha Pollack     Martha E. Pollack President, Cornell University 300 Day Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 Tel: 607-255-5201 www.cornell.edu

Dear Cat,   I appreciate Joe’s conveying to me Resolution 57: Election Cancellation and Fall Election Restructuring. I commend the Student Assembly’s efforts to proactively address the election process last spring and am happy to see the election moving forward this fall.   Sincerely,   Martha Pollack     Martha E. Pollack President, Cornell University 300 Day Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 Tel: 607-255-5201 www.cornell.edu

Dear Adam,   Thank you for passing EA R3: Employee Assembly Condemning Hate Crime and Any Other Form of Racism, Religious or Ethnic Bias, Discrimination, Incitement to Violence. I share your outrage over hate crimes and racist behavior and am sorry that the EA was victimized by a “zoom bombing” attack. I can only imagine how upsetting this was for the members who experienced it.

Dear Adam,   Thank you for sharing EA R2: Updating the Employee Assembly Charter to Expand Its Membership.  I am pleased to see the careful work the EA has done to amend its current membership to recognize the university’s structure and priorities.   Sincerely,   Martha Pollack     Martha E. Pollack President, Cornell University 300 Day Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 Tel: 607-255-5201 www.cornell.edu

Dear Adam,   Please forgive my delay in responding to EA Resolution 1: Protect Staff Jobs and Compensation. I appreciate the thought that assembly members put into this resolution.   I share your commitment to retaining as many positions as possible during this very difficult time. As you know, we did take the highly unusual step of increasing the endowment payout to attenuate the budget shortfall, and we have increased our fundraising efforts to support financial aid.