Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sharing the fall 2015 Election Rules with me, through Resolution 54. While I see no issues with the changes made, I would like to point out one correction. I believe that under Eligibility Requirements, the numbering may have been mistakenly changed when the footnote was added, and that the requirement “Be eligible to vote in the election for the seat…” (line 70) should be number one, rather than unnumbered.

Regards,

David Skorton

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sharing Resolution 55: Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety at Cornell with me. I understand that the sponsors of this resolution have met with staff from the Division of Infrastructure, Properties and Planning, as well as the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Traffic Safety Committee, so they are aware of studies that need to occur before action can be taken regarding any recommendation for a change to the speed limit. That decision is not one the University can make unilaterally.

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sharing Resolution 40, Improving Event Planning at Cornell. I would like to point out that the guidelines for using the Event Registration Form already contain much of the information you are requesting. In the guidelines, there is a section on accessibility, providing links to useful information and listing accessibility@cornell.edu as a resource for asking questions. There also is a sustainability section, again providing useful links and listing sustainableevent@cornell.edu as a point of contact.

Dear Jim,

Thank you for submitting UA R7, Calling for Implementation of an Open Course Evaluation Working Group. I appreciate the University Assembly’s consideration of course evaluation practices at Cornell and, as reflected in the resolution, the Student Assembly’s close attention to this matter. I am pleased to acknowledge progress toward realizing the resolution’s goal.

Dear Jim,

As you know I have extremely high regard for the Office of the Ombudsman. Charlie Walcott, Linda Falkson and Helen Lang make a superb team and provide a valuable service to the Cornell community. I appreciate the UA’s sentiments about the current staffing levels of the Ombudsman’s Office and will take its recommendation under advisement in discussions with Charlie Walcott and President-elect Garrett.

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sharing the Student Assembly’s support for the recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Committee on Global Affairs. I note especially the recommendation of undergraduate students serving on the Implementation Committee of a Global Affairs major, a notion that I support, recognizing the leadership for the initiative will need to come from involved faculty and college/department administrators.

Per your request, I will share Resolution 51 with President-Elect Garrett.

Regards,

David

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sharing the recommendations of Resolution 48: Reaffirming the Importance of the Performing Arts at Cornell with me. In terms of academic disciplines, that decision lies with the College of Arts and Sciences, and I note you have shared a copy of the resolution directly with Dean Ritter for her consideration.

Dear Jim,

Thank you for submitting UA R3, Response to the President’s Request for “Limited, Voluntary Advance Notice.” I appreciate both the University Assembly’s consideration of the Codes and Judicial Committee’s recommendation and the CJC’s efforts to earnestly examine this issue as it relates to the policy provisions of the Campus Code of Conduct and the CJC’s own understanding of the Code’s “spirit and purposes.”

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sharing Resolution 45: Regarding the Proposed Final Exam Schedule with me. I understand that University Registrar Cassie Dembosky was in support of the recommendation of reducing the number of back-to-back exams, and will be working with Dean Burns to finalize a decision on guiding principles.