Dear Richard,



Graduate teaching and research Assistants are integral to every great research university. Assistantships not only provide a means to fund student scholarship, they help create the immersive experience that is so core to our graduate education model. I firmly believe that assistantship stipend rates must be both fair and competitive for Cornell to attract and retain the very best students, and also as a matter of moral principle.

Dear Sarah,



Thank you for sharing these updates to the Student Assembly’s Standing Rules. I appreciate the thoughtful consideration the Student Assembly puts into using the Special Projects funds.



Regards,


David Skorton

Dear Sarah,



I am pleased to hear of the collaboration between the Student Assembly and campus administrators to create quiet study space on North Campus. I hope the freshmen representatives find that this has been a successful addition to North Campus. Thank you for sharing this resolution with me, and for the SA’s work to establish an environment which helps students succeed.



Regards,


David Skorton

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sharing Resolution 23, Sexual Violence Discussion, with me. I applaud the Student Assembly’s recognition of an area for improvement regarding this important issue, and hope that these yearly meetings help connect the efforts of our students and administration so that we may be even more successful.

Dear Jim,

Thank you for the warm, enthusiastic welcome message to President-elect Elizabeth Garrett in UA Resolution 2. I accept the resolution with pleasure. I am sure that President-elect Garrett will be extremely gratified to learn that the Chairs or Presidents of all of the university’s shared governance groups sponsored the resolution, and the UA passed it unanimously. I will be delighted to send her a copy of the resolution.

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for informing me of the appeals filed by the organizations discussed in Resolution 22, 2014 2nd SAFC Allocation Appeals. I appreciate the process the SA has established that provides for an appeals process for student organizations and the willingness to make changes, if appropriate, upon a second review.

Regards,

David Skorton

Dear Sarah,



Thank you for sharing Resolution 16, Recommendations Concerning Study Week, with me. As I stated in my response to Resolution 9, it is important that the Student Assembly continue its work with the Office of the University Registrar and the Faculty Senate, and I am glad that you are taking the initiative to do so. I understand that your recommendation regarding changes to study week are being considered seriously by those able to make any changes. The more fundamental concerns regarding the calendar will need to wait until the official three year review in 2017.

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for informing me of the Student Assembly’s support for AIDS Awareness Week. I am glad that the SA is continuing the tradition of supporting this important event, and encouraging the student body to take action in being aware of their own health.

I share your well-wishes for a successful AIDS Awareness Week.

Regards,

David

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sharing the Student Assembly’s concerns regarding the lighting and walkway quality of Libe Slope with me. The SA is working with the appropriate offices to discuss this issue, but in the meantime, I would like to remind students that the Cornell University Police Department offers a Blue Light Escort service for anyone who feels unsafe walking on campus.

I look forward to seeing the results of your collaboration with Facilities and Crime Prevention.

Regards,

David

Dear Sarah,

I appreciate the Student Assembly’s ongoing concern for the well-being of its fellow students. I also am pleased to hear that you are collaborating with University Health Services staff to help inform our students about the resources we offer. Thank you for sharing your recommendation for including mental health resources on syllabi.

By copy of this e-mail, I am sharing this resolution with Interim Provost Harry Katz.

Regards,

David