Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Meeting

Monday, January 26, 2026

• Term:
  2025-2026
• Assembly/Committee: Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
• Date & Time:
  Mon, Jan 26, 2026 - 5:00pm
  to
  6:30pm
• Location:
  401 Physical Sciences Building/Zoom
• Agenda:

  I. Call to Order
  II. Roll Call
  III. Approval of the December 8th, 2025 Meeting Minutes
  IV. Reports of Officers and Committee Updates
          a. Executive Committee
          b. Operations and Staffing Committee
          c. Appropriations Committee
          d. Communications Committee
          e. Finance Commission
          f. Student Advocacy Committee (SAC)
          g. Programming Board
          h. Diversity & International Students Committee (DISC)
           i. Faculty Advising, Teaching, and Mentorship Award Committee (FATMAC)
           j. Special Grants Committee
           k. Graduate School
  V. Presentation I
          a. Cornell University Library
                   i. Elaine Westbrooks, University Librarian and Vice Provost
  VI. Presentation II
           a. Special Grants Results
                   i. Jason Chobirko, Special Grant Committee Chair
  VII. Legislation
           a. Resolution 7: Establishment of a Special committee for Ivy+ Summit Planning
                    i. AnaFernanda Cardenas, Executive Vice President
  VIII. Elections & Nominations
          a. Diversity and International Students Committee (DISC)
  IX. New Business
  X. Open Forum
  XI. Adjournment
  
  Prepared by AnaFernanda Cardenas, GPSA Executive Vice President

  GPSA Agenda_January 26th,2026 (2).pdf (250.38 KB)
• Meeting Packet:
  Jan 26 GPSA Meeting Minutes.pdf (136.07 KB)
• Audio Recording:
• Minutes:

  I. Call to Order
       a. N. Brennan called the meeting to order at 5:01 PM.
            i. Members Present: J. Alzayer, N. Brennan, A. Cardenas, P. Caruso, C. Chappel, J. Chobirko, A. Coogan, I. Di Tomassi, D. Freeman, E.R. Gallant, A. Garcia-Ortiz, I. Gatimi, M. Hassler, M. James, Y. Khaled, C. King, A. Koyyada, Z. Liu, Z. Lynch, C. Meffert, T. Nguyen, K. Rohrbaugh, S. Sepp, I. Smith, Y. Wu
            ii. Members Absent: L. Alshameh (Excused), V. Baruah, B. Candelaria, M. Ortiz
            iii. Also Present: E. Westbrookes, J. Kovari, J. Withers

  
  II. Approval of Meeting Minutes
       a. December 1st Meeting Minutes
            i. Z. Lynch motioned to adopt the December 1st minutes. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
       b. December 8th Meeting Minutes
            i. Z. Lynch motioned to amend December 8th meeting minutes Section III(j) to reflect 58 special grant submissions.
                 1. J. Chobirko seconded the motion.
                 2. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
            ii. Z. Lynch motioned to adopt the amended December 8th minutes. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
  
  III. Reports of Officers and Committee Updates 
       a. Executive Committee 
            i. A. Cardenas announced that the February 23rd GPSA meeting will feature President Kotlikoff, VP Lombardi, and Dean Lewis and asked members to submit questions. 
       b. Operations and Staffing 
            i. Z. Lynch gave an update on the committee’s member position shifts and asked for the law school representative sent to this meeting to reach out. 
       c. Appropriations Committee 
            i. No report. 
       d. Communications 
            i. No report. 
       e. Finance Commission 
            i. A. Koyyada stated that new clubs were founded in the last few months and about 15 to 20 of those clubs received initial funding. In addition, the election for FC Chair is next week, A. Koyyada asked for anyone interested in joining the FC or running for FC Chair to reach out. 
       f. Student Advocacy Committee (SAC) 
            i. I. Gatimi shared that the committee is arranging and sending out emails regarding new semester meeting times and for anyone interested in joining the committee to reach out. For the upcoming meeting, I. Gatimi mentioned that the committee will discuss the Veterans Resolution and topics and locations for Town Halls. Suggestions for Town Hall locations are welcomed. 
       g. Programming Board 
            i. P. Caruso reminded the assembly of the Gala happening at Barton Hall on April 19th and that more information will be sent out. 
       h. Diversity & International Students Committee (DISC) 
            i. Z. Lynch noted that elections for the DISC Chair are taking place today.
       i. Faculty Advising, Teaching, and Mentorship Award Committee (FATMAC) 
            i. J. Chobirko asked members to submit nominations for the FATMA Award if they have anyone in mind and noted that the event is held in April but dates are to be determined. 
       j. Special Grants Committee 
            i. J. Chobirko shared that this is the last meeting where the Special Grants Committee will exist and will give recommendations during Presentation II. 
       k. Graduate School 
            i. No report. 
  
  IV. Presentation I 
       a. Cornell University Library by Elaine Westbrooks, University Librarian and Vice Provost 
            i. E. Westbrooks presented on the implications of library budget cuts, including unbundling contracts with Science Direct and Elsevier, and follow up plans regarding journals and titles. In addition, E. Westbrooks inquired the assembly for feedback on the selection process on journals and for members to look out for a form that will be sent out in the fall. 
            ii. E. Westbrook took questions from the assembly regarding price changes for titles, copyright concerns, collaboration with other universities, third-party service prices, and the timeline for selection recommendations. 
  
  V. Presentation II 
       a. Special Grants Results by Jason Chobirko, Special Grants Committee Chair 
            i. J. Chobirko introduced the purpose of the Special Grants Committee, put forward the committee’s recommendations in 5 categories, and elucidated the grants’ review process to the assembly. 
            ii. Z. Lynch presented on the Novel Programming category and expressed the importance of funding student organizations for events that can strengthen the Cornell community
            iii. A. Koyyada shared the Community Building category of recommendations and noted the positive impact that funding these grants can have to the Cornell community. 
            iv. N. Brennan spoke on the grants for the Big Red Barn and noted the significance of the Big Red Barn to students, the need to refurnish the building, and the plan to establish a committee dedicated to programming for the Big Red Barn. 
            v. I. Gatimi represented the Symposia category and mentioned how funding for this category can support the potential that newer programs, such as the Brooks School of Public Policy, have. 
            vi. A. Cardenas spoke on the Student Lounges category and noted the importance of lounge space to students’ community building. 
            vii. J. Chobirko addressed questions from the assembly regarding the decision release timeline for each category, maximum budget for grants, and more. 
            viii. N. Brennan announced that the Special Grants Committee is now dismissed. 
  
  VI. Legislation 
       a. Resolution 7: Establishment of a Special Committee for Ivy+ Summit Planning 
            i. A. Cardenas introduced the Ivy+ Summit, the purpose of this committee, and a proposed timeline to the assembly. 
            ii. A. Cardenas responded to questions from the assembly regarding position transitions and responsibilities. 
            iii. M. James motioned to amend the resolution and move the total budget number of $20,000 up to the category of Location & Venue Logistics. 
                 1. M. James motioned to retract this amendment. The motion passed with unanimous consent. 
            iv. Z. Lynch motioned to strike the estimated allocation of $20,000 from Section I Location & Venus Logistics. The amendment passed by unanimous consent.
            v. Z. Lynch motioned to amend Resolution 7 to remove all references to the proposed budget of $20,000. The amendment passed with unanimous consent. 
            vi. Resolution 7 was adopted by a vote of 22-0-0. 
  
  VII. Elections & Nominations 
       a. Diversity & International Students Committee (DISC) 
            i. Z. Lynch motioned to open the floor for nominations. The motion passed with unanimous consent. 
            ii. N. Brennan clarified the responsibilities of the position to D. Freeman. 
            iii. Z. Lynch motioned to close the floor. The motion passed with unanimous consent. 
  
  VIII. New Business 
       a. None. 
  
  IX. Open Forum 
       a. N. Brennan addressed a question regarding the budget for Resolution 7.
       b. J. Chobirko clarified the status of the proposed recommendations from earlier. 
  
  X. Adjournment 
       a. M. James motioned to adjourn. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. 
  
  The meeting was adjourned at 6:18 PM.

  Jan 26 GPSA Meeting Minutes_0.pdf (136.07 KB)