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Cornell University

Office of the Assemblies

Student Assembly Meeting

Thursday, August 29, 2024

  • Term:
    2024-2025
  • Assembly/Committee: Student Assembly
  • Date & Time:
    Thu, Aug 29, 2024 - 4:45pm
    to
    6:30pm
  • Location:
    Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room (WSH407)/Zoom
  • Agenda:
  • Meeting Packet:
  • Audio Recording:
  • Minutes: No minutes available

Associated Resolutions

Resolution Abstract Status
SA R1 (2024-2025): Adoption of the Standing Rules of the 2024-2025 Term of the Student Assembly This resolution adopts the Standing Rules of the 2024-2025 Term of the Student Assembly.

Resolution 1: Adoption of the Standing Rules of the 2024-2025 Term of the Student Assembly
Sponsored by: President deRham ’27, EVP Vinson ’25, Parliamentarian Coleman ’26, UA Rep. Maggard ‘26
Type of Action: Internal Policy

Whereas, the Standing Rules of the Student Assembly must be adopted at the beginning of each
term of the Student Assembly.

Whereas, proper Standing Rules are necessary for the functioning of the Assembly.

Be it therefore resolved, the attached Standing Rules be adopted as the Standing Rules for the 2024-2025 Term of the Student Assembly, with immediate effect.

Respectfully Submitted,

Zora deRham ’27
President of the Student Assembly

Adam Vinson ’25
Executive Vice President of the Student Assembly

Agnes Coleman ‘26
Parliamentarian of the Student Assembly

Nicholas Maggard ’26
Undergraduate Representative, University Assembly 		Acknowledged by the President
SA R2 (2024-2025): Executive Governance Reform This resolution adopts bylaw amendments to clarify several areas of governance. Acknowledged by the President
SA R3 (2024-2025): Establishing the Ad-Hoc Committee on Vacancies This resolution creates the Ad-Hoc Committee on Vacancies to interview and recommend individuals to fill Student Assembly vacancies.

Resolution 3: Establishing the Ad-Hoc Committee on Vacancies

Sponsored by: President Zora deRham ‘27
Type of Action: Internal Policy

Whereas, there currently exist five (5) vacancies in the voting membership of the Student Assembly, as follows:
Minority Representative (2)
Women’s Representative (1)
LGBTQIA+ Representative (1)
CALS Representative (1)

Whereas, having a filled membership is necessary for the proper functioning of the Student Assembly and for engaging with all undergraduate members of the Cornell community.

Whereas, Article IV, Section 8 of the Charter of the Student Assembly states:
"A vacancy that exists in the office of any voting member of the Assembly or an
undergraduate representative to the University Assembly following first 30 days of the
term of the Assembly shall be filled by the Assembly. At the next regularly scheduled
meeting following the creation of the vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled by a roll-call
vote; the vacancy shall not be filled without a two-thirds affirmative vote of the seated
membership of the Assembly."

Whereas, more than 30 days have elapsed since the beginning of this year’s term of the Student Assembly.

Whereas, the proposed committee shall only recommend individuals. This does not constrain the Assembly’s jurisdiction over appointing such members as it sees fit.

Be it therefore resolved, an Ad-Hoc Committee on Vacancies be created to interview and recommend individuals to fill the current vacancies.

Be it further resolved, the Committee shall be empowered to make such rules and regulations to govern itself not inconsistent with the Standing Rules, Bylaws, and Charter of the Student Assembly.

Be it further resolved, the Committee’s Chair shall be the President of the Student Assembly.

Be it finally resolved, the Committee shall consist of the President and six (6) additional Members of the Student Assembly to be appointed by the President.

Respectfully Submitted,

Zora deRham ‘27
President of the Student Assembly
 Accepted by the President
SA R4 (2024-2025): Support for UAW Local 2300 Workers on Strike This resolution expresses student support for the UAW Local 2300 workers on strike at Cornell University.

Sponsored by: Danielle Donovan ‘25
Type of Action: Sense-Of-The Body

Whereas, Cornell University has failed to meet the demands of the United Auto Workers
(UAW) Local 2300, which represents over 1,200 maintenance and facilities workers, dining
workers, gardeners, custodians, agriculture and horticulture workers, and others, across the
university;

Whereas, UAW demands include safer working conditions, wage increases associated with cost
of living increases, and free parking;

Whereas, The workers who make Cornell University run deserve to earn a living wage of at
least $24/hour;

Whereas, UAW Local 2300 recently filed seven separate unfair labor practice charges with the
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Cornell University, citing violations of
workers’ rights and federal labor laws amid ongoing contract negotiations;

Be it therefore resolved, Cornell students deeply value the contributions of UAW Local 2300
workers on this campus and stand in solidarity with striking workers;

Be it Finally Resolved, Cornell administration should bargain in good faith with the UAW,
agree to a fair contract, and pay their workers a living wage.

Respectfully Submitted,

Danielle Donovan ‘25
Student Workers Representative, Student Assembly

Sara Almosawi ‘25
First Generation Student Representative At-Large, Student Assembly

Ezra Galperin ‘27
Undesignated At-Large Representative, Student Assembly

Karys Everett ‘25
Undesignated At-Large Representative, Student Assembly

Davian Gekman ‘27
School of Industrial and Labor Relations Representative, Student Assembly 		Adopted by the Assembly