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Cornell University

Office of the Assemblies

Student Assembly Meeting

Thursday, October 24, 2024

  • Term:
    2024-2025
  • Assembly/Committee: Student Assembly
  • Date & Time:
    Thu, Oct 24, 2024 - 4:45pm
    to
    6:30pm
  • Location:
    Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room (WSH407)/Zoom
  • Agenda:
  • Meeting Packet:
  • Audio Recording:
  • Minutes:

     

    1. Call to Order

    • Chair Z. deRham called the meeting to order at 4:45 PM.
    • Members Present: J. Altman; S. Chan; Z. deRham; D. Donovan; K. Everett; C. Flournoy; D. Gekman; G. Gonzalez-Mulattieri; N. Hite; C. Kim; J. Lederman; K. Liu; F. Meng; S. Razzak; M. Scali; J. Silverman; D. Suarez; C. Tarala; A. Vinson; E. Yao
    • Members Absent: R. Acharjee (Proxied by S. Razzak); E. Chaudhuri (Prozied by E.Yao); E. Galperin (Proxied by M.Scali);  J. Lederman (Proxied by J. Altman); A. Vinson (Proxied by N. Hite); S. Almosawi; L. Berinde; I. Rezaka; S. Zhuang
    • Also Present: N/A

     

    1. Reading of the land acknowledgement

    • Z. deRham stated the land acknowledgement

     

    1. Approval of the minutes

    • S. Chan motioned to add their name to the list of members present at the October 17th meeting. The motion was approved by unanimous consent.
    • Z. deRham then motioned to approve the October 17th meeting minutes. The motion passed by unanimous vote.

     

    1. Announcements

    • No announcements

       

    1. Reports of Officers, Committees, and Liaisons

    • Z. deRham emphasized the importance of notifying leadership about absences or late arrivals via email. Z. deRham noted that some members are close to facing disciplinary actions due to attendance issues and urged everyone to be more mindful of their attendance and communication.

     

    1. Open Microphone

    • No speakers

       

    1. Consent Calendar

    • Resolution 11
    • S. Chan introduced Resolution 11, an initiative to provide a free airport shuttle service, citing the challenges students face with accessibility during early morning or late-night travel to airports.
    • Gekman inquired about the success and participation from the previous year and noted changes in bus availability. S. Chan explained that there is more planning this year, with the primary change being a shift from two buses to one.
    • F. Meng asked about the seating capacity of the bus. S. Chan responded that the capacity is still being determined, as last year’s buses held 40 and 75 passengers, respectively. S. Chan mentioned that a pre-registration process will gauge interest before finalizing the bus size.
    • Z. deRham indicated that they are still evaluating student demand and will consider surveys to assess needs.
    • S. Razzak asked about the previous year’s usage and this year’s expected turnout. S. Chan reported that there were 50 registrations last year, with high turnout in the final days and many students showing up without prior registration. She estimates 30 students per day this year.
    • Z. deRham motioned to pass the proposal, and it was approved by unanimous consent.

     

    1. Presentations

    • No presentations

       

    1. Second Readings

    • No second readings

       

    1. Third Readings

    • Resolution 9
    • N. Hite reiterated that funding the theater production would be highly beneficial to the Cornell community, noting that without this financial support, the company cannot proceed with the show. He emphasized that funding this resolution could also enhance the Assembly’s public image.
    • C. Tarala inquired about the organization’s funding history, asking how they managed without this support in previous years.
    • N. Hite explained that the company’s growth in quality and size has created this new financial need, emphasizing that the investment in production equipment would serve the theater company for a decade.
    • Z. deRham added that the company used to perform in Risley, but their move to Schwartz has increased operational needs, with Schwartz also committed to helping maintain the equipment.
    • Z. Hiles echoed the sentiment on the organization’s growth and the need for expanded resources.
    • Z. deRham motioned to vote on the resolution, and the motion passed.
    • The motion to pass Resolution 9 was approved by the majority.
    • Resolution 10
    • D. Gekman shared that he expanded the resolution based on prior feedback, now including fentanyl and xylazine test strips. D. Gekman clarified that all RAs, house managers, fraternity, and sorority representatives would receive training. D. Gekman noted similar initiatives at peer institutions and emphasized a plan for the Health Committee to partner with community organizations and businesses to place test kits in local establishments and on-campus vending machines.
    • S. Razzak inquired if the resolution required two additional individuals beyond the housing staff.
    • D. Gekman clarified that the resolution includes the housing staff, acknowledging the confusion and motioning to make this clearer in the wording. The motion was then approved unanimously.
    • F. Meng asked about specifics on how other schools conduct similar training programs.
    • D. Gekman responded that peer institutions typically run these programs through student health services. However, D. Gekman noted that the training specifics in this resolution are unique, adding that Narcan administration is straightforward and necessary for safety.
    • Z. deRham motioned to vote on the resolution, and it was approved unanimously.
    • Resolution 10 passed by majority consent

     

    1. Appointments and Vacancies Calendar

    • No appointments or vacancies

       

    1. Adjournment

    • The meeting was adjourned at 5:09.

       

    Respectfully Submitted,

    Kennedy Young

    Clerk of the Assembly

    SA Minutes (10-24).pdf (103.87 KB)

Associated Resolutions

Resolution Abstract Status
SA R10 (2024-2025): Enhancing Campus Safety This resolution proposes that every dormitory and social housing unit on Cornell's campus be equipped with fentanyl test strips, Xylazine test strips, date-rape drug testing kits, and Naloxone spray (Narcan).

Sponsored by: Rep. Gekman ‘27
Type of Action: Recommendation
Originally Presented: 10/17/2024
Current Status: Adopted by the Assembly, 10/24/2024

Whereas, student safety is a top priority at Cornell University, and the role of the Student Assembly is to create a safer environment;

Whereas, Naloxone spray (Narcan) is a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and providing it in student living spaces can prevent potential tragedies;

Whereas, date-rape drug testing kits can empower victims of sexual assault by allowing them to quickly identify if they have been drugged, potentially providing them with crucial evidence;

Whereas, Narcan is currently available at no cost through the self-care vending machine on campus;

Whereas fentanyl and Xylazine test strips can help students identify the presence of the dangerous opioid fentanyl in recreational drugs, potentially saving lives;

Whereas, fentanyl and Xylazine test strips are available for free at Cornell Health’s pharmacy;

Whereas, it is essential for student housing staff, including Resident Advisors (RAs) and live-in house managers of sororities and fraternities, to be trained in the use of these tools to ensure their proper and timely administration in emergencies;

Whereas peer institutions, such as James Madison University and Santa Rosa Junior College have successfully implemented similar safety programs to protect student well-being;

Whereas, Cornell Health is well-positioned to provide training and support for students and RAs, and funding for this initiative should be allocated from Cornell Health’s budget in order to prioritize student safety and well-being;

Whereas, if Cornell Health is unable to provide sufficient funding, the Student Health Advisory Committee is responsible for finding alternative sources of funding;

Whereas, the following resolution will be applied to all on-campus housing, which shall be
defined as: dormitories, townhouses, co-ops, fraternities, sororities, social-housing units;

Whereas partnerships with off-campus entities, such as Student Agencies and the Lux
Apartments, may expand resource availability under a similar framework as on-campus housing. The Student Health Advisory Committee will explore these partnerships.

Be it therefore resolved, that every on-campus housing at Cornell University is required to have fentanyl test strips, Xylazine test strips, date-rape drug kits, and Narcan kits available on-site, as determined by experts in the field of harm reduction and Cornell Health, with a minimum of at least one of each resource;

Be it further resolved, that respective Housing Staff, Resident Advisors (RAs) and/or at least two individuals from each non-dormitory housing unit, including live-in house managers of sororities and fraternities, undergo mandatory training on how to use these resources;

Be it furrther resolved, that the respective Housing staff, specifically RAs, and the Student
Health Advisory committee conduct regular announcements to residents about the availability of these resources and how to access them.

Be it further resolved, a yearly auditing assisted by the Student Health Advisory Committee will be performed to ensure every dormitory and social housing unit has date-rape drug testing kits and Narcan on site;

Be it further resolved, the Student Health Advisory Committee shall be responsible for the
enforcement of everything prescribed by this resolution, if they are unable to the responsibility of enforcement shall be carried by Cornell Health and the Office of the Dean of Students;

Be it further resolved, that Cornell Health allocate the necessary funds to supply these kits and provide the necessary training to student residents and RAs;

Be it finally resolved, if Cornell Health is unable to provide the proper funding it is the
responsibility of the Student Health Committee to work jointly with the Office of the Dean of Students to find proper funding;

Be it finally resolved, that the Student Health Advisory Committee investigate and pursue
partnerships with off-campus entities, such as Student Agencies and the Lux Apartments, to provide these resources under a similar framework as on-campus housing.

Respectfully Submitted,
Davian Gekman
School of Industrial & Labor Relations Representative, Student Assembly
Chair, Student Health Advisory Committee, Student Assembly 		Acknowledged by the President
SA R11 (2024-2025): Providing Airport Transit Service During Final Week This resolution provides shuttle services to the airports for Cornell students during finals week.

Sponsored by: VP Chan ‘25
Type of Action: Internal Policy
Originally Presented: 10/24/2024
Current Status: Placed on the Consent Calendar, 10/24/2024

Whereas, students have historically had low access to transit to the Syracuse and Ithaca airports.

Whereas, the transit that is available, such as Uber, is often expensive or not available at times when students need to get to the airport.

Be it therefore resolved, $4,000 be transferred from the Student Assembly reserve accounts to the Office of the Dean of Students.

Be it further resolved, the tickets for these buses shall be at no charge to undergradate students.

Be it further resolved, these funds will be used to charter buses multiple times after the finish of finals to both the Ithaca and Syracuse airports.

Be it further resolved, students shall sign up for transport via Campus Groups on a first-come first-serve basis.

Be it finally resolved, these funds shall be severable, any funds that are unused in this initiative shall be reappropriated to the Student Assembly reserve account after the end of the Fall 2024 academic term.

Respectfully Submitted,
Simone Chan ’25
Vice President of External Affairs of the Student Assembly 		Acknowledged by the President