Student Assembly Meeting

Thursday, September 25, 2025

• Term:
  2025-2026
• Assembly/Committee: Student Assembly
• Date & Time:
  Thu, Sep 25, 2025 - 4:45pm
  to
  6:30pm
• Location:
  Appel Multipurpose Room (APP 303)/Zoom
• Agenda:
  Student Assembly Agenda 9_25_2025 (2).pdf (144.06 KB)
• Meeting Packet:
• Audio Recording:
  SA20250925-001.MP3 (20.01 MB)
• Minutes:

  I. Call to Order

      a. Chair Z. deRham called the meeting to order at 4:45 PM.

      b. Members Present: D. Addoquaye, A. Aftab, S. Agarwal, L. Blum, D. Carson, Z. deRham, G. Dorward, M. Ehrlich, C. Flournoy, E. Galperin, L. Han, V. Kakra, C. Kim, K. Krishtopa, J. Purcell, H. Spector, J. Swavy, C. Tarala, A. Vallecillo, T. Waguespack, A. Walters, H. Watkins, J. Wu, E. Yao.

      c. Members Absent: K. Young

      d. Also Present: E. Chaudhuri (proxy for S. Agarwal)

  II. Reading of the Land Acknowledgment

      a. Z. deRham stated the land acknowledgement

  III. Moment of Silence & Mourning

      a. Moment of silence and mourning for Jocelyn Guadalupe Garcia and Michael Lenetsky

  IV. Approval of the Minutes 

  V. Presentations

      a. Presentation by Brendan Klein, Office of Respondents' Codes Counselor.

  VI. Open Microphone

      a. Several speakers expressed support for Resolutions 9 and 10.

  VII. Consent Calendar

      a. None.

  VIII. Announcements

      a. Z. deRham announces that all resolutions must be finalized by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesdays before meetings.

  IX. Public Comment & Hearings

      a. None.

  X. Second Readings

      a. Resolution 10

          i. A. Vallecillo highlighted how the current student judicial system betrays the principles of the 1969 Willard Strait Hall takeover. He argues that by not passing symbolic resolutions and starting demanding power granted by the administration, the assembly will see increased student engagement. He adds that the purpose of The Assemblies is to pass strongly worded resolutions for their rights to be respected.

          ii. H. Watkins moves to amend by striking lines 72 and 73 and lines 83 and 84. Moves to amend lines 86 and 87 by replacing "each of these bodies" with "the Student Assembly."

          iii. E. Chaudhuri argues that it is important to include professor, staff, and graduate input.

          iv. H. Watkins withdraws motion, and moves to strike lines 72 and 73.

          v. A. Aftab reminds the committee of their responsibility to represent the community, particularly the ten or more individuals who spoke during the open microphone session to pass the resolution without any amendments.

          vi. M. Ehrlich argues that in order to get representation in the code, the committee must show strength and that students, alumni, and members of the community feel strongly about it.

          vii. M. Ehrlich moves to end debate on the amendment, A. Aftab seconds, debate closed.

          viii. Vote on amendment to strike line 72 and 73: 6-13-1, amendment fails.

          ix. E. Chaudhuri moves to amend lines 77-78 to include years 2018-2025. "Be it further resolved that the Assembly formally request the annual report to the Director of OCCS from the following academic years, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, all the way to 2025. Be it so far that if any information isn't available, that all information that is available will be provided to BSL."

          x. The proposed amendment is adopted by unanimous consent.

          xi. H. Watkins moves to amend lines 83 and 84 and 86 and 87. No seconds.

          xii. A. Aftab moves to close debate, and it was approved by a vote of 20-2. The resolution moves to the Third Reading Calendar.

  XI. Third Readings

      a. Resolution 8

          i. H. Watkins reintroduces the resolution.

          ii. E. Galperin moves to adopt the resolution by unanimous consent.

          iii. Resolution 8 passes by unanimous consent.

      b. Resolution 9

          i. A. Aftab challenges Career Services's claims of promoting inclusion by hosting anything that falls under the Department of Homeland Security. She shares that the resolution protects Cornell students and ensures Cornell's practices reflect its mission and that the federal government cannot punish a university for deciding who to host at a career fair.

          ii. M. Ehrlich adds that the collaboration is unacceptable, a violation of values, and a tragedy for families whose destruction the university is supporting. He urges for the committee to vote on the resolution.

          iii. E. Galperin moves to amend line 31 to read "CBP" and to change title of resolution to read 'Collaboration with ICE and CBP."

          iv. The proposed amendment is adopted by unanimous consent.

          v. E. Chaudhuri comments that there are repercussions for actions happening on campus, and for the body to weigh the cost-benefit of the scenario.

          vi. The chair would smile favorably upon a motion to extend the meeting. The motion to extend the meeting was approved by unanimous consent.

          vii. T. Waguespack comments that he believes ICE is violating human rights. However, banning recruitment events seemed more like a political issue and that CBP does offer students legitimate professional pathways into law enforcement, border security, or immigration services.

          viii. N. Hite urges the committee to vote in favor of the resolution. He recalls his working on an ICE tracker and how they nab people off the street, people don't come home, and there is no way of contacting these people. He believes the committee should not funnel students into such an entity.

          ix. H. Watkins moves to close debate, no dissent.

          x. Resolutions passes by vote of 21-0-0. 

  XII. Reports of Officers, Committees, and Liaisons

      a. Finance Committee recommendations

          i. Presented by H. Watkins and C. Tarala.

          ii. Student Activities Funding Commission allocation to be raised to $148.60. Approved by unanimous consent.

          iii. Club Sports Council to be raised to $35.50. Approved by unanimous consent.

          iv. Student Programming Council, to be raised to $4.30. Approved by unanimous consent.

          v. Slope Day programming to be raised to $62.50. The assembly enters executive session. The assembly leaves the executive session. Approved by vote of 15-1-4.

          vi. Willard Straight Programming Board to be raised to $7.00. Approved by unanimous consent.

          vii. Multicultural Community-Fueled Activities Board to be raised to $17.00. Approved by unanimous consent.

          viii. Cornell University Programming Board to be raised to $15.60. Approved by unanimous consent.

          ix. Convocation Committee to be raised to $20.50. Approved by vote of 14-0-0.

          x. Cornell Concert Commission to be raised to $23.50. Approved by unanimous consent.

          xi. Class Councils submits a petition, requesting an allocation of $19.5

          xii. The Appropriations Committee's original recommendation of a $12.50 allocation for Class Councils is rejected by a vote of 6-8-2.

  XIII. Appointments and Vacancies Calendar

      a. No appointments or vacancies.

  The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m. by unanimous consent.

  Respectfully Submitted, 

  Sophia Lin 

  Clerk of the Assembly

  SA Minutes 9-25-2025 updated 10-09-25 (1).pdf (440.96 KB)