Student Assembly Meeting

Thursday, February 5, 2026

• Term:
  2025-2026
• Assembly/Committee: Student Assembly
• Date & Time:
  Thu, Feb 5, 2026 - 4:45pm
  to
  6:30pm
• Location:
  Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room (WSH407)/Zoom
• Agenda:

  1. Call to Order
  2. Reading of the Land Acknowledgment
  3. Approval of the January 29th, 2026 Meeting Minutes
  4. Consent Calendar
  5. Reports of Officers, Committees, and Liaisons
  6. Announcements
  7. Presentations
  8. Public Comment Microphone
  9. Second Readings
            a. Resolution 25: Approving Special Projects Request for Ethiopian
                 Eritrean Student Association
                      i. R25 Appendix A: Ethiopian Eritrean Student Association Special
                         Project Funding Request
            b. Resolution 26: Approving Special Projects Request for the Young
                 Democratic Socialists of America
                      i. R26 Appendix A: Young Democratic Socialists of America Special Project Funding Request
            c. Resolution 27: Implementing the Cup Return Project
                     i. R27 Appendix A: Cup Return Project Proposal
            d. Resolution 28: Approving Special Projects Request for the Med-In
                 Black Association
                     i. R28 Appendix A: Med-In Black Association Special Project
                        Funding Request
            e. Resolution 29: Approving Special Projects Request for the Cornell
                 Capital Club
                     i. R29 Appendix A: Cornell Capital Club Special Project Funding
                         Request
            f. Resolution 30: Approving Special Projects Request for Air and Sea
                Hospitality
                     i. R30 Appendix A: Air and Sea Hospitality Special Project Funding
                         Request
            g. Resolution 31: Transferring Additional Funds to the Special Projects
                 Fund
            h. Resolution 32: Approving Special Projects Request for the Speech and  Debate Society at Cornell
                   i. R32 Appendix A: Speech and Debate Society at Cornell Special
                       Project Funding Request
  10. Third Readings
  11. Appointments and Vacancies Calendar
  12. Adjournment

   

  Student Assembly Agenda 2_5_2026 (1).pdf (131.12 KB)
• Meeting Packet:
  Student Assembly Meeting Packet 2_5_2026 (1)-combined.pdf (3.3 MB)
• Audio Recording:
• Minutes:

  I. Call to Order
       a. Z. deRham called the meeting to order at 4:45PM.
       b. Members Present: D. Addoquaye, S. Agarwal, L. Blum, D. Carson, A. Cekic, C. Cook, Z. deRham, G. Dorward, M. Ehrlich, A. Fard, C. Flournoy, E. Galperin, V. Kakra, C. Kim, K. Krishtopa, Y. Masoud, E. Porter, J. Purcell, H. Spector, C. Tarala, A. Walters, H. Watkins, E. Yao, K. Young
       c. Members Absent: A. Aftab, J. Anand, M. Causey, I. Gayle, L. Han, J. Mui, J. Swavy, A. Vallecillo, T. Waguespack, Z. Yabut
       d. Also Present: E. Chaudhuri
  
  II. Reading of the Land Acknowledgment
       a. Z. deRham stated the land acknowledgement.
  
  III. Approval of the January 29th, 2026 Meeting Minutes
       a. The motion to approve the minutes passes through unanimous consent.
  
  IV. Consent Calendar
       a. In accordance with the Student Assembly Bylaws Article 4, Section 8, Z. deRham calls for the removal from the Student Assembly of C. Kim and A. Vallecillo for violation of the attendance policy.
            i. C. Kim has accumulated 5.5 absences on September 25th, October 9th, November 13th, November 20th, December 3rd (unexcused), and October 30th (Zoom, no prior notification). C. Kim has been present since December 4th, the last four meetings.
                 1. C. Kim shares that she has had 3 conferences and was likely sick or was just unable to attend on the other days.
                 2. E. Chaudhuri comments that life happens but a promise to do better would be nice.
                 3. E. Galperin warns the assembly to take this as a lesson going forward.
                 4. D. Carson thinks that as long as they agree there wouldn’t be too many conflicts going forward, then it’s fine.
                 5. The motion to unseat C. Kim fails to pass by a vote of 0-21-1.
            ii. A. Vallecillo has accumulated 6.5 absences on November 13th, November 20th, December 4th, January 22nd, January 29th, February 5th, and December 3rd (late).
                 1. E. Chaudhuri believes that it’s a problem if you receive notice and don’t do anything to complete your case.
                 2. H. Spector shares that she has heard that he has graduated.
                 3. E. Galperin shares that considering the information is unconfirmed, the assembly should move forward on the vote.
                 4. K. Young is in favor because even though he was present, he was mostly outdoors rather than actively participating in the assembly. Motions to end debate, passes by a majority vote.
                 5. The motion to unseat A. Vallecillo passes by a vote of 18-1-3.
       b. Z. deRham shares a communication to the Student Assembly. Resolution 10 and the Fall 2025 referendum have received a response from President Kotlikoff. She recommends the assembly to read the response, which can be found on the Student Assembly website.
  
  V. Reports of Officers, Committees, and Liaisons
       a. H. Watkins reports that the Student Assembly Executive Board voted for a special projects request from Med-In Black for $2,499.99.
       b. E. Galperin extends an invitation to the Environmental Committee or anyone else to come to the dining committee for Resolution 27.
       c. L. Blum reports that the Environmental Committee is working on the Sunday meeting coming up at 5 to 6PM, where Kimberly Anderson, the Assistant Direction of the Cornell Sustainability Office, will talk about the Cornell Sustainability Council and Cornell’s Climate Action Plan, as the geothermal plan is no longer receiving funding. She also adds that the committee is looking into STARS reporting, where Cornell self-reports climate goals, as well as try to start frat recycling.
       d. G. Dorward reports that the Infrastructure fund is meeting on Sunday at 12 to 1 PM on Zoom and reminders will be sent to people on the email chain.
       e. Z. deRham reports going to Albany for SUNY Advocacy Day, where they met with 6 legislators and there were around 15 groups of 5 or 6 students. She shares the goals of the SUNY Student Assembly this year as well as lobbying efforts for funding towards SUNY and state-owned buildings like Morrison and Plant Sciences.
       f. C. Flournoy reports that the solitary service will be on Saturday at 4PM at Ho Plaza.
       i. G. Dorward suggests having an indoor location due to the cold temperature.
       g. J. Anand reports going to the interfaith council meeting, which will have two G- bodies later in the semester and some events. He shares that they were disappointed that their budget goal wasn’t met, but he assured them that the assembly will work with them.
  
  VI. Announcements
       a. None.
  
  VII. Presentations
       a. None.
  
  VIII. Public Comment Microphone
       a. No speakers.
       b. Z. deRham motions to move Resolution 27 to the bottom of the Second Reading Calendar, approved by unanimous consent.
  
  IX. Second Readings
       a. Resolution 25: Approving Special Projects Request for Ethiopian Eritrean Student
  Association
            i. R25 Appendix A: Ethiopian Eritrean Student Association Special Project Funding Request
            ii. E. Galperin motions to table this resolution to next week, rejected by majority vote.
            iii. H. Watkins shares that the Ethiopian Eritrean Student Association asked for $4,500 to go to the annual EESA Feast, a conference in Yale University. While the conference lasts from 2/12 to 2/15, the association is only attending on 2/13 and 2/14 likely because of cost constraints.
            iv. L. Blum shares that she is in favor of passing this resolution because she knows people within the organization. She asked why none of the executives could show up and it turns out that a co-president was supposed to but couldn’t last-minute. She believes this is a trustworthy organization that could benefit from the resolution.
            v. K. Young agrees, considering how few Ethiopian students are on campus. She adds that this would be a great opportunity to connect with other Ethiopians at other Ivy League schools and that the assembly cannot force people to come.
                 1. H. Watkins specified in the email that attendance at the meeting wasn’t required.
            vi. C. Flournoy shares that February break is known to be a time when organizations take trips for conferences and it’s already a short calendar.
            vii. E. Chaudhuri has many concerns for next week and wants more specificity, such as names of members attending and the exact amount of cars instead of 2-3. He agrees that this is an excellent opportunity, but organizations shouldn’t finesse more money than they need.
            viii. G. Dorward shares that though it’d be nice to ask for details, requesting names may be too extreme. She suggests that the assembly gives them a heads up, but still move forward with the resolution.
            ix. E. Galperin asks for more clarity and if the organizations are unsure, then they still have time. He believes that going forward, the organizations should be present at both readings. He motions to close debate, passes by a majority vote.
            x. Resolution 25 has been moved to the Third Reading Calendar.
       b. Resolution 26: Approving Special Projects Request for the Young Democratic Socialists of America
            i. R26 Appendix A: Young Democratic Socialists of America Special Project Funding Request
            ii. H. Watkins shares that this resolution provides $3,000 to fund the Queer Solidarity Drag Show. It was last semester but wasn’t presented.
            iii. E. Galperin asks if the event was undertaken in coordination with other LGBT organizations on campus.
            iv. A. Cekic shares that the SAFC President said that if YDSA applied for SAFC Public Events Funding, they would've gotten it.
            v. Y. Masoud shares that the assembly should provide retroactive funding considering YDSA submitted their application on time and did the right things.
            vi. E. Chaudhuri disagrees and believes the assembly should have the right to ask for what the money is used for and if it qualifies for special projects funding. He also adds that funding shouldn’t be given for the $500-$600 seal plushes raffle and is overall not in favor of funding the whole amount.
            vii. H. Spector understands that the event already happened but asks how they got its funding considering it’d more than the SAFC funding. She adds that funding came from the funding from the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making, but it’s unclear whether it was for the event or the club in general.
                 1. H. Watkins shares that YDSA receives SAFC funding directly and the expenses from the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making were for food, meetings, and occasional socials, but none for major club events.
            viii. K. Young specifies that the only qualification for Special Projects funding is that it improves student quality of life. She adds that money shouldn’t be given based on whether they have the money, as not giving them the money could take away from a future impactful event.
            ix. E. Galperin believes that since the event has already happened, there should be specific values as YDSA already spent the money.
            x. H. Watkins moves to take a five minute recess, passes by unanimous consent.
            xi. D. Carson agrees that since the event already happened, YDSA should have the exact amount instead of ranges by next week. He adds that there’s no issue funding it through the Special Projects Fund, as it benefits the student population.
            xii. A. Walters adds that if the resolution was brought up in November, most of the assembly would’ve approved it.
            xiii. E. Galperin emphasizes the benefit of seeing receipts so that the assembly can amend the resolution to the cent.
            xiv. E. Chaudhuri moves to end debate, passes by unanimous consent.
            xv. Resolution 26 has been moved to the Third Reading Calendar.
       c. Resolution 28: Approving Special Projects Request for the Med-In Black Association
            i. R28 Appendix A: Med-In Black Association Special Project Funding Request
            ii. H. Watkins shares that Med-In Black first applied for $5,000, but the executive only approved $2,499.99, He adds that the purpose of this resolution is because Med-In Black is booking for the Future Healers trip but did not have enough money to do so.
            iii. E. Chaudhuri supports the resolution, as this was funded for in the past, though emphasizes the importance of a spreadsheet and people. He motions to end debate, passes by a vote of 18-4-0.
            iv. Resolution 28 has been moved to the Third Reading Calendar.
       d. Resolution 29: Approving Special Projects Request for the Cornell Capital Club
            i. R29 Appendix A: Cornell Capital Club Special Project Funding Request
            ii. H. Watkins shares that this application, also submitted last semester, funds the Cornell Capital Club Trek for 12 members to visit Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley in Florida. The total cost was $9,700 and the club requested $5,000.
            iii. A. Cekic asks why the club went to Florida.
                 1. C. Cook adds that Florida has been upcoming in the financial market.
            iv. E. Galperin moves to close debate, approved by unanimous consent.
            v. Resolution 29 has been moved to the Third Reading Calendar.
       e. Resolution 30: Approving Special Projects Request for Air and Sea Hospitality
            i. R30 Appendix A: Air and Sea Hospitality Special Project Funding Request
            ii. H. Watkins shares that the total cost of the professional development experience was $7020 and the club requests $5,000 from the Special Projects. The funding will allow them to go to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from 5/3 to 5/4 to meet with Delta Airlines and learn about the airline industry.
            iii. E. Chaudhuri notes some cost cutting that need to be addressed. He also adds that these clubs have their own recruiting and questions what the money should be saved for and if they’re events for the student body. He notes that the assembly should be stingy with the money because it seems like the club is splurging.
            iv. C. Flournoy notes that it is expensive to fly to Atlanta, especially towards the end of the semester. He also adds that though he’s unsure why they picked Delta, it shouldn’t factor whether the club should get the money because it’s their choice whether it’s because of safety or flight costs.
            v. K. Young mentions how she did a search on cheapest flights because she was surprised at how cheap they got the tickets. She adds that Delta tickets would be less expensive and other airlines that may have layovers for hours.
            vi. A. Cekic notes that the club received $3,000 from SAFC, where $1,000 goes towards hotels, $1,000 goes toward events, and $1,500 goes towards the excursion. He wonders if a mistake was made, as the total cost would be $3,500 and the remaining expenses, according to the club, will be covered by SAFC funding and internal fundraising.
            vii. E. Galperin adds that Delta has a monopoly on flights in this area and questions what the group will be gaining beyond the experience.
            viii. E. Yao brings up that a round trip from 5/2 to 5/5 would be around $300 per person and is unsure how the club found tickets for $4.97 per person. He asks for more information regarding where the club is booking and wonders if it’s possible to save any money there.
            ix. E. Chaudhuri continues to emphasize the importance of being careful about giving out money. He understands safety, but emphasizes having standards and equity, as 10 students receive $5,000 and an additional $3,000 from SAFC, while the cost is only $7,000.
            x. D. Addoquaye notes that prices fluctuate and the assembly shouldn’t assume the worst of people.
            xi. E. Galperin agrees that while they shouldn't assume the worst, they should be able to ask legitimate questions. He moves to close debate, no dissent.
            xii. Resolution 30 has been moved to the Third Reading Calendar.
       f. Resolution 32: Approving Special Projects Request for the Speech and Debate Society at Cornell
            i. R32 Appendix A: Speech and Debate Society at Cornell Special Project Funding Request
            ii. C. Tarala explains that the funding will go towards 21 students to compete in the Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament for speech and debate.
            iii. E. Chaudhuri moves to end debate, no dissent.
            iv. Resolution 32 has been moved to the Third Reading Calendar.
       g. Resolution 27: Implementing the Cup Return Project
            i. R27 Appendix A: Cup Return Project Proposal
            ii. E. Galperin explains that the resolution seeks to implement the proposal to use reusable cups at the dining hall, which would go with the program where you bring a mug and get 15% off at cafes and a punch card. He asks for any questions before sending it to the committee and mentions that the same company wasn’t used because they don’t have a similar program for cups.
            iii. C. Tarala asks if they’re committed to continuing with this company, as there could be a concern with using two different apps.
                 1. E. Galperin explains it is compatible with the GetMobile app.
                 2. C. Tarala suggests working with the developer of BearTrak.
            iv. A. Cekic motion to refer the resolution to the Dining Committee, no dissent.
            v. Resolution 27 has been referred to the Dining Committee.
  
  X. Third Readings
       a. Resolution 23: Transferring Funds to the ALANA Intercultural Board
            i. H. Watkins explains that the resolution will transfer $50,000 to ALANA, which has had a lot of staff turnover issues but is improving.
            ii. A. Cekic moves to close debate, no dissent.
            iii. The resolution passes by a vote of 20-0-0.
       b. Resolution 31: Transferring Additional Funds to the Special Projects Fund
            i. H. Watkins explains that the resolution transfers money to the Special Projects fund and that if the resolution doesn’t pass, then not all of the Special Projects resolutions can be funded by the student assembly.
            ii. E. Chaudhuri believes that Special Projects is a good thing, but there needs to be qualification restrictions soon. He moves to end debate, and passes by majority vote.
            iii. The resolution passes by a vote of 20-0-0.
  
  XI. Appointments and Vacancies Calendar
       a. Z. deRham appoints A. Walters as Chief of Staff and C. Tarala as Chair of the International Students Committee.
       b. The appointments have been approved by a vote of 20-0-0.

  SA Minutes 2-5-26..pdf (188.05 KB)