Student Assembly Meeting

Thursday, March 26, 2026

• Term:
  2025-2026
• Assembly/Committee: Student Assembly
• Date & Time:
  Thu, Mar 26, 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. Consent Calendar
  4. Reports of Officers, Committees, and Liaisons
  5. Announcements
  6. Presentations
  7. Public Comment Microphone
  8. Second Readings
       1. Resolution 67: Transferring Funds to the Multicultural Greek Fraternal Council
       2. Resolution 73: Calling for Cornell to Improve its Land
  Acknowledgement and Recognize the Benefits Obtained through the Morrill Act of 1862
            1. R73 Appendix & Notes
  3. Resolution 75: Reassessing the Financial Relationship Between Cornell University and the State of Qatar
  4. Resolution 77: Improving Communication from Housing & Residential Life to Students About Building-Wide Maintenance Issues
  5. Resolution 78: Recommending an Adequate Provision of Course Information to Students Prior to Course Enrollment
  9. Third Readings
       1. Resolution 57: Ensuring Equitable Evaluation of Special Projects Funding Request
            1. R57 Appendix & Notes
       2. Resolution 60: Free Laundry
       3. Resolution 63: Recognizing September 25 and Establishing a “Survey Service Window” Administered by Student & Campus Life
       4. Resolution 69: Urging Cornell to Support Higher TCAT Funding
       5. Resolution 70: The Last Straw: Single-Use Plastic Phaseout
            1. R70 Appendix & Notes 
       6. Resolution 71: Grade Transparency
       7. Resolution 72: Alleviating Preliminary Examination Overloads
       8. Resolution 74: Transparency in First-Year Program House Access and Placement Outcomes
  10. Appointments and Vacancies Calendar
  11. Adjournment
  
   

  StudentAssemblyMeetingAgendaMarch262026.docx (57.41 KB)
• Meeting Packet:
• Audio Recording:
• Minutes:

  I. Call to Order
       a. C. Flournoy called the meeting to order at 4:45 PM.
       b. Members Present: D. Addoquaye, A. Aftab, S. Agarwal, J. Anand, L. Blum, D. Carson, M. Causey, A. Cekic, Z. deRham, M. Ehrlich, C. Flournoy, E. Galperin, I. Gayle, V. Kakra, C. Kim, K. Krishtopa, Y. Masoud, E. Porter, J. Purcell, H. Spector, J. Swavy, C. Tarala, A. Walters, H. Watkins, Z. Yabut, E. Yao, K. Young
       c. Members Absent: C. Cook, G. Dorward, A. Fard, L. Han, T. Waguespack
       d. Also Present: K. Abebe, E. Chaudhuri, I. Gilenson
  
  II. Reading of the Land Acknowledgment
       a. C. Flournoy stated the land acknowledgement.
  
  III. Reports of Officers, Committees, and Liaisons
       a. E. Glaperin reported that the next Dining Committee meeting will not be the first Monday of April, but rather on April 20th due to Passover. He added that the Morrison Kosher Station will be closed during Passover, but 104West is completely kosher for Passover while frozen kosher meals will be available upon request at Morrison and Appel.
       b. L. Blum reported that the Environmental Committee met over the past weekend and were planning on an Earth Day event, where they can ideally set up tables in Ho Plaza, incorporate interactive games, and have different organizations tabling.
       c. I. Gilenson shared that registration closes the next day at 11:59PM, an open petition does not constitute a completed registration form, and petitions are due 4/6. He encouraged members to sign petitions, as there are many candidates running for affinity seats who may not get the chance to run. He encouraged people to ask Dyson students to run for the Dyson race, as there is currently one person running. He finally added that endorsement applications are being accepted, though endorsements cannot be announced until the start of campaigning.
       d. C. Flournoy reported that the Executive Cabinet met this past weekend, where they discussed the Student Code of Conduct and the SAF.
       e. H. Watkins motioned to amend the meeting agenda by moving the Third Reading Calendar and Appointments and Vacancies to after Public Comment, with Resolution 66 at the Top of the Third Reading Calendar, no dissent.
  
  IV. Public Comment Microphone
       a. A few speakers spoke on behalf of the Student Programming Council.
       b. M. Ehrlich shared that members who haven’t been active legislatively in the body this year should not run for re-election.
       c. A speaker talked about apathy, knowledge and respect for Cornell’s history and culture, consistency, saying no to organizations, and holding accountability.
       d. A speaker commented how people can show up at the committee meetings because they’re not closed executive sessions and that it was unfair to place pressure on the committee last minute.
       e. A speaker spoke on behalf of Class Councils and asked whether the budget recommendation was really rooted in knowledge of what they do.
  
  V. Third Readings
       a. Resolution 66: Reassessing Resolution 21: Approving the Recommendation for the 2026-22028 Student Activity Fee
            i. E. Galperin motioned to limit discussion on Resolution 66, withdrawn.
            ii. H. Watkins shared the importance of making decisions in a concise and respectful manner, brought up a concern of the timeliness of student financial aid, and emphasized making a decision today.
            iii. C. Flournoy moved the assembly into a discussion period, where they discussed unclear communication between the Finance Committee and SPC.
            iv. M. Ehrlich motioned to close debate, which passed by a vote of 13-5-6.
            v. The resolution passed by a vote of 21-2-1.
       b. Resolution 57: Ensuring Equitable Evaluation of Special Projects Funding Request
            i. R57 Appendix & Notes
            ii. C. Flournoy ceded the chair to Z. deRham.
            iii. Z. deRham ceded the chair to H. Watkins to make an amendment.
            iv. D. Addoquaye shared that not much has been added and people had opposing opinions on the guidelines. He added that there is some language about organizations having other sources of income being restricted and that the wording is very intentional to protect organizations

  SA Minutes 3-26-26.docx.pdf (155.38 KB)