University Assembly Meeting

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

• Term:
  2024-2025
• Assembly/Committee: University Assembly
• Date & Time:
  Tue, Apr 8, 2025 - 4:45pm
  to
  6:15pm
• Location:
  701 Clark Hall/Zoom
• Agenda:
• Meeting Packet:
• Audio Recording:
  UA-20250408.m4a (48.82 MB)
• Minutes:
  1. Call to Order
     1. A. LaGressa called the meeting to order at 4:48pm.
        1. Members Present: D. Bateman, M. Benda, J. Butcher, E. Crawley, Z. deRham, E. Gainor, A. Haenlin-Mott, O. Karim, A. LaGressa, N. Maggard, C. Tarala, W. Treat, A. Vinson
        2. Members Absent: N. Brennan, E. DeRosa, D. Dinner, A. Garcia-Ortiz, S. Matan, S. Modadugula, S. Resue
        3. Also Present: R. Platt, J. Withers

   

  2. Land Acknowledgement of the Gayogo̱ho꞉nǫ (Cayuga Nation)
     1. A. LaGressa stated the UA’s acknowledgment of the Cayuga Nation.

   

  3. Approval of the Minutes from the March 25th, 2025
     1. O. Karim motioned to table approval of the minutes from the March 25th, 2025 meeting.
        1. C. Tarala seconded the motion.
        2. The motion passed with unanimous consent.

   

  4. Call for Late Additions to the Agenda
     1. A. LaGressa called for late additions to the agenda. None were put forward. 

   

  5. Business of the Day
     1. Consideration of Resolution 1: Supporting the Establishment of Campus-Wide Community Restorative Days
        1. J. Butcher put forward an amendment to line 46 to read “Be it therefore resolved,” instead of “Finally resolved,.”
           1. The amendment passed with unanimous consent.
        2. Z. deRham put forward a motion to vote on the resolution.
           1. N. Maggard seconded the motion.
           2. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
        3. Resolution 1 passed with a roll call vote of 11-0-1.
           1. D. Bateman, M. Benda, J. Butcher, E. Crawley, Z. deRham, E. Gainor, A. Hanelin-Mott, O. Karim, N. Maggard, C. Tarala, and W. Treat voted in favor of the resolution.
           2. A. LaGressa abstained from voting.
     2. Consideration of Resolution 2: Supporting Universal Access to Menstrual Hygiene Products
        1. C. Tarala put forward a motion to table consideration of the resolution.
           1. Z. deRham seconded the motion.
           2. The motion to table passed with unanimous consent.
     3. Consideration of Resolution 3: University Assembly Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
        1. A. LaGressa gave her position as chair to O. Karim for discussion of the resolution as a co-sponsor of the resolution.
        2. D. Bateman and M. Benda introduced the resolution to the Assembly.
           1. The Assembly discussed the resolution.
        3. A. LaGressa put forward a motion to amend the resolution to insert “Whereas, diversity and inclusion are core institutional values of Cornell University…,” to lines 10 and 11.
           1. J. Butcher seconded the amendment.
           2. The amendment passed with unanimous consent.
        4. A. Vinson put forward a motion to close debate and vote on the resolution.
           1. C. Tarala seconded the motion.
           2. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
        5. Resolution 3 passed with a roll call vote of 11-0-2 as amended.
           1. D. Bateman, M. Benda, J. Butcher, E. Crawley, Z. deRham, E. Gainor, A. Hanelin-Mott, N. Maggard, C. Tarala, W. Treat, and A. Vinson voted in favor of the resolution.
           2. O. Karim and A. LaGressa abstained from voting.
        6. A. LaGressa reacquired chairship of the meeting.
     4. Consideration of Resolution 4: Expressive Activity Policy
        1. J. Butcher introduced the resolution to the Assembly.
           1. The Assembly discussed the resolution.
        2. O. Karim put forward a motion to amend lines 22-23 to read “The University Assembly has served to integrate these forces for improving campus life and safety, in particular the Campus Codes Committee, as per the bylaws of the University Assembly Article 4, Section 4.1, which states that issues involving academic freedom and freedom of speech for all members of the Cornell University community, including faculty, students, and staff on the Ithaca campus and those located outside the United States.”
           1. N. Maggard seconded the motion.
           2. The amendment passed with unanimous consent.
        3. O. Karim put forward a motion to close debate and vote on the resolution.
           1. D. Bateman seconded the motion.
           2. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
        4. Resolution 4 passed by a roll call vote of 11-0-2.
           1. D. Bateman, M. Benda, J. Butcher, Z. deRham, E. Gainor, A. Haenlin-Mott, O. Karim, N. Maggard, C. Tarala, W. Treat, and A. Vinson voted in favor.
           2. E. Crawley and A. LaGressa abstained.

   

  6. Committee Reports
     1. Executive Committee
        1. M. Benda stated that the committee finalized Resolution 4 and the agenda for this meeting. She also stated that transportation will be joining the Assembly’s May 6th meeting.
     2. Campus Codes Committee
        1. Nothing to report.
     3. Campus Welfare Committee
        1. Nothing to report.
     4. Campus Committee on Infrastructure, Technology, and the Environment
        1. A. Vinson stated he will be calling a meeting soon to discuss an upcoming resolution.

   

  7. Assembly Reports
     1. Student Assembly
        1. Nothing to report.
     2. Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
        1. O. Karim stated that the assembly will have their executive council meeting this Wednesday and they currently have 25 candidates running in their ongoing elections process, after which they will be validating their results. He also stated that President Kotlikoff will attend the Assembly’s April 14th meeting.
     3. Employee Assembly
        1. E. Crawley stated that Michael Hoffmann, professor emeritus and co-chair of the Climate Change Curriculum working group, presented at the Assembly’s last meeting. She also stated that the Assembly is considering Resolution 2 for voting in their May meeting and that they discussed the final Expressive Activity Policy communications from the administration. She also stated that President Kotlikoff will attend their April 16th meeting.
        2. W. Treat stated that the Assembly has concluded elections and they will be holding an organizational meeting on April 16th.
     4. Faculty Senate
        1. Nothing to report.

   

  8. Liaison Reports
     1. Campus Planning Committee
        1. A. Haenlin-Mott stated that the committee met to discuss the openings of Balch Hall, Atkinson Hall, and CIS Bowers. She also stated that the committee discussed municipal approvals, MOU projects, Forest Home pedestrian zone improvements, and proposed art from the Cornell Outdoor Art Committee.
     2. Coalition for Sexual Violence Prevention
        1. Nothing to report.
     3. Student Health Benefits Advisory Committee
        1. Nothing to report.
     4. Sustainable Cornell Council Carbon Neutral Campus Steering Committee
        1. Nothing to report
     5. Sustainable Cornell Council Education and Engagement Steering Committee
        1. Nothing to report
     6. Sustainable Cornell Council Campus Operations Steering Committee
        1. Nothing to report

   

  9. Open Discussion
     1. A. LaGressa stated that there will be listening sessions held on Zoom by the Presidential Task Force for students, faculty, and staff.

   

  10. Adjournment
      1. O. Karim motioned to adjourn the meeting.
         1. A. Vinson seconded the motion.
         2. The motion passed with unanimous consent.

   

  This meeting was adjourned at 5:38pm.

   

  Respectfully Submitted,

  P.J. Brown

  Clerk of the Assembly

  UAMinutes04082025.pdf (247.52 KB)