Dear Richard,

I applaud the initiative that the GPSA has taken in Resolution 5 (“Creation of an Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee”) to advance Cornell’s sustainability outcomes. I encourage you to work closely with the Office of Sustainability and other campus stakeholders. I believe that Graduate Students are especially well-positioned to promote both the Green Lab and Green Office certifications so I’m confident that this new committee will be a valuable addition to the ever-building momentum for sustainability in all levels of Cornell.



Sincerely,

Dear Richard,



Graduate teaching and research Assistants are integral to every great research university. Assistantships not only provide a means to fund student scholarship, they help create the immersive experience that is so core to our graduate education model. I firmly believe that assistantship stipend rates must be both fair and competitive for Cornell to attract and retain the very best students, and also as a matter of moral principle.

Dear Sarah,



Thank you for sharing Resolution 24, Attendance Policy Charter Changes, with me. I understand the concept of these changes, and am glad to see the Student Assembly make room for exceptions in their attendance policy. While I do not have an issue with the idea you are suggesting, I ask that the SA revisit the wording of your policy to make it clearer, as now the language is discretionary in one part (“The Executive Committee may avert…”) and obligatory in another (“The same action must be taken…”).

Dear President Skorton,

I would like to convey Resolution 27: Verifying the Spring 2015 Elections Rules. This resolution was sponsored by the SA's Director of Elections, Kushagra Aniket, and the rest of the Elections Committee.

Dear President Skorton,

I would like to convey Resolution 29: Calling for the Implementation of Open Course Evaluations. This resolution was sponsored by Representative Joseph Fridman.

Dear President Skorton,

I would like to convey Resolution 31: Developing an International Students Union to you. This resolution was sponsored by the SA's VP for Diversity and Inclusion, Shivang Tayal, and VP for Finance, Matthew Stefanko, as well as President of the International Students Board, Chanida Susumpow and Vice President for Finance of the International Students Board, Binoy Jhaveri.

Dear President Skorton,

I would like to convey Resolution 33: Bias Incident Accountability to you. This resolution was sponsored by SA Representatives Diana Li and Philip Titcomb, along with Robert Timby.

This resolution calls for the creation of a survey that can be filled out voluntarily by those who have endured bias incidents, so that they can provide feedback regarding the University's handling of these incidents.

Dear Sarah,



Thank you for informing me of the membership changes made to the Student Assembly Finance Commission. I, too, look forward to seeing the successes of the new leadership.



Regards,


David Skorton

Dear President Skorton,

I would like to convey Resolution 37: Approving the Student Assembly Finance Commission’s Executive Board Members and Commissioners to you. This resolution was sponsored by the SA's VP for Finance, Matthew Stefanko.

This resolution calls for the approval of commissioners and executive board members of the SAFC. We are looking forward to seeing the successes of the SAFC leadership in the following semester, and the semesters to come.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Best,
Sarah

Dear Sarah,



Thank you for sharing these updates to the Student Assembly’s Standing Rules. I appreciate the thoughtful consideration the Student Assembly puts into using the Special Projects funds.



Regards,


David Skorton