Office of the Assemblies

Dear Adam,

 

Please forgive my delay in responding to EA Resolution 1: Protect Staff Jobs and Compensation. I appreciate the thought that assembly members put into this resolution.

 

I share your commitment to retaining as many positions as possible during this very difficult time. As you know, we did take the highly unusual step of increasing the endowment payout to attenuate the budget shortfall, and we have increased our fundraising efforts to support financial aid. Despite these actions, we still found it necessary to temporarily curtail pension contributions in the endowed colleges and make temporary pay reductions  in the contract colleges to reduce the projected budget deficit. Assuming we continue to remain open to residential students this fall, we are hopeful that these actions will be sufficient. As I stated in my communication of July 2, 2020, we will revisit our financial situation in January 2021 and, if possible, restore the retirement contributions and salary reductions.

 

For those employees who were in furlough status, their access to training opportunities remained. In most cases these employees have returned to active status.

 

Thank you again for your ongoing support of Cornell University and its valuable staff employees.

 

Sincerely,

 

Martha Pollack

 

 

Martha E. Pollack

President, Cornell University

300 Day Hall

Ithaca, NY 14853

Tel: 607-255-5201