Office of the Assemblies

Dear Varun,

Thank you for transmitting SA Resolution #46, "Opposing the Merger of the College of Human Ecology and the ILR School." I appreciate that the SA is communicating feedback from Cornell’s students about the idea put forth by the faculty Committee on Organizational Structures in the Social Sciences (“Committee”), which was charged with exploring opportunities to position the social sciences for excellence over the next 10-15 years. The Committee’s report offers a range of ideas, each of which, including the notion of merging the School of Industrial and Labor Relations with the College of Human Ecology, is only an idea at this stage. No decisions have been made and no ideas have been eliminated. The Provost is actively gathering feedback on these ideas from students, faculty, staff and alumni of all of Cornell’s schools and colleges. We are following a careful, deliberate process to allow all stakeholders to voice their views. All feedback is being taken seriously, and next steps will not be taken until broad community input has been received and analyzed.

With respect to lines 50-52, which ask that the university continue to hold additional town hall fora to solicit feedback on the report, I refer you to the list of engagement activities on the website for the Office of the Provost. The opportunities for the community to provide input on the Committee’s report are numerous and provide ample opportunity for individuals to learn about the report and to share their thoughts. 

Thank you again for sharing the views of the SA on this matter and for your continued advocacy as the voice of your student constituency.

Sincerely,

Martha E. Pollack

President, Cornell University

300 Day Hall

Ithaca, NY 14853

Tel: 607-255-5201

www.cornell.edu