Whereas, Jessica Withers and Erik Kalweit have served tirelessly in support of the Student Assembly, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, Employee Assembly, Faculty Senate, University Assembly, and the Constituency-Elected Trustees;

Whereas, Jessica and Erik have been essential resources in ensuring that actions of the Student Assembly are carried out;

Whereas, the Cornell Student Assembly currently operates under Robert’s Rules of Order as its parliamentary authority;

Whereas, the traditional application of Robert’s Rules can be overly formal, slow, and difficult for new members or community participants to engage with;

Whereas, premature closure of debate through procedural motions has limited the ability of minority viewpoints to be fully heard and considered;

Whereas, the minimum requirement to be considered a full-time student at Cornell University is 12 credits per semester. 

Whereas, to graduate from Cornell’s undergraduate program, a student needs to complete 120 credits. Across 8 semesters (or 4 academic years), this means that a student has to take around 15 credits per semester.

Whereas, Les Femmes De Substance is an organization on campus that seeks to uplift and empower Black women on campus.

Whereas, Les Femmes De Substance is requesting $5000 to pay for a professional development retreat in Syracuse, New York, dedicated to helping Black women navigate the professional world.

Whereas, Part B: Special Projects Funding, Section 1 of the Student Assembly Standing Rules explains the purpose of Special Projects Funding as follows: 

Whereas, the Cornell Caribbean Students Association is a registered student organization on campus that seeks to expose Cornell students to Caribbean culture.

Whereas, Appendix B, Section 4: Organizing Specific Guidelines, Subsection A: Departments, Article i, of the Charter of the Student Assembly, reads as follows,

i. Alternative Breaks

a. The Alternative Breaks allocation shall be managed and overseen by the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement.

b. The Alternative Breaks allocation shall provide individual students with finance support for Alternative Breaks opportunities.

Whereas, on April 8th, 2025, the New York Times reported1 that Cornell University would have many of its federal grants paused, amounting to 1 billion dollars in funding being withheld. This report cited two anonymous federal government officials.

Whereas, the Student Assembly Infrastructure Fund Commission has received one complete application before their internal meeting on 2/22/2025. 

Whereas, the Cornell Architecture Student Practice Club (CASP) applies for $40,000 to construct two to three Student Assembly Kiosks in 2 to 4 high-foot-traffic areas on campus.