Whereas, the GPSA created the Special Grants Committee by passing Resolution 9: Special Committee for the Disbursement of Special Grant Funding in FY2024, whose charge was to solicit, review, and recommend funding for grants aimed towards advancing graduate and professional student interests at Cornell University.
Whereas, the Special Grants Committee solicited 58 grant submissions from relevant stakeholders that serve graduate and professional students, such as University departments, offices, graduate and professional student organizations, byline-funded organizations and community groups.
Whereas, the Special Grants Committee, through the collective efforts of its members, scored and reviewed all 58 received grants using the following criteria:
- Plan: How detailed is the timeline for implementing the proposed event(s)? Are the event(s) well-reasoned and supported by grant materials?
- Accountability: Does the grant clearly state who is responsible for implementing the proposed event(s)? Did the sponsor detail steps for grant supervision and implementation?
- Impact: Will the proposed event(s) meaningfully impact the well-being of graduate and professional students throughout Cornell?
- Need: Does the grant highlight a need, lack of support or otherwise unaddressed issues for graduate and professional students? And will the proposed event(s) address this need?
Whereas, the Special Grants Committee, through the majority agreement of its members, curated a list of reviewed grants which, when funded partially or in-full, would best improve graduate and professional student well-being at Cornell.
Whereas, multiple Special Grant grants identified a lack of accessible, welcoming, and functional lounge spaces for graduate and professional students, particularly within department-based, off-campus, or research-intensive academic units.
Whereas, applicants demonstrated that the absence of dedicated student lounges limits opportunities for informal collaboration, peer support, wellness, and community-building, often resulting in students using laboratories, offices, or non-ideal spaces for meals, meetings, and rest.
Whereas, proposed lounge projects address documented student needs through modest renovations, furnishing, and appliance installation that enable year-round use, accessibility, and multipurpose functionality.
Whereas, funded student lounge projects are designed to serve as shared, cross-departmental “third spaces” that support academic productivity, professional development, and social connection for current and future cohorts of graduate and professional students.
Whereas, grants included clear implementation plans, designated student leadership and departmental oversight, itemized budgets, and sustainability strategies to ensure responsible use of funds and long-term impact.
Whereas, investment in student lounge infrastructure represents a one-time funding opportunity with multi-year benefits that advance graduate and professional student well-being across Cornell University.
Whereas, the Special Grants Committee completed its charge on January 26th 2026 by presenting a final recommendation of reviewed grants to fund, either partially or in-full, to the GPSA.
Be it therefore resolved, the GPSA Appropriations Committee earmarked $37,595 from the GPSAFC reserve account for the purpose of supporting grants #3, #7, #18, #21, and #23.
Be it further resolved, that the GPSA Appropriations Committee distribute $37,595 across five (5) organizations under the Student Lounges category as specified in the Special Grants Committee funding recommendations as follows:
- $18,645.00 dollars be distributed to the Student Association of the Geneva Experiment Station (SAGES), grant #3, for the purpose of “Fund winterization and refurbishing of Sawdust Cafe at Cornell's AgriTech campus” under the conditions:
- Funds shall be used solely for approved heating and cooling upgrades, insulation, electrical upgrades, appliances, and furnishings.
- Renovation work must be completed in coordination with Cornell AgriTech Buildings and Properties staff.
- The space must remain accessible to graduate and professional students across departments.
- $12,500.00 dollars be distributed to the Animal Science Graduate Student Association (ASGSA), grant #23, for the purpose of “Fund furniture, seating, kitchenette and usage monitoring for the student lounge” under the conditions:
- Do not fund space renovations.
- The space must remain accessible to graduate and professional students across departments.
- $4,500.00 dollars be distributed to the Astronomy Graduate Network (AGN), grant #18, for the purpose of “Fund furniture ($3,000.00) and some electronics ($1,500.00) for the student lounge” under the conditions:
- Fund furniture and small electronics for the student lounge, consistent with the approved budget.
- All purchases must support shared graduate and professional student use.
- $1,700.00 dollars be distributed to the Field of Global Development Graduate Collective (GDEV), grant #7, for the purpose of “Fund furnishings, plants and kitchenware for basement office space in Mann Library” under the conditions:
- Funds are intended for furnishings, plants, and kitchenware consistent with the approved funding purpose and shall not be used for structural renovations or large appliances such as $800.00 coffee machine
- The space must remain accessible to graduate and professional students across departments.
- $250.00 dollars be distributed to the Genetics, Genomics, and Development Graduate Student Association (GGD GSA), grant #21, for the purpose of “Fund coffee bar supplies for lounge space” under the conditions:
- The space must be made available for cross-field graduate student use.
- Ongoing consumable costs must be supported through non–Special Grant funds
Be it further resolved that all grants funded herein must additionally comply with the following conditions:
- All promotional / advertisement / event materials/areas, printed and digital, must bear the “Supported by GPSA” seal visibly.
- For each year of funding offered, a budget for planned activities must be submitted for review and approval by the GPSA Appropriations Committee in advance of disbursement.
- For each year of funding offered, an Impact and Visibility Report must be compiled and submitted to the GPSA Appropriations Committee detailing the use of Special Grant funding, the benefits conferred to the graduate student community (including photo documentation of the event / renovation / installation), and (if applicable) the feasibility of event implementation in future years under funding continuation. Reports must also contain all relevant receipts, detailed attendance at event(s) and any additional information requested by the GPSA Appropriations Committee. It is required that this report be submitted by the deadline set by the Appropriations Committee before any subsequent year(s) of funding may be offered. Designation of requirements for Impact and Visibility Reports and Report approval is charged to the GPSA Appropriations Committee.
Be it finally resolved, that funding is contingent on each grant applicant following the specified purpose and conditions laid out in this resolution as well as annual submission of the Impact and Visibility Report.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anafernanda Cardenas
Executive Vice President
Jason Chobirko
Faculty Advising, Teaching, and Mentorship Awards Committee Chair
