GPSA R5 (2015-2016): Sense of the Body Concerning the Creation of the College of Business

Acknowledged by the President

• Resolution:
  GPSA R5 (2015-2016): Sense of the Body Concerning the Creation of the College of Business
• Day:
  May 4, 2016
• Action:
  Acknowledged by the President
• Summary / Notes:
• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:
  Dear Richard:
  
  I have received from Provost Kotlikoff the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Resolution 5: Sense of the Body Concerning the College of Business. I am impressed by the potential of the Cornell College of Business (CCB) to transform business study throughout our campuses and position us as a world-class center of teaching, research, and engagement for business management and entrepreneurship. I agree that an inclusive process, including involvement from our shared governance groups, is critical to the CCB’s success. I greatly appreciate the GPSA’s participation in the planning process to date.
  
  The need for integration among Cornell’s business schools had been recommended repeatedly through a series of internal studies over the past several years, including the current strategic plan. Provost Kotlikoff and I are committed to ensuring that the vigorous planning process for the college – now underway – is broadly inclusive and brings maximum benefit to each of our three accredited business programs: the School of Hotel Administration, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management.
  
  I understand the GPSA’s concern – shared by many of Cornell’s stakeholders – that the process around the creation of the CCB was done in the absence of advance vetting. As you know, the decision was made to first secure trustee approval for the creation of the college, with full acknowledgement and commitment to collaborate with campus stakeholders, including representatives of shared governance groups, to determine the details of the new integrated structure.
  
  The work of the CCB planning committees reflects that commitment: committee members represent and include leaders from GPSA, the Faculty Senate, the Employee Assembly, and school- or college-specific undergraduate and graduate student organizations. University and CCB leaders are engaging directly with Cornell’s communities through established channels, such as shared governance meetings and multiple campus and alumni forums, many focused on the CCB’s individual schools.
  
  While we can agree to disagree on the process used to create the CCB, I am pleased that we are in agreement that the CCB presents exciting possibilities for Cornell’s graduate and professional student community, and I want to thank the members of the GPSA for working closely with university leadership to realize that potential.
  
  Thank you again for your efforts on behalf of Cornell graduate and professional students.
  
  Yours sincerely,
  
  Hunter Rawlings
  
  
  Hunter R. Rawlings III
  Interim President, Cornell University
  300 Day Hall
  Ithaca, NY 14853
  Tel: 607-255-5201
  www.cornell.edu