Abstract:
This resolution establishes a special committee responsible for the solicitation, review, and disbursement of special grants aimed toward advancing graduate student interests at Cornell university.
Whereas, the GPSA’s rollover funds are composed primarily of monies that are unallocated by the Finance Commission and monies that are allocated but not spent and returned to the GPSA at the end of each academic year.
Whereas, rollover funds exists independently of the annual budget of each GPSA committee, byline organization funding, and club funding managed by the Finance Commission.
Whereas, Graduate and Professional students stand to benefit from investment in new, expanded, or upgraded facilities, services, opportunities, spaces, and programming beyond those supported by existing funding commitments of the GPSA.
Be it therefore resolved, that a Special Committee for the Disbursement of Special Grant Funding be established by the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly to provide funding to entities seeking to advance Graduate and Professional student interests at Cornell.
Be it further resolved, that all Special Grant funding be reserved exclusively for new graduate amenities, programming, and facilities or a clear expansion/improvement to existing opportunities not currently funded by the GPSA or other financial sponsor. Existing projects proposed and accepted by the GPSA Finance Commission may not receive duplicate funding in the form of a special grant unless there is a clear and direct expansion or improvement in capabilities beyond existing means.
Be it further resolved, that the Special Committee be charged with solicitation, review, and recommendation of proposals submitted to the GPSA in consideration of special grant funding in addition to grant structuring, eligibility determination, and proposal scoring.
Be it further resolved, that the Special Committee’s charge shall expire by January 31, 2025 at midnight Eastern time, or until a final recommendation is presented to the GPSA, whichever occurs first.
