Whereas, the College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college at Cornell University, with over 4,600 undergraduate students currently enrolled, and overall enrollment has been increasing in recent years;
Whereas, the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Department is dedicated to supporting “the academic, personal, and professional growth of all undergraduate students in the College of Arts & Sciences”;
Whereas, the College of Arts & Sciences previously maintained a Peer Mentoring Program to support first-year students’ academic and social transition, similar to programs maintained by peer Cornell colleges and schools (such as ILR and the College of Engineering);
Whereas, the A&S Peer Mentoring Program, which offered valuable peer-to-peer connections for first year students, has recently been put on pause;
Whereas, the absence of structured peer mentorship has reduced first-year students’ access to near-peer guidance and informal academic navigation, causing undue stress as the transition to college is often confusing and overwhelming for many students;
Whereas, student peer advisors offer valuable information, tips, and support from a uniquely student perspective;
Be it therefore resolved, the Student Assembly recommends that the College of Arts and Sciences complete their restructuring of and be prepared to implement the A&S Peer Mentoring Program by academic year 2026-2027;
Be it further resolved, the Student Assembly recommends that the College of Arts and Sciences ensure the new Peer Mentoring Program provides support to First-Year students, throughout the entire academic year by requiring that Peer Advisors send at least two email outreach messages be sent to their advisees per semester and host 2-in person events per semester for their mentees to discuss subjects related to first year student success;
Be it further resolved, the Student Assembly recommend that the College of Arts and Sciences match first-year students with mentors that share their academic interests;
Be it further resolved, the Student Assembly recommends that the College of Arts and Sciences pair peer mentors with a specific section of the AS advising seminar (AS 1102) and require mentors to attend at least one of their meeting times to provide students with valuable perspectives on life at Cornell;
Be it further resolved, the Student Assembly recommends that the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Team reinstate the Peer Mentoring Program as an entity separate from the A&S Ambassadors so as to reduce the time and work burden required of the Ambassadors;
Be it finally resolved, the Student Assembly Recommends that the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Team to solicit the opinions, experiences, and views of current A&S students (via survey, email etc.) regarding what can be improved and what can be maintained in the A&S Peer Advising Program.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dylan Carson ’28
College of Arts and Sciences Representative, Student Assembly
John Purcell ’28
College of Arts and Sciences Representative, Student Assembly
Jocelyn Swavy ’28
College of Arts and Sciences
