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Cornell University

Student Assembly - Resolution 18 (2024-2025)

Amending the Student Assembly Code of Ethics

  • Term:
    2024-2025
  • Assembly:
  • Status: In Discussion
  • Abstract: Abstract: This resolution updates the Student Assembly Code of Ethics as required by SA 2023-2024 Resolution 74. This resolution strengthens accountability measures, tailors ethics mediation capabilities, and provides a structured system for solving Student Assembly conflicts, appeals, and confusions via an unbiased external arm.

    Sponsored by: Sophia Arnold ’26, Yuvraj Tuli ’25, Kiera Gill ’25, Katelin Wong ‘27, Cameron Smith ‘26, Danielle Iringe-Koko ‘26, Alhassan Bangura ‘25
    Type of Action: Internal Policy
    Originally Presented: 01/23/2025
    Current Status: Placed on the Second Readings Calendar, 01/23/2025

    Whereas, the Student Assembly created the Office of Ethics through Resolution 22 in the 2021-2022 term to receive and investigate any necessary accountability and ethical concerns;

    Whereas, the Student Assembly passed Resolutions 65 and 66 in the 2021-22 term and Resolution 13 in the 2022-23 in an attempt to imbue the Office of Ethics with the authority to ensure accountability, ethical conduct, justice, and growth within the Assembly;

    Whereas, since the passage of these resolutions, the Office of Ethics has been entrusted with, and successfully adjudicated, a variety of situations, including presidential succession, governing document conflicts, and officer misconduct allegations and ethics concerns during the 2023-2024 term;

    Whereas, the Code of Ethics has not been updated since its initial passage during the 2022-2023 term and contains now-insufficient language for defining the Office of Ethics’ scope, abilities, and guidelines for ethical concerns in the new landscape of the Student Assembly;

    Whereas, in response to this the Student Assembly, on Sunday, April 14th, 2024, passed Resolution 74 - Implementing the Office of Ethics’ Recommendations from the Spring ’24 Report, which contains a directive for the Assembly to “commit to strengthening rules on its impartial arms, the Elections Committee, and the Office of Ethics, by October 1st, 2024”;

    Whereas, October 1st, 2024 has passed and a new version of the Code of Ethics is now overdue;

    Whereas, various members of the Student Assembly have expressed a desire to update the Code of Ethics to better imbue it with the authority and power to accomplish its mission;

    Whereas, the members of the Office of Ethics, through research, analysis, argument, and discussion, have written an updated version of the Code of Ethics that allows the voting members of the Assembly to handle the Assembly’s affairs through the legislative power and, in times of conflict, delegate ethical concerns and conflicts to be mediated through an unbiased arm of the Assembly with clearly delineated responsibilities, jurisdiction, and procedures.

    Be it therefore resolved, that the language of the appended document, titled “The Code of Ethics of the Cornell University Student Assembly” be adopted by the Assembly as its Code of Ethics.

    Respectfully Submitted,

    Sophia Arnold ’26
    Director of the Office of Ethics, Student Assembly

    Yuvraj Tuli ’25
    Deputy Director of the Office of Ethics, Student Assembly

    Kiera Gill ’25
    Member of the Office of Ethics, Student Assembly

    Katelin Wong ’27
    Member of the Office of Ethics, Student Assembly

    Cameron Smith ’26
    Member of the Office of Ethics, Student Assembly

    Danielle Iringe-Koko ’26
    Member of the Office of Ethics, Student Assembly

    Alhassan Bangura ‘25
    Director Emeritus of the Office of Ethics, Student Assembly
  • Resolution File:
    Resolution 18 (3).pdf (351.07 KB)
  • Supporting Documents:
  • Sponsors:
  • Reviewing Committee:

History

No meetings are associated with this resolution.