Student Assembly - Resolution 27 (2024-2025)
Preventing an Extinction
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Term:
2024-2025
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Assembly:
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Status:
Adopted by the Assembly
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Abstract:
A resolution calling on Cornell University to intervene in the Paleontological Research
Institution’s financial crisis.
Sponsored by: Adam Vinson ‘25, Eeshaan Chaudhuri ‘27, Will Hooker ‘24, Lani Lin-Kissick
‘28, Nooriya Baxamusa ‘28, Eric Yao ‘27, Letiunasema Nuusila ‘27, Tianyi Chen ‘28
Reviewed by: Environmental Committee, 7-0-06
Type of Action: Recommendation
Originally Presented: 01/30/2025
Current Status: Placed on the Second Reading Calendar, 01/30/2025
Whereas, the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) holds formal affiliation with Cornell University (since 20 November 2004) and the student body. PRI’s Museum of the Earth (MotE) is not only a natural history museum that students can visit for free as part of a Cornell class, or at a reduced charge on their own, but it is also an exciting field trip destination, an interactive classroom that teaches Earth history, climate, and the evolution of life, and an invaluable resource for student projects and honors theses.
Whereas, the MotE is home to one of the world's largest fossil collections with over 7 million specimens, including those found on Cornell’s campus by Cornell students (e.g., members of the Pangea Club at Cornell). This collection is made publicly available for students who request to see them, which have formed the basis for many research projects. Students within the CALS
departments of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), and Natural Resources and the Environment (DNRE) have incredibly close ties to the Museum. Several classes within these departments, including the popular introductory biology course BIOEE 1780 (An Introduction to Evolutionary Biology and Diversity) and 1,000-person lecture BIOEE/EAS 1540/1560 (Introductory Oceanography), hold frequent field trips to the MotE; many classes even hold lectures and laboratory sessions there, drawing upon the MotE’s vast collection for hands-on educational opportunities for student learning.
Whereas, the MotE actively encourages students to study, and even borrow, specimens from its collections for their projects. As an example, a roommate of the lead sponsor asked to borrow several specimens and teaching aides from the museum for an educational video on bird anatomy. Additionally, the MotE accepts specimen donations from Cornell students, which are ultimately used for future teaching and/or research projects. Many research-grade fossils come directly from Cornell’s campus, found by students in the Pangea Club at Cornell. For example, a Cornell student discovered vast colonies of an exceptionally rare feather-shaped fossil, named Plumalina brevis along the bottom of Six Mile Creek at the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve during a severe drought in 2013 (Muscente & Allmon, 2013). Other rare specimens come from Fall Creek at Flat Rock, where the armor plates of extinct fish called ‘placoderms’ are found. More recently, in this past fall semester, the President of the Pangea Club discovered a new species of trilobite, an extinct group of arthropods related to horseshoe crabs, in fossil deposits at Beebe Lake. This discovery became the basis of her senior honors thesis, forever redirecting her career into the field of paleontology. All of these specimens described, among the seven million others, are now housed at the MotE and available for study.
Whereas, in October 2023, the PRI, which runs the MotE and the Cayuga Nature Center (CNC), announced that it was in financial trouble and would likely have to foreclose on the MotE’s mortgage. This foreclosure is due to a group of large donors’ inability to fulfill their funding pledges. Since then, the PRI has downsized its operations, including staff reductions at MotE and CNC and the end of its live animal program at the CNC in January 2024.
Whereas, if the MotE closes, not only will upstate New York lose one of its only natural history museums, but its collections are also put at great risk. Many fossils could be lost or disposed of, along with all of the unobtained data and information we could gain from them. The loss of the PRI, MotE, CNC, and the fossil collection would be a profound blow to the scientific community and the countless Cornell students who would benefit from its invaluable education and outreach programs.
Be it therefore resolved, that the Student Assembly, as elected representatives of the student body, ask Interim President Kotlikoff and the Board of Trustees, as well as the deans of the academic colleges, to collaborate with and financially support the Paleontological Research Institution to keep the Museum of the Earth open. This institution holds scientific and intrinsic value and must be preserved for future generations. This can be achieved through collaboration with PRI’s Director and its Board of Trustees.
Be it further resolved, that the university is recommended to take action to support the PRI and MotE in ways including but not limited to the following:
I. Temporarily aiding the PRI financially and legally until they are able to find other, more stable means of procuring financial
support via parent organizations and other museum support groups
II. Assisting the PRI to connect with and secure other donors via internal communication
lines and effective, relevant fundraising channels
III. Partnering with PRI to absorb a portion of the museum’s collection into the university or
the Lab of Ornithology for further educational research while supporting PRI’s continued
operations
IV. Collaborating with relevant departments at Cornell to partially fund a portion of the PRI’s
day-to-day operating costs (e.g. ANTHR, EAS, NTRES, BIOEE, ENTOM, PLSCI, BIOL)
V. Sponsoring the PRI entirely via financial support from the respective undergraduate
colleges, allowing for continued operations and an enhanced learning experience for
undergraduates
Be it finally resolved, as representatives of the student body we understand that Cornell University and the PRI may not agree to any of the above listed solutions. However, we urge the University to make an effort to help PRI, by opening up a transparent line of communication. The constituencies we represent use this vital resource for their education and research and are opposed to its closure.
Respectfully Submitted,
Adam Vinson ‘25
Executive Vice President of the Student Assembly
Lani Lin-Kissick ‘28
Member of the Environmental Committee, Student Assembly
Eeshaan Chaudhuri ‘27
Brooks School Representative, Student Assembly
Tianyi Chen ‘28
Member of the Environmental Committee, Student Assembly
Nooriya Baxamusa ‘28
Member of the Environmental Committee, Student Assembly
Eric Yao ‘27
Undesignated Representative At-Large, Student Assembly
Letiunasema Nuusila ‘27
Member of the Environmental Committee, Student Assembly
William Hooker ‘24
Ph.D. Student, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
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Resolution File:
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Supporting Documents:
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Sponsors:
Adam Sawyer Vinson (asv33)
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Reviewing Committee:
Environmental Committee