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Cornell University

Office of the Assemblies

SA R33 (2025-2026): Making General Election Day A Campus Holiday

Rejected by the President

  • Resolution:
    SA R33 (2025-2026): Making General Election Day A Campus Holiday
  • Day:
    March 27, 2026
  • Action:
    Rejected by the President
  • Summary / Notes:
  • File Attachments:
  • Text Attachment:

    Dear Zora,

    Thank you for conveying SA Resolution 33: Making General Election Day A Campus Holiday. I appreciate the Assembly’s commitment to democratic engagement and your dedication to supporting student participation in the electoral process. However, I must reject this resolution.

    Adding a holiday to the university calendar, particularly during the semester, would reduce the time available for instruction, affecting multiple classes. Cornell’s existing academic schedule provides multiple opportunities throughout the day for students to vote, including before classes begin in the morning, during an academic break from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and in the evening before polls close at 9:00 p.m.

    Students who vote in Tompkins County or surrounding areas may also take advantage of early voting at designated locations. You can find your Election Day and early voting locations here: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/. For those who plan to vote in their home states, I strongly encourage requesting a mail-in ballot to ensure their vote is counted. As with any important responsibility, preparation is essential, and students should plan ahead to determine when on Election Day they can vote in a manner that aligns with their class schedules. More information can be found at https://vote.cornell.edu/ and https://www.cornellvotes.org/.

    Voting is an important civic responsibility—one that many fought for the right to exercise. My hope is that all students will prioritize this responsibility by making thoughtful use of their non-class time to visit the polls and take part in this fundamental democratic privilege.

    Thank you again for the Assembly’s continued commitment to strengthening civic engagement within our community.

    Sincerely,

     

    Michael Kotlikoff

    Michael Kotlikoff, V.M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D. (h.c.)

    President and Professor of Molecular Physiology

    Cornell University