SA R34 (2020-2021): A Manifesto Calling Upon Cornell to Actionably Support the Asian American Community

Conveyed to the President

• Resolution:
  SA R34 (2020-2021): A Manifesto Calling Upon Cornell to Actionably Support the Asian American Community
• Day:
  March 19, 2021
• Action:
  Conveyed to the President
• Summary / Notes:

       

• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:
  Dear President Pollack,

   

  It is my pleasure to convey to you Student Assembly Resolution #34: A Manifesto Calling Upon Cornell to Actionably Support the Asian American Community. This resolution calls upon Cornell Administration to take action in supporting the Asian American community at Cornell in response to the anti-Asian violence of the past year, and the recent shooting of six Asian women in Atlanta, Georgia. 

   

  As the first Asian American woman to serve as President of the undergraduate Student Assembly, bringing this resolution the Assembly floor was both a burden and a privilege. While mourning the deaths of the six Asian American women in Georgia at the hands of a disturbed white male killer, I was driven by the impetus to do something. 

   

  Anti-Asian racism, sexism, hatred, and violence starts at home. It’s enabled in spaces at Cornell, such as Greek Life spaces, which perpetrate sexual assault and assault of women of color. It’s enabled by our institutions of policing, which failed to protect the six Asian women, and continue to fail and hurt Asian communities and BIPOC communities. 

   

  Resolution #34 highlights how Cornell can and must take action to support Asian American women and students at Cornell. The resolution and the listed demands passed the Student Assembly by a unanimous vote. 

   

  Below, I have include the manifesto of demands listed in the resolution and supported by the entire undergraduate Assembly. The resolution explains how these Cornell-specific demands relate back to fighting against anti-Asian hatred and violence. I would like to highlight demands #4-6 and #8 which strongly urge the university to: 

   

  4. Revoke Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity's return to campus, effective immediately

   

  5. Request Cornell University review policies and action items over the fraternity system, including the possibility of reform, disband or abolishment of fraternity life at Cornell, to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities at Cornell. 

   

  6. Require the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life to perform a yearly review of all fraternities. If any fraternity is accused of sexual harassment or assault, they will be placed on probation or have its recognition revoked depending on the severity of the allegation. 

   

  8. Cornell University will continue reviewing the legality of disarmament and reconsider disarming the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD).

   

  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to your response. 

   

  Demands to Support the Asian American Community at Cornell

   

  1.     Following the many recommendations of the Mental Health Review’s Final Report, Cornell University will require all faculty to attend a mental health training opportunity at the beginning of every academic semester, effective immediately.

  2.     Cornell administration must craft and declare its plans to support the Cornell AASP, whether through funding, hiring, or academic support, to be delivered to the Student Assembly by the end of the 2021 academic year.

  3.     Cornell University and the Provost will reconsider the investment in and creation of Asian American studies, Latino/a Studies, and American Indian Studies majors;

  4.     Cornell University should revoke Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s return to campus, effective immediately;

  5.     Request Cornell University review policies and action items over fraternity system, including reform, disband or abolish to make sure Cornell campus would protect Cornell community, especially Asian and other vulnerable communities.

  6.     Cornell University will require Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life to perform a yearly review of all fraternities and any fraternity accused of sexual harassment or assault will be placed on probation or have its recognition revoked;

  7.     Cornell University will perform a complete review of its Title IX Office and Bias and Response Team and procedures, to ensure that victims of racial bias and sexual harassment or assault get the accountability they receive;

  8.     Cornell University will continue reviewing the legality of disarmament and reconsider disarming the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD);

   

  Best,

  Cat

  --
  Catherine Huang
  President | Cornell Student Assembly
  Cornell University '21 | Industrial Labor Relations