SA R36 (2024-2025): Addressing Recent Extraordinary Actions of the Federal Government

Acknowledged by the President

• Resolution:
  SA R36 (2024-2025): Addressing Recent Extraordinary Actions of the Federal Government
• Day:
  April 22, 2025
• Action:
  Acknowledged by the President
• Summary / Notes:

  Dear Zora, 

   

  Thank you for conveying SA R36: Addressing Recent Extraordinary Actions of the Federal Government. I recognize that this is a challenging time for our community, and I appreciate the Student Assembly’s commitment to helping Cornell address recent and future actions by the federal government that affect our students, faculty, and staff. 

  As I outlined in the statement on Cornell’s guiding principles, “[o]ur commitment to attract, welcome, and support outstanding students, faculty, and staff from every background is part of our founding ethos and core values, and that commitment will not change.” 

  Cornell continues to monitor the evolving landscape of federal research funding. We are working closely with faculty and are dedicated to continuing to advance our collaborative, interdisciplinary projects with partners at other institutions around the country and the world. We also continue to work with organizations that support the translation of our research into innovation, including new technologies and businesses built for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. 

  As Provost Bala, Provost for Medical Affairs Harrington, and I shared in our statement on Cornell’s involvement in the joint NIH lawsuit, “We remain deeply committed to research that enhances the lives and livelihoods of people in New York state and around the world in tangible and lasting ways.” Cornell is also a plaintiff in litigation filed last week over the Department of Energy’s reduction in facilities and administration cost reimbursements on DOE awards. 

  As noted in my recent response to SA Resolution 20: Climate Vow Renewal, Cornell remains committed to addressing the global climate crisis through an array of comprehensive sustainability initiatives, as well as through interdisciplinary research such as that being done as part of The 2030 Project. 

  As stated in our guiding principles, Cornell follows the law, and “[t]o our understanding, none of the recent federal guidance limits the academic freedom of our community to research or study any subject, our ability to exercise free expression within a safe and respectful community, or our ability to adhere to [our guiding] principles….” 

  Cornell will continue to keep our community informed and share resources via the Executive Order site, the immigration advice and resources site, and international services, among others.  

  Thank you again for your support of our community during this time. 

  Sincerely, 

   

  Michael Kotlikoff 

   

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