SA R39 (2020-2021): Calling Upon Cornell to Uphold its Ethical Guidelines for International Engagements

Conveyed to the President

• Resolution:
  SA R39 (2020-2021): Calling Upon Cornell to Uphold its Ethical Guidelines for International Engagements
• Day:
  April 15, 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 #39: Calling Upon Cornell to Uphold its Ethical Guidelines for Ethical Engagements. This resolution calls upon Cornell University to uphold its ethical values when collaborating with international institutions, specifically in regards to the School of Hotel Administration’s proposed dual degree program with the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University (PKU). 

   

  The resolution highlights that PKU has committed blatant violations of academic freedom, suppressed student labor activists, and silenced accounts of sexual harassment and rape on campus. Moreover, the resolution highlights that China is committing genocide against the Uighur Muslim peoples, as declared by both the outgoing and current US Secretary of State and other international governing bodies. 

   

  The resolution indicates that if Cornell were to partner with PKU, we would actively be violating our own Guidelines on Ethical International Engagement that the Cornell Provost established just this past year. These guidelines state that  Cornell must ensure all International engagements are committed to “free and open inquiry and expression” and “justice and human rights.” It would be unethical for Cornell to partner with PKU and lends its name to an institution and government that are committing human rights violations and overlook these very serious allegations. 

   

  Resolution 39 formally calls upon Cornell University to implement the following demands:

  1. Cornell University will halt all plans for the proposed SHA-PKU dual degree program 
  2. Cornell University will re-evaluate all current international collaborations and vet them carefully using the ethical guidelines on international engagement
  3. Where concerns arise within a given collaboration, Cornell University will amend its terms with the institution in question, suspend the program, or terminate the relationship altogether
  4. Cornell University will create a committee that oversees our academic partnerships in China
  5. Cornell University will suspend or terminate all programs where academic freedom is in question in places like China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia
  6. Cornell University will allow input from all branches of shared governance when ethical concerns arise regarding an international collaboration and take such concerns seriously

   

  As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to your response. 

   

  Best,

  Cat

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