Whereas, the position of IT Governance Liaison has been created within the Student Assembly to serve as the student representative in Cornell IT governance;
Whereas, matters related to technology, including digital learning platforms, classroom technologies, cybersecurity, student data, and emerging policies around generative AI, have an increasing and direct impact on student life;
Whereas, Cornell IT has historically relied on ad hoc student surveys and feedback mechanisms, but no formal or consistent channel exists for student input on University-wide technology governance decisions;
Whereas, Article VI, Section 1, lines 291-292 of the Bylaws of the Student Assembly states:
Committees will be established with the adoption of a committee charge to be included in these Bylaws. A committee’s charge must be adopted and placed in these Bylaws before its bylaws are to be considered. Committee bylaws shall be adopted with a majority vote.
Whereas, Article VI, Section 2, lines 299-300 of the Bylaws of the Student Assembly states:
Policy Committees shall review all policies and programs of sectors of the University that create policy directly affecting student life.
Be it therefore resolved, that the Bylaws of the Student Assembly, Article VI, Section 2, be amended to add subsection K as follows to establish the Technology Committee:
Technology Committee
a. Charge: The Technology Committee shall review, investigate, and provide recommendations on policies, programs, and initiatives related to Cornell Technology. The committee will serve as the primary student voice on issues including digital tools and platforms, IT infrastructure, classroom and learning technologies, cybersecurity, accessibility, and policies concerning emerging technologies such as generative AI. The committee will work in close consultation with the IT Governance Liaison and with relevant Cornell IT offices to ensure meaningful and consistent student representation in University decision-making.
b. Membership: Membership to be selected by the Assembly.
c. Chair: The IT Governance Liaison of the Student Assembly shall serve as Chair of the Technology Committee if they are an active voting member of the Assembly. If the IT Governance Liaison is a non-voting member, the committee shall instead be co-chaired by the IT Governance Liaison and one voting member of the Assembly, selected by the Assembly.
Be it further resolved, that Article III, Section 4, lines 103-104 of the Student Assembly Bylaws be amended to the following to update the responsibilities of the Vice President for Policy:
Chair the Policy Committee and oversee the Dining Services Committee, Student Health Advisory Committee, Environmental Policy and Planning Committee, Academic Policy Committee, and Technology Committee.
Be it further resolved, that the IT Governance Liaison shall convene the Technology Committee and share recommendations with Cornell IT governance bodies;
Be it finally resolved, that the Technology Committee be recognized as the official body within the Student Assembly responsible for technology-related policy review and for facilitating student engagement with Cornell IT.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jinzhou Wu ’28
Chief of Staff, Student Assembly
Daniel Addoquaye ’28
Vice President for Policy, Student Assembly
Hayden Watkins ’28
Vice President for Finance, Student Assembly
Zora de Rham ’27
President of the Student Assembly
