Whereas, the Student Assembly reclassified the Offices of Ethics and Elections as “Independent Offices” early in the fall of 2024;
Whereas, in the fall of 2024, the function of the Student Assembly was hindered when elections were delayed following an ineffective Director of Elections’ delayed resignation. This issue would have been avoided had the Student Assembly been able to call a vote of no confidence;
Whereas, in the spring of 2026, following a fall 2025 failed confirmation vote, the Student Assembly is facing a vacancy in the Director of the Office of Ethics seat;
Whereas, the Student Assembly ought update the Bylaws and internal procedures regarding the Independent Offices with these practical lessons in mind.
Be it therefore resolved, Article VI, Section 7, Subsection B, Subsection C “Recruitment of the Office of Ethics Members” be updated to reflect the following language:
i. Before the conclusion of each academic year, the outgoing voting membership of the Office of Ethics must select the incoming Director of the Office of Ethics internally by a simple majority vote of the entire voting membership of the Office. This nominee shall be subject to confirmation by a 2/3 vote of the Assembly at the Organizational Meeting referenced in Article IV, Section 3.
1. At any point in the academic year, a vote of no confidence may be called by any voting member of the Student Assembly, at which point the Director of the Office of Ethics shall be subject to a vote of reconfirmation.
2. In the event of a nominee or Director failing a confirmation vote, the President of the Student Assembly shall, in coordination with the Office of the Assemblies and Vice President for Communications, distribute a call for candidates to the Cornell undergraduate community. Any interested and eligible Cornell undergraduate student shall be welcome to apply. The Student Assembly shall fill the vacant Director seat within six (6) weeks of the call or by the third-to-last regularly scheduled meeting of the academic year, whichever date is earliest.
ii. The incoming Director of the Office of Ethics shall decide upon the voting membership of the incoming Office before the conclusion of each academic year, subject to confirmation by a 2/3 vote of the Assembly.
Be it therefore resolved, Article VI, Section 7, Subsection C, Subsection C “Recruitment of the Office of Elections Members” be updated to reflect the following language:
i. Before the conclusion of each academic year, the outgoing voting membership of the Office of Elections must select the incoming Director of the Office of Elections internally by a simple majority vote of the entire voting membership of the Office. This nominee shall be subject to confirmation by a 2/3 vote of the Assembly at the Organizational Meeting referenced in Article IV, Section 3.
1. At any point in the academic year, a vote of no confidence may be called by any voting member of the Student Assembly, at which point the Director of the Office of Elections shall be subject to a vote of reconfirmation.
2. In the event of a nominee or Director failing a confirmation vote, the President of the Student Assembly shall, in coordination with the Office of the Assemblies and Vice President for Communications, distribute a call for candidates to the Cornell undergraduate community. Any interested and eligible Cornell undergraduate student shall be welcome to apply. The Student Assembly shall fill the vacant Director seat within six (6) weeks of the call or by the third-to-last regularly scheduled meeting of the academic year, whichever date is earliest.
ii. The incoming Director of the Office of Elections shall decide upon the voting membership of the incoming Office before the conclusion of each academic year, subject to confirmation by a 2/3 vote of the Assembly
