Whereas, there are less than five years left to prevent the effects of climate change to 1.5°C according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Whereas, one of Cornell University’s “core values” is Respect for the Natural Environment, where “we value our role in advancing solutions for a sustainable future and we recognize the close relationship between people and the Earth, acting in ways to live and work sustainably.”
Whereas, Cornell has a responsibility to“work to ensure that climate literacy and sustainability are part of the curriculum and educational experience at Cornell. Build climate literacy in the campus community through curricular and extra-curricular programs for students and professional development programs for faculty and staff” and otherwise graduate critical sustainability thinkers per the Climate Action Plan.
Whereas, Cornell states on the university website that “every member of the Cornell community can play a role in creating a sustainable campus, community and world.”
Whereas, the Cornell theme year is a tradition that, if reprioritized and continued, can bring more attention to the positive actions of the university, namely the development of new sustainability projects, during polarizing and trying times at the university.
Be it therefore resolved, the Student Assembly requests that the Office of the President implements a sustainability theme year for the 2025-2026 academic year for the purpose of promoting this irreplaceable core value to the Cornell community.
Be it further resolved, that the programming and functionality of this theme year will be planned and carried out through a committee titled the “Theme Year Planning Committee,” which will comprise members from the undergraduate and graduate student bodies, faculty, employees, and administration.
Be it finally resolved, the Theme Year Planning Committee shall coordinate the development of new events, projects, and campus additions that relate to sustainability and environmental education on campus democratically that should serve the Cornell student body and other stakeholders currently on campus and for generations to come.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eeshaan Chaudhuri ‘27
Brooks School of Public Policy Representative,Student Assembly
Adam Vinson ‘25
Executive Vice President of the Student Assembly
Lani Lin-Kissick ‘28
Environmental Committee Member, Student Assembly
Nooriya Baxamusa ‘28
Environmental Committee Member, Student Assembly
Letiunasema Nuusila ‘27
Environmental Committee Member, Student Assembly
Tianyi Chen ‘28
Environmental Committee Member, Student Assembly
Lydia Blum ‘27
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Representative, Student Assembly
