Whereas, the well-being of the campus community is a foundational priority, and recent
traumatic events have significantly impacted students, faculty, and staff.
Whereas, the Cornell Student Assembly has passed Resolution 17 , which calls for community
restorative days in response to incidents such as student deaths or reported sexual assaults.
Whereas, the tragic on-campus events, including the most recent November 8th Crime Alert,
sexual assault incidents, and student deaths, exemplify the urgent need for institutionalized
restorative practices to support the campus community.
Whereas, past community restorative days, such as that established by President Pollack on
November 3, 2023, in response to "extraordinary stress” have demonstrated their effectiveness in
fostering collective healing in times of crisis.
Whereas, community restorative days include: cancelation of classes and academic deadlines,
and excusal of faculty and staff from work (except those providing essential services) to allow
time for collective healing, University-provided mental health resources made widely available to
students, faculty, and staff, and the organization of spaces for communal reflection, support, and
dialogue facilitated by university organizations.
Be it finally resolved, the Campus Welfare Committee supports the Student Assembly’s
Resolution 17 and echoes their call for community restorative days in response to events that
elicit an email from the President to the community, including the death of a student affiliated
with the university, a reported incident of sexual assault via a Cornell Crime Alert or other similar
university notification.
Be it finally resolved, the Campus Welfare Committee petitions the University Assembly to pass
this resolution recommending that the university administration formalize the practice of
implementing community restorative days.
Respectfully Submitted,
Christian Tarala ‘27
Chair of the Campus Welfare Committee of the University Assembly
Andre Kessler
Campus Welfare Committee Faculty Representative
