UA R9 (2014-2015): Community Bill of Rights Resolution

Conveyed to the President

• Resolution:
  UA R9 (2014-2015): Community Bill of Rights Resolution
• Day:
  April 8, 2015
• Action:
  Conveyed to the President
• Summary / Notes:
• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:
  Dear President Skorton,
  
  It is with pleasure that I notify you of a pair of Resolutions passed by the University Assembly at our meeting of April 7.
  
  UA Resolution 9 (Community Bill of Rights Resolution) amends the Assembly's Bylaws to add responsibility, "...for the creation, maintenance and availability of a Community Bill of Rights" to the duties of the University Assembly's Codes and Judicial Committee.
  
  Here is a link to a copy of this Resolution: https://cornell.box.com/s/jk2lrg9ruv81re2yf5zjmfc92w4o59pr
  
  UA Resolution 10 (Charge of the Community Rights and Responsibilities Working Group) established a working group under the Codes and Judicial Committee (CJC) in order to:
  (i) assist the CJC in its role regarding the Community Bill of Rights,
  (ii) review all relevant policies as needed to ensure that they are written in an internally and externally consistent manner, and
  (iii) provide a forum through which formal recommendations regarding the language of policies can be addressed.
  
  Here is a link to a copy of this Resolution: https://cornell.box.com/s/tfhd48vwhfw3ris579qfiz86p4pbg14a
  
  I would underscore two points that might not be immediately apparent upon reading these Resolutions:
  
  a. With regard to Resolution 9, the Community Bill of Rights that will be created by the CJC will be fully coordinated with stakeholders during its development and will ultimately be put forward in a formal UA Resolution to the University President for acceptance. In other words, Resolution 9 authorizes the CJC with drafting the Community Bill of Rights, but not its actual approval. That would still require the passage of a UA Resolution followed by formal Presidential acceptance.
  
  b. With regard to Resolution 10, I would underscore that it does not imply (or attempt to grant) this committee with authority over any university policies. Rather if this committee identified a policy discrepancy or related concern, they would alert the policy owner and the University Policy Office, discuss the issue with them (and others, as appropriate), and if needed, initiate a formal improvement request via the university's current policy change processes.
  
  Since these Resolutions are within the scope of the Assembly's current authority, they do not require a formal review and acceptance by you. However, as in all actions of the Assembly, we value your insight and would want to address any questions or concerns you or the administration might have.
  
  Respectfully,
  -Jim