Whereas, Alhassan Bangura helped found the Student Assembly Office of Ethics in the 2021-2022 term and was an inaugural member of the Office;

Whereas, Alhassan served as Director of the Office of Ethics for the 2023-2024 term, providing invaluable support to the Assembly and adjudicating complex Assembly crises including presidential succession, governing document conflicts, and officer misconduct allegations;

Whereas, Jessica Withers and Erik Kalweit have served tirelessly in support of the Student Assembly, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, Employee Assembly, Faculty Senate, University Assembly, and the Constituency-Elected Trustees;

Whereas, Jessica and Erik have been essential resources in ensuring that actions of the Student Assembly are carried out;

Whereas, public transportation is a crucial service that facilitates accessibility, affordability, and sustainability for graduate and professional students, many of whom rely on TCAT for commuting to campus, housing, and essential services; and

Whereas, the Cornell Student Assembly currently operates under Robert’s Rules of Order as its parliamentary authority;

Whereas, the traditional application of Robert’s Rules can be overly formal, slow, and difficult for new members or community participants to engage with;

Whereas, premature closure of debate through procedural motions has limited the ability of minority viewpoints to be fully heard and considered;

Whereas, the minimum requirement to be considered a full-time student at Cornell University is 12 credits per semester. 

Whereas, to graduate from Cornell’s undergraduate program, a student needs to complete 120 credits. Across 8 semesters (or 4 academic years), this means that a student has to take around 15 credits per semester.

Whereas, diversity and inclusion are core institutional values of Cornell University, the University Assembly values the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion as fundamental to a thriving and successful community; and

Whereas, menstrual equity is a public health imperative, and 23% of U.S. college students

struggle to afford menstrual products, leading to missed classes and health risks;

Whereas, Cornell lags behind peer institutions:

Whereas, Les Femmes De Substance is an organization on campus that seeks to uplift and empower Black women on campus.

Whereas, Les Femmes De Substance is requesting $5000 to pay for a professional development retreat in Syracuse, New York, dedicated to helping Black women navigate the professional world.

Whereas, Part B: Special Projects Funding, Section 1 of the Student Assembly Standing Rules explains the purpose of Special Projects Funding as follows: 

Whereas, the Cornell Caribbean Students Association is a registered student organization on campus that seeks to expose Cornell students to Caribbean culture.

Whereas, Appendix B, Section 4: Organizing Specific Guidelines, Subsection A: Departments, Article i, of the Charter of the Student Assembly, reads as follows,

i. Alternative Breaks

a. The Alternative Breaks allocation shall be managed and overseen by the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement.

b. The Alternative Breaks allocation shall provide individual students with finance support for Alternative Breaks opportunities.