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Posts Tagged ‘Student Assembly’

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Inside the Mind of: SA EVP Candidate Alex Pruce

Posted by Michael Alan on March 3, 2011

Student Assembly Transfer Representative Alex Pruce is probably one of the busiest students on campus, and he’s only in his second semester at Cornell. The Insider caught up with him to get the scoop on his campaign for Executive Vice President and his thoughts on some recent campus and national happenings:

As a transfer student, you bring a different perspective to a community full of people who are only intimately familiar one undergraduate institution.  What has been the biggest perk for you that comes with being a Cornellian and what has been the biggest disappointment?

The biggest perk is the access to all of Cornell’s resources, which are some of the best in the world: the libraries, professors, students, etc.  Everyday, I am in awe that I am here.  The biggest disappointment is that I thought the weather in Ithaca would be nicer.  I grossly underestimated the cold.

What have been some of the unique concerns of the transfer community you’ve addressed as Transfer Representative in the SA?

The concerns for transfer students so far have not deviated from what would be expected concerns of any other student.  Housing issues, meal plan concerns, how to become involved on campus and find a community to flourish in, and campus-wide problems such as SAFC funding for new student groups have all been directed to me at some point this school year and have tried to resolve as many as possible.  I have had questions raised about transfer course credit, potential transfer-only housing, and special transfer academic advising over the last two semesters, which have been majorly resolved by the students themselves after consulting me.

You’re running for Executive Vice President with only one and half semesters of SA experience under your belt.  Why are you qualified for the position?

First, SA experience is not a prerequisite for serving on the SA in any capacity, including Executive Vice President (EVP).  Second, platforms aside, the EVP sets the agenda, presides when the President cannot, provides input on executive board meetings, and has the same rights and privileges as other members of the body.  I am a capable manager and can handle those responsibilities effectively.  As an SA representative, Mock Trial co-captain, and co-founder of a club, I am definitely qualified to become the next Executive Vice President of the Student Assembly.

One of the SA presidential candidates is touting a plan to use money from the Student Activity Fee normally reserved for the twenty-nine “byline funded” organizations, like the Slope Day and Concert Commissions, to expand the Blue Light system.  What do you think of this idea?

Expanding the Blue Light system by way of using the Student Activity Fee (SAF) is the wrong approach for a number of reasons.  The Blue Light system’s increased funding comes at the expense of other byline-funded organizations, if the SAF is not raised, which I do not support.  Further, throwing money at the problem and hoping for the best is not the right course of action.  The SA this year has not been presented evidence by any organization, administrator, or otherwise that this is the best or a plausible solution to the unaddressed issue of forcible touching.

If you were on the SA last spring, how would you have voted on Resolution 44, which sought to eradicate discrimination on campus but also would have undermined the sovereignty of student organizations on campus had President Skorton approved it in its entirety?

The sovereignty of student organizations is a key value in my SA decisions concerning resolutions.  The SA has no right to infringe upon those rights, unless it is an issue of finances, deviating from the group’s stated purpose, or something along those lines.  But, while I respect the intention of Resolution 44 because I believe in individual tolerance and respect our differences, I do not believe in forced acceptance of those differences.  Thus, I would probably not have voted for it, following my libertarian spirit.  Of course, the past is the past.

What are your thoughts on the news that Nelly will be performing at Slope Day?

I heard a lot of people hating on Nelly after it was revealed that he was going to be headlining Slope Day, but I’m excited for it. The Slope Day Programming Board picked a solid entertainer.

Who would be your ideal Slope Day performer?

As a Pittsburgher, I would have appreciated Wiz Khalifa more (at least to hear “Black and Yellow”).  But, you know what it is…

Finally, you’re an ILRie–what do you think of the situation in Wisconsin?

I am actually pretty torn.  When I first heard about Governor Scott Walker going after the collective bargaining rights of most public employees, I thought it was a means to an end to reduce the financial burden on the state, and I accepted that as a valid concern and a way to do accomplish that.  However, the unions and their membership have already made significant concessions with no budging from the Governor on a compromise, plus the phone call gaffe with the reporter posing as one of the billionaire Koch Brothers hurts his capital with me.  I am going to continue to monitor the situation and hope something amicable results from it.

Voting for all Student Assembly elections ends this morning at 10 AM.

Posted in Inside the Mind of: | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Liveblogging the SA Candidate Debates

Posted by Michael Alan on February 22, 2011

4:58 PM:  About two dozen or so students (probably at least a 1/3 of whom are involved in the SA) have shuffled into Uris G01 to watch Raps and Nicolleti, in addition to the EVP candidates, Alex Pruce and Adam Gitlin, go at it eat the free pizza.

5:08 PM:  While they’ve yet to start up the candidate action, about another 15 engaged students people wanting pizza have arrived, including the six bros sitting directly in front of me brought in to support EVP candidate Gitlin and, again, eat pizza.

5:11 PM:  Charlie Feng will moderate the EVP debate, while Dean of Students Kent Hubble will be charged with keeping Raps and Nicolleti from getting physical.

5:13 PM:  Pruce opening remarks–defending the rights of the Greek community “instead of being ignored.”

Gitlin opening remarks–while Pruce brought up actual policy, Gitlin focuses on E-Board experience and his understanding of the “nuances” of the position.

5:14 PM:  Feng–Nobody comes to the SA meetings, do they actually matter?

Gitlin–Sees it as an issue of outreach, not how the meetings are run.

Pruce–Agrees and brings up futility of outreach efforts like pamphlets.

5:19 PM:  Gitlin brings up SA getting to issues later than administration and other student groups.  Wants to elevate SA to level more equal with administration.  I’m not sure if expanding SA’s power is within the SA’s purview, but Gitlin’s going there anyway.

5:20 PM:  Gitlin just said “conflict minerals.”  Is this the 1990s?

5:21 PM:  Pruce seems a bit more realistic about what the SA’s role should be, focusing on working with administration rather than against it, as it seems Gitlin is advocating.  Also brings up need to reform SAFC guidelines, very relevant considering the “Hangovers” incident last week.

5:23 PM:  Gitlin disagrees with Pruce regarding SA’s role in programming, believes individual groups should be responsible for that.  Also says he’ll be “meeting with mental health professions across campus.”  Wow, he must have some issues.

5:26 PM:  Freshman Rep Geoffrey Block doesn’t have a question, just wants to watch the candidates “clash.”  Our kind of guy.

5:28 PM:  While Pruce abstained from directly attacking Gitlin, Gitlin decides to attack him on not giving specifics.  I guess “meeting with mental health professionals” is a very specific and targeted course of action in Gitlin’s mind.

5:30 PM:  Transfer Rep Pruce brings up “outsider” status as a positive in contrast with “SA mentality” that involves “getting bogged down in committees and resolutions.”

5:31 PM:  Dean Hubbell has taken the stage and invited Raps and Nicolletti up.  Nicolletti tries to reach out to Raps, but she seems a bit distant.

5:33 PM:  Raps brings up a “mental health day off” as part of her platform.

5:34 PM:  Nicolletti wants to bring a pub to campus and “remove bureaucracy.”  Backhanded attack at Raps:  “lofty goals that don’t accomplish anything.”

5:36 PM:  Raps in favor of “a caring community.”  As opposed to those candidates that don’t care?

5:38 PM:  Raps talks about ineffectiveness of Blue Light system, will take money from other programs to fund additional late night transportation.

5:40 PM:  Nicolletti “appreciates” late night transportation, but doesn’t want to take byline funding to pay for it.

Nicolletti says many students “don’t even know SA exists.”  Does he think Cornell students are that oblivious?

5:41 PM:  Raps is cute and has “a lot of catchphrases.”  “SA as a hub!”  Man, that’s catchy.

5:42 PM:  Raps says role of SA is as “an ombudsman” and wants to protect sovereignty of student orgs.  Stands in contrast with her voting record.  Nicolletti agrees, says those specific orgs should self-govern.  Says SA involvement would be “big brother.”

5:45 PM:  Insider asks Raps to defend her vote on resolution 45, “Spending Student Money Sustainably.”  She defends it as “student outreach,” but Nicolletti rightly points out that it would’ve put an “undue burden” on student organizations to line themselves up with the “goals of the lofty headed people” who sit on the Environmental Committee.  Says he supports sustainability, but objected to the economic sanctions of student groups proposed in the resolution.

5:51 PM:  The “debate” has gotten boring, as both candidates seem to be agreeing on the need to engage in “outreach.”  Yawn.

5:53 PM:  Nicolletti emphasizes SAFC reform, efficient spending of SA cash, and campus pub in closing statements.  Raps calls Nicolletti’s statement “eloquent” and wants to “talk from her heart.”  Quotes Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.”  Nicolletti definitely focused more on specifics.  The forced hug at the end was hilarious.

Closing thoughts:

Nicolletti impressed (although his vote last year in favor of the “anti discrimination” resolution 44 makes me question his judgment on free speech issues even if Raps also voted for it), while Raps was light on specifics and heavy on catchphrases.  Gitlin seemed to want to attack Pruce for no apparent reason (perhaps to give his supporters a chance to wave their “Vote Gitlin” sign), while Pruce emphasized the need for the outside perspective provided by his transfer student background and got into specifics on SAFC reform.

Just adding to the fun of the forced hugs and awkward catchphrases of a Student Assembly debate, Insider favorite Andrew Brokman ambushed your humble correspondent on the way out of Uris to clear up “some specifics that were wrong” regarding his green fascism resolution that Raps supported.

He said that the resolution really was meant to be nothing more than “outreach” and that it only gave the Environmental Committee “resolution power” to punish student organizations not following the vague guidelines it empowered them to enforce.  To clear all this up, we asked him, “So what you’re saying is that you wanted the threat to be there, but that you never intended to use the power that backed it up?”

“Exactly.”

Uh-huh.

Posted in Campus Insiders | Tagged: | 3 Comments »

Liveblogging Tomorrow’s Epic Presidential Showdown at Uris

Posted by Michael Alan on February 21, 2011

Student Assembly presidential candidates Natalie Raps ’12, the current SA public relations VP, and Adam Nicoletti ’12, the current SA finance VP, will be debating tomorrow night in Uris G01 from 5 to 6 PM and the Insider will be on hand to liveblog all the excitement.  While both candidates voted for the highly controversial Resolution 44, the measure President Skorton vetoed that would’ve greatly restricted free speech on campus in the name of eliminating discrimination, we’re sure a multitude of differences – beyond just gender and rapping ability – will come out in the debate, so be sure to check back tomorrow night and grab the next issue of the Review to read all about the contentious SA elections coming up in March.

Posted in Campus Insiders | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

SA Campaigns Begin…oddly

Posted by Oliver Renick on February 21, 2011

With the Student Assembly elections coming up, the campaigns have already begun. Prepare for several weeks of mass emails, Facebook invites, knocks on the dorm door (freshmen watch out!), and awkward conversations about why you’re not voting (for someone).

Presidential candidate Natalie Raps ’12, once labeled a ‘babe‘ on this site, has started things off on an… interesting note. Even if the soft-spoken Raps doesn’t win I guess she at least demonstrated her acting ability – and her Black Swan alter ego.

Posted in Campus Insiders | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Random Thoughts / Diminished Posting

Posted by Oliver Renick on February 17, 2011

There’s some strange things goin on right now on which I’d like to briefly opine. I must also add that while I’ll be continuing to write for Insider, my presence on this blog will likely diminish over the course of the next few months as I personally have to re-evaluate my time commitments and priorities. My engineering advisor thinks so, too. I’m very thankful to the growing number of readers that visit Insider on a daily basis, and I hope that you will continue reading, as the site will still be updated regularly by my fellow colleagues. So, that was awkward. On with the post: here’s some things that have caught my eye this week.

Cornell International Affairs Review’s blog, Diplomacist, is off to a good start. A lot of blogs come and go, but at this point, it appears the foreign policy-focused blog has plenty of material and room to grow, the two biggest catalysts for successful blogs. Diplomacist has shown off a wide range of authors and perspectives. As many Cornell students – Daily Stun writers, Review and Progressive writers, activists, minorities – often bloviate about their hopes for “increased dialogue” on national topics, it’ll be interesting to see how they utilize the forum that Diplomacist offers. Even. If. Some posts. Have. A lot. Of sentences.

In other blog news, Brokman’s back! And pissed off about a lot of stuff.  OneCornell, the short-lived blog Andrew Brokman ’11 began last fall largely as a megaphone for his anti-discrimination resolution, is now up-and-running again. He blames the hiatus on… the Student Assembly (mutiny!). Originally designed to be ‘Cornell’s first online newspaper,’ Brokman has since cast off the Rupert Murdoch aspirations for a more TMZ-ish approach to covering Cornell’s student governance – except picture Harvey Levin being mad as hell and unwilling to take it anymore. Whether he’s still angry about Skorton O’Neal dominating the paint on Res.44′s court, his failed presidential run, or the fact that Day Hall doesn’t want to tell him if Susan Murphy gets a paid lunch, it’s apparent he’s seeking some justice from…someone. So, to get even, he’s written about a camera-less camera bag and a guy he doesn’t like in the SA – he’s even taken some pain to get to work on Windows Movie Maker (see image) to make sure you’re not confused about who’s not happy. Cause it’s Brokman. And don’t you forget it. Brokman is a very smart guy with a lot of ideas. OneCornell has the potential to save us all from contemplating harakiri during an SA meeting by providing transparency via an inside scoop. I hope the great idea doesn’t go to waste.

In even MORE blog news, via MetaEzra, this is kinda entertaining, especially for incoming Cornellians. Even more especially if you’re into the whole ‘Big Red arrows’ scene. I would have loved to have found this during my summer before coming, as it’s one of the few regularly updated and lively first-person narrative blogs.

Not news: Cody Gault still hates Christians, but at least at this point he’s weaning his own audience of thoughtful people off of his column. Perhaps one of those ex-readers could ask him which religion isn’t based in some form of creationism?

Townies are about to shoot a lot of deer. So that’s pretty cool. Can’t wait for venison night at RPCC.

Institutional racism was enacted against the Greek community today. How do I know it was racist? “There wasn’t much publicity about the intention to cut these courses,” said the President of Hellenic Students Association to the Daily Sun today. So obviously David Skorton hates Greek people. This community of small students (minority?) will now find it considerably more difficult to immerse themselves in Greek culture, literature, anthropology, and music, according to Jeffrey Rusten, director of Department of Classics. As a mature response, Rusten promptly penned a poisonous letter signed by Poseidon himself to the Sun and quit his position, then took it back! Ahaaa, nah, he didn’t. He basically just said funding cuts suck. Associate Dean of Fraternity Affairs Travis Apgar quickly showed support for the funding cut, saying “we’re not here to advocate for a dry campus or a dry Greek language, we’re just trying to be safe.” Fraternity members then rebutted, saying the study of Greek would just be pushed into unsafe areas like dorms and Collegetown.

Nelly for Slope Day? Ya, I guess he made a song recently.

Posted in Campus Insiders, Miscellaneous | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Skorton Takes on Africana as SA Ends with a Bang

Posted by Alfonse Muglia on December 2, 2010

Africana Center has been absorbed into Arts and Sciences

The student assembly’s final meeting of the semester this evening was buzzing with outrage over the administration’s recent decision to bring Africana Studies under the wing of the College of Arts and Science. Representatives from the program brought their complaints before the assembly, who sided with their arguments.

“Why was the discussion of this [move] not had?” asked Zachary Xavier Murray, co-chair of Black Students United.  “The Administration has a trend of saying ‘we’ll open up discussion, but the decision has been made.’”

Members of the Student Assembly voiced their likewise disappointment regarding the lack of communication between the administration and the students.

“This lack of dialogue is something that resonates with this assembly,” remarked president Vincent Andrews.

President David Skorton, making a scheduled appearance at the meeting for the second time this semester, was greeted by the outrage of Murray and the nearly two dozen other advocates from the Africana Center in attendance. Skorton expressed his approval for the decision, frequently reiterating that the move will do nothing but improve the program.  Students enrolled in the Africana Studies program are currently admitted through the College of Arts and Sciences, and their degrees are issued through this school. Africana Studies is also the only unit of study on campus that hires faculty, without reporting to a dean.

The move will correct this, while allowing for further development, like establishing a Ph.D. program and making the program’s practices consistent with every other academic program.  At Harvard and Yale, Africana studies are currently part of the liberal arts colleges.  The Student Assembly, the Africana Studies and Research Center, and those in the audience directed their anger toward the lack of communication and timing, rather than the move itself.

“Decisions regarding black institutions are autocratic,” Murray said during an open-mic conversation with Skorton.  He then referenced the removal of Ken Glover as Ujamaa’s RHD last year.  After a few minutes of rehashing the subject, SA leader Andrews stepped in to move the conversation back to the Africana center.

“This is not just a minority issue – it’s a student-wide issue,” echoed representative Ulysses Smith, before President Skorton expressed that some decisions can’t be made by popular vote.

The argument between Murray and Skorton drowned out the other top item on the meeting’s agenda – University Architect Gilbert Delgado’s report on behalf of the Means Restriction Committee regarding the University’s most recent steps in preventing suicides.

The Student Assembly has scheduled an additional meeting tomorrow where Mr. Delgado is expected to address the bridge barriers and the recent conflict within the firm in charge of the fences, Office dA.

Posted in Campus Insiders | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

SA Spearheads Mental Health Campaign

Posted by Oliver Renick on November 9, 2010

The Student Assembly has announced this evening that they will take on the role of catalyst for student-to-student mental health support, launching ‘Community Caring Week,’ in which students “can relax and address mental health issues.”  The first event will take place this Thursday in Willard Straight Hall’s Memorial Room from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  There will be free food, music, and activities hosted by various student groups.

Since the string of suicides that occurred last Spring, students and faculty at Cornell have desperately tried to find ways to combat depression and encourage peer assistance among the student body.  Forums, activities, and discussions have ensued to try to pull together ideas and solutions to handle issues from student anxiety to bridge fences.

In addition to providing locations where students can get together and take part in activities, the SA is proposing a resolution to the Faculty Senate that would require professors to agree that students should not be required to take or turn in 3 prelims or papers within a 4 day period.

With hopes that it will relieve student stress, the resolution would be the first to make a concrete reorganization of Cornell’s academic schedule.  Roneal Desai ’13, presenter of the resolution, hopes some measures will go into effect as early as next semester, with full implementation of the plan by Fall 2011.

“For students, there’s no secret that a large amount of our stress is derived from our work in the classroom,” Desai told the Review. “It seems silly not to cut down on student stress as much as possible to prevent these cases from occurring.”

From the S.A.’s blog:

Sadly, we can’t all take the preparation required to tackle depression in individual students by ourselves, but we all have the capability to express to professors simpler things they can do that make our lives less stressful–specifically, cutting down on “hell weeks” as much as possible.

As of the now, the exam limitations will only take place during the regular school year, not during exam week.  In addition to the test limitations, Desai hopes to “have make-up tests be spaced further away from original tests, and for professors to learn student’s names. We hope that students will realize the importance of these discussions with professors and will volunteer their time to join on to the cause and try and make a sizable difference.”

The Student Assembly is encouraging Cornellians to take part by helping out during the Community Caring events, providing a sign-up sheet for students to fill out before getting involved.

Posted in Campus Insiders | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Student Assembly Results

Posted by Oliver Renick on September 23, 2010

Fall 2010 election results:

Total participation saw participation by freshman: 1,374 (44%) and transfers: 124 (24%).

Freshman representative (3)

Geoffrey Block

Jennifer Kay

Timothy Lenardo

Transfer representative (1)

Alex Pruce
University Assembly (2)

Ramsey Ataya

George Yorgakaros

Posted in Campus Insiders | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

SA ‘Troubled’ by Administration’s ‘Lack of Consultation’ Over Prohibition Policy

Posted by Oliver Renick on September 8, 2010

In a letter today to Dean of Students Kent Hubbell, the Student Assembly expressed their discomfort with the manner in which the administration has gone about pursuing revisions to the University Recognition Policy for Greek chapters.

“We are troubled by the administration’s lack of consultation with student governance and relevant stakeholders,” said SA leaders, who believe there should be greater student involvement and dialogue before action is taken.  While Cornell’s admins have met with IFC leaders on the subject, there has yet to be any extensive involvement with the student body at large.

“We aim to offer a comprehensive, multi-faceted perspective on this issue by incorporating the opinions of students not represented by the Greek governing bodies into the discussion as these changes may come to affect the broader student experience. Because the Student Assembly was not consulted, undergraduate participation has been limited in a decision that may ultimately affect anyone,” the letter said.

Hubbell responded by saying “it seemed reasonable to us to begin the discussion with the students and alumni of Cornell’s Greek system.  We look forward to having the SA begin their work, and will facilitate the process as we go forward.”

The letter to Hubbell, along with the SA’s plan for approaching the prohibition policy, will be discussed in tomorrow’s assembly meeting in Willard Straight at 4:45 pm.

Posted in Campus Insiders | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

New Cornell Review Issue 9 Available!

Posted by Oliver Renick on March 18, 2010

In our last issue before spring break, we cover the tragic week of suicides that was March 8-13th.  On a lighter note, we have exclusive interviews with SA President and Vice President, Vincent Andrews and Ray Mensah, respectively.  Additionally, the governor of Puerto Rico, Louis Fortuno, also sat down with The Review for some questions.

Follow the link below to download the PDF, or just go read the articles at our website!

Posted in Newspaper PDF | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

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