Office of the Assemblies

Thank you for conveying to me University Assembly Resolution #3: Amending the University Assembly Bylaws. I accept the resolution and affirm that it has always been and will always be my intention to respect the autonomy of all assemblies to organize their own procedures, in all cases where those procedures are situated within the authority of the assembly proposing them.

In the interests of full transparency, I must be clear that in cases where the authority for a proposed procedure lies elsewhere, it is my responsibility to reject such procedures and/or the resolutions that put them forth, in order to respect the authority and autonomy of the appropriate body to carry out its delegated responsibilities and oversight.  

For example, in last year’s University Assembly Resolution #6, the proposed amendments were inconsistent with the Board of Trustees’ adoption of the Student Code of Conduct. As I said then, the UA’s areas of responsibility are defined by the delegations made to the UA by the trustees. Resolution #6, for instance, intended for the committee to act as a “non-judicial, non-administrative body authorized to receive and consider complaints” on a wide range of matters, including “the application of Cornell’s codes or regulations of conduct,” matters of freedom of speech, and collective bargaining issues. Oversight of these areas is appropriately handled by various administrative units of the university, and the UA cannot assume review authority over them.  

Sincerely,

Martha E. Pollack