Cornell University Student Assembly

Student Assembly to Co-Host a Lecture by Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy

Stephen Breedon - VP Public Relations — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:54:09 +0000

For Immediate Release:

On May 2nd, 2013, the Student Assembly is proudly teaming up with the Sigma Phi Society to bring Patrick J. Kennedy, a Rhode Island Congressman and prominent mental health care reformist, to Cornell. Kennedy’s talk will address the ever controversial topic of the impact of public policy on our healthcare system. We are incredible excited hear the Congressman’s speak on mental health and healthcare as these are two of the most prominent issues facing the Cornell community and our generation as a whole.

The lecture will start promptly at 5:00pm in the Alice Statler Auditorium. Tickets are free, and will be available at the door. Furthermore, the event is not restricted to the Cornell community, all are welcome.

ABOUT PATRICK KENNEDY:
Son of Virginia Joan and the late Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy is among the nation’s most prominent and distinguished mental health care reform advocates. A native New Englander, he was and remains the youngest member of the Kennedy family to hold elected office, serving as the U.S. Representative for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional district for over 15 years.

Mr. Kennedy was a chief sponsor of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2008, a bill requiring group health plans to provide coverage for the treatment of mental illnesses that is comparable to what they provide for physical illnesses. He is a strong proponent for the addition of a comprehensive prescription-drug benefit to the U.S. Medicare and is vehemently against the privatization of this program. Mr. Kennedy has been a long time advocate for the reorientation of the U.S Healthcare system to preventative care and has received numerous awards for this advocacy, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Congressional Honors Award and the Society for Neuroscience – Public Service Award.

ABOUT THE STUDENT ASSEMBLY:
The Student Assembly is the undergraduate student government at Cornell University. The Student Assembly deals with quality of life issues for students, making sure that student issues are heard and addressed. The assembly has legislative authority over the policies of the Office of the Dean of Students and the Department of Campus Life, and establishes the undergraduate Student Activity Fee and guidelines for its distribution. Every Cornell student has the opportunity to voice concerns during the open microphone period held at the beginning of each meeting. Each spring and fall students are elected to represent the undergraduate population, holding at-large and undergraduate college seats, and seats that represent minority, international, transfer, first-year and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning students.

Meetings are held each Thursday during the academic year from 4:45–6:30 p.m. in the Memorial Room of Willard Straight Hall.

ABOUT THE TANENBAUM LECTURE SERIES:
The Lawrence and Judith Tanenbaum Distinguished Speakers Fellowship of The Sigma Phi Society remains a testament to the importance of Greek Life at Cornell University. Now in its 50th year, this fellowship is one of a few student run lecture series programs in the nation, and often co-sponsors events with other Cornell groups and departments. Recent guests have included Muhammed Ali, Benazir Bhutto, William Shatner, Philippe Petit, and Dr. J. Craig Venter.

Originally the Oliphant Lecture Series, the fund was reendowed in 2006 through a generous gift of Lawrence Tanenbaum, a 1968 graduate of Cornell, Sigma Phi brother, and currently chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

SA 2013-14 Internal Elections Results

Stephen Breedon - VP Public Relations — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:07:11 +0000

In an internal session on April 5th, the Student Assembly elected its new Executive Board for the 2013-2014 term. The results are as follows:

Vice President of Internal Operations – Melissa Lukasiewicz
Vice President of Finance – Geoffrey Block
Vice President of Public Relations – Ian Harris
Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion – Cameron Pritchett
Vice President of Outreach – Juliana Batista

The new SA will select a Parliamentarian and a Director of Elections at its next internal session. Committee chairs and liaisons will also be selected at this session. Congratulations to the new Executive Board! We are looking forward to a great year!

Cornell University Women’s Summit

Stephen Breedon - VP Public Relations — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:32:02 +0000

The Cornell University Women’s Summit will bring together all women’s issues related organizations on campus and foster inter-group communication while addressing campus-wide issues. One representative from respective organizations to will attend this event. It aims further the open dialogue between women’s organizations in the Cornell community. The summit will happen on April 12th from 6-7:30 in the Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room.

DivestNOW! Letters Delivered to President Skorton

Stephen Breedon - VP Public Relations — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:40:20 +0000

CALS Representatives Jill Marshall and Sarah Balik both delivered letters to President Skorton, part of the DivestNOW! “Letters to Skorton” campaign. The campaign has included daily letters to President Skorton, showing student support for Cornell’s divestment from fossil fuels. They personally delivered their letters to his office yesterday, April 1, as part of DivestNOW!’s Letters to the President Campaign. The letters encourage him and the Investment Committee to move forward with our endowments divest from fossil fuels.

You can show your support by signing the DivestNOW! petition: http://bit.ly/divestnow. If you would like to get involved or write a letter, contact Sarah Balik (seb295@cornell.edu) or Jill Marshall (jem393@cornell.edu).

Late Night Safety Survey Closed

Stephen Breedon - VP Public Relations — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:48:57 +0000

The Late Night Safety Survey has been closed, and is in the process of analysis. The Student Assembly, along with University Communications and the Office of Institutional Research and Planning, are beginning to analyze the results from the survey, which was taken by over 600 students! A detailed report of the results will be published and presented to University Administrators and CUPD by the end of this semester. Look out for updates, soon!

Lift Your Spirits

Stephen Breedon - VP Public Relations — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:42:51 +0000

The Student Assembly, Cornell Minds Matter, the Cornell MINDS Foundation and CU [dis]connect are partnering together to host the Lift Your Spirits celebration on Friday, April 12th from 12-2. This event was originally conceived in 2010 as a way for students from across campus to join together in the wake of a spate of suicides. Yet again, we want to bring the Cornell Community together in celebration to remind ourselves of the importance of life and to celebrate ourselves, our school, and most important, members of our community. This will be a time of organic self-expression, release, and relaxation. Save the date!

Joe Quandt Memorial & Gallery

Ulysses Smith - VP of Diversity & Inclusion — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:00:02 +0000

Please join the College of Architecture, Art, & Planning as we celebrate the life of Joe Quandt ’15. The gallery space in West Sibley Hall is open for all members of the community to post any special thoughts or memories. Materials will be provided, but please feel free to bring whatever you would like.

The memorial service for Joe will be held on Wednesday, March 26th at 4pm in Anabel Taylor Chapel.

Ulysses Smith | Architecture, Art, & Planning Representative

Come Join the New SA at OADI!

Ulysses Smith - VP of Diversity & Inclusion — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:49:59 +0000

The Student Assembly will be cosponsoring the Social Justice Roundtable Dinner with the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives on Monday, March 11th at 5:30pm in 200 CCC. The discussion will revolve around student government and how it can serve as a helping hand or maybe a hindrance to the achievement of justice for various groups. This comes right on the heels of the SA elections, so this is a great opportunity for students from all over campus to openly discuss the way they interpret the work of student government. Free dinner will be provided! Free food is always great with friends, so invite a few!

Black History Month Closing Ceremony

Ulysses Smith - VP of Diversity & Inclusion — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:37:14 +0000

Join Black Students United and others from all over Cornell as we celebrate the end of a highly successful Black History Month. This month has been filled with events that celebrate the many facets of the Black experience. This event will be the culmination of this month’s celebration of beauty, intellect, scholarship, and service.

At 8PM this Friday, March 1st

Come wrap up February and Black History Month

at Black Student United’s annual

Black History Month

Closing Ceremony

this year’s event is at the The Johnson Museum

w/ Keynote Speaker Dean Collins

Semi-formal attire is requested and there will be light refreshments served.

Tower Road Safety Initiative

Stephen Breedon - VP Public Relations — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:14:39 +0000

Last week, CALS Representatives Jill Marshall and Sarah Balik met with several administrators and faculty members to address safety issues concerning pedestrians on Tower Road, specifically the intersection of Garden Ave. (right next to Trillium). Assistant Dean of CALS Ezra Delaney, University Planner Minakshi Amundsen, Senior Director of Facilities Operations Joseph Lalley, and CALS Facility Assistant Ellen Chase were all in attendance. At the meeting we discussed plans to improve pedestrian safety by installing crossing signals and creating bike lanes and bus stops. We hope to have exciting updates to share with you about this project by the end of the semester!

- Sarah Balik & Jill Marshall, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Representatives