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Shared Governance

Graduate School Code of Legislation PDF Document

Summary

Shared governance and student participation in university decisions are integral to Cornell’s values and structures. Shared governance enables members of the community to have access to information, involvement in matters of concern to them, and the authority to examine these issues and make recommendations to the appropriate administrative officer(s) and the president.

The Assemblies are in a position not only to provide a humanistic, community-based evaluation of current and proposed administrative actions, but also to advocate for those policies. The Assemblies serve as a forum to promote active and open debate, engage in the discussion of controversial issues, exchange ideas, and work toward the common good.

Graduate and professional students are represented through the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, the General Committee of the Graduate School, and elected members of Cornell’s Board of Trustees.

  • The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) ensures direct and continued involvement of graduate and professional school students in the governance of nonacademic affairs of the university. Drawing upon the strengths of its diverse community, the GPSA is responsible for setting and distributing the graduate student activity fee and representatives to university committees. The GPSA voting member body is composed of 36 voting members including delegates from each graduate division, the graduate and professional schools, and standing committee chairpersons, elected from the larger body of field representatives. It is the official voice for the over 10,000 graduate and professional students at Cornell. GPSA supports the following:
    • Representing graduate and professional student concerns to the university administration.
    • Advocating for graduate and professional students on issues including student resources, health care, insurance, transportation, and housing.
    • Allocating funds to graduate and professional student groups and setting the Student Activity Fee.
    • Providing support for graduate and professional student programming.
  • The General Committee is the administrative, legislative, and judicial governing body of the Graduate School. The committee approves revisions to the Code of Legislation, approves appointments to the graduate faculty, reviews and approves changes to graduate programs, and makes recommendations for new advanced degrees. The General Committee is made up of a body of representative faculty from all disciplines, Graduate School deans, and graduate students.
  • The Board of Trustees is responsible for major decisions regarding the university’s governance, policies, and financial management. The Board determines major policy directions and has an important role in safeguarding the integrity of the university. Trustees serve on numerous committees and task forces of the Board. The graduate or professional student elected is a full voting member of the board.

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Contact

Janna Lamey, Associate Dean for Graduate Student Life, janna.lamey@cornell.edu