Faculty Senate – October 28, 2026
October 28, 2026 — 3:30-5:00PM
Physical location: Schwartz Auditorium, Rockefeller Hall
Contact your unit’s Faculty Senator for the zoom link.
The October 14 and October 28 Faculty Senate discussions of the proposed no-confidence resolution will be open to members of the Cornell community. This is a critically important debate for our campus, and the University Faculty Committee wants members to be able to follow the Senate’s deliberations.
A Cornell ID will be required for admission; advance registration is not required. Only Senators and faculty will be permitted to ask questions or address the Senate. Photography and audio or video recording by attendees are prohibited. Electronic voting on the resolution will follow the October 28 discussion.
Because a Cornell ID will be required for entry into Schwartz auditorium, Senators are encouraged to arrive early. The meeting will start promptly at 3:30 pm.
Call to order – Sam Nelson, Senate Speaker
Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ Land Acknowledgement
Approval of Minutes: October 14, 2026
Review of debate ground rules and procedures – Chris B. Schaffer, Dean of Faculty
3:35-4:15 p.m.
Proposed resolution – Cornell Faculty Vote of No Confidence – Paul Ortiz, Senator and Professor of Labor History, ILR [40 min]
Senate Debate, including any amendments or motions
During the debate of this resolution, we will alternate between speakers in support, opposed, or raising neutral issues about the resolution. We will also alternate between folks attending the meeting in person and folks on Zoom. Senators will be prioritized, with an opportunity for other faculty to address the Senate if debate time remains and no remaining Senators wish to speak. All speakers will be limited to two minutes.
4:15-4:45 p.m.
Proposed resolution – A Sustained Faculty Commitment to Preventing Sexual Violence – UFC sponsored, presented by Adam T. Smith, Suzanne Charles, and Dan Buckley [30 min]
Senate Q&A
4:45-4:55 p.m.
Dean of Faculty Announcements and Updates – Chris B. Schaffer, Dean of Faculty [10 min]
- Extension Professor track – approved by Board of Trustees, colleges may submit proposals to utilize the title
- Faculty Soup: M-F, 11:30-1:30, Statler first floor; DOF office hours on Fridays
- Pop-up soup: Wilson Synchrotron, Nov. 17
- Senate Q&A
4:55-5:00 p.m.
Good of the Order –
Richard Bensel, Senator and Gary S. Davis Professor of Government, Government
Adjournment – Sam Nelson, Senate Speaker