Passed: March 11, 2015

Sponsors: Cynthia Leifer, Jill Frank and Michael Fontaine and the University Faculty Committee (UFC)

Senate Discussions: March 11, 2015

Whereas the 2010 Faculty Work Life Survey indicated that the timing of departmental meetings and functions was stressful for nearly half of Cornell’s faculty members (48%);
Whereas women and underrepresented minorities are more affected by long distance, dual-career situations and elder-care responsibilities that limit their on campus work time;
Whereas at least three local daycare centers close at 5pm, with most others closing at 5:30pm;
Whereas there are more dual-career faculty members at Cornell than ever before;
Whereas 46% of women faculty and 16% of men who are in dual-career situations live separately for at least part of the year or commute at least a one hour from home;
Whereas the Provost , Deans and Department Chairs agreed to conduct university business at “Core Meeting Times,” between the hours of 8:30 am and 5pm to support work/life balance for all faculty;
Be it resolved that the Faculty Senate move its meeting to start and end within the regular university business hours of 8:30am-5pm.
Be it also resolved that the Dean of Faculty, in consultation with human resources, the registrar and the Provost or his/her representative, be charged with identifying the new senate meeting time to go into effect Fall 2015.