Federal Relations
Statement on Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
OSGR released this statement on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, combining the omnibus spending bill for the 2021 fiscal year with stimulus relief for the COVID19 Pandemic in the longest bill ever passed by Congress.
“We look forward to working with our representatives to continue to build on these policies to create a higher education system that works in the interest of students…”
Statement On DHS Proposed Rule
OSGR released this statement in response to the rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security requiring a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.
“If passed, this rule will not only place an unnecessary burden on our International colleagues, but hinder academic progress that relies on the unique perspectives they have to offer…The Office of Student Government Relations urges this ruling not take effect. “
Some Fall 2020 Student Asks
Student Assembly Executive VP, Cat Huang, is featured as a panelist on Today’s Students Coalitions town hall moderated by NPR’s Elissa Nadworny. The webinar focused on students’ thoughts regarding the fall 2020 semester. Cat highlighted the lack of higher ed and student specific funding. Find the full webinar below.
An interview with
Aadi Kulkarni
Check out this interview of Director of OSGR Aadi Kulkarni on the All Things Equal radio show discussing student concerns during COVID and how OSGR led the student response to the CARES Act along with schools from around the country.
Senate CARES 2.0 Letter to Senate Leadership - July 1, 2020
OSGR delivered a letter to Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer on our policy recommendations including students in any upcoming stimulus package to combat the effects of COVID-19.
“Higher education serves as a strong driver of economic growth for our country. Those that attend college are twice as likely to own a small business than those with a high school education or less. As colleges propose a variety of plans for fall 2020, students face difficult decisions while they continue to bear the direct and indirect costs of their education. Simply put, an investment in students now will pave a path forward for a stronger, healthier economy”
Student Response to CARES Act - May 11, 2020
Cornell Student Assembly President, Joe Anderson, along with representatives of millions of students released a letter urging representatives in Washington to consider an emergency student benefit, student service grant, and state commitment of effort in light of the effects of COVID-19.
“As college campuses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students lost more than access to libraries and lecture halls; they lost jobs, homes, and the resources to support their everyday lives. Income earned by students is crucial: 43% of full-time students and 81% of part-time students report being employed. Coronavirus layoffs are disproportionately impacting Americans between 16 and 24 years old as students lose the jobs they rely on to make ends meet.”
Statement in Support of Broadband Connectivity for College Students
"We, as representatives of the Cornell Student Assembly, affirm our support for the Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act, a bill which would establish an Emergency Higher Education Connectivity Fund to assist in providing today’s students with much needed broadband access. Cornell’s Office of Student Government Relations represents a diverse student body from across the country and is committed to promoting equity in higher education access during this time. The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act would provide a much-needed boost to students’ educational needs.“
Insights & Outlooks, Issue 25 - April 15, 2020
Director of Federal Relations, Collin Kane, contributes a piece to Higher Learning Advocates’ Insights & Outlooks featuring views from higher education leaders. The issue focuses on how the pandemic is affecting students:
“While many are “home,” or at the very least elsewhere now, the effects of COVID-19 for students remain pervasive. Those who lived in off-campus housing are hoping for a rent freeze and students from a range of backgrounds and living situations are asking for a universal pass/fail grading system to be implemented to provide for accommodation and destigmatization of student academic performance.
As the Federal government, the state of New York, and Cornell’s administration continue to disseminate directives, for now, students remain scattered across the country and globe, with a sense of uncertainty prevailing as they adjust to their unexpected new lives and anticipate what the coming months might bring as a student during the global pandemic.”
Partner: Today’s Students Coalition
Cornell OSGR is proud to represent the Cornell Student Assembly working with other coalition members to push for needed change in order to better serve today’s students.