Cornell University Council
2005 - 2006 Committees & Chairs

Council committees exist to support Cornell. Each has a direct working relationship with a campus department or unit. Council members or University staff may suggest ideas for committee projects. Committees may be created or discontinued as needed.

There are currently 15 standing Council committees; each one's size is determined by need. Council members receive a form on which to list their skills and interests. The forms are then reviewed by Committee chairs and University representatives looking for members who can best help with committee goals.

• Admissions and Financial Aid
  Jane Kornfeld Bessin AB '79
  
  
• Annual Meeting Planning 2005
  Mark A. Tatum BS AGR '91
  
  
• Annual Meeting Planning 2006
  Dale S. Lazar BS ENGR '74, JD '77
  
  
• Athletics Alumni Advisory
  Richard L. Booth Jr. BS AGR '82
  
  
• Committee on Career Services
  Douglas H. Calby BS ENGR ���81
  
  
• Committee on the Arts
  James J. Byrnes BS AGR '63, MBA '64
  
  
• Cornell's Adult University
  Penny S. Haitkin BS HE '65
  
  
• Governmental Relations
  Ronald W. Pedersen BS AGR '61, MS '62
  
  
• Human Resources Advisory
  Kenneth F. Kahn BS ILR '69
  
  
• International Programs
  Bobby S. Tsai BS ENGR '83
  
  
• Membership
  Penny S. Haitkin BS HE '65
  
  
• Nominating
  Ginger K. So AB '79
  
  
• Public Relations
  Denise P. Meridith BS AGR '73
  
  
• Student & Academic Services
  Jay F. Taylor BS AGR '80
  
  
• Sustainable Development & Environmental Stewardship
  Kenneth H. Iscol BS ILR '60
  
  
• Technology Transfer
  Mark H. Brandt BS AGR '86
  
  

Committee Chairs

Committee chairs serve a two-year term, renewable once. The Administrative Board may extend the term through special appointment. Each committee chair will:

• plan goals and objectives for the year (consulting with the Cornell University Council Director and the University representative) and submit a report to the Council Office by June 30
  
• identify, in consultation with the University representative, the skills and expertise needed for the committee's work and review possible candidates for committee membership
  
• try to involve Cornell faculty in committee activities where appropriate
  
• contact candidates to confirm their interest in joining the committee, and extend a written invitation, stating term length, to interested and qualified candidates
  
• clearly define the committee's mission to its members, identify yearly goals and objectives, and translate them into a work plan (with targeted completion dates)
  
• communicate with committee members as necessary, plan at least one meeting a year when the majority of members can participate, and prepare a specific agenda for each meeting
  
• preside over committee meetings or, if absent, designate someone to preside
  
• ensure that committee members each have special assignments, and where possible distribute the agenda and working papers in advance of meetings
  
• prepare a final report of the past year's work and submit it to the Council Office before June 30; include in the report a recommendation for either its continuance as a Council committee or the transfer of its work to another group

• recommend, in consultation with the University representative, new chairs and vice chairs for the committee
  
  

University Representatives

The University names a representative for each campus unit or department that has a working relationship with a Council committee. A University representative will:

• identify and prioritize projects for the committee's attention and determine the level of University support for a project
  
• prepare background information and orientation materials for new committee members
  
• identify, with the chair, the skills and expertise required for the committee's work, and review possible candidates for membership
  
• keep the committee chair updated on programs and changes in priorities at the campus department or unit
  
• provide staff to prepare materials, arrange meetings, or carry out other support activities for the committee, as necessary
  
• act as liaison between the committee and the Council Office; update records and provide copies of all printed materials to the Council Office
  
• recommend, in consultation with the committee chair, the new chairs and vice chairs for the committee