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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

Contact Us

130 E. Seneca Street, Suite 400
Ithaca, NY 14850-4353
ph: 607-254-7104
fax: 607-254-7139
Email: cucouncil-mailbox@cornell.edu

Council Webmaster: alumniwebmaster@cornell.edu