The Student Assembly spent a majority of its meeting yesterday being briefed on and discussing two existing University-wide initiatives — the Climate Action Plan and Cornell’s preparations for reaccreditation. Towards the end of the meeting, two representatives introduced a new resolution about the renewed efforts to extend some S.A. voting rights to the student body at-large, but there was not sufficient time for the Assembly to discuss or take any action on the matter.

Following roll call and the usual weekly committee reports, the Student Assembly heard the details about the Cornell University Climate Action Plan from Graduate Student Trustee Mike Walsh. Seeking an endorsement for the plan from the S.A. Walsh explained, “The Climate Action Plan seeks to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.”

The CAP’s goal of climate neutrality represents the University’s efforts to fulfill its responsibilities as a signator of the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

Although the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggested that the United States should seek to reduce its carbon footprint to 85 percent of its year 2000 level by the year 2050, Walsh explained that Cornell’s plan will achieve net zero emissions before that date. He added: “A lot of people are starting to applaud Cornell for being one of the leaders [amongst universities] in climate action.”

However, it is not just the environment that will benefit from the Climate Action Plan.

“The [CAP] will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also improve finances, support research, broaden education and enhance outreach,” Walsh said. “So the climate action plan is not just about making our facilities more efficient.”

Make plays, not excuses: The Student Assembly yesterday discussed the Climate Action Plan and Cornell’s preparations for reaccreditation.S.A. Vice President for Public Relations Vincent Andrews ’11 opened the assembly’s debate on the matter with positive response: “I’d like to congratulate you guys on this amazing work,” he said.

However, concerns about the expense of implementing the CAP in the midst of the University’s current financial difficulties prompted him to ask: “How receptive is the administration to actually implementing this? Are they wavering at all due to financial circumstances?”

Walsh said that, among others, “The Board of Trustees approved the Climate Action Plan a few weeks ago with a similar resolution to the one [presented to the S.A.]. I’m sure there’s a variety of opinions as to how fast we should be pursuing some of these targets.”

Furthermore, Walsh explained that the plan is predicted to generate a 15 percent return on investments.

S.A. Representative Matthew Danzer ’13 asked Walsh: “If you were to receive [all the money you need] … how long do you think it would take to achieve the goal — either of 85 percent [emissions reduction] or carbon neutrality?”

“Some things are going to take a few years to build,” Walsh replied, citing the plan for an enhanced geothermal energy system as an example. He continued: “This might end up being a 20 to 30 year final project. We’re making really dramatic cuts [in emissions], so in the first 10 years we really have more of a plan but for the 20 years beyond that we’re waiting to see what technologies arise [before making predictions].”

Vice President for Finance Chris Basil ’10 called a vote and the decision to support CAP passed unanimously.

Along with the standard committee updates, the S.A. heard an update report from Dean of the College of Human Ecology Alan Mathios and Dean of Students Kent Hubbell ’67 on behalf of the Accreditation Update Steering Committee. In 2011, Cornell will undergo a comprehensive evaluation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in order to maintain its status as an accredited university.

“This is a University-wide accreditation process [that] happens every 10 years,” Hubbell said.

“Not only is it a matter of prestige, but it also assures that we’re able to access financial aid from the federal government,” he added as he explained the importance of the reaccreditation process.

“Assessment of student learning is a major objective,” Mathios added, explaining the reason for periodic reaccreditation evaluations. As to the details of the reaccreditation evaluation process, Hubbell assured assembly members that the administration, “has every intention of sharing the information with the student community.”

As the meeting came to a close, Executive Vice President Ola Williams ’10 and S.A. Representative Roneal Desai ’13 presented a resolution — for discussion next week — entitled “The Community Clause 2.0,” a new version of legislation regarding the undergraduate student voting rights.