President Michael Kotlikoff rejecting a proposal to expand 24‑hour access to essential health supplies on campus through the installation of self-care product vending machines has prompted the Student Assembly to reexamine its approach.
On April 3, President Michael Kotlikoff rejected Resolution 26 — a proposal from the Student Assembly to install vending machines stocked with essential self‑care supplies in dormitories and social housing. The measure aimed to provide 24‑hour access to nonprescription medications, sexual health products, COVID‑19 tests and Narcan for students, with a particular focus on those living on West and South Campus.
Kotlikoff cited prior placement of self-care vending machines located in the lobby of Cornell Health and the cost of campus-wide implementation in an official response to Resolution 26.
“Cornell Health can provide these supplies because the machine is supplied via inventory from the pharmacy, which keeps the prices consistent,” Kotlikoff wrote in an email to the Student Assembly. “At this time, medical vending is not slated to expand. … I ask that the Student Assembly Student Health Advisory Committee work with Cornell Health to discuss alternatives to continue to improve how we make supplies accessible. ”
Cornell Media Relations declined to further comment on the decision.
Co‑sponsor David Duan ’28 expressed his discontent with the decision.
“I was deeply frustrated. The response from President Kotlikoff was completely disconnected from the reality of student life,” he said. “The administration’s failure to address the urgent need for accessible self‑care supplies — especially for students on West and South Campus — is inexcusable.”
North Campus has a self-care vending machine in Cornell’s Robert Purcell Community Center, while the healthcare vending machine closest to West and South Campus is located in Cornell Health.
Duan stressed that any delay in obtaining these resources compromises both physical and mental health, ultimately affecting students’ academic performance.
“This setback only strengthens my resolve. We’re not backing down,” Duan said. “While we haven't received specific feedback yet, it's clear the solution cannot be confined to one machine in one location. We need to ensure that all students, especially those on the edges of campus, have timely access to the health supplies they need.”
School of Industrial and Labor Relations Representative, Student Health Advisory Committee Chair and co‑sponsor Davian Gekman ’27 added further context behind the proposal.
“The health of students — of all Cornell students — is and should be the number one priority for the Student Assembly and for the Cornell administration,” Gekman said.
Stressing practicality, Gekman emphasized his motivation to defend students and their health.
“This is why I fought for it — because it was something that I thought was elementary, that could be done, that would benefit everyone here on campus.” He noted that the proposal was the product of a collaborative effort, developed by his committee comprising over 20 people dedicated to addressing campus health needs.
The rejection of Resolution 26 comes amid mixed responses from the administration regarding Student Assembly proposals.
President Kotlikoff acknowledged Resolution 30, which provides a pathway for Anabel’s Grocery to continue on campus, and Resolution 31, which proposes adding meal swipe access to Trillium eatery. However, he has not yet commented on Resolution 37, a measure aimed at enhancing protections for immigrant students.
In accordance with University policy, the president has 30 days to respond to all resolutions submitted by the Assembly.
Anticipating the way forward, Gekman said, “Resolution 26 might have failed now, but I promise you this is not the first iteration and won’t be the last iteration that will be seen of this resolution.”
Jason Choi is a Sun contributor and can be reached at jc3697@cornell.edu.
Correction, April 17, 2:30 p.m.: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Resolution 30 would "secure the future of Anabel's Grocery by guaranteeing ongoing funding." The article was been updated to include more accurate reading of the resolution.
