The Student Assembly voted to reject the Finance Committee’s recommendation to reduce funding for Cornell Class Councils' and postponed votes on funding recommendations of the Gender Justice Advocacy Coalition, Cornell Minds Matter and CU Tonight, following an hour long public comment at their Oct. 30 meeting.
The decision came after over 50 students packed the room to oppose proposed budget cuts, mobilized by social media posts organized by GJAC and the Cornell Progressives.
The Finance Committee previously voted 6–5 in favor of the recommendation as part of its biennial review of byline-funded organizations, all of which are up for renewal this year. The Committee made seven recommendations, with four being decreases in funding. Three of the four organizations petitioned the recommendations to the Assembly, while CMM petitioned for a larger increase.
More than two dozen students spoke, with some getting emotional, before the public comment period ended at 7 p.m. due to time constraints.
A proposed 39 percent reduction to GJAC’s funding was a significant topic of concern, with multiple speakers warning that the cut would threaten their ability to maintain programs including their distribution of free menstrual products across campus.
GJAC President Aria Avery ’27 opened the public comment period with an emotional speech about how the organization has helped her.
“GJAC has supported me through so many things, from medical issues to financial troubles, through an abusive relationship, and most recently when … my father passed away,” Avery said. “GJAC has been with me through all of that.”
Ruth Tilahun ’28, a member of the Assembly’s Finance Committee, defended the committee’s recommendation, citing financial accountability.
“The committee found several organizations receiving [GJAC allocations] that significantly exceeded the $5,000 limit set by guidelines,” Tilahun said, noting that the committee also identified “potential conflicts of interest” within GJAC’s board structure.
Other organizations also appealed their proposed funding reductions. CU Tonight, which funds late-night campus events, argued against a decrease from $12 to $11 per student.
CU Tonight Co-President Lilian Cao ’27 expressed frustration with a “lack of professionalism” and a “lack of investment and care for people’s time,” alleging that the finance committee repeatedly rescheduled meetings on short notice.
Cornell Minds Matter, a mental-health advocacy group, opposed the Assembly’s proposal to increase their 2025-2026 allocation from $.50 to $1 for 2026-2028 after requesting a $1.70 proposed allocation.
“Over the years, we’ve had events such as [putting up lights on Ho Plaza] which has had an incredible impact — I can’t even remember the number of people who have talked about how much it’s meant to them when they’re walking home or going home [from] a prelim,” said Lucy Yang ’26, a senior member of CMM’s marketing team.
“Beyond the large events … With the mental-health crisis and recent events, it’s so important to dedicate resources to destigmatizing and helping people understand and access resources on campus,” continued Yang.
Class Councils also appealed their reduction from $16 to $13.50 per student, arguing that the cut compensates for increases to other groups.
“This cut is not based on Class Councils as an organization,” Vice President of Finance for Class Councils Nikki Saha ’26 said.
In an interview after the meeting, Vice President for Finance Hayden Watkins ’25 said the recommendations were not intended to target identity-based organizations.
“These decisions are being made because we have a lot more financial information than the general public,” Watkins said. “As much as I wish we could share that information, we do have to sign an NDA.”
Watkins acknowledged frustration among students and emphasized that many votes were close.
“Slope Day’s increase was a 5–4 vote,” he said. “Even if I were comically evil and trying to erase all these safe spaces — which I’m not — I’m still one vote.”
He also noted that some cuts may be revisited.
“I’ve already moved to reject some recommendations when new information came up,” Watkins said. “I expect more reassessment.”
The Assembly entered executive session to review financial details privately. Final decisions on byline funding are expected in the coming weeks.
Some students expressed sharp frustration with what they see as the potential for University influence over the Student Assembly in proposing funding cuts.
“If this is some kind of issue where someone from the administration is coming in and telling you that you need to cut f*cking funding, you need to grow a f*cking spine,” Adriana Vink ’27 said, prompting cheers and clapping from the student crowd.
In an interview with the Sun, Watkins encouraged continued student involvement, and urged concerned students to reach out to his email, hrw58@cornell.edu, with comments.
“Have a little bit of faith in the process,” he said. “Keep speaking up — I listen, and I take that to the committee.”
Correction: November 4, 5:15 p.m.: This article has been updated to reflect that while CMM requested a $1.70 per student allocation for 2026-2028, the Assembly recommended a $1.00 per student allocation, increasing from $.50 for 2025-2026. This article has also been updated to reflect that the Finance Committee proposed seven recommendations, with four being decreases in funding.
