Cornell Student Assembly Forms Technology Committee to Advise on AI and Emerging Tech Policies
September 12, 2025 — By Emma Spindler, The Cornell Daily Sun
In a unanimous vote during Thursday’s Student Assembly meeting, Cornell University’s undergraduate government established a new Technology Committee tasked with providing recommendations on evolving University policies related to generative artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. This development signals a significant step toward increased student involvement in shaping the institution’s approach to rapidly advancing digital tools.
Purpose and Scope of the Technology Committee
Resolution 5, titled “Establishing The Technology Committee,” passed without opposition, officially creating a dedicated body within the Student Assembly to address and advise on University policy decisions concerning modern technology use and regulation. According to the resolution, the committee will serve as “the primary student voice” on matters involving digital tools and merging technologies, particularly generative AI.
Its responsibilities include offering recommendations on policies, programs, and initiatives that impact student life in the context of the campus’s technological landscape. The committee is expected to facilitate dialogue between students and administration concerning relevant issues such as AI ethics, academic integrity, and the social implications of technology usage—including potential challenges like hate speech on social media platforms.
Background and Need for the Committee
Hayden Watkins ’28, Vice President for Finance and a sponsor of the resolution, emphasized the committee’s role in enhancing communication channels with University leadership. In a statement to The Sun, Watkins said, “The [Technology Committee] will be a fantastic avenue for us students to communicate with administration and advise the Student Assembly on student perspectives on AI, hate speech on social media, and other issues relating to technology.”
The resolution noted that historically, Cornell has relied on ad hoc student surveys and informal feedback mechanisms to gauge student opinions on technology governance. However, no formal or consistent structure was in place to incorporate undergraduate perspectives into University-wide technology policy decision-making processes.
While ultimate authority over technological policies resides with University administrators, the Student Assembly’s bylaws empower the Assembly to create committees to review policies directly affecting student life. The new committee’s membership will be chosen by the Assembly, and the IT Governance Liaison will serve as the chair, ensuring connectedness with campus technology oversight bodies.
The University’s Approach to AI Policy
The formation of the Technology Committee comes against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about generative AI’s role within higher education. On August 28, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education issued an email to all students acknowledging that technologies like generative AI tools are transforming education and offer “incredible opportunities for learning.” However, concerns about risks associated with improper use were also highlighted.
Notably, the University stopped short of implementing a campus-wide AI usage policy. Instead, the message emphasized that faculty members retain discretion to set course-specific guidelines consistent with existing academic integrity standards outlined in Cornell’s Code of Academic Integrity and the Essential Guide to Academic Integrity for undergraduates.
“Faculty will likely set different parameters around the appropriate use of generative AI in their courses,” the email stated. “It is your responsibility to pay close attention to their course-specific guidelines.”
This decentralized approach aligns with trends at peer institutions. While some schools, including Columbia and Princeton, have prohibited the use of AI in academic work without explicit instructor approval, many universities have hesitated to enforce outright bans, opting instead for adaptable frameworks sensitive to disciplinary differences.
Looking Ahead
The establishment of the Technology Committee marks a proactive effort by Cornell’s Student Assembly to keep pace with the dynamic challenges posed by emerging technologies. By institutionalizing a student advisory role in technology governance, the Assembly aims to ensure that student voices are heard in the development of policies that directly affect their academic and social experiences on campus.
As generative AI and other technological innovations continue to evolve, the committee’s recommendations are expected to influence the University’s strategy on digital tools, fostering a balanced approach that promotes innovation while safeguarding academic integrity and inclusivity.
For more information or to get involved with the Technology Committee, students can contact the Student Assembly or monitor upcoming Assembly meetings.
