• Aiden Vallecillo

Junior

Class of 2026

Industrial and Labor Relations

Having been a student worker for three years, I understand that student workers power our campus. These students work tirelessly to support Cornell and themselves, but increasingly face barriers such as arbitrary scheduling, unfair treatment, and low pay. Getting a Cornell education is difficult enough, supporting yourself throughout is even more challenging. Now, more than ever, with research funding, students’ rights, and campus activity being threatened, we need an Assembly that is prepared to fight for students. For as long as I’ve been on campus, our Assembly has been caught up with internal politics and infighting. I promise to use my experience on campus and in the labor movement to ensure that our Assembly meets students' concerns with action, not statements.

As Student Workers Representative, I will:

- Work to make student employment more accessible – too often, students struggle to find a job on-campus that fits their needs.

- Fight to raise our wages to reflect Ithaca’s living wage and revive last year’s efforts to raise the minimum wage to $18.50 an hour.

- Advocate for protections for student workers during political uncertainty, whether you’re staffing our dining halls and libraries, conducting research on campus, or grading our papers.

- Reform policies such as the grievance procedure, where student workers currently have to navigate the process by themselves with no advocate. 

It's time our Assembly worked for students. I'm committed to seeing that happen, and I'd be honored to have your support.

• Michael Yum

Freshman

Class of 2028

Viticuture & Enology

Student-Workers & Cornellians at large, 
   
   As a student-worker who has worked in 15+ halls across campus, I understand the challenges we face -- balancing work with school, ensuring respect in the workplace, earning enough money, and finding a work schedule that works for you -- all while trying to maintain your personal well-being, and a healthy social life. 

I also understand the obstacles prospective student-workers face in finding a job that fits around their class schedules, and prior commitments. 

I am running to be your Student Workers Representative to protect student-workers from budget cuts, unfair dismissals, and unsafe work environements. 
   I will advocate for policies that make it easier for undergraduates to find a job that works for them. 
   This includes pushing for flexbile scheduling that fits around your pre-existing commitments, a secure wage that fulfills your financial needs, as well as increased transparency of scheduling and what a campus job entails prior to applying. 
   
A campus job is a necessity for many, and beneficial for many more - providing critical work experience, personal development, networking, and close friendships.

With your support, we can build a better working experience at Cornell together!