Chapter 2: Important Policies
Important Policy Highlights for Organizations
Below is a list of important University, department, and Campus Activities policies. This is not an all-inclusive list but rather a highlight of policies with which student organizations tend to interact most. As a student organization operating on campus, it is your responsibility to become familiar with all procedures at Cornell.
Student Code of Conduct
Environmental Health and Safety
Contact: Ron Flynn at rmf9@cornell.edu
Website: https://ehs.cornell.edu/campus-health-safety/event-management/event-safety
The Cornell University Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) works with Cornell faculty, staff and students to help ensure that special events on campus are organized and run safely. All registered events require University Events Team (UET) approval using the 25Live Scheduling System. EHS personnel will work with you to review and approve events for items such as:
- Locations and occupancy limitations
- Event layout, setup and egress
- Activities and decorations
- EHS staffing requirements
- Emergency medical staffing requirements
- Applicable municipal permits
Hazing Policy, Cornell University Student Code of Conduct
Dear Registered Student Organization Officers and Advisors,
PLEASE REVIEW WITH ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR ORGANIZATION THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT HAZING:
90% of Cornell students believe it’s never okay to humiliate or intimidate new group members. However, you may be surprised to learn that some club traditions—including activities you may never have thought to question—actually fit the university definition of hazing (see details below) and can be referred to the Office of the Judicial Administrator for review and sanctioning. It is up to you to make sure your members do not engage in hazing or other unacceptable activities throughout the year.
PREVENTION:
As a student leader (or as an advisor), you must take proactive steps to ensure members of your organization feel welcome and safe. Learn all you can about hazing and help others to understand that what may seem fun or non-threatening for some members may be experienced as physically or emotionally harmful to others. Even simple pranks and jokes can rise to the category of hazing if not considered carefully.
- Please review and consider this list of activities for ideas on replacing questionable and/or potentially problematic traditions and to help safeguard the health and well-being of your members.
- If you need help understanding the issues or brainstorming options, you may request a free Cornell hazing prevention program for yourself and your group members.
DEFINITION:
Hazing is a violation of the Campus Code of Conduct and is defined as follows by Cornell:
HAZING: To haze another person, regardless of the person's consent to participate. Hazing means an act that, as an explicit or implicit condition for initiation to, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization, (1) could be seen by a reasonable person as endangering the physical health of an individual or as causing mental distress to an individual through, for example, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning treatment, (2) destroys or removes public or private property, (3) involves the consumption of alcohol or drugs, or the consumption of other substances to excess, or (4) violates any University policy.
- Please note that “informed consent” does not apply to hazing. Activities can be considered hazing regardless of a person or group’s “consent” to participate.
- Registered organizations and their officers are referred to the Office of the Judicial Administrator for any alleged hazing incident.
- Detailed descriptions of previous campus hazing violations can be viewed on Cornell’s Hazing website.
REPORTING:
It is up to you to ensure your group members are aware of how to report hazing violations. Any student subjected to hazing or who has knowledge of anyone else being hazed should immediately report the incident:
- online via Cornell University’s hazing website
- by phone (or in-person) with one of these university resources
- Remember, hazing is never okay. For more detailed information about this topic—including care and support for those who have been hazed—please visit hazing.cornell.edu
Sincerely,
Cornell University Council on Hazing Prevention
Risk Management: Risk Guide
Contact:risk_mgmt@cornell.edu
Website: https://www.risk.cornell.edu/risk-guidance/
- Cornell Insurance Requirements
- Catering Service Provider
- Drones
- Events with Alcohol
- Events with Athletic Activities
- Internships
- Inflatables
- Preparing and Serving Food
- Private Event Insurance
- Student Travel/Trips
- Volunteers
University Policy 3.2 Student Travel and Expenses
University Policy 3.16 External Organization Accounts
University Policy 4.3 Sales Activities On Campus
University Policy 4.8 Alcohol and Other Drugs
University Policy 4.10 Use of Cornell's Name, Logos, Trademarks, and Insignias
Registered student organizations are eligible to use the Cornell University name in their organization name for publicity, uniforms, or other purposes, as determined by university brand guidelines regarding the use of the Cornell name, logo, and artwork, and subject to approval through University Relations.
Examples of the proper way to use the university name can be found on the university brand guidelines website.
University Policy 4.11 Establishing a New University-Related Subsidiary or Affiliated Corporation
University Policy 4.12 Data Stewardship and Custodianship
University Policy 4.16 Social Media Accounts
University Policy 4.18 Political Campaign Activity
University Policy 5.2 Mass Email Approval
University Policy 5.6 Recording and Registration of Domain Names
University Policy 5.12 Web Accessibility Standards
Cornell University is committed to providing an environment in which all people have an equal opportunity to participate in the university’s programs, activities, and services. To support this environment, all new, newly added or redesigned university web content, web pages, web functionality, websites, and web applications must be made accessible to people with disabilities to the standard prescribed by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA, except where doing so would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens.
When fundamental alteration or undue burden applies, equally effective alternative means of access must be provided so that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the same benefits and services.