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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

Student Code of Conduct Review and Revision Process

Cornell University is committed to creating a community where all students are empowered to learn, grow, and contribute—guided by shared values of holistic development of the student experience that fosters campus safety, accountability, and personal/organizational development. As part of this commitment, we are undertaking a comprehensive review of the Student Code of Conduct (Code) and Student Code of Conduct Procedures (Procedures) in the 2025-2026 academic year. 

The revised Code and Procedures will go into effect at the start of the Fall 2026 semester.

Why is this review happening now?

As outlined in the Student Code of Conduct (Code), regular review of both the Code and its accompanying Student Code of Conduct Procedures (Procedures) is an important part of ensuring that these documents remain relevant, equitable, and effective.

In keeping with the intent for ongoing, systematic evaluation, we are launching a formal review process during the 2025–2026 academic year. Since the current Code was implemented in 2021, campus life and student needs have continued to evolve. We’ve heard from students, faculty, and staff about how the student conduct process can better reflect Cornell’s culture, values, and the lived realities of today’s student experience.

This is also a moment of alignment: the establishment of the Cornell Office of Civil Rights (COCR)—formerly the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX—demands a closer integration of our student conduct policies with our institutional equity and civil rights commitments. This review ensures that the Code continues to be responsive, inclusive, and aligned with best practices in student learning and accountability.

Questions about this process may be directed to codeandprocedure@cornell.edu.

What is the Student Code of Conduct - and what isn’t it?

The Code and Procedures establishes Cornell’s expectations applicable to:

  • All students, and
  • Recognized and registered student organizations
  • Residing on Cornell’s Ithaca and Geneva campuses, and Cornell Tech. 

These policies are distinct from:

The Code is administered by the Vice President for Student and Campus Life (SCL), with implementation delegated to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS). Oversight occurs in collaboration with the university’s shared governance bodies, as outlined in the Code itself.

A Brief History of the Code

  • Prior to 2021, Cornell’s conduct code was overseen by the University Assembly.
  • In 2020, oversight transitioned to Student and Campus Life, as part of a broader restructuring to align student conduct with university-wide equity and well-being efforts.
  • The 2021 Code was the first significant overhaul in decades.
  • The 2025–2026 review marks the first full review process conducted under the new structure and includes the formation of a Codes and Procedures Revision Committee, as authorized by the Code.

What does the review and revision process involve?

Timeline:

  • Fall 2025
    • Committee Meetings
  • Late January–February 2026
    • Draft Revised Code and Procedures released by VP SCL for public commenting
    • Invitation for Cornell community members to engage in public commenting (~45 days)
  • March–April 2026
    • Review of Public Comments
  • April–May 2026
    • Adoption of revisions by President with notice to BOT
  • Revised Code and Procedures go into effect on July 1, 2026 

Note: Conduct cases reported before July 1, 2026, will be adjudicated under the 2021 Procedures, which were in place at the time of the report. The Code’s definitions of the prohibited conduct in existence at the time of the alleged conduct will be used.

Code and Procedures Review Committee

The Code and Procedures Review Committee will provide advisory input on proposed amendments to the Code and Procedures.

2025-2026 Committee Members:

  • Marla Love, Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students, Chair
  • Ryan Lombardi, Vice President, Student and Campus Life
  • Stephanie Baldwin, Robert G. Engel Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life
  • *Nicholas J. Brennan, Physics PhD, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly representative
  • Christina Liang, Senior Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
  • Jenn Michael, Senior Director Student Experience, Architecture, Art and Planning
  • Ashleigh Newman, Associate Clinical Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • *Zora de Rham '27, undergraduate student, Student Assembly representative
  • Quinn Rinkus '26, undergraduate student, College of Engineering
  • Michelle Whelan, Associate Dean for Inclusion & Belonging, and Clinical Professor of Law, Lawyering Program
  • Jennica Yoo '27, undergraduate student, Architecture, Art, and Planning, RA representative

*required constituent, per the Student Code of Conduct