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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 conduct an annual review of the Student Code of Conduct (Code) and Student Code of Conduct Procedures (Procedures). 

Revisions to the Code and Procedures will go into effect before the start of the forthcoming Fall semester.

Why does this review happen annually?

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 launch a formal review process each acadmic year academic year.

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.

What does the review and revision process involve?

Timeline:

  • Fall Semester 
    • Committee Meetings and Listening Sessions
  • Spring Semester
    • Listening sessions
    • Draft revisions to Code and Procedures public commenting period
    • Review of Public Comments
  • Adoption of revisions by President 
  • Revised Code and Procedures go into effect prior to fall semester 

Note: Conduct cases reported before revisions are officially in effect will be adjudicated under the  Procedures 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

Student Representatives:

  • *Nicholas J. Brennan, Physics PhD, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly representative
  • Guy-Lee King '26, MBA Candidate & Roy H. Park Leadership Fellow, SC Johnson School of Business
  • Aiden Kljucanin '26, Cornell Duffield Engineering
  • *Zora de Rham '27, undergraduate student, Student Assembly representative
  • Quinn Rinkus '26, undergraduate student, Cornell Duffield Engineering
  • Jennica Yoo '27, undergraduate student, Architecture, Art, and Planning, RA representative

Faculty Representatives:

  • Ashleigh Newman, Associate Clinical Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Michelle Whelan, Clinical Professor of Law, Lawyering Program, and Associate Dean for Inclusion & Belonging

Staff Representatives:

  • Stephanie Baldwin, Robert G. Engel Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life
  • 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
  • Ryan Lombardi, Vice President, Student and Campus Life, ex-officio

*required constituent, per the Student Code of Conduct