Any Person, Any Study
Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) believes in the power of the outdoors and adventure-based programming as a means to create transformational experiences in the lives of individuals and groups. Through our programs and partnerships, COE continually strives to expand opportunities for all students to challenge themselves and grow as leaders. We believe COE can become an on-campus focal point for all students to develop practical leadership skills. We are committed to guaranteeing access to the full COE experience for all students.
COE embraces the variety of cultures, world views, values, and personal experiences that may result from differences including but not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin/immigration status, gender, age, religion, abilities, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We believe that the students, instructors, and staff engaging in COE programs should be representative of the full diversity that exists at Cornell University and that COE as a whole should epitomize the university’s central motto of ‘Any person… any study’.
As an organization, we strive to ensuring the fair treatment of everyone, securing equal opportunities for participation, and guaranteeing fair and equal access to the full breadth of the COE experience. We recognize that achieving and sustaining equity requires a continuous effort of identifying and breaking down of social, financial, and structural barriers and obstacles.
Lastly, COE fosters a culture of belonging that embraces differences and actively invites the contribution and participation of all people. We believe that developing respect, compassion, and dignity for ourselves and towards others is central to the COE experience and fundamental in achieving our organizational mission of ‘developing teamwork, leadership, and personal growth’. To this aim, COE provides the tools, resources, and a safe space for people to explore nature, define their own adventure, and benefit from outdoor experiences.