University Statements

Dear Cornell students,

We know the past several months have been difficult for many students and, more recently, that further strain has emerged as both sides passionately advocate their positions on the recent referendum. We want to remind students of the many resources available to you – as well as to highlight one you may be less familiar with and whose staff stands ready, right now, to provide assistance as you continue to navigate this challenging time.

The Ombuds Office is available for all students to address conflicts, concerns, or other issues affecting their work, life, or study at Cornell. The Ombuds Office is confidential, independent, informal, and impartial and offers a safe place to identify options for addressing individual situations and to seek conflict coaching, support, and guidance on how to navigate through different institutional processes, including the processes referenced below. If you were not already aware of this office, we encourage you to become familiar with their role and services, and to contact them if you think it might fit your need. They are particularly attentive to issues of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias.

Please also remember the various other ways to share your concerns or to file reports of alleged misbehavior, including the Bias Reporting System, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX.

As the semester winds down, please be sure to treat each other with respect, and remember that there is no place on our campus for harassment or discrimination.

None of us profess to be perfect, and even as we wrestle with the emotional toll that many are carrying, let’s strive to act with care toward one another and stay committed to respectful discourse at all times.

Sincerely,

Martha E. Pollack
President

Ryan Lombardi
Vice President for Student and Campus Life