University Statements

As previously outlined in a statement by Interim President Kotlikoff, Cornell has a robust, multi-step process to render both interim measures and final resolutions in situations where students are alleged to have violated the Student Code of Conduct. The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the records of individual students and bars institutions from discussing specific conduct cases. Additionally, Cornell does not disclose details of individual faculty or staff referred for disciplinary review.

To date, Cornell has identified 19 individuals who disrupted university operations as part of a protest that shut down the September 18 career fair sponsored by the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at the Statler Hotel.

Identified students referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) were informed of interim measures of both an academic and non-academic nature designed to protect the community from repeated actions. The actions of identified faculty or staff have been referred to human resources and their colleges according to Cornell’s conduct policies. Three identified students also have been arrested for criminal offenses by the Cornell University Police Department and referred to the Ithaca City Court.

Interim measures issued by OSCCS are a first step, with students having the right to appeal the interim measures, and they may resolve the referral through discussions with OSCCS. Interim measures remain in place to protect the university community, including protecting ongoing activities essential to the mission of the university, as a conduct case continues to be processed toward full resolution by OSCCS. For those who are subject to interim measures, any action is pending full resolution of Cornell’s student conduct process that fully adjudicates any allegations of code violations as the final step of the process.

Joel M. Malina
Vice President for University Relations