University Statements

Dear Cornell community,

For many months, the Presidential Task Force on Institutional Voice has been examining how and when Cornell should speak institutionally on issues of social and political significance. After extensive review and discussion with faculty, staff, students, and shared governance bodies across Cornell’s campuses, we are announcing the task force’s final recommendations, which will guide the administration’s responses to external events.

The report proposes that Cornell follow principles of institutional restraint when deciding to speak for the university, commenting only when necessary to “directly preserve and enhance its core mission, values, and functions.” By limiting institutional voice to matters germane to the university’s mission and to higher education, Cornell respects and protects the individual voices of faculty, staff, and students as they exercise their freedom to speak.

Furthermore, the recommendations identify who is empowered to speak on behalf of the university and provide best practices for deans, department chairs, faculty groups, and other members of the university community to ensure they are not perceived as speaking for Cornell when sharing their scholarly expertise or personal opinions.

We are grateful to task force chairs Avery August, deputy provost and professor of immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Jens David Ohlin, the Allan R. Tessler Dean of Cornell Law School, for leading this charge, to all members of the committee, as well as to all faculty, staff, and students who contributed to the process.

We encourage the Cornell community to read the recommendations, which are essential to advancing and protecting the Cornell mission while ensuring a diversity of viewpoints and beliefs across our campuses.

Sincerely,

Michael I. Kotlikoff
President

Kavita Bala
Provost

Robert A. Harrington
Provost for Medical Affairs