Ryan Lombardi, the vice president for student and campus life announced to the Cornell community a “formal review process” of the Student Code of Conduct and Procedures citing changes across higher education and Cornell in a Tuesday morning statement.
The Student Code of Conduct outlines behavioral expectations and regulations for Cornell students across all campuses. The Student Code of Conduct Procedures describes the formal investigation and resolution processes that the University uses when a student is alleged to have broken the Student Code of Conduct. Both of the codes were last approved for revisions by the Board of Trustees in December 2020 and went into effect in August 2021.
According to the statement signed by Lombardi, reviewing each of the Codes is important in “ensuring that these documents remain relevant and effective.”
The announcement of an updated Code of Conduct and Code of Conduct Procedures comes amid numerous changes to the University’s operations — including the launch of the Cornell Office of Civil Rights in June and changes to the University's Expressive Activity Policy.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, pro-Palestine student protesters voiced concerns over the Code of Conduct and its suspension procedures following the Statler Hall protest that shut down a career fair featuring defense contractors Boeing and L3Harris.
“Since the current Code went into effect in 2021, much has changed across higher education and within our own Cornell campus community,” Lombardi wrote. “As student life and academic expectations have evolved, our approach to student learning and accountability must also evolve.”
Lombardi also explained that the new Codes will involve “feedback from students, faculty, and staff.” He will also oversee changes to the Code along with the University’s “shared student governance bodies” and Dean of Students Marla Love, who will lead the Codes and Procedures Revision Committee. This committee is expected to include members of the Student Assembly, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, faculty members and staff.
“This committee will review current policies, solicit input from stakeholders, and propose amendments that reflect best practices, legal compliance, and the guiding principles of the Cornell community,” Lombardi wrote.
The draft of the new Codes are expected to be released at the beginning of the spring semester in 2026 and take effect during the 2026 fall semester, according to the statement. Lombardi also announced the creation of the Code of Conduct and Procedures Review webpage which will help “provide regular updates” during the revision process.
Zeinab Faraj is a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the features editor on the 143rd Editorial Board and was the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. You can reach her at zfaraj@cornellsun.com.
