The public comment period for proposed Student Code of Conduct revisions is now open, according to a Monday email sent to the Cornell community by Marla Love, Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley dean of students and chair of the Code and Procedures Review Committee.
The public comment period will be open for six weeks, from Monday through April 20, and the review committee will “thoughtfully read and review” all public comments before releasing final recommendations for revisions, according to the email.
Following the public comment period, Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life, will make recommendations and President Michael Kotlikoff will assess the recommendations and release a final revision. The updated code will go into effect on July 1.
Among the proposed revisions is the addition of a new section in the Student Code of Conduct Procedures that would update the process of interim actions and temporary suspensions, according to a roadmap of the proposed revisions.
The current Student Code of Conduct replaced a Campus Code of Conduct that applied to all community members in 2021. The change also shifted oversight of the code from the University Assembly to Student and Campus Life.
This decision faced criticism from Cornell community members. In December, the Fall 2025 Student Assembly Referendum, which called for the return to a campus-wide code of conduct, passed with 91.7% of the more than 3,000 student votes.
There are two categories of proposed revisions: revisions to the Student Code of Conduct, which establishes, and revisions to the Student Code of Conduct Procedures. The Student Code of Conduct establishes expectations for students and student organizations while the procedures are utilized when there is an alleged violation.
The Student Code of Conduct faces formatting revisions, the addition of “language underscoring the commitment to freedom of expression” and updates regarding seven specific provisions within the Code, according to a roadmap of the proposed revisions.
The specific provisions revolve around clarifying aspects of charges relating to assault and endangerment, bribery, collusion, drug-related behavior, obstruction with Code of Conduct investigation and adjudication process and unauthorized entry or use of space, and the creation of a charge against retaliation.
The Student Code of Conduct Procedures face revisions of 13 different sections in the document. The majority of proposed revisions seek to clarify the language and process involved with various Student Code of Conduct procedures.
Revisions to the procedures also include the creation of Section VIII, which would explain interim measures and emergency suspension procedures. Additionally, the section would clarify when these interim measures and emergency suspensions should be implemented and change the term ‘temporary suspension’ to ‘emergency suspension’ “to emphasize it is only to be used in extraordinary circumstances,” according to the roadmap.
These sweeping changes to the interim measure process follow critiques over the alleged ‘overuse’ of temporary suspensions.
The Code and Procedures Review Committee encourages all community members to offer feedback on these proposed reviews through the public comment. Instructions on how to submit public comments can be found on the Student and Campus Life’s website for proposed revisions.
“Your perspectives are vital to ensuring the Student Code of Conduct and Procedures continue to reflect our shared values, support student success, and promote a respectful and inclusive campus environment,” Love’s email states.
Coral Platt is a member of the Class of 2029 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a staff writer for the News department and can be reached at cplatt@cornellsun.com.
