Dear President Kotlikoff,

I write to you today to report the results of the Fall 2025 Student Assembly Referendum regarding the Student Code of Conduct. In addition to the previously conveyed Resolution 10, the following questions, pro/con statements, and vote results add dimension to the Student Body and Student Assembly's considerations of the Code.

-------------------------------------

Question 1: Prior to 2021, conduct was overseen by the Judicial Administrator, an office independent of Cornell University's central administration. It is now overseen by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS). Should Cornell's judicial system be independent of the University's administration?

Summary of Pro statements:

Pro statements overwhelmingly express doubt for the fairness of the current system governing student conduct at Cornell, which is often viewed as overly punitive. Across statements, there is a shared belief that the current system violates due process, erodes student and community trust, and departs from Cornell's values, making "an office independent of Cornell University's central administration" preferable to restore confidence in the university's judicial process.

Summary of Con Statements:

One Con Statement was written: "No. Stop pushing pro-Palestinian propaganda."

Results For Question 1:

Total Votes Cast: 3,292 (20.4% of Undergraduate Students)

Pro: 3,079 (93.5%)

Con: 213 (6.47%)

93.5% of Undergraduate Students who voted in this referendum (19.1% of Undergraduate Students) believe that Cornell University's undergraduate student judicial system should be independent of the University's administration.

-------------------------------------

Question 2: As a result of the 1969 Willard Straight Hall Takeover, the conduct of students, faculty, and staff was collectively governed under the Campus Code of Conduct. In 2021, the Student Code of Conduct replaced the Campus Code. Should Cornell University return to a community-wide Campus Code of Conduct?

Summary of Pro Statements: 

Pro statements express strong frustration toward what is seen as administrative overreach and erosion of shared governance under the Student Code of Conduct system. It is believed that a Student Code of Conduct isolates students as an easily disciplined group, separating administrators, faculty, and staff from equivalent discipline.

Summary of Con Statements:

Two Con Statements were written: "Nope." & "I don't feel too strongly about this one, but it does make sense that different people affiliated with Cornell would have different requirements on their actions. For example, the social media posts of a high-level administrator could be seen as an official statement backed by the university while the social media of a student would likely not be seen the same way. Thus, it makes sense that a one-size-fits-all approach might not be the best for all the type of people affiliated with Cornell."

Results For Question 2:

Total Votes Cast: 3,245 (20.1% of Undergraduate Students)

Pro: 2,976 (91.7%)

Con: 269 (8.29%)

91.7% of Undergraduate Students who voted in this referendum (18.4% of Undergraduate Students) believe that Cornell University should return to following a Campus Code of Conduct.

-------------------------------------

The Undergraduate community of Cornell University has made its opinions clear. I look forward to your response to this semester's plethora of statements regarding the Student Code of Conduct and its effects - disciplinary and otherwise - on the Undergraduate Student community.

All the best,

Zora