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Office of the Assemblies

SA R33 (2024-2025): University Response to U.S. Department of Education’s Threats

Acknowledged by the President

  • Resolution:
    SA R33 (2024-2025): University Response to U.S. Department of Education’s Threats
  • Day:
    March 12, 2025
  • Action:
    Acknowledged by the President
  • Summary / Notes:
  • File Attachments:
  • Text Attachment:

    Dear Zora,

    I write in response to the Student Assembly’s recent resolution Student Assembly Resolution 33: University Response to U.S. Department of Education’s Threats. 

    The resolution addresses student concerns with evolving federal directives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion and university campuses. The legal challenges to the various executive orders and agency guidance are evolving rapidly and a new clarifying guidance document was issued by the Department of Education on February 28. Understandably, the implications of these federal directives are unclear and confusing to many. Cornell is closely monitoring these developments. Please visit Cornell’s Executive Order website for updates. To date, the concerns expressed in SA Resolution 33 are not ones in which federal government mandates alter current Cornell policy.   

    As I stated in my recent message detailing Cornell’s guiding principles, our commitment to diversity, access, and established legal precedents is unwavering. I am also confident that our commitment to these principles and our academic and co-curricular programs, including affinity housing and student clubs, do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, or other protected statuses, and comply with state and federal law. We uphold and honor these historic organizations and rich traditions for the community they create for all Cornellians. 

    Resolution 33 also refers to Cornell’s policy regarding student immigration status. Cornell supports all members of our community and provides guidance and legal support for international and undocumented students, as documented in the recent message on this subject.

    Cornell is proud of our founding and lasting commitment to “any person … any study” and will continue to demonstrate this resolve.

     

    Sincerely,

     

    Michael Kotlikoff 

    Michael Kotlikoff, V.M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D. (h.c.)

    Interim President and Professor of Molecular Physiology

    Cornell University