Abstract: This resolution recommends that colleges respect students’ decision-making autonomy by keeping semesterly credit limits at or above 22 credits. The recommendation also permits an exception for first-year students.
Authored by: Max Ehrlich ‘26
Sponsored by: Lydia Blum ’27, Aidan Moodley ‘29
Reviewed by: Academic Policy Committee, 02/21/2026
Type of Action: Recommendation
Originally Presented: 02/26/26
Current Status: Adopted by the Assembly, Unanimous Consent, 03/12/2026
Whereas, the ILR School limits students to taking 18 credits per semester,
Whereas, the Brooks School of Public Policy limits students to taking 18 credits per semester,
Whereas, the College of Engineering limits students to 20 credits per semester,
Whereas, The Nolan School of Hotel Administration limits students to taking 18 credits per semester with a petitioning system to be granted additional credits.
Whereas, The School of Human Ecology limits students to taking 18 credits per semester with a petitioning system to be granted additional credits.
Whereas, these limits prevent students from taking classes they are interested in, need to graduate, or hope to complete for career purposes,
Whereas, students beyond their first year have acclimated to Cornell studies to the degree that they can determine their ability to handle a heavier workload,
Whereas, the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences have already successfully implemented 22 credit limits,
Whereas, the Dyson School and AAP have no publicly available limit on how many credits a student may take in a semester beyond their first year. If such a limit exists, it is not easily available to the general public,
Be it therefore resolved, no college shall maintain a semesterly credit limit for undergraduate students below 22 credits, excepting requirements for students in their first year at Cornell,
Be it therefore resolved, no college shall maintain a summer session credit limit for undergraduate below that of credit requirements for financial aid,
Be it finally resolved, such a change shall be implemented by all colleges by the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.
Respectfully Submitted,
Max Ehrlich ‘26
College of Industrial and Labor Relations Representative, Student Governance Assembly
Lydia Blum ’27
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Representative, Student Governance Assembly
Aidan Moodley ‘29
Academic Policy Committee Member, Student Governance Assembly
