Policies

Download the Graduate School's Code of Legislation (PDF)

Cornell University Policies

Cornell University policies connect the university's mission to the everyday actions of its community, clarify the institution's expectations of its individual members, mitigate institutional risk, enhance efficiency, and support the university's compliance with laws and regulations.

Graduate School Policies

Graduate School policies were developed to ensure high standards for graduate study.  At the Graduate School, our policies are derived from three sources: 

The Code of Legislation sets forth the rules governing graduate education as established by the graduate faculty of Cornell University.

Responsibilities: 

Faculty and staff in the graduate fields and the Graduate School are responsible for making these regulations available to students and prospective students.  Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the various regulations that apply to their programs and to graduate study at Cornell.

Research Policies:

All research at Cornell University is subject to applicable federal and state laws and university policies pertaining to the conduct of the research. It is the responsibility of each researcher, including students, to be aware of these regulations and applicable university policies, and comply fully with their requirements.

At the point when a Cornell graduate student has determined the scope and substance of his or her actual research (generally at the time of the A exam), the student will be required to acknowledge in writing his or her compliance with those regulations and policies specific to their research project.

Research that involves the following requires explicit compliance with federal and state laws and university policies:

  • Human participants, including survey respondents and secondary data analysis
  • Animal use involving live vertebrate animals
  • rDNA research involving the use of DNA or RNA molecules, viruses, bacteria, cells, or organisms constructed with recombinant DNA methodology or techniques in the laboratory or greenhouse
  • Genetically modified organisms
  • Radiation using ionizing devices, non-ionizing devices, or radioactive material
  • Biological agents or toxins (naturally occurring or engineered microorganisms or viruses or biological products capable of causing disease in humans or animals, regulated cell lines, human tissue, or blood)
  • Hazardous materials such as carcinogens/ mutagens, toxic gases, and explosive and/or toxic materials

In addition, students should be aware that they are subject to the terms of the University Patent Policy (www.policy.cornell.edu/cm_images/uploads/pol/Patent.html) and the University Copyright Policy (http://www.dfa.cornell.edu/dfa/treasurer/policyoffice/policies/volumes/governance/other.cfm).

Additional information on compliance requirements is available through the Office of Sponsored Programs at www.osp.cornell.edu.