Equal Opportunity

Graduate School Code of Legislation PDF Document

Summary

Cornell has been accessible to students from all backgrounds since the university’s inception. The first female undergraduate student entered in the fall of 1870, and in 1880, May Preston became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. In 1906, seven Cornell students founded the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African American men, Alpha Phi Alpha. In 1921, Thomas Wyatt Turner became the first African American man to earn a Ph.D. at Cornell and in 1936, Flemmie Kittrell became the first African American woman to do so.

• Leadership affirmation: Equal Education and Employment Opportunity Statement
• Institutional leadership: Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX
• Concerns and complaints: Contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX, 500 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, 607-255-2242
  • For matters related to discrimination or harassment, email equity@cornell.edu
  • For matters related to sexual and related misconduct, email titleix@cornell.edu

In Depth

Association with Cornell, either as a student, faculty, or staff member, involves participation in a free community where all people are recognized and rewarded on the basis of individual performance rather than on any aspect of one’s heritage, social identity, cultural background or happenstance of birth.

Cornell University’s history of diversity and inclusion encourages all students, faculty and staff to support a diverse and inclusive university in which to work, study, teach, research and serve. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status or marital status. age, disability, or veteran status.

View the university’s full Equal Education and Employment Opportunity Statement.

Concerns and complaints:

Concerns and complaints related to prohibited bias, discrimination, harassment, and sexual and related misconduct should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX; 500 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853; 607-255-2242; equity@cornell.edu or titleix@cornell.edu.

Cornell University is committed to providing access and opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in their educational pursuit or employment. Information on services provided to prospective and current Cornell students with disabilities can be obtained by contacting: Student Disability Services Office, Cornell Health, 110 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853-6601; 607-254-4545.