The Cornell University Precollege Studies Program Commuter Rules (the “Commuter Rules”) exist to assist you in having a positive experience at Cornell University while you are a Precollege Studies student.

All commuter students are expected to comply with the Commuter Rules and the Cornell University Precollege Studies Code of Academic Integrity. Precollege Studies students also are responsible for complying with all other Cornell University rules, regulations, policies, and procedures contained in official Cornell University publications and announcements that may be issued from time to time, as well as all local, state, and federal laws.

Cornell University reserves the right to change its rules, policies, and procedures, including these Commuter Rules, at any time as it deems appropriate or necessary.

If anything in this document is unclear to you, please feel free to contact the Precollege Studies Program office, B20 Day Hall, 607.255.6203.

I. Preface

A. The “Commuter Rules” are applicable to high school students enrolled in the Cornell University Precollege Studies Program during the 2025 Winter/Spring Session. This is an academic program without a residential component.

B. The regulations contained in the Commuter Rules apply to student conduct at Cornell University and at any event, on or off campus, which relates to the student's enrollment at Cornell University, such as an academic field trip.

C. Students who violate these or other duly established regulations become subject to disciplinary action and the procedures described herein and may be removed from the program without refund.

D. Students may be accountable to both civil authorities and to Cornell University for acts that constitute violations of law and of the Commuter Rules. Disciplinary action at Cornell University will normally proceed during the pendency of criminal proceedings and will not be subject to challenge on the ground that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced. When a student has been charged by a civil authority for a violation of the law, Cornell University will neither request nor agree to special consideration for the student solely because of his or her status as a student.

E. These Commuter Rules are set forth in writing to give students general notice of prohibited conduct. The regulations should be read broadly and are not designed to define misconduct in exhaustive terms.

F. The provisions of the Commuter Rules are not to be regarded as a contract between the student and their parent/guardian and Cornell University. Cornell University reserves the right to amend any provision herein at any time. Cornell University will publish such amendments on relevant websites and will announce such amendments to the Precollege community.

G. Any behavior that may have been influenced by a student’s mental state (irrespective of the ultimate evaluation) or using drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not in any way limit the responsibility of the student for the consequences of his or her actions.

H. Cornell University Precollege Studies Program reserves the right to discontinue the enrollment of any student whose continuance would be, in the sole judgement of the Precollege Studies Director, detrimental to themselves, others, or to the Precollege Studies Program. Discontinuance from enrollment in these cases is not considered a disciplinary action.

II. Specific Rules

Precollege Studies commuter students are welcome to the Cornell University campus to attend academic classes. They may also attend events that are sponsored by the university and are open to the public. Commuter students are not permitted to attend on- or off-campus parties or events sponsored by independent student organizations, as these events are not sponsored by the University.

Cornell University is largely an open campus. Commuter students are expressly forbidden from entering any dormitories, residences, or fraternity or sorority houses. Commuter students may have access to dining halls, libraries, and open recreation areas on campus; please note that many of these facilities have limited hours during the summer months, and that students are not considered to be under Cornell University supervision in these locations.

Commuter students and their parents must read and understand the following Commuter Rules:

Alcohol, Controlled Substances, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: Precollege Studies Commuter students are under the legal drinking age and are therefore prohibited from consuming, possessing, or being intoxicated by alcohol on-campus.

The unlawful sale, manufacture, distribution, or dispensing, possession, or use of marijuana or any controlled substances, including prescription medication not prescribed to the user, is prohibited. Possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited, whether or not it is being used for the consumption of drugs.

Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings; this includes the use of electronic cigarettes (“vapes”) and hookahs.

Assault and Endangerment: Engaging or threatening to engage in conduct that does or can reasonably be expected to result in physical harm, or significant emotional or psychological harm is prohibited.

Bias, Discrimination, and Hate Crimes: Bias, discrimination, and hate crimes are prohibited at Cornell. Under Cornell’s specific definition, a bias incident is action taken that one could reasonably and prudently conclude is motivated, in whole or in part, by the alleged offender’s bias against an actual or perceived aspect of diversity, including, but not limited to, age, ancestry or ethnicity, color, creed, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, height, immigration or citizenship status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, religious practice, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or weight.

Under federal, state, and local laws, a bias/discrimination complaint calls for action or treatment in response to alleged bias/discriminatory activity directed against an individual because of that individual’s actual or perceived age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, ex-offender status, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any combination of these factors.

Under federal, state, and local laws, a bias/hate crime is defined as any criminal offense or attempted criminal offense that one could reasonably and prudently conclude is motivated, in whole or in part, by the alleged offender’s bias against an individual’s actual or perceived age, ancestry or ethnicity, color, creed, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, height, immigration or citizenship status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, religious practice, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or weight.

Anyone who directly witnesses or experiences bias activity (or finds evidence of or hears about past bias activity) on the Cornell campus or in an area that impacts the Cornell community should intervene in the moment as appropriate (e.g., contact Cornell Police at 911, if a crime is in progress, or interrupt the behavior in as much as the observer feels skilled and safe). Bias activity can be reported confidentially.

Computer System

  • Copyright Law: Infringement of copyright law using the Cornell University computer and Internet systems is prohibited.
  • Electronic Mail: Use of an electronic mail system to send fraudulent, annoying, or obscene messages is prohibited.
  • Normal Functioning: Students are prohibited from interfering with the normal functioning of the Cornell University computer and Internet systems.
  • NET-Identification: All Precollege Studies students are required to activate their Cornell NetID. Students are responsible for all information sent to and from their Cornell email address.
  • Use of Cornell Network: As a Precollege Studies student, your access to the Internet is provided through the Cornell Network, regardless of whether you are using a university-owned computer or your personal computer. As a result, inappropriate conduct on the University network (which would include concerning postings on social media sources such as Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, GroupMe, etc.) may be subject to disciplinary action.

Failure to Comply: Students are expected to comply with and respond appropriately to the reasonable and lawful requests of university officials, including Cornell student staff members, in the performance of their duties. Students are expected to appear at disciplinary hearings to respond to allegations or testify as a witness when reasonably notified to do so. A failure to properly comply with or complete a sanction or obligation resulting from a disciplinary hearing, adjudication, or other official meeting may also be considered failure to comply with an official request.

Fireworks: University policies prohibit the possession or use of fireworks, and violations will result in disciplinary action.

Fraternities and Sororities: Entering fraternity and sorority houses are strictly prohibited. It is prohibited to be on the grounds of fraternity and sorority houses, including their front or back yards. Attending an event sponsored by fraternities or sororities is also prohibited.

Gambling: All forms of gambling are prohibited, including raffles for fundraising purposes.

Gorges: Swimming or climbing in gorges is prohibited. Being on the rocks in the gorges is also prohibited. Students must always stay on designated paths. Beebe Lake is considered a gorge.

Identification: Commuter students are required to always carry a photo ID with them. Refusal to identify oneself to any properly identified (by name and position) member of the Cornell University staff, acting in performance of their duties, when appropriately requested to do so, is in violation of the Commuter Rules.

Fake ID: The purchase, possession, or use of any altered or fake identification is prohibited. The purchase, possession, or use of any altered or fake identification will be reported to Cornell University Police. Cornell University has special concern with students using any altered or fake identification for the purpose of purchasing alcohol. Such incidents may result in the student’s immediate dismissal from the program.

Motor Vehicles: Storing or parking motorized vehicles in residential communities is not permitted. Please see Commuter and Parking Services website for polices about motorized vehicles (Motorcycles, Motor Scooters, and Mopeds).

Unauthorized Entry or Use: Unauthorized entry into, unauthorized use of, or misuse of personal or campus property is prohibited.

Vandalism: Damage to property, whether owned by the University or other individuals is prohibited.

Weapons: Possession of firearms (including but not limited to rifles, shotguns, BB guns, ammunition, paintball guns), explosives, knives (including but not limited to swords, bayonets, and machetes), or other dangerous weapons, instruments, or substances are prohibited on university property. Violations will result in dismissal from the program.

III. Disciplinary Process

A. Notice of Charge

At the request of any student, faculty, or staff member, or independently, Precollege Studies Program staff may file appropriate charges against an accused student(s). In the case of violations that may result in dismissal the student can expect to talk with a Precollege staff member the same day as the incident to inform them verbally of the filing of charges. That Precollege staff member will set up a judicial meeting to occur either the same business day or the next business day, depending on the timing of the violation.

B. Judicial Meeting

At the judicial meeting the nature of and the responsibility for an alleged offense is discussed. Failure to respond to the Notice of Charge will result in an additional judicial charge.

1. Violations

For infractions that Precollege Studies Program staff, in their discretion, consider serious, the following outcomes may occur: (a) a sanction may be imposed following the judicial meeting or (b) the charge(s) could be dropped. Sanctions for serious violations are limited to dismissal. Judicial meetings for infractions will be held by the Precollege Studies Program staff. Students may appeal the decision only if they have new information pertinent to the dismissal that has not been previously revealed. Such appeals may be made following the appeal guidelines stated below.

2. Parental/Guardian Notification

Parents/Guardians will be notified in writing prior to a judicial meeting when an incident has occurred that could result in dismissal and after a dismissal decision has been made.

C. Sanctions

1. Dismissal

“Dismissal” is a separation of the student from the Precollege Studies Program. Students can be dismissed from Precollege Studies if they have clearly demonstrated, in the opinion of Precollege Studies Program staff, that they are not acting responsibly toward themselves or others (whether their actions are covered by specific rules set forth herein). Students may also be dismissed for violations of stated local, state, or federal law, as well as violations of other Cornell University rules, regulations, policies, and procedures contained in official Cornell University publications and announcements that may be issued from time to time.

Immediate dismissal could result from the use/presence of alcohol or drugs; theft; possession of a fake ID; violent, threatening, or harassing behavior of any kind; possession of a weapon; swimming in the gorges; a violation of community standards, or any other serious violation.

Students should expect to miss class while participating in a judicial proceeding that may result in their dismissal from the program.

Students dismissed from the Precollege Studies Program are barred from returning to campus for the duration of the Precollege Studies Program.

Students who are dismissed from Precollege Studies will be withdrawn from their courses and will not be entitled to a refund.

2. Formal Warning

Students will receive an official written notice that their behavior is unacceptable. The student is advised that any further violations of policies may result in dismissal.

Charges may also be brought by law enforcement agencies such as the Cornell University Police Department or the Ithaca Police Department in cases involving violations of local, state, or federal laws.

D. Appeals

An appeal of dismissal may be made, in writing by email to cusce@cornell.edu, by the student to the School of Continuing Education’s Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs within four hours of the decision. Appeals must include new information about the incident that may change the outcome of the dismissal decision. If there is no new information an appeal meeting will not be granted. If an appeal meeting is granted the Precollege Studies Program staff will arrange a meeting with the student, either that day if the appeal meeting is granted during an active business day or the next business day if the appeal is received after hours, to discuss the new information. The Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will send the final decision to the student via email with 24 hours after the appeal meeting. Deadlines to leave campus will be adjusted accordingly.

Students should expect to miss class as needed to participate in the appeals process; however, Precollege Studies Program staff will assist in making academic accommodations. If appeals are granted other sanctions may be applied such as warnings, probation, or educational sanctions depending on the final nature of the case.

Students who are appealing a decision of dismissal and restriction should be prepared to leave the Precollege Studies Program immediately if it is denied.