Ever since Ezra Cornell and A. D. White joined forces to "found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study," Cornell has been at the forefront of higher education in embracing a community that is diverse and inclusive.

The School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions (SCE) proudly reaffirms the values that underlie the vision of Cornell's founders. We are dedicated to pursuing a welcoming and inclusive environment, a diverse student body, and an open learning environment that is free from bigotry and bias. We do not tolerate prejudice in any form or discrimination on any basis.

What SCE expects from students

All members of the Cornell community are expected to be aware of Cornell University Policy 6.4, "Prohibited Bias, Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual and Related Misconduct."

For more information about SCE policies, see General policies and important disclaimers, or contact the SCE office at 607.255.4987 or cusce@cornell.edu.

To report incidents of bias, harassment, or discrimination, complete this form or send email to report_bias@cornell.edu. Please see the resources below for additional assistance, support, connection, intervention, reporting, and advocacy.

We encourage students to participate in the Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP), a social justice education program that helps students develop intergroup relations skills, thereby preparing them to live and work in an increasingly diverse world. IDP's courses are specially designed to empower students to communicate and collaborate across social, cultural, and power differences and to promote equity and democracy in their communities.

What SCE is doing

Within the university's Belonging at Cornell diversity framework, SCE is undertaking a number of initiatives to support and encourage full participation by all members of our community. Our recent focus includes

  • Using metrics (including sense of belonging, fair treatment, net promoter score, turnover rates, and a commitment to diverse candidate pools) from the Belonging at Cornell survey, along with metrics for our students, to identify and develop objectives on which to focus.
  • Ensuring implementation and execution of best practices to improve these metrics.
  • Reenvisioning the School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, clarifying its charge, and setting measurable goals.
  • Improving communication to SCE students and program participants about protected status discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault and violence. For information, see the SCE Standards of Conduct letter from our dean.
  • Preparing all constituents for an interconnected diverse world by promoting efforts to help SCE staff develop a deeper understanding of diversity, inclusion, and cultural complexities through regularly participating in DEI training opportunities and programs, including Inclusive Excellence Network workshops.
  • Incorporating diversity and inclusion as a performance dimension within the performance dialogue and annual review process for SCE staff.

Additional resources