Undergrads Vote Overwhelmingly For Independent Judicial System and Campus Code
On December 12-13, Cornell undergraduates cast online votes on two referenda questions, and the results are in.
1. Prior to 2021, conduct was overseen by the Judicial Administrator, an office independent of Cornell University’s central administration. It is now overseen by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS). Should Cornell’s judicial system be independent of the University’s administration?
Yes: 3,079 (93.5%)
No: 213 (6.4%)
Ballots cast: 3,292
Empty ballots: 9
The voter turnout was 20.4%
2. As a result of the 1969 Willard Straight Hall Takeover, the conduct of students, faculty, and staff was collectively governed under the Campus Code of Conduct. In 2021, the Student Code of Conduct replaced the Campus Code. Should Cornell University return to a community-wide Campus Code of Conduct?
Yes: 2,976 (91.7%)
No: 269 (8.3%)
Ballots cast: 3,245
Empty ballots: 56
The voter turnout was high considering that the polling was delayed until after the start of the final exam period. In contrast, the Spring 2025 Student Trustee election drew only 1,518 total votes.
The polling was extended until midnight on Sunday due to the email announcing the “promotional period” being accidentally sent to the wrong listserv.
Prof. David Bateman, Government, who is a ranking faculty member on the University Assembly, said, “The overwhelming results of the referenda make clear that Cornell students see the current student code as rigged against their interests, and as dividing the community against each other. Not only is a new code needed, one that will not allow the abuses of temporary suspensions we’ve seen over the last few years. But we need a new process for appointing the review committee, one that respects the students’ clear demand for independence from central administration.”
Prof. Richard Bensel, History, who was one of the co-sponsors of the Faculty Senate resolution, said, “The implications of the overwhelming majorities in these referenda is not only that the administration of the Student Code should be independent of the central administration but that we should also have a Campus Code of Conduct whose jurisdiction should include the behavior of central administration officials. If nothing else, these votes highlight the hypocrisy of the central administration’s policies toward free speech and academic freedom.”
Both referenda had been favorably endorsed by the Cornell Review. President Kotlikoff must respond within 30 days.
