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Cornell University

Prohibited Bias, Discrimination & Harassment

FAQs

The following frequently asked questions and answers provide general information on the reporting, handling and adjudication of reports of bias, discrimination, and harassment. Please review both the full policy on bias, harassment, and discrimination and the accompanying procedures for more complete information. Additional FAQs may be added from time to time as questions arise.

General Principles

How does Cornell address bias, discrimination, and harassment?

  • Cornell University is committed to creating and maintaining an educational, working, and living environment free from discrimination and harassment. The University will address acts of protected status bias, discrimination or harassment in accordance with its policies and appropriate educational or disciplinary actions.

Are acts of bias illegal or prohibited by University policy?

  • Some forms of bias, including hate crimes, discrimination, and harassment are prohibited under law and/or University policy. Not all acts of bias are a crime or violate University policy, but they may contribute to creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the individuals and groups affected. You are encouraged to report all acts of bias, discrimination and harassment so that the University can take appropriate action to remedy the effects of such acts and help improve the campus climate. The course of action taken by the University, including any resulting disciplinary penalty, will depend on the particular facts and circumstances involved.

How are bias, discrimination, and harassment defined by University policy?

  • Descriptions of bias, discrimination, harassment, hostile environment, protected statuses and other key concepts are defined in Policy 6.4 and the accompanying procedures.

What is the difference between discrimination and bias-related incidents?

  • Unlawful discrimination refers to specific conduct prohibited by law that unfairly treats people differently because of their characteristic or perceived characteristics that the law deems to be unrelated to merit. An example of unlawful discrimination would be to deny membership into a group because a person is Muslim.
  • Bias is a preconceived negative opinion or attitude about a group of people who possess common physical characteristic or cultural experiences.
  • Unlawful discrimination often results from bias. Bias-related incidents, however, do not always result in unfair treatment that violates nondiscrimination laws.

Reporting

I’m not ready to make a formal report. What else can I do?

    • Email us at civilrights@cornell.edu and we can chat about it first.
    • Call us at (607) 255-2242
    • Visit our office located at 500 Day Hall (5th floor).

I don’t know if what I’ve experienced counts as bias, discrimination, or harassment. How do I know what to do?

    • You can still submit a report. COCR will assess the report and reach out to you with questions and to provide additional information. If the reported incident is determined not to be a matter of protected status bias, discrimination, or harassment, it will be referred to the appropriate office for handling, which will be communicated to you.
    • You can also email, call us, or drop by our office to discuss the situation further before filing a report.

Can I submit an anonymous report?

    • Yes, you can. Our reporting system will allow you to remain anonymous. However, it is important to note that reporting anonymously may limit COCR’s ability to respond to an incident.

Why should I report bias, discrimination, and harassment?

  • All University members are encouraged to report all acts of bias, discrimination and/or harassment, despite whether the conduct constitutes a crime or policy violation. The University will identify the appropriate response to help resolve the conflict and improve the campus climate, such as facilitating programs, private meetings and/or other actions to educate the community in ways that are respectful of free speech and expression.

Is there a time limit on reporting bias, discrimination, or harassment?

  • No. There is no time limit or deadline for filing a report. However, to facilitate the best resolution, prompt reporting is encouraged

I feel that I’ve experienced bias, discrimination or harassment. What are my options?

  • File a formal report of bias, discrimination, harassment online (hyperlink to Guardian). These reports will come directly to the Cornell Office of Civil Rights.
  • Make an anonymous report online (hyperlink to Guardian).
  • If you are concerned for your safety or feel that the incident may be a criminal act, please contact Cornell Police by dialing 911.
  • Still not sure what the best option is?
    • Email us at  civilrights@cornell.edu and we can chat about it first.
    • Call us at (607) 255-2242
    • Visit our office located at 500 Day Hall (5th floor).

What information should I include in my report?

  • Please include your name and contact information (unless you’re reporting confidentially) and be as descriptive as possible about the incident(s). Try to include any details you have regarding the date of the incident(s), approximate time, location, parties involved and any witnesses or individuals who may have knowledge of what occurred, and any other information relevant to the incident(s).

Will you tell the person I’m reporting that I’ve reported them?

  • No, the COCR will not share your name with the person and/or group that you’ve reported. There are potential next steps that would require that we share your name, but we will not do so without discussing this with you first. You will be kept informed every step of the way.

Who will have access to my report?

  • When you submit a bias, discrimination, or harassment report through Guardian it will be routed to the COCR team. Your report will be held privately and only shared on a need-to-know basis to preserve the safety of the Cornell community.

Will my concerns be kept confidential?

  • Our office keeps information private, but it is important to note that we are not a confidential resource. As a private resource, COCR will only share information related to your report on a need-to-know basis. Cornell has confidential on-campus resources that you can connect with.

Can I submit a report against another student, faculty member, or staff member?

  • Yes. COCR serves as a resource for current members of the Cornell University community. If you have had an incident occur with a fellow student, faculty, or staff member, you may report that incident to our office.

The incident I’m reporting happened off campus, can I still report it?

  • Yes, you can. If COCR ends up not being the right place for you to voice your concerns, we will point you in the right direction.

How do I file a discrimination and/or harassment complaint externally?

  • In addition to or instead of filing an internal complaint, you may file a complaint of discrimination and/or harassment with an external body, including a federal or state agency authorized to investigate such claims. The appropriate agency will depend on the status of the complainant and the nature of the complaint. Examples of such agencies include: the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Education, and the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Support and Resources

What interim supportive measures are available?

  • COCR can offer a wide array of interim measures, tailored to the specific needs of the incident, these can include, but are not limited to:
    • Assistance obtaining access to counseling, advocacy, or medical services
    • Assistance requesting changes in work schedules, job assignments, or other work accommodations
    • Referrals for conflict coaching and/or mediation
    • Restrictive orders
    • “No-contact” orders, which curtail or prohibit contact or communications between or among individuals.

Does Cornell offer any confidential resources?

Incident Report Review Process

I’ve been accused of bias, discrimination or harassment. What happens now?

  • After COCR receives reports of bias, discrimination, or harassment, we look into these reports following the appropriate processes.
  • If you are found to have engaged in protected-status bias, you can expect that an educational/accountability conversation will occur. These conversations are non-punitive with a goal of conveying the impact of your actions on others and forming strategies to prevent future incidents.
  • When discrimination or harassment that violates Policy 6.4 is suspected, COCR may conduct a formal investigation into the matter. We will talk with you and others as well as gather any other relevant information to determine what likely took place, and issue a report.

What are the consequences if someone is found to have committed bias, harassment or discrimination?

  • If someone is found to have committed an act of bias, we would ask that an educational/accountability conversation be held with that person. This is a non-punitive process.
  • If a member of the Cornell Community is found to have engaged in protected status harassment or discrimination there are a number of possible outcomes. The offending person may be asked to attend training and/or may face punitive action, up to and including termination or dismissal, depending on the severity of the behavior.

If I am the subject of a complaint, will the University keep the investigation confidential?

  • Any allegation of discrimination or harassment brought to the attention of the University will be addressed discreetly to the greatest extent possible. During the course of the investigation, the investigator may gather pertinent information or receive counsel from the Provost’s Office, the Office of the General Counsel, or other offices or parties as needed. In such case, disclosures will be limited to the extent possible.