At Cornell University, academic integrity cases are governed by the Code of Academic Integrity, and they typically begin with the instructor, not a central conduct office. A student who wants a decision reviewed can bring the case before the Academic Integrity Hearing Board of the instructor’s college. At that board, Cornell’s Code allows a student’s advisor to assist with the presentation and questioning, and Cornell’s guidance confirms the advisor may be an attorney. Cornell adopted an updated version of the Code effective August 24, 2026.
A note on policies: universities revise their codes and procedures over time, and Cornell’s Code of Academic Integrity was recently updated. The process that governs any particular case is the one in effect for that case. This article describes the general structure of Cornell’s process as the university has published it. The current Code and Cornell’s current guidance are the controlling sources.
How Does a Cornell Academic Integrity Case Begin?
A case usually begins with the instructor, who meets with the student about the suspected violation.
Cornell’s published guidance for students has described this first step as a primary hearing, intended as a conversation between the instructor and the student, with an independent witness present. Under Cornell’s Code, a faculty member who gives a penalty for a violation must report it in writing to the student and to the record-keeper of the faculty member’s college Academic Integrity Hearing Board.
What Is the Academic Integrity Hearing Board?
The Academic Integrity Hearing Board is the college-level body that reviews academic integrity cases. A student who wants to seek review of an instructor’s decision can bring the case before the board of the faculty member’s college.
According to Cornell’s Code, the student has the right to be accompanied by an advisor and relevant witnesses at the board’s hearing.
Can a Student Bring an Attorney at Cornell?
Yes, at the hearing board stage. Cornell’s Code states that the student’s advisor may assist the student in the presentation and questioning.
Cornell’s guidance for hearing board chairs states that the advisor is most often a member of the university community, but the student may choose a parent or an attorney as an advisor. The guidance also states that if a student appears with an attorney, the chair may adjourn the hearing to arrange for the presence of University Counsel. For the earlier primary hearing with the instructor, Cornell’s guidance for students describes an advisor as acting only as an observer or advisor.
What Is a Respondents’ Codes Counselor?
A Respondents’ Codes Counselor is a person in Cornell’s system who provides free, confidential assistance to students accused of violating the Code of Academic Integrity.
According to the Office of the Respondents’ Codes Counselors, a counselor can explain the process, help a student prepare a response to the charge, attend the primary hearing as an adviser, help prepare an appeal to a hearing board, and attend that hearing in an advisory capacity.
Do All Cornell Schools Use the Same Code?
No. Cornell’s Code states that the existing honor codes of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Law School are not governed by the general Code of Academic Integrity. Students in those schools have their own honor codes.
What Happens After a Finding?
If a student is found to have violated the Code, the decision is reported to the record-keeper in the instructor’s college, and penalties are imposed under the Code.
Cornell’s Code also allows a college dean to bring a student before the college hearing board for a violation committed while attending another institution or a Cornell-sponsored off-campus program. For more on appeals, see appealing an academic misconduct decision.
Common Misconceptions About Cornell Cases
“Cornell has one central office for cheating cases.” Cornell’s process typically begins with the instructor, with review by the college’s Academic Integrity Hearing Board.
“Advisors can only sit silently.” At the hearing board, Cornell’s Code states that the advisor may assist in the presentation and questioning.
“Attorneys aren’t allowed.” Cornell’s guidance states that a student may choose an attorney as an advisor at the hearing board.
“Every Cornell school follows the same code.” The Law School and the College of Veterinary Medicine have separate honor codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cornell’s Academic Integrity Hearing Board?
The college-level body that reviews academic integrity cases, including when a student seeks review of an instructor’s decision.
Can I bring an attorney to a Cornell Academic Integrity Hearing Board?
Yes. Cornell’s guidance states that a student may choose an attorney as an advisor, and its Code states that the advisor may assist in the presentation and questioning.
What is a primary hearing at Cornell?
Cornell’s guidance describes it as an initial conversation between the instructor and the student about the suspected violation, with an independent witness present.
Did Cornell change its Code of Academic Integrity?
Yes. Cornell adopted an updated Code of Academic Integrity effective August 24, 2026.
Representation in Cornell Academic Integrity Cases
Every case turns on its specific facts and on the university’s policies as they stand at the time of the case, and codes and procedures can change. Attorney Richard Asselta is a student defense attorney who represents students in academic misconduct cases at colleges and universities nationwide, including Cornell. Call 855-338-5299.