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Policies

The following university policies are available for reference on a wide variety of brand governance and management topics. Please reach out to us or the policy office with any questions.

Policy 4.3 "Sales Activities on Campus"

Cornell regulates the use of its property for sales and other commercial activities in order to maintain a safe, attractive environment for instruction, research, and public service. For the convenience of its community, as described in this policy, Cornell University allows limited sales to be conducted on its campus in ways that are consistent with the university's mission, take account of off‐campus businesses, and comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Policy 4.10 "Use of Cornell's Name, Logos, Trademarks, and Insignias"

Cornell has adopted certain authorization procedures to ensure that the university and its campuses and units are presented to the public in a consistent, coherent manner, and that university resources are expended efficiently and effectively in alignment with brand guidelines. Cornell University allows the use of its name, and its logos, trademarks, insignias, and other indicia only with permission, as set forth in the principles and procedures of this policy.

Policy 4.11 "Forming a University-Related Subsidiary or Affiliate or Acquiring a Controlling Interest in a Separate Entity"

The university imposes tight controls on the creation of subsidiary and affiliated corporations in order to exercise responsible stewardship over the university's tangible and intangible assets, to manage risk exposure, and to facilitate compliance with reporting and other legal requirements.

Policy 4.16 "University Social Media Accounts"

The university recognizes the value of social media platforms for a range of business goals and must balance its support of social media with the preservation of Cornell's brand identity, integrity, and reputation. As described in this policy, Cornell authorizes the creation and use of university social media accounts, provided their use is professional, protects the reputation and brand of the university, and complies with Cornell policies and applicable laws and regulations.

University Policy 4.18 "Political Campaign Activity"

While Cornell University supports freedom of thought and expression by members of its community, federal Internal Revenue Code prohibits tax-exempt organization such as Cornell from engaging in political campaign activity. To protect its assets, tax-exempt status, and reputation, the university establishes guidelines for faculty and staff to engage in political campaign activity and political expression, clarifies the responsibilities of independent recognized organizations, and clarifies permissible uses of university property by political candidates.

Policy 5.6 "Recording and Registration of Domain Names"

When creating a new domain in a diverse university environment like Cornell's, most often it's important to include your college or department's name to help people associate a project or service with the unit that sponsors it. Units such as colleges, schools, and administrative departments have their own three-part domain names, such as library.cornell.edu. This policy provides the criteria for three-part domains, the method for requesting three-part domains, and alternatives.

Policy 5.12 "Web Accessibility Standards"

Cornell University is committed to providing an environment in which all people have an equal opportunity to participate in the university’s programs, activities, and services. To support this environment, all new, newly added or redesigned university web content, web pages, web functionality, websites, and web applications must be made accessible to people with disabilities to the standard prescribed by the most recently published Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), except where doing so would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens.

When fundamental alteration or undue burden applies, equally effective alternative means of access must be provided so that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the same benefits and services.

Student & Campus Life "Postering Policy"

This policy is designed to allow campus organizations and individuals to advertise events on campus without causing damage to buildings, signage, and/or trees on or near campus.