Policies and Procedures

In the Brooks School of Public Policy .

Office of the Registrar

The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) maintains university-wide academic records and transcript services. The OUR office can provide students with official university transcripts for various purposes such as applying to graduate schools, employment opportunities, or professional licensing. Additional information is available on the University Registrar’s website.

The Brooks School Registrar specifically manages and maintains the official academic records for students enrolled in the Brooks School of Public Policy. This includes tracking students’ progress toward degree completion, monitoring course registrations, recording grades, ensuring compliance with Brooks School academic policies, and approving transfer credits earned by students from other institutions.

Both offices collaborate to ensure students’ academic success and compliance with institutional policies and procedures.

Registration and Enrollment

University Record Holds:

The University has legal obligations towards students who are part of its academic community. Therefore, certain criteria must be fulfilled to maintain enrollment for the ongoing term or to enroll in a future term. Please refer to the University Record Holds  for more detailed information.

Verification of Registration:

The Office of the University Registrar is responsible for certifying student enrollment and degrees. The University Registrar maintains both past and present student records, but cannot verify future enrollment. Cornell University utilizes the National Student Clearinghouse to offer students verification services and the ability to print their certifications. All information about current and former students is provided by the Office of the University Registrar. For letters of good standing, students should contact the Brooks School Registrar.

For detailed information about verification services, please visit the University Registrar’s website.

Bursar Bill:

Bursar bills, which include tuition and fees for each semester, are usually generated in July for the fall term and January for the spring term. These bills can also be accessed via Student Center. Initial New York State residency eligibility is determined during the admissions process, however, requests for a change in residency status after matriculation will be handled by the bursar’s office. 

Further details can be found on the Office of the Bursar website. The Office of the Bursar may be contacted by email at bursar@cornell.edu or by phone at (607) 255-2336.

Proration of Tuition:

To qualify for tuition proration, a student must have completed at least eight semesters of study at Cornell and have fewer than 9 credits remaining to fulfill degree requirements. The student must also be in good standing and meet all other proration criteria.

Students classified as mature may carry 6 to 11 credits but need to request prorated tuition. Proration will only be considered for requests involving between 3 and 10 credits. All requests must be submitted to the Brooks School Registrar by the end of the pre-enrollment period in the semester before the requested proration term.

For more details, please reach out to the Brooks School Registrar.

Course Enrollment

Initiating the Process:

During the course pre-enroll period, students can submit their preferences for classes, but these selections are only requests for seats and are not guaranteed. The offering college department evaluates these requests between the end of the enrollment period and the start of the next semester. Students will know if their requests were successful when final schedules are released before the add/drop period. It’s expected that students will make their course requests for the upcoming semester during a specific pre-enroll period, which is advertised publicly and listed on the university registrar’s website. Course pre-enrollments are done electronically through the software available in Student Center. During this process, students should also meet with their advisors to discuss their academic plans.

Detailed course information for each semester can be found in this Courses of Study catalog and the Class Roster.

Incoming students can seek guidance from advisors at the Brooks Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management throughout the semester and during orientation.

Deadlines for Add/Drop and Grade Option Changes for Full Semester Courses: 

• During the first 15 calendar days of the semester:
  • Courses can be added, dropped, or the course credits changed.
  • Special status courses (4000, 4010, 4020) and Teaching Apprentice courses (4030) can be added through the end of the 5th week of the semester.
• During the first 57 calendar days of the semester:
  • Courses can be dropped or the grade option changed.
• After the 57th calendar day of the semester:
  • Any requests for course changes must be made through the petition process.
  • Students should request an appointment with an academic advisor in the Office of Admissions, Student Services, and Career Management (MVR 2201).
• After the 57th calendar day of the semester (if granted permission to drop a course):
  • Students will automatically receive a grade of W (Withdrawn).
  • The course and grade will remain on the official transcript even if repeated in a later semester.
  • The deadline to petition to drop a course with a “W” is that term’s last day of classes.

Deadlines for Half-Semester Courses:

Students have the following options regarding half-semester courses:

• Dropping half-semester courses: Students can drop these courses within the first three and one-half weeks of the course.
• Adding a course after the first week: Permission from the instructor and the registrar is required to add a course after the first week of classes.
• Petitioning to drop a course: If a student wishes to drop a half-semester course after the first three and one-half weeks, they must submit a petition.

Undergraduate Course Loads: 

Full-time matriculated undergraduate students must carry a minimum of 12 credits (excluding physical education) to maintain their full-time status. Please refer to the “Minimum Semester Requirements” section for further details.

Undergraduate students enrolled in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy are typically limited to taking 18 credits per semester. However, students who have completed more than two semesters at Cornell and have maintained a GPA of at least 3.5 may petition to take up to 22 academic credits. On the other hand, students who have been at Cornell for less than two semesters or have a GPA lower than 3.5 may only petition for additional credits if they are for physical education or academic support classes (e.g., MATH 1006 - Academic Support for MATH 1106 ).

It’s important to note that eligibility to petition does not guarantee approval to exceed 18 credits. Students must also have the support of an academic advisor from the Brooks School Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management. Approval for additional credits will only be granted after a meeting with an advisor.

Please be aware that approvals to exceed 18 credits are granted under limited circumstances, and petitions to enroll for more than 18 credits are not accepted during the pre-enrollment period.

Late Course Enrollment:

Students who miss the pre-enrollment period must wait until the add/drop period of the next semester to enroll in courses. Extensions are seldom given and typically only for documented illness.

If a student misses the deadline, they should contact the Brooks School Registrar promptly. The Registrar can provide information about available options and guide students through the course enrollment process in such situations.

Students must review their course schedule in Student Center for accuracy regarding course numbers, credit hours, grade options, and other details. Any errors should be corrected immediately. The procedures for correcting enrollment errors and making other changes are outlined in the following section.

Course Enrollment Changes:

Making course enrollment changes early in the semester is beneficial for students. Adding new courses early helps students manage their coursework effectively, and dropping a course early creates opportunities for other students who may need it for their academic programs.

It’s important for students to carefully assess their course load at the beginning of the semester. If instructors do not discuss course requirements within the first week or two of class, it is the responsibility of the student to inquire about these details.

Permission of Instructor/Department:

Some courses require permission from the instructor or department to enroll, as noted in this catalog or through Student Center. Undergraduate students need instructor approval to enroll in any graduate-level course. During the course enrollment period, students must request permission from the instructor by adding their names to a list managed by the departmental advising assistant or another designated representative.

Course Enrollment while Studying Abroad:

Students intending to study abroad should schedule a consultation with an academic advisor at the Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management before departure. This consultation will help them plan the schedule of classes they will take upon their return to campus. While abroad, students can access the Courses of Study catalog and the Class Roster for the upcoming semester online approximately two weeks before pre-enrollment.

Enrollment Restrictions and Waitlists: 

Enrollment in certain classes is limited, and in such cases, programs may impose restrictions such as limiting a class to a specific group of students, reserving seats for certain students, or establishing a waitlist. Information about these restrictions, reservations, and waitlist priorities for relevant courses can typically be found in the notes section of the Class Roster. These measures are implemented to prioritize enrollment for students who need a particular course to graduate.

Each department or program manages its waitlist process. Students should contact department program coordinators or the professors offering the class for more details. It’s important to note that course instructors determine the criteria for filling their classes from waitlists. Waitlists are typically maintained for the first three weeks of each semester.

Administrative Drop from Classes:

Students are responsible for ensuring they meet the necessary prerequisites for a course before enrolling. If a student believes they have relevant experience or have completed alternate coursework that adequately prepares them for a course, they should seek permission from the instructor before enrolling without meeting the prerequisite. It’s important to note that students who do not meet the posted prerequisites outlined in the course description may be removed from the class roster.

Additionally, for courses with limited enrollment, students must attend the first two class sessions. Failure to do so may result in being dropped from the course list. However, students can avoid being dropped by informing the instructor in advance if they are unable to attend due to unavoidable circumstances.

Forbidden Overlaps:

Students should carefully review course descriptions to identify other Cornell courses with duplicate content that could affect their credit eligibility. For instance, taking both PUBPOL 2000 - Intermediate Microeconomics  and ECON 3030 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory , both being Intermediate Microeconomics courses, would only count for 4 credits toward graduation instead of 8. Additionally, completing a course at Cornell with overlapping content may result in forfeiting AP/IB credits.

To assist students in this assessment, the College of Arts and Sciences maintains a list of Cornell University courses with duplicate content, which can be found in the list of courses with overlapping content . 

Students are encouraged to consult with a Brooks School academic advisor at the Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management for any clarifications or questions regarding these matters.

Independent Study/Special Studies/Project Session Courses

Special Studies and Project Session courses provide opportunities for students to do independent work not available in regular courses.  Semester credits for special studies courses are determined by the number of contact hours the student has with the supervising faculty member (or a person designated by the faculty member). To earn 1 credit, a student must have equivalent of three to four hours of contact time per week for 15 weeks (a total of 45 contact hours). For additional credit, multiply the number of credits to be reached by 45 to determine the number of contact hours needed for the course.  For independent study/project session/special studies outside of the Brooks School, please refer to the policies and procedures listed for the respective unit.

Graduate/professional Independent Study Courses:

Students must seek instructor approval to enroll in the Brooks graduate level independent study courses. Enrollment is through permission number or manual add form. Students and supervising faculty are responsible to discuss requirements of the independent study before enrollment. 
The graduate/professional independent study courses offered through the Brooks School are: 

• PUBPOL 5000 - Special Studies  
• PUBPOL 6000 - Special Problems for Graduate Students  
• PUBPOL 8990 - Master’s Thesis and Research  
• PUBPOL 9990 - Doctoral Thesis and Research  

Brooks Undergraduate Special Studies Courses:

The undergraduate other special studies courses offered through the Brooks School are:

• PUBPOL 4000 - Directed Readings  
• PUBPOL 4010 - Empirical Research  
• PUBPOL 4020 - Supervised Fieldwork  

Juniors and seniors normally take those courses, and a faculty member in the department in which the course is offered supervises work on an individual basis. It is important for students to use the appropriate course number (3000, 4000, 4010, or 4020) for a special project.

To register for an undergraduate special studies course in the Brooks School, a student completes an online special studies form for the departmental office offering the course. The student discusses the proposed course with the faculty member under whose supervision the study would be done and then prepares a plan of work. If the faculty member agrees to supervise the study, the student completes a special studies form and submits the form to obtain signatures from the instructor and director of undergraduate studies. Special studies forms are available online. The deadline to enroll in Special Studies is the end of the 5th week of the semester.

Strict limitations exist on the number of special studies credits that can apply toward graduation and how these credits may be applied toward Major requirements. Refer to Brooks School Credit Requirements for details.

Changes in Status and Petitions

The petition process allows students to request exceptions to existing regulations, with each petition being considered individually. Petitions are evaluated based on the student’s unique situation and the intent of Brooks School and university regulations. Generally, extenuating circumstances, such as a documented medical emergency, are necessary for a petition to waive a deadline to be approved.

Students can avoid the need to petition by adhering to the deadlines relevant to their academic program. If unsure about a deadline, students can consult with an advisor at the Brooks Office of Admissions, Student Services, and Career Management or the Brooks School registrar’s office at Brooks-studentservices@cornell.edu.

A general petition may be required for various purposes, such as carrying fewer than 12 credits, withdrawing from a class after the 57th calendar day of the semester deadline, adding a course after the Add Deadline, changing a grade option after the 57th calendar day deadline, exemption from graduation requirements, substituting a required course in their major, or staying an additional semester to fulfill graduation requirements.

While many requests can be petitioned within the Brooks School, other options may be preferable in certain cases. Students can discuss their situation with an academic advisor or the Brooks School registrar to determine if a petition is appropriate.

If a student decides to submit a general petition, they can find the form on the Brooks School website. After completing the form, the student must meet with an advisor at the Brooks Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management. The decision regarding the petition will be communicated to the student via their Cornell email address, indicating approval or denial.

Students have the option to appeal the registrar’s decision to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and an advising staff member can assist students throughout this appeal process.

In Absentia Study

Under certain conditions, credit toward a Cornell degree may be given for in absentia study, that is, study done at an accredited institution away from Cornell after the student matriculates in the Brooks School of Public Policy. In absentia study can be done during any semester: fall, winter, spring, or summer. First-year writing seminars and Brooks School core public policy courses may not be taken in absentia.

To be eligible for in absentia study, a student must be in good academic standing and must receive permission in advance from the Brooks School registrar. A student not in good standing may study in absentia but will not receive transcript credit until the Committee on Academic Status has returned the student to good standing. Students not in good academic standing who wish to finish their degree in absentia must seek pre-approval from the Brooks School’s Committee on Academic Status via the general petition process. In some cases, students may petition for in-absentia credit after the work has been completed, but there is no guarantee that such credit will be awarded without advance approval.

In absentia petition forms are available on the Brooks School website. In absentia study during the fall or spring semester carries a nominal administrative fee (contact the Bursar’s office for the current amount). Students will receive an email from the Brooks School Registrar notifying them of the petition decision. Students seeking pre-approval for in-absentia coursework should do so well in advance as turnaround time for the approval process can be variable.

For Brooks School undergraduate students, the combined number of in absentia, AP credits, and pre-matriculation credits applied to graduation requirements may not exceed 15 credits. Students who study abroad during the summer or winter term are limited to a maximum of 9 in absentia credits. The Brooks School Public Policy summer trips to Copenhagen (PUBPOL 2030 - Population and Public Policy ) and Turin (PUBPOL 3620 - Population Controversies in Europe ) are offered through Cornell and do not count towards in-absentia credit limits. Studying abroad during the fall or spring semester must be done through the Study Abroad office and is not considered in-absentia study. Students studying while on a leave of absence during the spring or fall semesters may not receive credit for nondomestic campus programs.

On the following rare occasions, a student’s petition for more than 15 credits in absentia may be allowed: (1) the work taken represents a special educational opportunity not available at Cornell, (2) it relates to the student’s particular professional goals, and (3) those goals are consistent with the focus of the school. The in-absentia petition form is used to request more than 15 credits in-absentia. Wells and Ithaca College credits are not considered in-absentia credits and are not included in the 15-credit limit.

The Brooks School registrar requests approval from the appropriate department if a student wants to apply in-absentia credit to major requirements. Students seeking in-absentia credit for a modern foreign language in which they have done work must obtain the approval of the appropriate language department (College of Arts and Sciences). The department will recommend the number of credits the student should receive and may require the student to take a placement test after returning to Cornell.

The student is responsible for having the registrar of the institution where in-absentia study is done send transcripts of grades directly to the Brooks School registrar’s office (1204 MVR Hall). Only then will credit be officially assessed and applied to the Cornell degree. Credit for in-absentia study will be granted only for those courses with grades of C– or better. Courses may not be taken for S–U grades unless it is the only grade option offered. In-absentia courses appear on the Cornell University transcript, but the grades are not calculated in the student’s GPA.

A student who holds a Regents’ or Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans Scholarship may claim that scholarship for study in-absentia if the study is done in a college in New York State and if it is for a maximum of 15 credits acceptable to the Brooks School of Public Policy.

The rules regarding study in-absentia apply to transfer students with the additional stipulation that at least 60 credits must be taken at Cornell. At least 43 of the 60 credits must be in the Brooks School of Public Policy or College of Human Ecology at Cornell unless the student has transferred equivalent Brooks School or Human Ecology credit. No more than 2 courses of equivalent credit may be applied to the 43 credits required in Brooks School or Human Ecology coursework.

Leave of Absence:

A student may request a leave of absence at any time after they have commenced attendance at the university as part of a Cornell degree program. A leave may be extended for a second semester by making a written request to the Brooks School of Public Policy Registrar by emailing Brooks-studentservices@cornell.edu. 

It is important to note that In-absentia study status and leave of absence status are not the same; however, students may petition to earn credits with either status. Students on leave must notify the Brooks School registrar, in writing, of their intention to return to campus by returning the Return from Leave of Absence form by November 30 for a spring return and July 31 for a fall return. Those whose leave period has expired will be withdrawn from the school after the third week of the semester they were due back.

Students considering a leave of absence should discuss their plans with an advisor in the Brooks School Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management. The form to initiate a leave of absence is available on the University Registrar’s website. Leaves initiated after instruction begins will be charged a percentage of the semester’s tuition. The University Registrar will determine the effective date of the leave.

The academic records of all students who are granted a leave of absence are subject to review, and the Committee on Academic Status may request grades and other information from faculty members to determine whether the student should return under warning or severe warning or in good academic standing.

Under certain documented medical circumstances a student may be granted a health leave of absence. Health leaves are initiated by the student with Cornell Health. If they recommend a health leave for the student, the Brooks School registrar may grant the leave. A health leave is for an indeterminate period not to exceed five years. Students who are granted a health leave of absence have the option to maintain contact with an advisor in the Brooks Office of Enrollment and Student Services. The advisor will guide the student on procedures to obtain a recommendation from Cornell Health to the Brooks School registrar for the student’s return. Students should plan sufficiently in advance to ensure time for Cornell Health and the school registrar to consider their request. The request should be initiated by November 30 for a spring return and by July 31 for a fall return.

Withdrawal:

A withdrawal is a termination of student status at the university. Students may withdraw voluntarily at any time by submitting a withdrawal request on the University Registrar’s website. A student considering such an action is urged to first discuss plans with an advisor in the Brooks School Office of Admissions, Student Services, and Career Management. The University Registrar will determine the effective date of the withdrawal.

In some instances, a student may be given a withdrawal by the Brooks School Registrar. Students who leave the Brooks School without an approved leave of absence, or do not return after the leave has expired, will be given a withdrawal after the seventh week of the semester in which they fail to register.

A student who has withdrawn from the Brooks School or who has been given a withdrawal by the Brooks School Registrar and who wishes to return at a later date must reapply through the Office of Admission for consideration along with all other applicants for admission. If the student was in academic difficulty at the time of the withdrawal, the request for readmission will be referred to the Committee on Academic Status for consideration, and that committee may stipulate criteria under which the student may be readmitted to the school.

Grades and Examinations

Grade Definitions and Equivalents:

The official Grading Guidelines  use a system of letter grades ranging from A+ to D-, with F denoting failure. An INC grade is given for incomplete work, and an R is given at the end of the first semester of a two-semester course.

Repeating Courses:

Students may enroll a second time for a course they have already passed or in which they received an F. If a student has previously passed a course and is taking the course a second time, the second enrollment will not count toward the degree/credit requirements, however, the grade received will be included in the cumulative GPA.

If a student enrolls in a course in which an F was previously received, the credits from the second enrollment will count toward the graduation requirements and the grade will be included in the cumulative GPA. The F will also remain on the record and will be included in the GPA.

S–U Grades:

No more than 12 S–U credits will count toward a student’s 120-credit graduation requirement. However, a student may take more than one S–U course in any one semester. S–U courses may be taken only as electives or in the 9 credits required in the college outside the major unless the requirements for a specific major indicate otherwise. First-year students enrolled in WRIT 1370 - FWS: Elements of Academic Writing  and WRIT 1380 - Elements of Academic Writing  (offered for S–U grades only) are permitted to apply those courses to the first-year writing seminar requirement. If a required course is offered only S–U, it will not count toward the 12-credit limit.

To take a course for an S–U grade, a student must check the course description to make sure that the course is offered on the S–U basis; then sign up for S–U credit during course enrollment or change the grading option before the end of the 57th calendar day of the semester.

Grades of Incomplete:

A grade of incomplete (INC) is given when a student has completed a substantial portion of the class but has not completed all the work for a course on time but when, in the instructor’s judgment, there was a valid reason. A student with such a reason should discuss the matter with the instructor and request a grade of incomplete. Students are at risk of going under the minimum semester requirement if an INC grade in a course puts the total number of credit hours under 12 for the semester. For more information, refer to Minimum Semester Requirements.

A grade of incomplete may remain on a student’s official transcript for a maximum of two semesters and one summer after the grade is given, or until the awarding of a degree, whichever is the shorter time. The instructor has the option of setting a shorter time limit for completing the coursework.

If the work is completed within the designated time, the grade of incomplete will be changed to a regular grade on the student’s official transcript. If the work is not completed within the designated time, the grade of incomplete automatically will be converted to an F by the school registrar. 

When a student wants to receive a grade of incomplete, the student must arrange a meeting with the instructor (before classes end and the study period begins) to work out the agreement. Within the Online Grade Adjustment Application (OLGAA), there is an option to report on a Grade of Incomplete (INC) or add an explanation for reporting a Failing Grade (F or U). This form is submitted with the final grades whenever a grade of incomplete is given. This form is for the student’s protection, particularly if a faculty member with whom a course is being completed leaves campus without leaving a record of the work completed in the course. This form should be completed by the final grade submission deadline. 

If the work is completed satisfactorily within the required time, the course appears on the student’s official transcript with an asterisk adjacent to the final grade received for the semester in which the student was registered for the course. A student who completes the work in the required time and expects to receive a grade must take responsibility for checking with the Brooks School Registrar’s Office (roughly two weeks after the work has been handed in) to make sure that the grade has been received. Any questions should be discussed with the course instructor. 

The form for Reporting a Failing Grade of F or U should be completed by the instructor by the final grade submission deadline. This form is used by the Committee on Academic Status when reviewing students at the end of a semester to determine if action should be taken regarding the student’s progress to a degree.

Grade Disputes:

Students who find themselves in disagreement with an instructor over grades have several options:

• Meet with the instructor and try to resolve the dispute.
• Meet with the chair of the department or the program director for the subject area in which the course was taught.  
• Meet with the associate dean for undergraduate studies or academic affairs of the college/school in which the course was taught. 
• Contact the Office of the University Ombudsman by emailing ombuds@cornell.edu or by phone at 607-255-4321.
• Seek advice from a faculty mentor, the Brooks School Registrar, or an advisor in the Brooks School Office of Admissions, Student Services, and Career Management.

Examinations:

Both the preliminary and final examination schedules are available on the University Registrar’s website. Final exam information is located in the Final Examinations  section of this catalog.

Return of Exams, Papers, etc.:

Although no federal or state legislation pertains to how graded work is to be returned to students, the returning of such materials should be handled in such a manner as will preserve the student’s privacy. Students have a right to examine their corrected exams, papers, and the like, to be able to question their grading. They do not, however, have an absolute right to the return thereof.  Exams, papers, etc., as well as grading records, should be retained according to the timeframe outlined in Cornell policy 4.7 Retention of University Records. 

Due Date for Submitting Final Grades:

Prompt submission of final grades is essential. Each college and school sets its due dates for final grades independently each semester in consultation with the university registrar.

Preliminary Examinations:

Preliminary exam information is located in the Evening Preliminary Examinations  section of this catalog.

Academic Standing

Criteria for Good Standing:

Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy has established a set of minimum academic standards that all students must meet or exceed each semester.

For undergraduate students, the minimum academic standards are as follows:

• A student must maintain a semester and cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
• A student must complete at least 12 credits per semester, excluding physical education courses. Mature students must carry at least 6 credits each semester, also excluding physical education.
• Students enrolling in the Brooks School as first-years must enroll in a minimum of one 3-credit course each semester in PUBPOL during each of their first four semesters, excluding winter and summer sessions. Transfer students must take six credit hours of PUBPOL coursework in each of their first two semesters in the Brooks School.   
• A student must be making “satisfactory progress” toward a Brooks School bachelor’s degree.
• Students must receive a passing grade in PUBPOL 2000 - Intermediate Microeconomics  and PUBPOL 2101 - Statistics for Public Policy . Students who do not receive a passing grade in either of these courses will be placed on a warning status. All students must complete their requirements for first-year writing seminars (FWS) during their first two semesters at Cornell. Students who do not take a required first-year writing seminar in the first semester that they matriculate at the Brooks School will be placed on a warning status. Students who have completed the second or subsequent semesters of matriculation at the Brooks School and who have not taken both of the required writing seminars will be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Status and will be placed on warning status, a required leave, or may be withdrawn from the Brooks School. 

For Professional Master students (MHA, MPA, EMHA, EMPA), the minimum academic standards are as follows:

• A student must maintain a semester and cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
• Students may count no more than two courses with grades of “C” or “C+” toward the degree requirements. No grades below a “C” are considered. 
• A student cannot carry more than two (2) incomplete grades.
• Residential students must complete at least 12 credits each semester.
• Executive students must complete at least 6 credits each term.
• Residential students must be in-residence unless they are participating in an approved off-campus activity, with written approval from the Program Director.

At the end of each semester, the program committee on academic status reviews each student’s academic record to ensure that the minimum academic standards are met. The committee takes appropriate action for students whose academic achievement is considered unsatisfactory as defined by these criteria. The program committees on academic status consider each case individually before deciding on a course of action. To support every student’s success, the committee may take any of the following actions:

• Withdraw the student permanently from the Brooks School and Cornell University.
• Require the student to take a leave of absence for one or more semesters.
• Issue a warning to the student at one of the following levels (these imply that if the student does not show considerable improvement during the semester, the committee may withdraw the student):
  • Severe warning with danger of being withdrawn
  • Severe warning
  • Warning
• Add the student’s name to a review list; students with this status are monitored by the committee throughout the semester.
• Return the student to good standing.

Any of the above actions may be accompanied by a semester credit limit or a requirement for the student to meet with an academic advisor by a date set by the committee. 

Students placed on a required leave must appeal to CAS to return. This appeal occurs at the end of the required leave period. Students who have been withdrawn may appeal the decision before the committee during the pre-semester appeals meeting. 

All students with an academic warning status automatically will be reviewed for specific criteria at the end of the subsequent semester. Students put on warning, severe warning, or severe warning with danger of being withdrawn status will be informed of conditions that they are expected to fulfill to return to good standing. In general, these conditions are that a student must earn a minimum semester GPA of 3.0, complete 12 credits, and not have any incomplete grades on their most recent semester record. 

Students who have been previously placed on a required leave and wish to return to the Brooks School must submit a plan of study to the committee before being rejoined. The student should contact an advisor in the Brooks Office of Enrollment and Student Services to discuss the process and due dates. 

Students who have been withdrawn from the Brooks School by CAS may request that they be readmitted. Such students have three years from the date they were withdrawn to make this appeal with assistance from an advisor in the Brooks Office of Enrollment and Student Services. After three years, a former student must apply for readmission through the Brooks School admissions process. A student applying for readmission should discuss their situation with an advisor in the Brooks Office of Enrollment and Student Services. The student also should talk with others who may be able to help—faculty mentors, instructors, or a member of the university medical staff. Any information given to the committee is held in the strictest confidence.

Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is a fundamental concern for students and professors in the academic community. For comprehensive information regarding the Code of Academic Integrity and Guidelines for Students, please refer to the Academic Integrity  section of this catalog. 

The Brooks School’s Academic Integrity Hearing Board plays a vital role in upholding academic integrity. Comprising a chairperson, three faculty members, and three students, the board hears appeals from students who have violated the code. Additionally, it addresses cases brought directly by faculty members. The Academic Integrity Hearing Board may be contacted by email at brooks-aihb@cornell.edu.

Academic Records:

Students may obtain their Cornell academic records in several ways. The Cornell transcript, which is the official record of the courses, credits, and grades that a student has earned can be ordered at no charge by visiting the Office of the University Registrar website. For more information, call (607) 255-4232. Students may also access their grades and course schedules electronically using Student Center. Students should be in the habit of checking Student Center by the second week of every semester to confirm that their schedule and grade options are correct. Adjustments must be made before published enrollment deadlines.

Students should use the Academic Advising Report through Student Center to track their degree progress. It is important to check this document and bring any errors to the attention of the staff in the Brooks School Registrar’s Office by emailing Brooks-studentservices@cornell.edu.

Access to Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 assures students of the privacy of their records. The law also assures students access to their records. Information concerning a student’s relationship with the university is considered restricted and may be released only at the student’s specific written request. Restricted information includes the courses elected; grades earned; class rank; academic and disciplinary actions by appropriate faculty, student, or administrative committees; and financial arrangements between the student and the university. Letters of recommendation are restricted information unless the student has specifically waived right of access.

Students who want additional information on access to their records may contact the Brooks School Registrar’s Office or the Office of the University Registrar. An inventory of those student records maintained by Cornell University offices in Ithaca, their location, and cognizant officers are available in the Office of the Dean of Students.

For specific information, refer to the university’s policy Access to Student Information or talk with the Brooks School Registrar.

Academic Honors and Awards

The Brooks School encourages high academic achievement and recognizes outstanding students in several ways.

Phi Alpha Alpha:

Pi Alpha Alpha is a global honor society for students in the field of public affairs and public policy. Undergraduate students in their final semester, who are in the top 10% of their graduating class, and who received a GPA of at least 3.225 in all coursework, and at least a 3.7625 GPA in Brooks School coursework are eligible to join this honor society. Masters students in their final semester, with at least a 3.7 GPA are eligible to join. Eligible students in their final semester will be invited to join the honor society by a representative in their academic program.  

Bachelor of Science with Honors:

A Bachelor of Science with honors recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement in an academic field. To graduate with honors a student must take approved courses in research methodology and evaluation, attend honors seminars, complete a written thesis, and successfully defend it in front of a committee. More information is available under “Brooks Honors Program.”

Bachelor of Science with High Distinction or Distinction:

A Bachelor of Science with high distinction or distinction recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement. High distinction is awarded to graduates who earn a cumulative GPA of 4.000 or higher and distinction is awarded to graduates who earn a cumulative GPA of 3.750 to 3.999.

Undergraduate Affairs

Mature Students:

The school recognizes that students who interrupted their formal education and are returning to school have needs different from those of younger undergraduates. To facilitate the education of mature students, defined as those 24 years old or older at first matriculation, the Brooks School has adopted certain procedures specifically for that group. Advisors in the Office of Admissions, Student Services, and Career Management can provide information of interest to mature students. Mature students may petition to enroll in as few as 6 credits and also are permitted to extend their residency beyond the normal eight semesters. To find out about qualifying for prorated tuition, mature students must see the Brooks School registrar during the course pre-enrollment period in the preceding semester.

Transfer Students:

Students may be considered transfer students once they complete 12 college credits after high school graduation. An external transfer student transfers to the Brooks School from an institution outside of Cornell University. Liberal arts credits from other institutions transfer readily, but students must earn a minimum of 60 Cornell credits to graduate. Internal transfer students are admitted to the Brooks School from one of Cornell’s other seven undergraduate units. Students transferring internally should take special care to learn the policies of the Brooks School because rules at the various Cornell colleges often differ. Before admission, both internal and external transfer candidates should contact the Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management by emailing Brooks-StudentServices@cornell.edu to discuss credit transfer. Upon matriculation, admitted transfer students should attend the orientation and contact the Brooks Registrar’s office to discuss how transfer credits will apply to their specific degree program.

• External transfer students must spend a minimum of 4 academic (Fall or Spring) semesters in residence on the Ithaca campus.
• Cornell in Washington/Study Abroad will not apply to this requirement.
• Summer session coursework will not apply to this requirement.

Special Student Status:

Students eligible for special status are those visiting from other institutions and interested in particular programs in the school, those with a bachelor’s degree who are preparing for graduate study or jobs and careers in public policy–related fields, or those who have interrupted their education and are considering completing degree programs. Students accepted in the non-degree status of special student may enroll for a maximum of two semesters. During the second semester of attendance, a special student must either apply for admission as a transfer student or plan to terminate studies in the school at the end of the semester. Special students are expected to take a minimum of 12 credits each semester and to take one-half to two-thirds of their work in the statutory divisions of the university. Courses taken while a person is classified as a special student may be counted toward the requirements of the bachelor’s degree. Those interested in becoming special students should make appointments to discuss admissions procedures in the Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management by emailing Brooks-StudentServices@cornell.edu.