Academic Policies, Instruction & Resources
The university will proceed with the instruction dates outlined in the 2021-22 academic calendar. Please be advised that this guidance could change pending the course of the pandemic, especially as it relates to spread of highly infectious virus variants.
In-Person Instruction & Office Hours
Will students who test positive be required to attend class in person?
Students who test positive will be required to isolate for five days, according to CDC guidelines. During that time, students cannot attend classes in person, and should coordinate with their instructors for accommodations.
Will the swim test requirement be waived for May 2022 graduates?
Yes, the requirement will be waived for May 2022 graduates.
Will the course drop deadline be the last day of classes, as it was last semester?
No. The university has reverted back to the typical drop deadline schedule. For spring 2022, the last day to drop a course or change the grading option is March 21.
When will evening prelims be held this semester?
The evening prelim schedule has been posted and exams will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7:30 p.m.
Will I need to reserve a study space, as I did last semester?
As of now, you do not need to reserve a space to study in our various academic buildings as you did last semester. However, if you’d like to use a space specifically in one of the libraries for individual study/video calls or for group project work, you can reserve it ahead of time.
Please keep in mind, however, that study spaces, which are great to congregate for informal meetings or to studying with friends, are not designated dining areas. Unless you are alone in a private room, you must wear a mask whenever you are not actively eating or drinking (e.g., mask up between sips when drinking a coffee over an extended period of time).
Isolation & Quarantine
If I am placed in isolation, how can I keep up with my coursework? Will I be able to attend class by Zoom while in isolation?
When students are placed in mandatory quarantine or isolation, they will receive an email from Student Disability Services that includes a five-day temporary academic accommodation notice. Students are asked to forward the message to their instructors and college student services office (Cornell Law students should forward the message only to the Law School Dean of Students, law.dos@cornell.edu), which serves as the official notification of their five-day accommodation and their inability to participate in in-person learning until their release date. The message also notifies instructors that students may need flexibility in attendance and alternative arrangements for assignments and/or exams.
Students must follow-up directly with their instructors to discuss the accommodations that can be made to support their ability to meet course learning outcomes. In turn, instructors will determine which temporary accommodations are most appropriate for their course. It is important that students communicate with their instructors to finalize arrangements (Cornell Law students should coordinate directly with the Law School Dean of Students and not engage directly with their faculty about accommodations.)
Faculty are not required to provide remote access to students who cannot attend class. In fact, for the majority of our classrooms, remote access is not an option because classrooms are not Zoom-enabled. Instead, faculty may, for example, choose to use lapel mic recorders to capture audio recordings to accompany other course materials. Faculty want you to remain engaged and have access to course materials, and they will determine the most appropriate and feasible way to help you stay on track based on the nature of the course. Also, it’s always beneficial for students to stay in regular contact with their faculty, TAs, and their college student services office during their quarantine or isolation period so that they can get the support they need.
While most people are in isolation for five full days, students whose symptoms are not improving by the end of the fifth day may need to remain in isolation a few days longer and should contact Cornell’s COVID-19 Concierge at 607-254-5600 or quarantinehelp@cornell.edu to discuss extending their isolation period.
What happens if my instructor goes into quarantine or isolation?
If your instructor becomes sick with COVID-19, the instructor or their department will communicate any alternative arrangements that may be put in place, such as such as substitute instructors or alternative lesson plans.
Holds & Graduation Requirements
I have a hold preventing me from adding or dropping classes. How can I get the hold removed?
There are several different types of holds. Your Holds are listed at the top right of the page when logged in to Student Center. Click on "more information" for complete details on the hold, including steps to resolve if necessary.
I was gated from Canvas and just took my surveillance test. Will I have my access turned back on immediately? If not, can I just show my instructor a screenshot of my appointment reservation for them to add me back to Canvas?
No, it could take as much as 12-24 hours for your access to Canvas to be restored. Instructors have no ability to add students back to Canvas. Only through regular system updates can you be reinstated back into Canvas.