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Behavioral Expectations for Youth Participants

Cornell University has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, mistreatment, harassment, and sexual activity among minor participants in its programs.

Programs that provide custodial care of minors must establish and communicate written participant conduct expectations and disciplinary procedures. These expectations must include a clear prohibition on youth-to-youth abuse, misconduct, harassment, hazing, and bullying.

At a minimum, programs must communicate the following conduct expectations to participants. Programs may establish additional rules based on the age of the participants, program activities, and operating environment.

Required Conduct Expectations for Program Participants 13 Years of Age and Older:

  • The possession or use of alcohol and other drugs, fireworks, guns and other weapons, and sexually explicit material is prohibited.
  • Participants may not leave University premises or the program location without consent.
  • Participants are prohibited from engaging in acts of violence, sexual abuse or misconduct, or harassment.
  • Hazing is prohibited.
  • Bullying, including verbal, physical, and cyber bullying, is prohibited.
  • The use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited.
  • Misuse, damage, or theft of property is prohibited.
  • The use of cameras, imaging, and digital devices is prohibited in areas where privacy is expected, such as showers, locker rooms, and restrooms.  
  • All sexual activity is prohibited.

Required Conduct Expectations for Program Participants Under 13 Years of Age

  • Personal belongings, including any items that may be considered dangerous, should be left at home; do not bring them to the program.
  • Participants may not leave the program without asking for permission first.
  • Participants will treat everyone with kindness. No violence or hurtful actions are allowed in the program.
  • Participants must keep their hands to themselves.
  • Bullying (either face-to-face or online) is not permitted in the program.
  • Cornell University does not allow smoking or vaping on campus.
  • Participants are not allowed to damage, misuse, or take things that do not belong to them.
  • Do not use cameras or phones to take photos of others without their permission.  Participants are not allowed to take photos in restrooms/bathrooms under any circumstances.   

Addressing Participant Misconduct

Program directors must establish age-appropriate procedures for responding to participant misconduct and communicate those procedures to participants and parents/guardians before the program begins. Responses may include redirection, loss of privileges, parent/guardian notification, removal from activities, or dismissal from the program when necessary to protect participant safety and well-being.