eCornell Code of Conduct Policy

eCornell Code of Conduct Policy

Welcome to eCornell! We are dedicated to providing an inclusive, engaging, and respectful learning environment for all participants. This Code of Conduct outlines the standards expected of all learners, instructors, and staff involved in our courses to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

1. Respect and Inclusivity

  • Respect for All: Treat all participants with respect, kindness, and understanding. We welcome learners from diverse backgrounds and encourage open-mindedness and empathy in all interactions.
  • Inclusive Language: Use language that is inclusive and respectful. Avoid using derogatory, discriminatory, or offensive language. Ensure that discussions, both in public forums and private messages, remain professional.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Acknowledge and respect cultural differences. Foster an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, regardless of background, nationality, gender, or identity.
  • No Harassment or Cyberbullying: Harassment, bullying, or any form of cyber aggression toward other participants, your facilitator, or Cornell staff is strictly forbidden and will result in immediate removal from the course and program.

2. Professional Communication

  • Constructive Feedback: Provide feedback that is constructive, respectful, and specific. Critiques should be directed at work or ideas, not individuals, and should aim to support improvement.
  • Professional Tone: Maintain a courteous and professional tone in all communications, including forum posts, group discussions, and private messages. Avoid engaging in debates that could lead to arguments or hostility.
  • Active Participation: Engage actively in cohort discussions and activities, as they are essential for collaborative learning. However, respect others’ boundaries and avoid spamming or dominating conversations.

3. Privacy and Confidentiality

  • Respect Privacy: Respect the privacy of other learners. Do not share personal or sensitive information without consent. All interactions within the learning platform should remain confidential.
  • Confidentiality in Group Work: Any discussions, documents, or work shared in group settings should not be distributed or shared outside of the group without permission.

4. Intellectual Property Protection

  • Respect for Course Content: All course materials, including videos, readings, assignments, and other resources, are the intellectual property of eCornell and its instructors. These materials are provided solely for your personal learning and must not be copied, recorded, redistributed, shared, posted, or published on external platforms without express written consent. Unauthorized distribution will lead to disciplinary action, including removal from the program and potential legal action.
  • Originality of Contributions: All assignments and submissions should be original and respect the intellectual property of others. Do not use or replicate others’ work without proper citation, and follow guidelines around collaborative work if permitted in your course.

5. Use of AI Tools

  • Permissible Use: AI tools, such as language models or data analysis programs, may be used for specific course-related tasks as long as they comply with the course guidelines. If your course or assignment specifies limitations on AI use, you are expected to adhere to them strictly.
  • Academic Integrity: When using AI tools, you must ensure that all work remains original and reflects your own understanding and analysis. AI should not be used to complete assignments or assessments in a way that undermines the learning objectives or your academic integrity.
  • Proper Attribution: If you use AI tools to support research, writing, or analysis, provide proper attribution where applicable and transparently disclose your use of AI in your submissions as required by the course.
  • Prohibited Uses: Do not use AI to generate work that is then passed off as your own original creation, as this constitutes academic dishonesty. Additionally, using AI to create false, misleading, or harmful information is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.

6. Academic Integrity

  • Honesty in Work: Submit original work and give proper credit to sources. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of dishonest behavior is strictly prohibited and will lead to disciplinary action.
  • Collaboration and Attribution: Collaborative work should be done as per the course guidelines. If collaboration is allowed, ensure contributions are fair and properly attributed.

7. Complaint Resolution and Reporting Misconduct

  • Reporting Violations: If you experience or witness any conduct that violates this policy, please report it to our support team at studentsuccess@ecornell.cornell.edu. All reports will be handled discreetly and with the utmost seriousness.
  • Disciplinary Action: Breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in warnings, suspension, or removal from the course or platform. For detailed information on the potential consequences of violations, please refer to Section 8: Consequences of Code of Conduct Violations.

8. Consequences of Code of Conduct Violations

We take violations of this Code of Conduct seriously to ensure a respectful, safe, and productive learning environment for everyone. Breaches of the policy may lead to disciplinary action, which can vary depending on the nature and severity of the violation. Below are the potential consequences for misconduct:

Level 1: Minor Violations

Minor violations may include, but are not limited to, unintentional disruptions, occasional unprofessional communication, or non-compliance with minor platform policies.

  • Actions Taken:
    • Warning: A written warning will be issued, outlining the specific violation and steps to avoid further incidents.
    • Corrective Measures: The participant may be required to complete a specific action to demonstrate an understanding of the Code of Conduct and prevent future violations.
  • Further Violations: Repeated minor violations may escalate to a Level 2 response, including probation or suspension.

Level 2: Moderate Violations

Moderate violations include repeated minor violations or more significant issues, such as disrespectful behavior toward other participants, facilitators, or Cornell staff, inappropriate use of technology, or use of AI in ways that undermine the academic integrity of the program.

  • Actions Taken:
    • Probation: The participant may be placed on probation, meaning any further infractions may result in suspension or dismissal.
    • Temporary Suspension: Depending on the severity of the violation, a temporary suspension from the course or platform may be implemented. During suspension, participants are not allowed to access course materials or interact with the learning community. Any incomplete courses due to this suspension will be the sole responsibility of the student. 
  • Further Violations: If the participant does not adhere to the terms of the probation or continues to violate the Code of Conduct, disciplinary action will escalate to Level 3.

Level 3: Serious Violations

Serious violations may include, but are not limited to, harassment or bullying, intentional plagiarism, unauthorized distribution of course materials, repeated breaches of intellectual property rights, use of AI in ways that misrepresent original work, or any behavior that seriously undermines the integrity of the learning environment.

  • Actions Taken:
    • Immediate Dismissal: The participant may be dismissed from the course and all associated programs without prior warning. Dismissal will be immediate, and access to the course and platform will be permanently revoked.
    • No Refund: Participants dismissed for serious violations will not receive a refund for any tuition, fees, or other costs paid for the course or program.
    • Notification of Relevant Parties: In cases where the violation has impacted others or breached intellectual property, appropriate parties (such as course instructors, affected participants, or legal representatives) may be notified.
    • Potential Legal Action: For cases involving intellectual property theft, unauthorized distribution of content, or other actions that may involve criminal or civil liabilities, eCornell reserves the right to pursue legal action.

Appeal Process

Participants who feel they have been unfairly disciplined for a Code of Conduct violation may submit a written appeal within seven (7) days of receiving notice of the disciplinary action to studentsuccess@ecornell.cornell.edu. Appeals will be reviewed by the Vice Provost of External Education, and the final decision will be communicated within fourteen (14) days. All appeal decisions are final.

By enrolling in courses with eCornell, participants agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and acknowledge the potential consequences of violations. Our goal is to maintain a high standard of integrity and respect, ensuring that all participants can thrive in a supportive and fair learning environment.