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Other ways to report a concern at Cornell University

Multiple avenues are available to report suspected or actual wrongful conduct, depending on your comfort level. Find report options listed below. Regardless of which method you choose, it is important to speak up when you see wrongdoing or have concerns that someone has violated the law or university policy. You can also email any questions to the University Compliance Office.

Reporting at Cornell University

Who do I tell if I have a concern?

Other ways to report an incident or concern

TopicRelevant Office(s)
Financial misconduct University Controller or University Audit Executive 
Violations of university policies Responsible Office or Responsible Executive of specific University Policy; or University Compliance, University Audit, or General Counsel 
Employment-related matters Human Resources or General Counsel 
Enrollment-related concerns Office of Enrollment Compliance and Design 
Faculty-specific concerns Dean of Faculty or appropriate dean 
Research misconduct Office Research and Integrity and Assurance or appropriate dean 
Animal welfare Office Research and Integrity and Assurance (ORIA) or Center for Animal Resources and Education (CARE) 
Safety and environmental concerns Environment, Health and Safety (EHS)  
Bias, Discrimination and/or Harassment (including Sexual Harassment) Cornell Office of Civil Rights and related Reporting Form 
Athletics concerns (incl. NCAA compliance) Athletics Compliance Office 
Data security (breach, hack, phish, etc.) IT Security Office 
Privacy concerns University Privacy 
Campus Code of Conduct violations Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards 
Misconduct involving a child or youth Children and Youth Safety at Cornell 
Confidential discussion Office of the University Ombuds 
Any concern University Compliance, University Audit, or General Counsel 
Anonymous and confidential reporting Cornell Ethics and Compliance Hotline 

Cornell University Police Silent Witness Program

If you witness or are the victim of a crime in progress or other emergency in progress, contact Cornell Police immediately by calling 911 or (607) 255-1111 or use the nearest Blue Light phone.

Suppose you witnessed a crime or suspicious activity on or adjacent to the Cornell University campus that you want to confidentially report and that is not an emergency. In that case, Cornell Police offers confidential non-emergency crime or suspicious activity reporting online through the Silent Witness Program. This is through a third party, Ethics Point (NAVEX), who will receive your report and triage it to the Cornell Police. You can submit a Silent Witness online form or call toll-free: 1-866-293-3077. 

Government Reporting

You may also report concerns related to government grants or contracts directly to the government.

Federal AgencyRelevant Resource(s)
Department of Defense (DOD)Inspector General Hotline: 1-800-424-9098, or DoD Hotline
Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR)1-800-421-3481, or Office for Civil Rights - Complaint Assessment System 
Department of Health and Human Services (including NIH)Inspector General Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS, or Office of Inspector General
National Science Foundation (NSF)Anonymous Hotline: 1-800-428-2189, or Fraud Hotline
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)Call Your Local OSHA Office or 800-321-6742, or File a Complaint
State of New York reporting of fraud involving taxpayer moneyInspector General Hotline: 1-888-672-4555, or Office of the Comptroller

Whistleblower Protection

The University prohibits retaliation in any form against a person for reporting in good faith. Further, all personnel are expected to cooperate fully with any investigation by the University or law enforcement. The University will take all appropriate and necessary action to deal with a violation of this policy. See University Policy 4.17, Whistleblower Protection.

Executive officers, faculty, staff, student employees, and others acting on behalf of the university are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards, observing applicable policies, practices, regulations, laws, and professional standards. Review Cornell’s Statement of Ethical Conduct on the Cornell Ethics and Compliance Hotline website for more details.