Member-at-Large

Process for member selection

• Current Council member, dean, or staff member nominates a prospective member who meet one or more of the membership criteria. Self-nominations are also accepted.
• Membership Working Group reviews all nominations.
• Administrative Board approves the nominations.
• Nominees are presented to the Cornell Board of Trustees, who approve the candidates.
• Council Chair emails invitation with instructions on how to accept or decline.

How to nominate

• Review the Council member guidelines.
• Nominate a candidate.

Nominations are open through November 16, 2025 for terms starting July 1, 2026.

This is a confidential process; please do not advise the candidate of his or her nomination. To learn more about this process,  view the most recent Council Membership Selection Training.

If you have membership questions, please contact Heather Wells ’02.

Life Membership

Criteria for life member selection

• Has served at least twelve years as an elected member-at-large on Council.
• Has been given distinguished service to Cornell on an annual basis. The Membership Working Group recommends life membership candidates to the Board of Trustees for review and election.

Criteria must be met by July 1 of the year the term would begin.

Process for life member selection

• List of eligible candidates generated by staff liaison to Membership Working Group.
• Membership Working Group reviews all eligible candidates for nomination of Life Membership.
• Administrative Board approves the nominations.
• Nominees are presented to the Cornell Board of Trustees, who approve the candidates.
• Council Chair emails invitation with instructions on how to accept or decline.