New York Education Law Section 5703 - Trustees.

5703. Trustees. 1. Appointment and election. The board of trustees of Cornell university shall be constituted as follows:

a. Ex officio trustees. The governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly and the president of the university shall be ex officio trustees during their respective terms of office.

b. One life trustee. The eldest lineal descendant of Ezra Cornell shall be a trustee for his or her life.

c. Appointed trustees. The governor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the senate, three trustees, one each year for a term of three years, commencing on the first day of July.

d. Board trustees. Fifty-six trustees shall be selected in such manner and for such terms as the board of trustees may determine. At all times, such board trustees shall include at least: two members from each of the fields of agriculture, business and labor in New York state; eight trustees to be elected from among and by the alumni of the university; two trustees to be elected from among and by the faculty of the university at Ithaca and Geneva; two trustees to be elected from among and by the membership of the university's student body at Ithaca; and one trustee to be elected from among and by the nonacademic staff and employees of the university at Ithaca and Geneva.

2. General provisions. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general or specific statute the minimum age for membership on the board of trustees shall be eighteen years.

b. The presence of thirty trustees at a meeting duly called in accordance with said university's bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.


Last modified: February 3, 2019