Visitor Policy
Definition and Purpose
This page contains abridged information regarding our visitor policy.
Each year, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) receives hundreds of requests to visit our facilities, to meet with and learn from faculty, or to just spend time at CVM.
Casual short-term visits, with no appointment in Workday and no international visa handling, are processed solely by each department. The Office of Human Resources and the Office of International Affairs and Professional Services (OIAPS) will guide and assist if there are questions concerning departmental casual visits.
The need for an appointment in Workday or visa handling will trigger formal processing.
Types of Visitors and Status at Cornell
There are various types of visitors to CVM and any formal visitors as defined above will be processed into one of the following categories.
Research/ Academic Visitors |
Visiting academics
Researchers or scientists from other institutions who have academic credentials. This may include faculty on sabbatical or visiting as a part of a collaboration. Visiting faculty may be at the CVM for up to one year. Sabbatical academics in collaborative relationships/projects will incur no fees. |
‘Lab’ interns
Postgraduate research students who have a desire to be mentored and learn in a lab. Intern visits for up to 12 months with proof of student status and funding from home institution or government (stipend/fellowship).*
*Funding minimums will be evaluated and matched yearly to the Tompkins County Livable Wage. |
Initiating, Requesting and Finalizing Visits
All visitors must be sponsored by a faculty member and faculty members must submit documents to the department chair for approval between four and six months prior to the visit. These documents include:
- A Visitor Request Form. This collects information required to process visitor documents, commitment of the faculty member and department, and clarifies the best category and/or status for each visitor.
- A CV. This describes relevant education and research experience.
- Letter of Intent. This summarizes the academic and research goals of the visitor, and is provided by the visitor.
Processing will not commence without these documents and signed approval from the department chair. They will then be submitted to OIAPS, which will coordinate directly with the proposed visitor and keep the faculty sponsor informed.
OIAPS will then provide a Visitor Agreement Form, signed by the faculty member and department chair.
The following table lists the specific documentation required for each visitor:
Requirement | Visiting academic | 'Lab' intern |
Visitor Request Form | Yes | Yes |
Letter of Intent | Yes | Yes |
Faculty Mentor Commitment | Yes | Yes |
Chair Approval | Yes | Yes |
Financial Support | Yes | Yes |
Proof of English | Yes | Yes |
Learning Objectives | Yes | Yes |
Proof of Matriculation | Yes (if student) | |
Health Insurance | Yes | Yes |
Liability Insurance | ||
Liability Waiver | Yes | Yes |
Parental Approval |
Approval Process for Visitors
As CVM does not charge tuition to any visitor, we have no visitors with a student status and academic transcripts.
The following sequence is used to process a visitor.
Step | Process | Ideal Timeframe* |
---|---|---|
Visitor Request Form, CV, Letter of Intent from from visitor |
|
At least four-to-six months before visit |
Visitor Application Processed |
|
At least three months before visit |
Visitor Application Accepted |
|
|
Visitor Agreement Form |
|
Upon approval of visit |
Visit Preparation |
Resources shared by OIAPS:
|
Two months before visit |
|
One month before visit | |
Visitor Arrival |
Welcome orientation provided by OIAPS, including:
|
Day of arrival |
Routine Check-in |
|
Ongoing |
Exit Interview |
Close-out by host department, including:
|
Last day |
Visitor Costs
Visit fees can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the academic department director or chair. An exception shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
All visits will incur fees, which are defined each year. The fees can be paid by the host faculty, department, section, or visitor. Visitor-related costs are used to cover fees for specific services that are granted upon Workday appointment, such as TCAT transportation, library services, web access, and space usage.
CVM-Provided Resources and Benefits for Visitors
The following table lists the specific Cornell benefits provided to the different types of visitors.
Please note that the ’lab’ intern (unpaid/allowance payment) HR title will grant TCAT access.
Benefit | “Visitor” (Extern, visiting vet, visiting academic, ‘lab’ intern) | “Employee” (Self-funded vet Interns/Residents) | “Volunteer” |
---|---|---|---|
Visa Sponsorship
|
(if > 3 months or requested) | X | N/A |
Orientation & Welcome Pack
|
X | X | X |
In-person Orientation
|
X | X | X |
CU ID
|
(if > 3 months or requested) (transport can also be purchased separately) |
X | N/A |
NetID
|
(if > 3 months or requested) | X | N/A |
Housing Assistance
|
X | X | X |
State/Federal Withholding
|
X (with allowance) |
X | N/A |
CVM Software and Data Access
|
X | X | N/A |
English Language Support
|
X | X | N/A |