Cornell University has updated its housing rules to prohibit students from processing wild animals in communal kitchens after two students butchered a black bear in a residence hall last year, according to The Ithaca Voice.
The new policy was added to the university’s Community Living Standards for the 2026-27 academic year.
The change stems from a September 2025 incident in which two students skinned and packaged a legally harvested bear inside Ganędagǫ Hall.
Cornell said the rule is intended to clarify what activities are appropriate in shared kitchen spaces.
The students were not charged or disciplined because the conduct did not violate university policies in place at the time.
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