Cornell University has warned 'non-marginalized' business students that they may face repercussions for attending diversity-focused recruiting events intended for their minority peers.
An email circulated around the Ivy League college on Friday by its Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management student council urges students 'who do not identify with the specific marginalized or underrepresented group' not to attend.
The council's initiative, Allyship in Action, is said to encourage the use of 'one's privilege to support, advocate for, and stand with marginalized or underrepresented groups,' the email obtained by National Review said.
'Students who do not identify with the specific marginalized or underrepresented group that a diversity conference is designed for… should respect that space and should not attend,' the email continued.
Diversity conferences are professional events that can aid in talent development, career preparation and guidance, mentorship as well as job recruitment, according to the email.
The referenced conferences for marginalized students invite 'diverse candidates' within the MBA to find 'community, support, and opportunities,' National Review reported.
The email came with a warning to students, which added: 'Furthermore, we want to stress the negative impact your presence may have on your own recruiting outcomes, as well as Cornell's relationship with these organizations.'
Cornell's business school website promoting the Women in Investing Conference for MBA students
Allyship in Action, further encouraged students to 'amplify' the voices of their 'underrepresented peers,' during projects, discussions and meetings, as well as calling out discriminatory behavior and language.
'If you do not belong to the group that the diversity conference is designed for, attending could potentially compromise the purpose of the event as a protected space,' the council stated.
'Your presence may inhibit the open dialogue and safe sharing that these spaces are intended to foster.'
One student, who asked to remain anonymous, described the email as 'abhorrent' and condemned the council for encouraging exclusivity.
'True equality should not equate to carving out exclusive zones that sideline most MBA students and potentially skirt equal opportunity laws,' the student argued.
The email was sent ahead of next week's Reaching Out MBA conference in New Orleans, which is said to be one of the biggest gatherings of LGBTQ+ business students and alumni.
The referenced conferences for marginalized students invite 'diverse candidates' within the MBA to find 'community, support, and opportunities'
Events that Cornell regularly promotes include the National Black MBA Conference, the AfroTech conference, the Women in Investing conference, and the Prospanica National Conference for Hispanic students.
Cornell emphasized to National Review that the contents of the email were 'student-to-student conversations,' and the events are officially open to all students.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the MBA Student Council and Cornell University for comment.
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