Cornell is one of relatively few institutions in the nation allowing the campus community to directly elect constituent members to its highest governing body. Students (alternating between undergraduate and a graduate or professional student) are elected to serve two-year terms, while faculty and staff are elected for four year terms, all as full voting members on the Board of Trustees.

More information is available about the Faculty-Elected Trustee, the election of the Dean of Faculty, and election of faculty representatives to University committees, through the Office of the Dean of Faculty.