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Cornell University

Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative

As common as possible, as different as necessary

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System: Readiness Initiative

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is like a digital backbone that connects core business functions—from finance and procurement to human resources and student services. Currently, Cornell maintains multiple systems across its campuses (including Kuali, SAP, and Workday), each with its own ecosystem of supporting tools. This fragmentation creates unnecessary complexity, increases costs, and complicates everyday tasks for our community.

Consolidating the university’s core administrative functions into an integrated platform will do more than streamline operations—it will transform how our community works together across campuses. This initiative supports CEMI’s goal of creating seamless, efficient experiences for everyone who interacts with Cornell’s systems.

Approach

A broad team of over 200 individuals from across our campuses has been formed to ensure Cornell selects a solution that works for everyone. This collaborative effort includes:

  • Representatives from all colleges, schools, and administrative units
  • Functional and technical experts
  • Stakeholders from all campuses
  • Guidance from experienced consultants

 

Through discovery sessions and workshops, the team has documented processes and pain points, essential features and requirements, cross-campus integration needs, and implementation considerations.

Next Steps

Two requests for proposals are underway:

  1. To select the right ERP solution (expected late Summer 2025)
  2. To identify the best implementation partner

This thorough approach ensures Cornell chooses not just a system, but a solution that will serve the university’s complex needs well into the future.

As common as possible, as different as necessary.

collage of two very similar sedans and a tractor

“As common as possible, as different as necessary” is the guiding principle to reflect the CEMI vision for administrative and financial systems across our campuses in Ithaca, New York City, and Doha. Common solutions will allow information to flow seamlessly among campuses, enabling everyone to easily get the answers they need. We’ll maintain unique solutions only where truly necessary.

Shaped by the Cornell Community: Get Involved

Contribute your skills and experience to CEMI (“See Me”). Community members know the current processes and systems best—and what it’s going to take to change how we do things. Please submit the form for your campus to be added to the contributors list and receive quarterly updates:

 

Veterinary Medicine student writes on a whiteboard

Visit the Program Teams page to meet more of the Cornell community members shaping the CEMI program.