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Cornell University

Community Response Team (CRT)

Response & Support

Who We Serve & What We Address


CRT provides support to students, staff, faculty, and non-affiliated individuals on Cornell University’s main campus in Ithaca, NY.


The team is equipped to respond to a variety of situations, including:

  • Anxiety
  • Delivery of difficult news
  • Suicidal ideation and attempts
  • Sexual assault
  • Welfare checks
  • Victim advocacy (i.e., victims of harmful, threatening, or violent incidents)
  • Substance use and addiction issues
  • Discrimination or Harassment 
  • Major life transitions (e.g., homesickness, academic failure)
  • Loss (e.g., end of a relationship or friendship, loss of a job)
  • Death
  • Grief
  • Emotional Suffering

The Community Response Team may be dispatched when:

  • The individual is currently on campus
  • There is no report of violence
  • There is no report of weapons or access to weapons on the scene
  • It involves a potential mental health or wellness matter

When a call meets the criteria for CRT dispatch (determined by the Public Safety Communications Center), the team works to de-escalate and stabilize the situation, enlisting additional first responders when necessary. CRT provides immediate wraparound services during these calls, connecting individuals with valuable resources both on and off campus to ensure effective support. In cases where there is an imminent risk of harm to self or others, or when weapons are present or accessible, CRT collaborates closely with the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD) to ensure a coordinated and effective response. Our goal is to provide timely support while prioritizing the safety of everyone involved.