National Telecommunicators Week – This week, we recognize and celebrate Cornell’s telecommunications personnel and others nationwide who answer calls around the clock, serving as the first point of contact in times of intense personal crisis or community-wide disasters.

Gorge Trails – Hiking in Ithaca’s beautiful natural environment is a great way to enjoy the warmer weather and get some exercise, but please keep safety in mind. Always exhibit caution and never underestimate the power of the water. Stay on designated pathways, hike with a partner, and be aware of wet or closed trails, loose rocks, and other hazards.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

I Can See Clearly Now – Drivers, your windows and mirrors MUST be cleared of snow. You will get pulled over if you are driving with snow on your windows.

Community Engagement Team – Cornell Police have a dedicated team that offers a variety of educational community engagement programs including personal security, self defense and training on how to respond to an active threat or workplace violence on campus. Connect with one of our community engagement officers to book a session.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

No Haze Zone – It is never OK to humiliate or demean others or to risk their physical or mental well-being — individually or as a part of joining a group, team or organization. Hazing is a violation of the Cornell Student Code of Conduct as well as New York state law. Help put a stop to hazing by reporting incidents confidentially online.

Tax Fraud – Be wary of phone calls or emails claiming to be from the IRS, especially those demanding immediate payment or requesting your personal information. The IRS doesn’t work like that, but scammers do.

Mental Floss – Safe habits also include taking care of your mental wellness. Exercise your brain, get outside and enjoy some fresh air. For more helpful resources on maintaining a healthy mindset, check out Cornell’s Mental Health website.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

Sexual Assault Task Force – Interim President Kotlikoff and Provost Bala have established a task force to address sexual assault on the Ithaca campus that will develop a holistic framework for prevention and intervention, drawing from data, research, best practices and community input. Sexual assault, harassment and related misconduct are never acceptable and have no place on our campuses. If you or someone you know has experienced harm, confidential support is available.

Connect with Us – Our Public Safety team prioritizes and enjoys building relationships with our community. The Community Response Team (CRT) can assist anyone on campus with a wide range of situations, from stressors related to academics to mental and behavioral health crises. CRT has added availability this semester: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at 607-253-2100. In the event of a crisis or emergency that needs immediate assistance, call 911 or the Public Safety Communications Center at 607-255-1111.

Winter Running – Please obey the rules for crossing the road, even if you’re jogging. I’m impressed with the serious winter runners and pleased to see many people taking time to exercise in this weather, but please be safe and pay attention to your surroundings when running along or across roadways. And if you’re in a car or riding a bike, take care to observe the rules and share the road!

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

CornellALERT Test – Cornell will conduct a test of the campus emergency notification system on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 12:10 p.m. This includes notifications sent through voice and text messaging, email, campus sirens and other platforms. Register or update your mobile phone number to ensure timely emergency notifications.

Construction Safety – Slow down and be alert when navigating construction zones. Ease frustration by planning ahead and, if possible, avoiding areas with active roadwork. Pedestrians, stay out of fenced construction areas and use the marked sidewalk detours. Stay updated on disruptions by visiting the special conditions website or signing up for email alerts. Information about other local roadway construction projects can be found on the city, county and state webpages.

Physical Security – Cornell has released an updated Policy 8.1 – Physical Security Systems, outlining the responsibilities and procedures for public safety at Cornell campuses and facilities. Please review the policy and its procedures to understand how campus security controls, systems and protocols help to provide a safe and secure environment for all members of the community.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

You can dial 988 to be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (For TTY devices, dial 711 then 988). Options for veterans and callers needing language assistance are also available. Callers can talk about topics such as substance abuse, financial worries, relationships, sexual identity, depression, mental and physical illnesses, loneliness and more. On campus, the Community Response Team (CRT), established in the fall of 2023 within the Division of Public Safety, is an alternative first responder team available to assist Cornell students, faculty and staff during a crisis. Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at Cornell Health is another great on-campus resource and offers 24/7 phone consultation.

Cornell is applying to the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program. An important part of the BFU evaluation process is their campus survey. If you are a regular cyclist who is familiar with Cornell’s bicycle programs, facilities and amenities, we would appreciate your participation in the survey by Thursday, Oct. 10.

With increased traffic around campus and in town, expect delays when traveling this weekend. By foot or vehicle, stay alert, obey the right-of-way and come to a complete stop at intersections. Cell phones are for taking graduation photos — not texting and driving or texting and walking.

Summer Public Safety Messages – Public Safety messages will occur during the summer, but not on a weekly basis. I will return to my regular schedule this fall. Be safe, and have a great summer!

Rain or shine, come prepared for all possible weather scenarios (and tell your guests to do so). Check the Commencement and Cornell websites for updates in case of severe weather.

If you see something that looks suspicious or dangerous at Commencement events, say something! Police, fire and emergency medical services will be on site and can be reached through the Public Safety Communications Center at 607-255-1111. In an emergency, call 911. You can also use the Rave Guardian app to send us tips or to receive emergency messages. Guests can register to receive emergency notifications during their visit by texting CornellVisitor to 226787.