Senior Days – Cornell Senior Days are May 17-22, with a full schedule of events. Students, please finish this year strong by celebrating safely.

Convocation – Senior Convocation will be held on Thursday, May 22, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Barton Hall. Many attendees will be traveling to and parking on central campus – please plan accordingly. Garden Avenue will be closed between Campus Road and Tower Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Commuting Courtesy – With increased traffic and anticipated closures along roads, parking lots, and paths next weekend, expect delays when traveling around campus or town. Pedestrians, please obey crossing signals, don’t leave the curb suddenly or dangerously, and give motorists ample time to stop. Motorists, please be patient and give pedestrians a “brake” by slowing down at crosswalks and intersections.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

Be Kind to Your Mind – May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a good time to practice coping strategies for stress: pause to breathe, take breaks from stressful media content, exercise, get enough sleep, stay connected to others, and seek help if you feel overwhelmed or unsafe. There are resources to support all members of the Cornell community. If you don’t know who to call, reach out to the Public Safety Communications Center, available 24/7, or use the Rave Guardian app.

Pilfering Season – We don’t like this end-of-semester tradition any more than you, so we need your help! Theft is often a crime of opportunity that is difficult to solve, but it’s easy to prevent: Secure valuables and unattended rooms, and don’t let anyone you don’t know into a locked building.

Weather Preparedness – Thunderstorms are common in Ithaca during the late spring and summer, often bringing heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and lightning. During a storm, seek shelter inside sturdy buildings and stay away from windows and doors. Heavy rainfall can quickly cause flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas like Cornell’s gorges.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

Slope Day – We want you to have a great time at next Wednesday’s year-end celebration. There are many things to do, such as Slope Fest, and food is available throughout the day – including FREE breakfast. We ask that you go easy, look out for each other, and know the law. Thank you in advance to the hundreds of staff, faculty, and student volunteers who will help make this event possible.

Party Smart – Alcohol-related accidents, injuries, and hospitalizations remain a serious concern. If you see someone who has had too much to drink, be a Good Samaritan and call 911 for help. Be smart about any parties you attend or host. If you’re the host, provide food and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages. And remember, it’s always best to party without the police.

Emergency Preparedness – Plan how to keep yourself and others safe during an active threat to life, including with the Run, Hide, Fight approach. If you’re on or near campus and see criminal behavior or something that is strange or looks out of place, say something. Help keep yourselves and the Cornell community safe.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

Medicine Disposal – Tomorrow is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Remember that Cornell Police, along with other agencies, offer designated, secure locations for safely disposing of old medicines, available every day.

Victim Advocacy – Cornell does not tolerate bias, assault, or any form of abuse. If you are a victim of harmful, threatening, or violent incidents, support is available from Cornell and local victim advocacy programs. If you see criminal behavior or something concerning, report it. Be vigilant to keep yourself and the community safe.

Deterring Thieves – Thieves target unattended valuables like backpacks, coats, and electronics. Keep your belongings secure, stay alert, and report suspicious activity.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

Scam Alert – Recently, scammers are posing as college students while trying to sell concert tickets through a messaging app. They request the victim’s email address, photo, and student ID to “prove they are real.” Once the scammer receives payment, all communication stops. This scam is rapidly spreading across universities. Be sure to protect yourself by learning how to identify ID theft and fraud.
Smart Driving – April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Do your part to keep our roads safe by always staying focused and alert while driving.

Late Walks – In addition to the Blue Light Resources below, Cornell offers virtual support for safe walks across campus. Download the Rave Guardian app to have friends, family, or the Public Safety Communications Center virtually walk with you. It’s like always having an emergency blue light system and a trusted friend with you.

David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

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