Updates
Public Safety: Construction Season, Phishing, Gorges, Bicycle Safety
Construction Season – Slow down and be alert when navigating construction zones. Speeding in a construction zone is not only dangerous, but it can also carry stiff penalties such as expensive fines and increased insurance premiums. Plan ahead by monitoring Cornell’s special conditions website or sign up to receive email alerts. For other local roadway construction, visit the city, county, and state websites.
Phishing After Outages – System disruptions create opportunities for scams. Be cautious of emails or texts promising quick fixes or urgent updates — they may not be legitimate. Take a moment before you click, use trusted Cornell sources, and report suspicious messages.
Gorgeous Gorges – As you enjoy the beauty of the campus gorges, take note of the weather and the dangers of not obeying the rules. Swimming in and around gorges and falls is strictly prohibited due to unpredictable undertows. For more information about gorge safety, including safe swimming options and Cornell’s Gorge Stewards program, check out the gorge safety website.
Bicycle Safety – Warmer weather means more transportation options, including bikes and scooters. Don’t forget to ride responsibly and safely. Check that your equipment is working, follow the rules of the road, and secure your belongings in designated areas. As always, be safe Big Red!
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Senior Days, Convocation, Commuting Courtesy
Senior Days – Cornell Senior Days are May 16-21, with a full schedule of free events. Students, please finish this year strong by celebrating safely.
Convocation – Senior Convocation will be held on Thursday, May 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Barton Hall. Many attendees will be traveling to and parking on central campus — 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 travel delays around campus and town. Pedestrians, obey crossing signals. Don’t leave the curb suddenly; give motorists ample time to stop. Motorists, be patient and give pedestrians a “brake” by slowing down at crosswalks and controlled intersections.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Connect With Us, Pilfering Season, Weather Preparedness
Connect With Us – Our Public Safety team prioritizes and enjoys building relationships with members of our community. The Community Response Team (CRT) can assist anyone on campus with a wide range of situations, from academic stress to mental health crises. CRT is available 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, 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.
Pilfering Season – Help us thwart this end-of-semester tradition. Theft is often a crime of opportunity that is difficult to solve but easy to prevent: Please secure your valuables, lock unattended rooms, and don’t let anyone you don’t know into a locked building.
Weather Preparedness – Thunderstorms are common in warmer seasons and can bring heavy rain, high winds, hail, and lightning. Watch for alerts and take shelter inside sturdy buildings and stay away from windows and doors. Heavy rain can quickly cause flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas like Cornell’s gorges.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Slope Day, Be Kind to Your Mind, Emergency Preparedness
Slope Day – We want you to have a fun, safe time at next Wednesday’s year-end celebration. There are so many things to do, and food is available throughout the day — including FREE breakfast. 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 help make this event possible.
Be Kind to Your Mind – May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a good time to practice coping strategies for stress: exercise, get enough sleep, pause to breathe, take breaks from stressful media content, stay connected to others, and seek help if you feel overwhelmed or unsafe. 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.
Emergency Preparedness – Plan how to keep yourself and others safe during an active threat to life, including with the Run-Hide-Fight approach. Help keep yourself and the Cornell community safe: If you’re on or near campus and see criminal behavior or something that is strange or looks out of place, say something.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety