Updates
Public Safety: Reporting Bias, Scooter Etiquette, Flu Season
Reporting Bias – There is no place for bigotry, intolerance, hate, or violence at Cornell. The Division of Public Safety works closely with many campus and community partners to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We thoroughly investigate all crimes reported to us, including harassment, and work to hold violators accountable. Please report incidents of protected status bias, discrimination, and harassment through the online reporting form. To report criminal activity, including hate crimes, contact Cornell Police. For guidance, call the Public Safety Communications Center — available 24 hours a day.
Scooter Etiquette – Operators of e-scooters and other personal mobility devices are required to follow all traffic laws. Devices must be parked responsibly in designated bike racks to prevent blocking sidewalks and building entrances. They must also be registered, safely charged, and properly stored. Riders should also be courteous to pedestrians by yielding the right of way and maintaining safe speeds, especially in shared spaces.
Flu Season is No Party – Getting vaccinated each year is the best way to protect yourself and others against seasonal influenza. Vaccination is especially recommended for college students due to the close proximity in which students live and study. Each fall, Cornell Health provides free on-campus flu vaccine clinics for all students, staff, faculty, and retirees. If you do get the flu, don’t be “that person” who gets everyone sick; stay in bed and rest up to fully recover. Call Cornell Health any time for a consultation and support.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Lock Up, Burn Ban, Off-Campus Safety
Lock Up – Remember to lock your windows and doors, including during the upcoming fall break. Secure your home, vehicles, and valuables, even if you are only away for a short period of time. We work hard to prevent crime — and Cornell Police investigate thefts that do occur — but it takes our combined efforts to ensure that campus is safe and your belongings are protected.
Burn Ban – Due to ongoing drought and high fire risk conditions, New York state has issued a temporary statewide burn ban until Wednesday, Oct. 15. During this ban, avoid open, uncontained fires and conserve water. Open burning is strictly regulated on campus and requires prior approval and a permit from the University Fire Marshal. Unauthorized fires are prohibited at all times.
Off-Campus Safety – Tompkins County SIREN provides emergency alerts and notifications for off-campus incidents. Sign up to receive information about severe weather, road closures, and other local emergencies. Additionally, the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) has an interactive dashboard that shows community members the volume and types of calls to which IPD responds. I also encourage you to download RAVE Guardian, a free mobile app that turns your smartphone into a personal safety device.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Homecoming, Party Smart, Cybersecurity Month
Homecoming – Get ready for a weekend full of Big Red spirit during this year’s Homecoming festivities. Expect lots of traffic — parking may be hard to find, so be sure to plan ahead. It’s a great weekend to bike, carpool, or take the bus. Let’s go Big Red!
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. If you are hosting, provide food and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages. And remember, it’s always best to party without the police.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Cornell takes threats to your privacy and finances very seriously. Scams are becoming more sophisticated, so stay informed about modern tactics like personalized phishing. Watch out for scammers masquerading as friends, family, or even your boss asking you to purchase gift cards or making other unusual requests. Don’t click links in these emails and do not reply to them. If you want to verify the sender’s identity, reach out to your known contact directly via a clean email or a phone call. Be vigilant and report suspicious emails. Visit IT@Cornell for cybersecurity tools.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Can’t Beat Physics, Suicide Prevention, Rave Guardian
Can’t Beat Physics – Whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist, having the right of way doesn’t guarantee your safety. Moving vehicles take time to stop. Don’t assume they can or will brake in time. Stay alert and protect yourself.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Number – 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, and loneliness. On campus, the Community Response Team (CRT) is available to assist Cornell faculty, staff, and students during a crisis. Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is another on-campus resource with 24/7 phone consultation.
Rave Guardian – Have you downloaded the Rave Guardian app? It’s a virtual Blue Light phone in your hands. At the touch of a button, you can speak with a Public Safety dispatcher who will connect you to the appropriate service or resource. The app has many other features, including the option for family and friends to virtually walk with you on or off campus. You can also submit tips or chat anonymously if you see something suspicious or need guidance in an emergency.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Reporting Bias, A Place for All, Car Seat Check
Reporting Bias – Cornell is committed to upholding the civil rights of all community members and fostering an environment of equal opportunity, fairness, and accessibility. Please report incidents of protected status bias, discrimination, and harassment through the online reporting form. To report criminal activity, including hate crimes, please connect with Cornell Police. For guidance, call the Public Safety Communications Center — available 24 hours a day.
A Place for All – We can’t repeat this message often enough: Cornell will not tolerate sexual and related misconduct — including sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation — by or against any member of our community. Work for positive change by challenging your own and others’ attitudes and behaviors. We all SHARE the responsibility to create a safer, more caring culture in which bias, harassment, and violence have no place.
Car Seat Check – Next week, Cornell Police will provide car seat safety checks at 117 Statler Drive. The first session is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by another on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A trained technician will inspect your child’s car seat for proper installation and fit. The event is open to the public, but preregistration is requested by emailing Cornell Police Community Engagement.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Victim Advocacy, Hazing, Bike Registration
Victim Advocacy – Cornell does not tolerate bias, assault, or any form of abuse. If you are a victim of harmful, threatening, or violent actions, 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.
No Haze Zone – It is never OK to humiliate, demean, or put someone at risk of physical harm or mental distress — whether individually or as a part of joining a group, team, or organization. Hazing is a violation of Cornell policy and New York state law. Help end hazing by confidentially reporting incidents online.
Bike Registration – You are required to register any bike or mobility device on campus, and the process is easy and free! The online registration form will aid in identifying your bike in the event that it’s stolen, and it helps deter theft in the first place. You gain access to secure storage rooms, ensuring a safe place to keep your equipment when not in use.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: CornellAlert Test, Good Sam, Wildlife
CornellAlert Test – Cornell will conduct a test of the campus emergency notification system on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 12:10 p.m. This includes notifications sent through voice and text messaging, email, campus sirens, and other platforms. Register or update your phone number to ensure timely emergency notifications.
Be a Good Sam – Cornell’s Good Samaritan Protocol and New York’s Good Samaritan Law lower the judicial and legal barriers for people seeking assistance or assisting others with alcohol or drug abuse, including underage drinking, by lowering judicial and legal barriers for those seeking help for themselves or others. These protocols apply to individuals and organizations on campus. We urge you to avoid drinking to excess and to call 911 if you notice someone who needs assistance.
Wildlife – During the summer break, wildlife took advantage of our quieter community to wander and explore uncommon areas on and off campus. Keep yourself and our wildlife safe by not petting or feeding these animals. Please keep your distance!
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Campus Alerts, Think Before You Post, Safety In Your Hands
CornellALERTS: CornellALERT messages are emergency notifications sent any time there is an imminent threat to the health or safety of the Cornell community. This could include natural incidents like dangerous weather, events such as an active threat, or a change in the university’s operating status due to an emergency or weather event. Cornell community members receive CornellALERT emergency messages via email and can enroll a mobile phone number to receive them via SMS text message. I also encourage you to download RAVE Guardian, a free mobile app that turns your smartphone into a personal safety device.
Crime Alerts: The Clery Act requires Cornell Police to provide timely warnings when we learn of a serious or continuing threat on or near campus. The purpose is to provide information on how to protect yourself against a specific threatening circumstance that may be ongoing or a recent occurrence that remains unresolved and continues to pose a threat. Crime alerts are sent to all faculty, staff, and students in the campus community via email and are posted to the Emergency, CUInfo, and Division of Public Safety websites.
Think Before You Post – Before jumping into the latest online or social media challenge, take a moment to think critically. Challenges that seem fun or harmless could have serious consequences — some have led to serious injuries, false reports of emergencies, and even fatalities. Stay safe by reviewing social media safety tips and avoiding trends that could put you or others at risk.
Safety In Your Hands – Everyone should have a personal safety plan and supplies in case of an emergency. Emergency preparedness is a shared effort between Public Safety staff and each member of our community. Please take a moment to watch this video on emergency preparedness, register for emergency notification messaging, and update your emergency contacts in Student Essentials or Workday.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Theft Prevention, Stop Hazing, Expressive Activity
Theft Prevention – The start of a new semester often means increased theft from vehicles, bike racks, and rooms. Don’t forget to lock your home or living space, office, and lab when leaving. Keep your valuables out of sight, secure all doors and windows, and be mindful of tailgaters. Lock your bike when you are not using it. If you do experience a theft, please report it so Cornell Police can investigate and take steps to prevent future incidents.
Stop Campus Hazing – In alignment with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, Cornell released a new policy statement in June. Please explore this resource and report any suspected acts of hazing. Cornell remains committed to transparency and will continue its two-decade tradition of publicly disclosing hazing violations.
Expressive Activity – To support the safety and well-being of our campus community during events and other uses of university space, we encourage everyone to review the Expressive Activity Policy. A newly-launched webpage outlines the core principles and guidelines to help ensure respectful and responsible engagement.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Welcome Back Message and Campus Resources
Welcome – To our new undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, welcome to Cornell! And to our returning faculty, staff, and students, welcome back! The beginning of the fall semester is a busy and exciting time, and we must work together to maintain a safe campus. I would like to introduce you to, or remind you of, the weekly Public Safety message and the Division of Public Safety team. Please use these resources for a safe and successful year.
Public Safety Messages and Resources – Each member of our community with an active Cornell email address receives this weekly message, which provides information and resources to enhance your safety on and off campus. I try to keep these brief – this welcome message aside – so you can focus on investing in your own safety.
Cornell has many resources to help you navigate concerns about safety, security, health, and well-being. Every Public Safety message provides links to Cornell’s Sexual Harassment and Assault – Response and Education (SHARE) resources, Mental Health at Cornell, the Silent Witness program, and Blue Light Services (virtual escorts, phones, and buses). Cornell Health provides on-campus health care and 24/7 phone consultation. You can also review Campus Watch, the annual security report that details policies and information related to your safety.
The Division of Public Safety is a community-focused safety and first-responder team that can connect you with many resources. The division comprises Cornell Police, Cornell Emergency Medical Service, the Public Safety Communications Center, the Office of Emergency Management, the Access Control Program, the Community Response Team, and the Public Safety Ambassadors.
I am proud to lead these professionals who are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for our diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We are committed to anti-bias and anti-racist safety services and policing, and we pledge to ensure all are treated with dignity and respect – and to be here when you need us. Contact us any time at 607-255-1111, through the Rave Guardian app, or at any Blue Light phone. If you have a question or concern about our practices, feel free to reach out to me or any Public Safety staff member at any time.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Scams, Brushing, Safe Hiking
Scams – Phone calls that impersonate loved ones, government agencies, and even Cornell authority figures are on the rise, sometimes using AI voice impersonation and spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate. These calls aim to trick victims into sharing personal information or sending money to the scammer. Please note that Cornell will never call you with these requests. If you suspect a call is a scam, hang up and call the department or agency’s official phone number directly to verify.
Brushing – This is another form of scam where you receive a package you didn’t order, often so scammers can post fake reviews using your name and address. Do not pay for or return these items. Report them to the retailer and the Federal Trade Commission, and monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.
Safe Hiking – Check out the GPS-enabled Ithaca trails map for information on trails, including the views, length, and difficulty of each trail. Hike with a partner, and remember to stay safe near the gorges – remain on designated pathways, swim only in designated areas, and be aware of wet or closed trails, loose rocks, and other hazards.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Independence Day, Bicycle Safety, Assess and Act
Independence Day – As we prepare for the upcoming holiday, remember to plan for safety. Fireworks of any kind are not allowed on campus, and only sparklers are allowed off campus. Be considerate of neighbors and animals, follow fire safety guidelines, and never leave a campfire or grill unattended. If you plan to swim, use areas designated for swimming with lifeguards on duty.
Bicycle Safety – Biking is a great way to stay active and reduce traffic. Visibility is crucial — especially since bright sunlight can make it harder for motorists to see cyclists. Wear day-glow colored clothing and use bicycle safety lights. Always bike carefully and follow the rules of the road. Motorists can also review tips for sharing the road safely.
Assess and Act – If there’s an active threat to life on campus, anticipate how to keep yourself and others safe 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