Updates
Public Safety: Halloween, Turn ’Em On, Time Change
Halloween – Celebrate Halloween safely: Keep an eye on friends, use the buddy system, and know the signs of alcohol or other drug (AOD) emergencies and what to do. Alcohol does not cause or excuse sexual assault, but it can increase vulnerability and create situations where boundaries are ignored or exploited. If you notice someone who appears distressed, impaired, or uncomfortable, trust your instincts and step in as a prosocial bystander. Contact the Public Safety Communications Center at 607-255-1111 or through the Rave Guardian app, or dial 911 for help in any emergency. Help is available 24/7, and Cornell’s Good Sam policy applies to AOD violations.
There is a special Halloween Weekend Shuttle running Oct. 30 and 31 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. offering students a safe and free alternative to walking.
Other safety tips: Consider the weather forecast before you go; follow these fire safety tips for your costumes and decorations; do not carry realistic weapons; and, most of all, be respectful to others.
Turn ’Em On – On Halloween weekends, pedestrians are not always dressed in a way that makes them visible to drivers. Be aware of people crossing or walking in the street and make sure your headlights are on (daytime running lights don’t count!) at dusk and in the rain, primarily so others can see you — it’s the law. If you are on foot: Put your phone down, be visible, use available sidewalks, and cross in designated crosswalks.
Time Change – Remember that clocks fall back to standard time on Nov. 1 at 2 a.m. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep! The time change also means it will get dark earlier, so take the time to see and be seen as you move through campus. Now is a great time to verify that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working correctly and change the batteries.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Ride Safe, International Scams, Blue Light System Survey
Ride Safe – E-scooters, e-bikes, and bikes are a quick way to get around campus, but they can also put riders at risk. Before you ride, put on a helmet — even for short trips. Follow the same traffic laws as drivers: ride with traffic, stop at signals and stop signs, and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Stay off sidewalks where riding is not allowed, use bike lanes when available, and put away your phone and earbuds. Use front and rear lights and wear something reflective so others can see you as evenings get darker.
International Scams – Cornell Police continue to receive reports of scams, with some specifically directed toward our international community. In one scam, a caller tells victims that U.S. officials are seeking them over a passport issue and will arrest them if they do not transfer money from their personal bank accounts to overseas banks. Government agencies do not demand immediate payment over the phone or via email. If you think you may have been scammed, please contact us at 607-255-1111, and find other resources to protect yourself from common frauds.
Blue Light System Survey – An ongoing evaluation of Cornell’s Blue Light safety system will assess the system’s utilization rates, effectiveness in enhancing campus safety, and alignment with the evolving needs of our community. Your responses to an anonymous survey will directly inform recommendations about the future of campus safety communications systems. The survey takes about 5 minutes.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Pedestrian Safety, Cybersecurity Awareness, Homecoming, Party Smart
Pedestrian Safety Month – As daylight hours decrease and campus activity remains high, everyone can help keep Cornell’s roads safer. Whether you’re walking, biking, or driving, stay alert, use crosswalks and bike lanes appropriately, follow traffic laws, and watch out for one another. Roadway safety is a shared responsibility, and small actions can help prevent injuries and keep our community safe.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Take a moment to review tips for protecting your personal information, university tools, and accounts. This message from Cornell’s Chief Information Security Officer provides resources and steps you can take to protect yourself and others. Thank you for helping keep Cornell secure.
Homecoming – Get ready for a weekend full of Big Red spirit during 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. Before heading out, check out Cornell Health’s new tips for lower-risk drinking page for ways to make safer choices.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Addressing Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence Awareness, Campus Lighting Survey
Addressing Sexual Violence – As our community continues to grapple with disturbing sexual assault allegations, I encourage you to review this new website that includes information about Cornell’s response, the independent inquiry, accountability measures, and ongoing efforts to strengthen prevention and support resources and implement institutional reforms.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence or misconduct, Cornell Police offer a confidential reporting option, and this open letter details additional resources.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month – We work together with our community to prevent domestic violence and provide care for victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of intimate partner violence, help and resources are available.
Annual Campus Lighting Survey – The annual campus lighting survey is your opportunity to give feedback to help improve lighting on campus. All members of the Cornell community are invited to participate in walking surveys with staff from Student and Campus Life, Facilities and Campus Services, Cornell Police Community Engagement, and other partners on Wednesday, Oct. 21. If you would like to participate, please email cupd_engagement@cornell.edu before Oct. 12.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Think Before You Post, Campus Speed Limit, Can’t Beat Physics
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.
Campus Speed Limit – In support of pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist safety, Cornell’s speed limit on all Ithaca campus roads is 25 miles per hour. Similarly, the City of Ithaca is moving forward with the implementation of its citywide 25 mph speed limit. Drive safely by following posted speed limits and traffic controls and be aware of increased traffic and parking impacts during Family Weekend.
Can’t Beat Physics – As a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist, even if someone must yield the right of way to you, objects in motion tend to stay in motion and braking distance vary. Exercise caution — don’t bet your life on a vehicle being able to stop for you.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: National Hazing Prevention Week, Victim Advocacy, Scams
National Hazing Prevention Week – Starting Monday, Sept. 21, take part in a week dedicated to building safer campus communities. Explore hazing awareness materials, learn about Cornell’s commitment to transparency through the public disclosure of violations and sanctions, and access information on recognizing and reporting hazing.
Victim Advocacy – Cornell does not tolerate bias, assault, or physical or emotional abuse. If you are a victim of harmful, threatening, or violent actions, support is available from Cornell and local victim advocacy programs in addition to Cornell’s mental health resources.
Scams – Phone calls that impersonate loved ones or authority figures — sometimes using AI voice manipulation and spoofing phone numbers to appear legitimate — are being reported again. These calls can be convincing and aim to trick unsuspecting victims into sharing personal information or sending money by impersonating government agencies, Cornell officials, or Cornell Police. Cornell will never call you with these requests. If you think something is a scam, hang up and call the department or agency’s official phone number directly to verify.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Scooter Safety, Gorgeous Gorges, Password Update
Scooter Safety – Operators of e-scooters and other personal micromobility vehicles are required to follow all traffic laws. Park responsibly in designated bike racks to avoid blocking sidewalks and building entrances, register your devices, and charge and store them safely. Yield the right of way to pedestrians and operate at safe speeds on roadways and in shared spaces. Cornell Police are actively educating and enforcing campus and applicable traffic laws related to e-bikes and e-scooters. This is more than just following the rules — it is about keeping our campus community safe.
Gorgeous Gorges – As you enjoy the beauty of the campus gorges, be alert to changing weather conditions and the dangers of not obeying the rules. Swimming in and around Cornell’s 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 webpage.
Password Update – Faculty and staff with a NetID password that has not been changed since Feb. 14, 2026, will be prompted to update it as part of an initiative to enhance account security. We strongly recommend setting a non-Cornell recovery email address before changing your password.
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. 9, at 12:10 p.m. This includes notifications sent through voice and text messages, email, campus sirens, and other platforms. Use this opportunity to confirm that you receive the alert and to familiarize yourself with how emergency notifications look and sound across the various systems. Register or update your phone number to ensure timely emergency notifications.
Be a Good Sam – Under Cornell’s Good Samaritan Protocol and New York’s Good Samaritan Law, those who call for help — and those who receive help — in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency are protected from judicial consequences. 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 and Safety In Your Hands
Safety is a priority at Cornell. There are two primary types of emergency messages you may receive: CornellALERTs and Crime Alerts:
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 on the mobile phone number registered 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 Cornell Police websites.
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 Center or Workday.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Bike Safe, Internship Scams, Measles On the Rise, Travel Security Alert
Bike Safe – If you use a bike or scooter to get around campus or town, follow the rules of the road and secure your equipment when not in use.
Internship Scams – A new semester brings renewed student employment and internship scams. If someone asks you to pay for supplies or send gift cards before they will hire you, it’s likely a scam. Learn to identify and protect yourself from fraudulent emails.
Measles On the Rise – Call first, don’t go in. If you or a family member or roommate may have measles or have been exposed, do not go directly to a doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency room without calling ahead. Tompkins County Whole Health recommends staying home and contacting Whole Health (607-274-6604) or your health care provider for guidance.
Travel Security Alert – When traveling, use cellular data rather than hotel and conference Wi-Fi. Microsoft and Western intelligence agencies report that espionage groups are targeting and compromising hotel and conference Wi-Fi networks around the world.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Welcome Back 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 — this weekly Public Safety message and the Division of Public Safety team. Please use these resources for a safe and successful year both on and off campus.
Each of these messages contains the links below to resources to help you navigate concerns about safety, security, health, and well-being. 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 services and 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: New Student Orientation, Move-In Traffic, Safe Hike
New Student Orientation – Help welcome Cornell’s newest students during Move-In and Becoming Big Red Orientation, Aug. 17-22. These efforts rely on hundreds of employees and volunteers who help create a welcoming arrival experience for new students and their families. Register by Aug. 14 and choose your preferred location and role.
Move-In Traffic – As Cornell welcomes approximately 4,000 new students and their families during Move-In and New Student Orientation on Aug. 17 and 18, employees should expect heavy traffic, increased pedestrian activity, and limited parking availability across campus. If your work can be performed remotely, please speak with your supervisor about working from home on those days. Doing so can help reduce congestion and preserve campus access for students, families, volunteers, and essential operations.
Safe Hike – Check out the GPS-enabled Ithaca trails map for information on trails, including the views, length, and level of difficulty on 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