Updates
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