Editor’s Note: The content in this article mentions sexual assault and drugging.
Cornell has launched a task force to examine sexual assault prevention and response on campus, according to a statement released by Interim President Michael Kotlikoff and Provost Kavita Bala on Thursday.
The statement linked to the Office of the Provost website, which explains that in 2023, 23 percent of undergraduate women and nine percent of undergraduate men reported experiencing sexual assault during their time at Cornell. The University’s 2024 Annual Security Report revealed 28 reports of on-campus rape in 2023, more than each of the previous five years.
The initiative also follows concerns surrounding sexual assault from the fall 2024 semester after an individual reported being sexually assaulted and coerced into consuming drugs by multiple men at the Chi Phi house. Campus police also arrested a student after he was discovered under the bed of a female resident in William Keeton House in December.
The task force — which will issue a report this summer — is expected to provide recommendations for improving prevention strategies, institutional responses and the campus culture surrounding sexual assault. The report will include a proposed timeline for the implementation of policy changes and new prevention strategies.
Led by Dean of the College of Human Ecology Rachel Dunifon and Dean of Students Marla Love, the task force will aim to gather data, review research and evaluate strategies used at peer institutions to develop evidence-based preventative measures against sexual violence.
According to the statement, the initiative is set to consider factors across academic, social and residential life and represents the University’s “ongoing commitment to creating a campus culture where everyone can thrive in an environment of respect and safety.”
The task force will seek input from the Cornell community throughout the process, according to the statement. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to share their perspectives and recommendations by emailing tfsa@cornell.edu.
Jeremiah Jung ’28 is a Sun staff writer and can be reached at jwj66@cornell.edu.
