Cornell University Takes Steps to Address Sexual Assault and Harassment

Several incidents of sexual assault and harassment have occurred on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. In response the university has taken a number of steps to address the situation.

A task force was created to address issues concerning education and training, campus climate, victim support services, and enforcement. The university’s Women’s Resource Center created the Sexual Violence Prevention Working Group to design solutions to the university’s shortcomings in dealing with issues of sexual assault and harassment. Three Cornell University police officers have received special training in investigating alleged cases of sexual assault. Campus lighting was improved in areas where needed.

Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services since 1994, stated, “We take the concerns of the students and the entire Cornell community seriously. There are many people at Cornell who care, both professionally and personally, about these issues.”

Dr. Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Cornell and master’s degrees from Stanford University and Montclair State University in New Jersey. She earned a doctorate in educational administration at Cornell University.