Public Safety Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Cornell University Public Safety Advisory Committee Fall 2010 Meeting December 3, 2010 8:30–10:00am G2- Barton Hall — Conference Room

Attendees: Kathy Zoner (CUPD), Rose Braiman (HR), Leslie Meyerhoff (Res Programs), William Fey (Dean of Faculty), Natalie Rap (‘11), Ray Mensah (‘11), Konstantin Drabkin (‘11), Phil Mospan (CUPD), Ray Price (CUPD), Chad Loomis (Facilities), Art Stern (Res Programs), Peggy Matta (CUPD)

Representatives from the Victim’s Advocacy, Mental Health, and the Judicial Administrator’s Office were unable to attend.

Public Safety Advisory Committee

Chief Kathy Zoner, Cornell University Police, opened the meeting with introductions. She thanked all members for attending. Chief Zoner presented an overview of the Cornell Police Department and many of its functions and programs. She then presented information about the Henderson Act (Article 129-A; Section 6431 of the NYS Education Law). This Law prescribes the requirement for Cornell to have a Public Safety Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to:

• Advise CU Police re: campus security policies and procedures
• Make recommendations for improvement regarding:
  • Educating campus community, security personnel and student advisors/supervisors about sexual assault
  • Educating about personal safety and crime prevention
  • Reporting Sexual assaults, DV and stalking
  • Assisting victims during investigations
  • Referring complaints to appropriate authorities
  • Counseling victims
  • Responding to inquiries from concerned persons

The authority, the charge, the membership, and the annual reporting for this committee are explicitly detailed in the Act. There must be member representation from all three assembly areas (Faculty, Student, Non-Academic Employee) with � of each assembly being female.

Chief Zoner reported that to ensure compliance to the Henderson Act, the University Assembly will begin to oversee the membership and committee reporting requirements starting in spring 2011. The PSAC will be an associated committee. This means that the CUPD will provide administrative support to the committee. Chief Zoner encouraged all present to apply for the committee.

Office of Crime Prevention - Campus Lighting Survey

Officer Ray Price presented an overview of the Office of Crime Prevention and its many campus programs. One of these programs is the campus lighting survey. These surveys are conducted annually. Officer Price introduced Chad Loomis, Facilities Services, and Art Stern, Residential Programs, who assisted with the surveys. This year, the surveys were completed in early November while leaves were still on the trees. Officer Price talked about the survey process, presented the top recommendations and trouble areas, and explained the process for ensuring that work identified during the survey is completed. The committee was told how to identify a specific area where a lighting issue was and how to report it to either Officer Price, or for residential issue, going to the Campus Life Facilities web site.

A request was made to post the PSAC charge, the minutes, and presentations. Information will be added to the CUPD website. A link will be sent to all committee members. Before the conclusion of the meeting, members were again encouraged to apply for PSAC membership.

The meeting ended at 9:50am.