Dear Campus Community:
Cornell University and the Ithaca Police Department recently announced that there have been multiple reports of college students being drugged in social environments/gatherings at Cornell’s off-campus residences affiliated with registered fraternities. In response to the severity of the alleged incidents, Cornell has suspended fraternity parties and social events until further notice.
While there have been no reports of Ithaca College students being drugged in such circumstances, the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management would like to inform the campus community of these incidents to raise awareness, aid in the prevention of similar crimes, and remind students of on- and off-campus resources available to them. Public Safety firmly believes that crime is never the fault of those that are victimized; however, the Ithaca Police Department has provided a number of safety tips regarding social gatherings and bystander intervention techniques that we wanted to share with you:
- “When in doubt, do not let someone who seems intoxicated go off with another person.
- Insist on accompanying the intoxicated person safely home. This can be hard if you do not know the person and is best done with another person to assist.
- Trust your instincts.
- If you begin to feel sick or weak, or in any way not normal, and can seek help, do so.
- Look out for friends and strangers.
- Talk with friends and partners about Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault, and how to help protect each other.
- Be cautious with your surroundings and what you ingest, also knowing that the only way to truly prevent Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault is for perpetrators to stop perpetrating!”
We encourage anyone who needs support to connect with resources and services that are available at Ithaca College, including those specific to sexual and relationship violence through Sexual Harassment and Assault Response & Education (SHARE) or the Prevention Education Network.
Additionally, we encourage all students to download and utilize the Rave Guardian app to access on- and off-campus support and crisis resources, contact emergency response agencies and utilize the safety timer if they are traveling to and from a social event or gathering.
Lastly, we encourage all students, faculty, and staff members to be active partners in creating and maintaining a safe campus community where we all can flourish.
Sincerely,
Bill Kerry
Executive Director, Public Safety and Emergency Management
Elyse Nepa
Assistant Director of the Clery Act and Prevention Education, Public Safety and Emergency Management