Posted: October 2, 2026
Sponsor: University Faculty Committee

Resolution:

Whereas sexual assault inflicts lasting harm on members of our community, and its persistence
at Cornell constitutes a pressing crisis;

Whereas the scourge of sexual violence undermines our students’ ability to learn and faculty
members’ ability to teach, striking at the heart of the University’s educational mission;

Whereas survivors, students, and members of the wider community have called on Cornell
faculty to take sustained action to confront this crisis with the seriousness it demands;

Whereas Cornell educates leaders of the coming generation, and how the University meets this
moment can demonstrate what a community owes to each of its members;

Whereas healing from sexual violence and rebuilding trust within the Cornell community will
take time and require sustained opportunities for members to be heard, reflect together, and
help shape the University’s response;

Whereas the Faculty Senate’s response to this crisis should draw on the faculty’s capacity for
rigorous inquiry, reasoned deliberation, and independent judgment to help all members of the
Cornell community learn, teach, and work free from sexual violence;

Be it therefore resolved that the Senate recommends that the University establish a standing,
faculty-led research center focused on sexual violence and its prevention, beginning work no
later than the Fall 2027 semester with adequate funding for at least five years. It should be free
to publish its findings and should report regularly to the Faculty Senate and the Cornell
community.

Be it further resolved that the Faculty Senate shall invite the Student Assembly, Graduate and
Professional Student Assembly, Employee Assembly, and University Assembly to co-convene a
Joint Commission on Sexual Violence, composed of members appointed by each participating
body. This Commission should build upon and extend the work of the Sexual Assault Task
Force by engaging with the Cornell community in an ongoing dialogue aimed at identifying
strategies for reducing rates of sexual misconduct on campus, evaluating the effectiveness of
approaches that have been implemented, improving university systems to support survivors and
respond to sexual assault, and fostering a vibrant social life free of sexual violence. The
Commission shall make recommendations in support of shared governance for consideration by
the various assemblies. The central administration shall provide adequate staffing and support
for the Commission to conduct its work.

Be it further resolved that the Faculty Senate shall establish a standing Faculty Committee on
Institutional Administration, composed of faculty appointed by the Nominations and Elections
Committee with the concurrence of the Faculty Senate. The Committee shall review the effects
of administrative policies and procedures, and provide the Senate with analysis,
recommendations, and constructive criticism in support of shared governance. The committee
will be empowered to evaluate, assess, and make proposals to enact positive change in our
administrative policies and procedures for Senate consideration.

The Committee’s initial focus shall be on the University’s response to sexual violence, including:
• Implementation of the measures announced October 13, 2026;
• The University’s response to the recommendations of the Sexual Assault Task Force
and the Joint Commission, as well as to the findings and recommendations of the
independent review led by Sally Yates;
• The review of Greek life, including criteria for whether, and under what conditions,
suspended fraternity social activities may resume;
• Staffing and budgets for prevention and survivor support; and
• University investments in healthy spaces for student extracurricular activities, including
ongoing planning for Collegetown’s revitalization.
The Committee shall report regularly to the Faculty Senate.

Be it further resolved that the three entities established above, individually providing state of the
art comparative national research, local engaged understanding, and considered judgement,
shall work together to provide an integrated framework for addressing sexual assault on
campus.