Minutes

Cornell University Public Safety Advisory Committee

Spring 2014 Meeting

February 7, 2014

Members in Attendance: Ron Booker, William Esty, Bernadette Guthrie, Cindy Hazan, and Laura Weiss

Absent: Narda Terrones

Ex Officio Attendance: Kathy Zoner, Joe Burke, and Kent Hubbell

Staff Attendance: Peggy Matta, Cornell Police

Committee Introductions and Charge:

Chief Kathy Zoner started with introductions and led a discussion about the creation of the PSAC and requirements of the law (Article 129-A, Section 6431 of the NYS Education Law). The PSAC charge was reviewed and then the committee talked about the relationship between the PSAC and the Council on Sexual Violence Prevention. The group also briefly discussed the committee annual report requirement to the President.

The committee reviewed the minutes of the April 24, 2013.

Ongoing Initiatives:

Chief Zoner discussed projects that have developed out of the lighting survey that was performed in fall 2013. The Cornell Police Crime Prevention unit has been working with Facilities Services to address the highest priority projects resulting from this survey. Bill Esty raised a concern about the lighting in Bailey Plaza, especially the steps going up to the main entrance. The Chief said she would pass this onto Officer Van Cleef. Other topics discussed were:

· Building Security Committee – there are now monthly meetings between Facilities Service and Cornell Police. Security people are being incorporated into the building and design reviews. The Committee is also looking at the different types of spaces, their use and what security is needed.

· Capital Funding Requests for Video and Safety projects – The Chief reviewed the projects that were submitted for funding to increase surveillance and safety on campus.

CSVP Initiatives:

Committee members reported out on some of the ongoing activities in support of the Council on Sexual Violence Prevention initiatives. (E.g. Speak About It program)

Campus Updates

The Chief asked committee members if they had any concerns that they would like to raise:

· Bill Esty asked about the snow removal procedures for the campus. He is especially concerned about the front steps of Bailey Hall and around the outer doors. The emergency exit doors are on the side and the front. Custodian responsibilities are only for clearing the center stairs and not the other exits (which are emergency exits). There seems to be a concern about where custodial care stops and Grounds Department responsibilities start. The Chief asked Bill to contact Maria Cimilluca in Facilities Services since these areas report to her.

· Dragon Day Parade route – still to be determined. The decision about whether or not the dragon will go down East Avenue (currently closed to public traffic) or down through the Arts Quad hasn’t been decided yet.

· There was a question about whether or not the change in the academic calendar would impact some of the alcohol consumption issues? The Chief said “maybe, but we really don’t know how.” There will be efforts to review data from both Dragon Day and Slope Day to see how these changes may affect behaviors.

· Stress on students seems to be much higher this year, especially for freshmen and Graduate students. Bernadette Guthrie asked if anyone has thought about meeting with the Dean of Graduate School about this.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15pm.