Student Assembly - Resolution 10 (2024-2025)

Enhancing Campus Safety

• Term:
  2024-2025
• Assembly:
  Student Assembly
• Status: Adopted by the Assembly
• Abstract: This resolution proposes that every dormitory and social housing unit on Cornell's campus be equipped with fentanyl test strips, Xylazine test strips, date-rape drug testing kits, and Naloxone spray (Narcan).
  
  Sponsored by: Rep. Gekman ‘27
  Type of Action: Recommendation
  Originally Presented: 10/17/2024
  Current Status: Adopted by the Assembly, 10/24/2024
  
  Whereas, student safety is a top priority at Cornell University, and the role of the Student Assembly is to create a safer environment;
  
  Whereas, Naloxone spray (Narcan) is a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and providing it in student living spaces can prevent potential tragedies;
  
  Whereas, date-rape drug testing kits can empower victims of sexual assault by allowing them to quickly identify if they have been drugged, potentially providing them with crucial evidence;
  
  Whereas, Narcan is currently available at no cost through the self-care vending machine on campus;
  
  Whereas fentanyl and Xylazine test strips can help students identify the presence of the dangerous opioid fentanyl in recreational drugs, potentially saving lives;
  
  Whereas, fentanyl and Xylazine test strips are available for free at Cornell Health’s pharmacy;
  
  Whereas, it is essential for student housing staff, including Resident Advisors (RAs) and live-in house managers of sororities and fraternities, to be trained in the use of these tools to ensure their proper and timely administration in emergencies;
  
  Whereas peer institutions, such as James Madison University and Santa Rosa Junior College have successfully implemented similar safety programs to protect student well-being;
  
  Whereas, Cornell Health is well-positioned to provide training and support for students and RAs, and funding for this initiative should be allocated from Cornell Health’s budget in order to prioritize student safety and well-being;
  
  Whereas, if Cornell Health is unable to provide sufficient funding, the Student Health Advisory Committee is responsible for finding alternative sources of funding;
  
  Whereas, the following resolution will be applied to all on-campus housing, which shall be
  defined as: dormitories, townhouses, co-ops, fraternities, sororities, social-housing units;
  
  Whereas partnerships with off-campus entities, such as Student Agencies and the Lux
  Apartments, may expand resource availability under a similar framework as on-campus housing. The Student Health Advisory Committee will explore these partnerships.
  
  Be it therefore resolved, that every on-campus housing at Cornell University is required to have fentanyl test strips, Xylazine test strips, date-rape drug kits, and Narcan kits available on-site, as determined by experts in the field of harm reduction and Cornell Health, with a minimum of at least one of each resource;
  
  Be it further resolved, that respective Housing Staff, Resident Advisors (RAs) and/or at least two individuals from each non-dormitory housing unit, including live-in house managers of sororities and fraternities, undergo mandatory training on how to use these resources;
  
  Be it furrther resolved, that the respective Housing staff, specifically RAs, and the Student
  Health Advisory committee conduct regular announcements to residents about the availability of these resources and how to access them.
  
  Be it further resolved, a yearly auditing assisted by the Student Health Advisory Committee will be performed to ensure every dormitory and social housing unit has date-rape drug testing kits and Narcan on site;
  
  Be it further resolved, the Student Health Advisory Committee shall be responsible for the
  enforcement of everything prescribed by this resolution, if they are unable to the responsibility of enforcement shall be carried by Cornell Health and the Office of the Dean of Students;
  
  Be it further resolved, that Cornell Health allocate the necessary funds to supply these kits and provide the necessary training to student residents and RAs;
  
  Be it finally resolved, if Cornell Health is unable to provide the proper funding it is the
  responsibility of the Student Health Committee to work jointly with the Office of the Dean of Students to find proper funding;
  
  Be it finally resolved, that the Student Health Advisory Committee investigate and pursue
  partnerships with off-campus entities, such as Student Agencies and the Lux Apartments, to provide these resources under a similar framework as on-campus housing.
  
  Respectfully Submitted,
  Davian Gekman
  School of Industrial & Labor Relations Representative, Student Assembly
  Chair, Student Health Advisory Committee, Student Assembly
• Resolution File:
  Resolution 10 Enhancing Campus Safety.pdf (133.68 KB)
• Supporting Documents:
• Sponsors: Davian Samuel Gekman (dsg247)
• Reviewing Committee: