Whereas, incoming students are required to complete a series of trainings before enrolling at Cornell,
Whereas, this training includes videos demonstrating consent, both through recorded lectures and mock scenarios,
Whereas, this training also features the role of substance use, including alcohol and drugs, on an individual’s ability to give consent,
Whereas, virtual student trainings are often sped through for completion without actually absorbing content,
Whereas, students have expressed concern that in-person conversations about consent during orientation are not treated with necessary severity,
Whereas, a recent lawsuit alleges students violated consent by using substances to coerce a female student in the Chi Phi Fraternity House in the Fall of 2024,
Whereas, the Interfraternity Council suspended all fraternity events in 2022 amidst allegations of students being drugged with Rohypnol, leading to sexual assaults,
Whereas, Cornell has demonstrated a history of sexual assaults on campus, despite orientation materials designed to encourage consent,
Whereas, the Cornell Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault included only two student members,
Be it therefore resolved, the Tatkon Center for New Students and orientation-affiliated departments convey all consent and substance use orientation materials to the Student Assembly Campus Pulse Committee,
Be it further resolved, the Tatkon Center for New Students and orientation-affiliated departments provide a written explanation to supplement materials, explaining the rationale behind the method of education and the channel in which content is being communicated to incoming students,
Be it finally resolved, the Student Assembly Campus Pulse Committee analyze and rework these orientation training materials, to be recommended to relevant departments in the form of a Student Assembly resolution.
Respectfully Submitted,
Hayden Watkins
Executive Vice President, Student Assembly
