Safety

Cornell University Police Department (CUPD)

Cornell University Police operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, from G-2 Barton Hall.

To contact CUPD

If reporting an emergency

• Call 911 on any phone on the Cornell campus.
• You can also use a Blue Light or other campus emergency phone.

If reporting a non-emergency

• Do not call 911
• Call 607.255.1111

Blue Light telephones

Blue Light telephones are located throughout campus and provide direct communication with the Cornell Police. If you need assistance, or in an emergency, pick up the receiver or push the button. Officers will know your location automatically and respond quickly.

RAVE Guardian app

The RAVE Guardian app, available on Apple or Google Play stores, is free to the campus community. It can enhance a user's personal safety both on and off campus by turning any smartphone into a personal safety device. In an emergency, a one-button call from your phone will display your profile and current location to campus safety officials.

Review the University's Annual Security Report

Emergency mass notification system

Cornell University is committed to protecting the health and safety of its students, faculty, and staff. Emergency procedures are in place that allow Cornell Police to quickly notify authorities and the campus population when an emergency situation is underway and then provide instructions on how to respond.

To ensure you receive critical information, you must enroll in the university's Emergency Mass Notification System.

For more information, visit Emergency Mass Notifications.

Gorge safety

The two gorges that run through the Cornell campus help to make Cornell one of the world’s most beautiful campuses. They are wonderful for recreation and hiking—but they can also be very dangerous. The gorges are eroding constantly, and rocks continue to fall from the cliffs, especially after heavy rains.

Please visit the Gorge Safety website to find out about trails, regulations, and current conditions.

While tempting on hot days, swimming in the gorges is extremely dangerous, and a serious threat of drowning exists. Swimming in the gorges is prohibited by Chapter 250 of the City of Ithaca code, Peace and Good Order, which states, “No person shall bathe in, swim in, or for purposes of swimming and/or bathing enter any of the waters within the City of Ithaca except in the waters officially designated as swimming or bathing areas.”

Alternatives for safe and legal swimming in the Ithaca area can be found on the Safe Swimming Options page.