I want to take this opportunity to respond to the article in last week’s Ithacan regarding the incident from last year. Let me unequivocally state that the Offices of Residential Life and Judicial Affairs and the College are strongly committed to our students’ security and safety at all times.  All reports of rape and sexual assault are taken very seriously and fully investigated by the Office of Public Safety and adjudicated when appropriate by the Office of Judicial Affairs.  

Although I cannot speak to the specifics of the incident from last year due to federal laws that require the confidentiality of student records, I do want to clarify statements made in The Ithacan article.  When asked about actions that could result in immediate termination of an RA, I intentionally used the example of a drug-related violation in order to avoid any confusion with the specific case at hand.  In no way was I trying to infer that Residential Life takes drug violations more seriously than sexual assault. This is absolutely not the case.  

In response to the concerns raised about our staff discipline process, I have requested that the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life and the Vice President and General Counsel work with me to review these standards and make changes where necessary.  I want to once again assure the community of our commitment to the safety and security of all of our students.

Bonnie Solt Prunty

Director, Offices of Residential Life and Judicial Affairs