{"id":169,"date":"2026-05-13T15:50:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:50:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/?page_id=169"},"modified":"2026-05-20T12:58:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T16:58:22","slug":"reporting-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/welcome\/reporting-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions About Reporting (Reporting FAQ)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-vivid-red-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-vivid-red-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"expander scripted wp-block-accordions\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">What is the difference between a report to the University and a formal complaint?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>A <em>report<\/em> and a <em>formal complaint<\/em> are both terms that come up often when talking about Policy 6.4, and they can often be conflated with each other. It is important to note, however, that while related, they are distinct terms.\n<ul>\n<li>A <em>report i<\/em>s when the Title IX Coordinator becomes aware of an alleged incident of prohibited conduct. This can occur when an individual fills out the online reporting form, but it can also occur via email, phone, or during an in-person meeting. While a report may lead to a formal complaint, individuals who have experienced prohibited conduct do <strong><em>not<\/em><\/strong> need to pursue a formal complaint to receive support from COCR.<\/li>\n<li>A <em>formal complaint<\/em> of prohibited conduct is a written document signed by a complainant alleging specific prohibited conduct by a respondent and initiating the resolution process under the Procedures, or a similar written document signed by a University official on behalf of the University.\n<ul>\n<li>Individuals who have experienced prohibited conduct have the right to file a formal complaint. The University has jurisdiction for purposes of a formal complaint over individuals who are current students, faculty, and staff members at Cornell.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Even if the accused person is not a current student, faculty, or staff member at Cornell, complainants are encouraged to report their experiences, so they can be connected with information about resources and support available to them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">How do I make the University aware that I think there\u2019s been a violation of Policy 6.4?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Cornell strongly encourages individuals who have experienced, have knowledge of, or have witnessed prohibited conduct committed by or against students, faculty, or staff to report to the University. Prohibited conduct can be reported to the University through any of the following options:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>By contacting the Title IX Coordinator<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Phone: 607-255-2242,<\/li>\n<li>Email: <a href=\"mailto:titleix@cornell.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">titleix@cornell.edu<\/a>, or<\/li>\n<li>In person at 500 Day Hall, Ithaca, New York, during regular office hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM).<\/li>\n<li>For more information, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the COCR website<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>By contacting a local Human Resources representative<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>A list of HR representatives can be found on <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.cornell.edu\/browse-self-service\/find-your-hr-rep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cornell HR&#8217;s website<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>By submitting an incident report online<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Via the <a href=\"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/file-a-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Report an Incident<\/a> form (this report may be submitted anonymously)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>By contacting the Cornell University Police Department<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Call: 607-255-1111 or 911 for emergency assistance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>By contacting a Designated Reporter<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>A list of designated reporters can be found on <a href=\"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/policies-procedures\/designated-reporters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the COCR website<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weill Cornell Medicine students<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Contact <a href=\"https:\/\/civilrights.weill.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Weill&#8217;s Office of Civil Rights and Investigations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">What does the term \u201cDesignated Reporter\u201d mean?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>A Designated Reporter is an employee who is required to report certain information to the University. The University has identified certain offices and employee positions as Designated Reporters; see a list of <a href=\"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/policies-procedures\/designated-reporters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Designated Reporters on COCR&#8217;s website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>When Designated Reporters become aware of an alleged incident of sexual harassment or other misconduct under Policy 6.4 that involves a student as either the complainant or respondent, they are obligated to report any information they know to the Title IX Coordinator. In all other situations, employees are encouraged, but not required, to report.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">What is the supervisor\u2019s and manager\u2019s \u201cduty to respond\u201d to sexual harassment in the workplace?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Even if they are not Designated Reporters, supervisors and managers have a duty to respond to sexual and related workplace misconduct.<\/li>\n<li>Accordingly, supervisors and managers must take all reasonable actions to report and respond immediately to any reports or observations of sexual harassment that may impact an employee&#8217;s working environment. The term &#8220;employee&#8221; includes student employees, staff, and faculty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">Who can I speak to if I\u2019m not sure whether I want to report my experience to the University?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>The University offers a number of resources to assist individuals who have experienced prohibited conduct.\n<ul>\n<li>The University has designed an <a href=\"https:\/\/titleix.cornell.edu\/support-and-resources\/decision-tree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Interactive Decision Tree<\/a> to assist individuals in figuring out which, if any, resources they may like to work with.<\/li>\n<li>The University also offers a number of confidential resources for all individuals, including both respondents and complainants, who are unsure whether to report prohibited conduct and\/or to seek counseling or other emotional support in addition to, or without, making a report to the University. See a full list of <a href=\"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/resources\/confidential-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Confidential Resources on COCR&#8217;s website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Those who have had a difficult experience and are considering filing a formal complaint may wish to work with a procedural advisor. The University provides procedural advisors to student complainants free of charge; they are law students called <a href=\"https:\/\/caoffice.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Complainants&#8217; Codes Counselors<\/a>. To get in touch with a University-provided advisor, you may email <a href=\"mailto:complaintadvice@cornell.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complaintadvice@cornell.edu<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">If I talk with someone (who is not a confidential resource) about my experience, will they make a report to the University on my behalf?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Cornell offices and employees, including COCR, will maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible. With the exception of Designated Reporters and supervisors and managers with a duty to respond to sexual harassment in the workplace, no faculty or staff member is subject to a reporting obligation under Policy 6.4. However, employees may have reporting obligations under other policies or state or federal law.<\/li>\n<li>Regardless of whether they are subject to a reporting obligation, if they are not a Confidential Resource, all faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to consult the <a href=\"mailto:titleix@cornell.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Title IX Coordinator<\/a> regarding sexual and related misconduct prohibited by this policy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">What are my options outside of reporting to the University? What can be reported to law enforcement and what law enforcement agencies exist for me to report to?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>You always have the right to report an experience to law enforcement. If any conduct may constitute a crime, individuals are encouraged to report to law enforcement, as they have unique legal authority to seek and execute search warrants, to collect forensic evidence that may have been left at relevant locations, and to make an arrest when there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.<\/li>\n<li>You may contact the police directly or ask that COCR assist in setting up a meeting with the police. If you are unsure where to report, COCR\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/titleix.cornell.edu\/support-and-resources\/decision-tree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Interactive Decision Tree<\/a> can help individuals identify which department is best suited to address their concerns.<\/li>\n<li>Law enforcement can be reached at any time by calling 911 for emergencies or one of the numbers listed below:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>For incidents occurring on campus, a mix of locations, including on campus or an uncertain location<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Report to the <a href=\"https:\/\/cupolice.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cornell University Police Department<\/a>: 607-255-1111<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>For incidents occurring off campus in Ithaca, New York<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Report to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofithacany.gov\/234\/Ithaca-Police-Department\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ithaca Police Department<\/a>: 607-272-3245 (non-emergency police assistance)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>For incidents occurring off campus in New York City, New York<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Report to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/site\/nypd\/index.page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York City Police Department<\/a>: 212-267-7273 (Sex Crimes Report Line)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>For incidents occurring within New York State, including online<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Report to the <a href=\"https:\/\/troopers.ny.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York State Police<\/a>: 607-347-4440\n<ul>\n<li>The Ithaca office for the NYSP is located at 7850 Dryden Road, Freeville, NY 73068.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Individuals may also contact the <strong>New York State Police&#8217;s 24-hour dedicated Campus Sexual Assault Hotline<\/strong>: 844-845-7269<\/li>\n<li><strong>For incidents occurring in locations outside of New York State, Ithaca, or New York City<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Report to the local police department in the area where the incident occurred.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">How is reporting to law enforcement different from reporting to the University? Can I do both?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Individuals have the right to report to the University and to report to law enforcement. You may choose to report to both or either, and can access support services regardless of your decision. For guidance on who you may like to report to, you may consider reviewing our <a href=\"https:\/\/titleix.cornell.edu\/support-and-resources\/decision-tree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Interactive Decision Tree<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The criminal justice system and the University process have different, important goals.\n<ul>\n<li>In the criminal justice system, prosecutors pursue cases when they believe there is sufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that an individual has committed a criminal act. A person convicted of a crime will face criminal penalties, such as incarceration, probation, or the imposition of a fine. Court systems can also issue court orders, such as a family court or criminal court order of protection, which can provide protection both on and off campus. Additionally, CUPD can issue a persona non grata order. Violations of these orders can result in arrest and\/or criminal prosecution.<\/li>\n<li>In reporting to the University, the Cornell Office of Civil Rights provides access to supportive measures (including No Contact Orders), academic accommodations, and pathways for university investigation. These options are designed to ensure students can continue to access their educational programs and activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"block-accordion-header\">What should I do if someone shares that they have experienced prohibited conduct?<\/h2> <!-- First accordion -->\n\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>When someone is sexually assaulted, harassed, or experiences some form of sexual misconduct, they most often disclose their experience to a trusted individual, such as a friend, family member, or intimate partner. As a community, we can create a more caring environment for our friends and colleagues at Cornell by knowing how to respond and which resources are available to help.<\/li>\n<li>If someone tells you they have experienced sexual or related misconduct, here are some things you can do:\n<ul>\n<li>If the individual&#8217;s safety is an immediate concern, call 977 or contact the Cornell University Police at 607-255-7777.<\/li>\n<li>Reassure them that whatever happened is not their fault and ask them how you can help using open-ended questions like &#8220;What do you need?&#8221; or &#8220;What can I do to help right now?&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Familiarize yourself with the resources listed in the <a href=\"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/welcome\/supportive-measures-and-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Supportive Measures and Resources<\/a> and on <a href=\"https:\/\/share.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the SHARE website<\/a> and pass them along.<\/li>\n<li>Don&#8217;t tell them what to do; instead, offer resources and support their decisions.<\/li>\n<li>You may also wish to review Cornell Health\u2019s informational guide on \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/health.cornell.edu\/sites\/health\/files\/pdf-library\/sexual-assault-helping-a-friend.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Helping a Friend Who Has Been Raped or Sexually Assaulted.<\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-169","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=169"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":335,"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/169\/revisions\/335"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}