Gov. Andrew Cuomo addresses the crowd at Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium about the Enough Is Enough campaign to battle sexual assault on campuses.
On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo brought the Enough Is Enough campaign to Syracuse University to announce that a number of private colleges and universities from across the state are joining the initiative. The statewide campaign is pushing for passage of the governor’s legislation combating sexual assault on college and university campuses. The private schools joining the campaign today are the first in the state to support the governor’s policy, which would require all colleges and universities in New York to implement uniform sexual assault prevention and response protocols, previously adopted by the State University of New York. The governor was joined by Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud and a Syracuse University student survivor of sexual assault to make the announcement.
“These private colleges are joining our growing coalition, and together we are taking a stand to say enough is enough: we must do more to fight sexual assault on college campuses,” Cuomo said. “While this issue did not originate here in New York, we have the opportunity and the obligation to find a solution. We must continue to urge the legislature to pass this law and let the students of New York State know that we respect them and their potential and will not let violence go unnoticed or unpunished. We have the power to change the conversation around sexual assault on campus—and if we change it here, the Empire State will be a leader in combating this epidemic across the nation.”
In addition to Syracuse University, the private colleges joining the campaign Wednesday are:
• Alfred University
• Canisius College
• Cazenovia College
• College of New Rochelle
• Daemen College
• Dowling College
• Marist College
• Paul Smith’s College
• St. Bonaventure University
• St. Joseph’s College
In January, Gov. Cuomo announced legislation codifying his sexual assault prevention and response policy—adopted by SUNY at his direction last year—and applying its provisions to all colleges and universities, public and private, in New York State. By extending the SUNY policy to all colleges, New York’s students will be better protected with comprehensive, uniform procedures and guidelines, including affirmative consent and access to law enforcement.
