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FAQ: 2019 Survey

Why does Cornell conduct surveys about campus sexual assault and related misconduct?

Sexual violence on college campuses is a serious national problem, occurring with unacceptable frequency at Cornell and on campuses across the country. New York State Education Law Article 129-B requires NYS colleges and universities to conduct a survey of campus sexual violence no less than every two years. Administration of the 2019 Cornell Survey on Sexual Assault and Related Misconduct is a part of Cornell’s ongoing commitment to creating a safer, more caring campus culture in which bias, harassment and violence have no place.

The overarching goals of this survey are to:

  • Estimate the prevalence of different forms of nonconsensual sexual contact, harassment, stalking, and domestic and dating violence among undergraduate and graduate/professional students at Cornell; and to examine the context within which these forms of violence occur.
  • Assess student knowledge of Cornell resources, policies and procedures related to sexual and related misconduct, including sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and sexual and gender-based harassment; and the obstacles that may prevent the use of available resources.
  • Explore students’ perceptions about whether to intervene as bystanders when they witness (or someone else witnesses) inappropriate or dangerous behavior related to sexual misconduct.

Who took the survey?

In spring 2019, a statistically representative sample of 6,000 students from our Ithaca, Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell Tech campuses received email invitations to participate in the survey.

  • 2,247 students completed the survey for an overall response rate of 37%, matching the response rate from the 2017 survey.
  • 1,310 undergraduate students and 935 graduate/professional students responded to the survey.

Are the 2019 survey results representative of the full Cornell community?

Survey invitations were sent to a randomly selected sample of students. Since not all students that were invited chose to participate in the survey, a base weight was calculated to adjust for patterns of survey non-response. The percentages shown in the tables of survey results are weighted estimates of the Cornell student population.

What types of questions were asked in the survey?

The survey primarily asked about students’ experiences with inappropriate sexual behavior while attending Cornell, including nonconsensual sexual contact (penetration and/or sexual touching), sexual and gender-based harassment, stalking, and domestic and dating violence. The survey also asked about students’ knowledge of Cornell resources and policies concerning sexual assault and related misconduct, and their beliefs and perceptions about students’ responses to sexual assault or misconduct on campus.

How has the survey data changed from 2017 to 2019 surveys?

The overall prevalence of nonconsensual sexual contact among Cornell students has risen slightly, but there have been fluctuations in prevalence within specific groups of students. For example, compared to the 2017 survey results, the 2019 survey indicates that rates of nonconsensual sexual contact have increased among undergraduate women, particularly among juniors, while rates have decreased among graduate/professional women. As has been seen in previous survey results, the 2019 survey indicates that LGBTQ students experience higher rates of nonconsensual sexual contact, as do students with disabilities and those who are or have been in partnered relationships.

An increase in prevalence since students were last surveyed could be attributed to a number of factors. It could be that students in the 2019 survey sample had in fact experienced a greater number of nonconsensual incidents as a cohort. It could be a reflection of customized campus educational efforts such that students are now better able to recognize and label sexual violence when it occurs. Discussions about Title IX and the #MeToo movement also may have influenced responses as the national media attention has increased awareness of behaviors that in the past went undefined as harassment or assault. We will watch for whether and how the numbers change in the next administration of the Cornell survey in the spring of 2021.

How will the survey data be used?

Survey results will help us better understand the attitudes, knowledge and experiences of our undergraduate, graduate and professional students with respect to sexual assault and related misconduct. The data resulting from these surveys provides insight into the context of student experiences and guidance for strategic planning that can focus on groups at higher risk of experiencing harassment and assault. The data will help university administrators formulate policies and practices intended to make students safer while informing the development of new education and prevention efforts.

How do Cornell’s 2019 survey results compare with results from other surveys about campus sexual violence?

A number of research studies and surveys have been conducted in an effort to better understand the prevalence of sexual assault and misconduct at colleges and universities. While all share a common focus on campus sexual violence, these efforts have employed different research designs and asked survey questions that are specific to their research needs. Likewise, the Cornell survey was designed to reflect our campus context and collect information of use to campus decision-makers. This means that our 2019 survey results are distinct and cannot be precisely compared to results obtained from surveys conducted by other researchers, colleges or universities. That being said, Cornell’s 2019 survey results concerning the prevalence of various forms of sexual violence are generally consistent with those reported on the 2019 AAU survey.

What resources are available for individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual assault or related forms of misconduct?

Information about university policies and procedures, reporting options and resources are available, including: