SUNY has a new sex-ed professor — Gov. Cuomo — and he wants the statewide system’s nearly half-million students to play by the rules.
At the governor’s urging, the Board of Trustees that oversees the 64-campus system has approved a comprehensive sex-assault prevention policy that urges students to get their partners’ clear permission every step of the way during an intimate encounter.
In other words, “Yes . . . yes . . . yes . . . no,” still ultimately means “no.” Or, put another way, even though a date has given the OK for first base, additional, specific clearance is required before rounding second and third.
“Consent is clear, knowing and voluntary,” according to the new policy, released Thursday in a joint announcement by Cuomo and SUNY’s chancellor and board chair.
“Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create mutually understandable clear permission regarding willingness to engage in (and the conditions of) sexual activity.”
Continuing in language that would dampen the flames of pretty much any moment, the policy goes on to state, “Consent to any one form of sexual activity cannot automatically imply consent to any other forms of sexual activity.”
Lawyers, are, apparently, optional.
“I’m really excited about this,” the governor said of the new policy.
Noting that one in four women in college will be a victim of a sexual assault — and that only five percent are reported — Cuomo said he will push for legislation requiring private colleges to adopt similar policies.
Significantly, SUNY’s policy grants immunity to victims who were violating drug or alcohol codes. It also sets strict training and reporting requirements for campus police and administrators.
“We know [step-by-step negotiating] may not always be practical,” concedes former sex-crimes prosecutor Linda Fairstein, who is advising on the new policy. “But the policy as a whole will positively impact so many lives.”