SUNY system to get new sexual violence policy

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s 64 SUNY campuses are getting a new policy on sexual violence designed to address what Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday was an “epidemic” plaguing the nation’s colleges.

The changes include a new campus definition of sexual consent as a clear, active and unambiguous agreement to engage in sexual activity and stress that silence cannot be interpreted as consent. The new policy also calls for comprehensive training for campus police, a public awareness campaign and a sexual assault victim’s bill of rights that ensures students can report sexual violence to either campus law enforcement or to local or state police.