The past week was one of remembrance and continued resolve at Cornell on the issue of gorge safety, with a forum on Sept. 22 soliciting ideas on how to better educate the community about the gorges, and an on-campus memorial service Sept. 25 for Nathaniel Rand '12, who drowned July 2 when he got trapped underwater in the gorge at Ithaca Falls. At the memorial service, Rand's parents implored the university to take more substantive actions to prevent gorge tragedies.

"Although far too short, Nate's life was lived large -- embracing the intellectual excitement of Cornell and contributing to our campus and the wider community," Cornell President David Skorton said in his comments at the memorial service. "As we celebrate Nate's life and honor his memory this afternoon, let's also reflect with gratitude on the time we were permitted to spend with him."

Earlier in the week, the open forum was led by Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy and Vice President for Human Resources and Safety Services Mary Opperman, who were charged by Skorton in August to lead a steering group developing action plans, for the near and longer term, on gorge safety. The steering group oversees four working groups -- on Gorge Safety and Stewardship; Enforcement; Education, Outreach and Communication; and Recreational Alternatives -- which will submit their reports by the beginning of October, and the steering group will give its recommendations to Skorton by the end of October.

In discussing his charge to the steering committee, Skorton said: "We understand that it is our responsibility to educate, inform and also warn the campus community about issues relating to safety in the gorges, and we will redouble our efforts in that area. We also are counting on individuals throughout the community to heed the warnings and help us spread the information."

"Vice President Opperman and I are eager to receive the working groups' reports and get to work with the steering committee to accomplish what can be done now, while also developing ongoing efforts related to our beautiful, yet risky, natural areas," said Murphy.

At the Sept. 22 forum, attendees offered a host of ideas to make the gorges safer, such as promoting organized hikes and paddling on Beebe Lake as safe ways to enjoy the gorges. "As we go forward with safe enjoyment of the gorges, we should try to really focus on the educational activities that we have in place now," suggested Sean Augustino '12, a Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) instructor, adding that such activities help relieve stress and teach safe behavior.

Perhaps the university should let the community know where it is "safe" to wade and "incorporate into orientation programs for new students some kind of gorge safety test such as you already do for alcohol and for swimming," suggested Donna Fleming, associate director of the Career Management Center in the S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Julien Wilson '12, a COE instructor, also supported "the idea of a test for freshmen to educate them about the gorges." And another student suggested that the university send messages after heavy rainfalls to alert people of new dangers.

Dan McClure, a construction manager at Cornell, noted that despite the need to focus on gorge safety education for incoming freshmen, "we have lots of community members, and those members might be from California or from foreign countries," he said. "We want to be sure we keep that broader perspective that we are open to the public, as big of a public as can be."

Particular problems, noted Tim Marchell, director of mental health initiatives at Gannett Health Services, are such hazards as alcohol-related falls, swimming risks and hiking dangers. The different problems, he said, require different responses. However, he also highlighted the gorges' health benefits, what he called the "restorative psychological benefits from experiencing the natural environment."

In an effort to ensure safe enjoyment of the gorges, one student suggested that the university consider "placing lifeguards down by certain areas, making the gorges a welcome place for students to come and hang out."

Evan Fauntleroy '13, a staff member of Cornell Minds Matter, noted that his organization offers many recreational activities in the gorges, such as trips to Buttermilk Falls. "There are other opportunities for people to enjoy the gorges in a safe way," he said.

Murphy stressed the importance of thinking "as creatively as possible about educating new members of our community" about the benefits as well as risks of the gorges. She summed up the theme of the meeting as not about what behaviors should be prohibited, but "about what can we do, what we can do safely."

Joseph Mansky '12 is a writer intern for the Cornell Chronicle.