Cornell University continues to take a multipronged approach to enhance the safe use of Fall Creek and Cascadilla gorges, President David Skorton announced Dec. 2.

"The health and safety of our community and of those who visit our campus and its natural areas are among Cornell's foremost concerns. Continuing to improve the safety of our campus is a priority," Skorton said in a statement.

He has accepted recommendations from the Gorge Safety Steering Group, which he appointed in August to develop action plans, for the near and longer term, on gorge safety, he said. His appointment of the group was prompted by three deaths in the gorges this summer.

"In accepting the steering group's report, I am directing the administration to identify the most urgent projects and implement them as soon as practical," Skorton's statement said. "Furthermore, I am asking that the remaining recommendations be included as part of the campus's ongoing consideration of safety programs and activities for appropriate prioritization and funding."

Skorton will also appoint an implementation committee, which will include staff, students and faculty, to monitor the progress and effectiveness of actions, he said.

"This is part of the university's ongoing effort to support safe and permissible recreational use of the gorges. We looked holistically at our efforts to date and identified opportunities for improvement," said Vice President for Human Resources and Safety Services Mary Opperman, who co-led the steering group with Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy.

The recommendations focus on addressing and mitigating risks. They include completion of safety and infrastructure projects, such as repair of fences and railings to delineate public space from restricted-use areas, and stabilization of failing trails. The report also calls for clarification of the source of ongoing university funding for gorge maintenance.

Enhancement of outreach to improve students' awareness of gorge safety could include such measures as creating a Gorge Stewards program to train students to help peers enjoy the gorges safely. And the Campus Code should be amended to address violations of gorge safety measures, the report said.

Further research and community collaboration is needed on such issues as gathering accurate geotechnical data and assessing risk along the gorge slopes. The university should improve its data collection and analysis of a wide range of gorge incidents, including but not limited to fatalities and physical injuries. And the university should appoint an ongoing stewardship committee to give gorge safety consistent focus and attention, the report said.

Recommendations were also given to mitigate risk by expanding recreational alternatives. This could include redevelopment of the area spanning 626 Thurston Ave. (formerly known as Alumni House) to Japes Lodge to Beebe Beach, to encourage recreational use there. The committee also recommended providing regular, convenient and inexpensive transportation to other natural areas where swimming is permissible.

The steering group also supported the following recommendations when funds are available: diverting gorge use to the much safer area of Flat Rock, creating an overlook above the former Hydraulics Lab and establishing a Gorge Safety Week each semester.

The steering group based its recommendations on input from the Cornell community and on reports from its four working groups that addressed gorge safety and stewardship; education, communications and outreach; enforcement; and recreational alternatives.

The working groups, which included faculty, staff and students, were thoughtful and comprehensive in carrying out their charge, Opperman added. "We want to acknowledge their hard work and the quality of their results," she said. "They did a fabulous job."