Following a screening of the film “The Hunting Ground,” a panel discussion May 4 showed Cornell may be doing better in responding to sexual assault incidences and in trying to change its campus culture than were depicted at colleges and universities in the film.

But panelists and audience agreed there is still much to be done.

The movie, directed by Kirby Dick and in release nationally, deals with sexual assaults on U.S. college campuses, how they are handled, and the toll they take on students and their families. The showing was organized by the Balch Hall Residential and New Student Programs’ staff and the faculty in residence. Principle organizers were resident advisers Olivia Davis ’15 and Qurrat Ahmad ’15, in collaboration with the Division of Student and Academic Services.

Panelist Susan Murphy, vice president for student and academic services, was asked where Cornell stands relative to other schools in its number of reported sexual assaults and expulsions. Murphy said that about four students over the last two academic years have been expelled for sexual assault (in the film, several colleges were cited as having expelled no one who had been implicated in a sexual assault investigation).

According to the Office of the Judicial Administrator, since July 2013 more than 50 referrals were made to that office and 12 complainants chose to have their cases proceed through investigation and review. In addition to the four students expelled, five others were suspended. These figures do not include confidential reports received by the Victim’s Advocacy Group, Counseling and Psychological Services, CURW and the LGBT and Women’s Resource Centers.

Another audience member asked how Cornell ensures that those who report an assault are not made to feel invalidated or guilty.

Kathy Zoner, chief of Cornell University Police, said responding officers first focus on the well-being of the person reporting the incident. They then try to provide information to the reporting person so that the best support system for that person can be chosen.

Zoner encourages survivors to always make a report, whether off-campus or on; an incident becomes “more problematic to respond to” when it is not reported or is shared only with family and friends, who may not have had training to respond to the survivor’s needs.

Davis noted that resident advisers also can help assault survivors. And Brian Patchcoski, associate dean and director of the LBGT Resource Center, said survivors should be encouraged to explore all possible options for services and resources. He pointed out that in “The Hunting Ground,” options available to survivors seemed limited.

Regarding Cornell’s efforts to change its culture to increase the safety of all individuals, panelists said that all members of the campus community have a responsibility to look at root causes of violence. “Sexual assault is not inevitable,” said Joe Burke, associate dean of students and director of residential and new student program.

Panelists also pointed to the comprehensive approach the university has put in place, the caring community culture Cornell is trying to build, to the COmmunity and REspect (CORE) resident advisers and programs, and to efforts to eliminate derogatory language used against women.

Zoner said treating others with respect starts when we are young, and changing the culture in college means working with children at much earlier ages.

Murphy referenced Cornell’s educational programming for first-year students that sets forth the university’s standards and expectations. Murphy also said that President David Skorton’s visible stance against hazing sets a tone and sends a message about interactions that are not acceptable at Cornell, including sexual assaults.

Laura Weiss, associate dean of students and director of the Women’s Resource Center, drew attention to a pilot program with an athletics team that is based on the pioneering work of Yale professor Melanie Boyd.

In answer to questions regarding the roles of faculty, alumni, graduate students and staff in responding to concerns, panelists described some of the programs and conversations that are ongoing. Patchowski said, “We want this to be everyone’s issue.”

Renee Alexander, associate dean for student development and diversity initiatives, said it will take longer to change an entire culture because of deeply embedded customs, but the concept of respect for all individuals has become part of a nationwide conversation. “I think seismic change is on the horizon,” she said.