ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ New York's state university system has adopted a new definition of sexual consent that requires a clear, affirmative agreement between partners.
The SUNY Board of Trustees announced Tuesday that it has formally approved the new policy, part of a larger effort to reduce sexual violence.
Other initiatives include better training for law enforcement and new rules allowing students to report sex crimes to either their campus police or the local police department.
The consent policy will apply to all 64 SUNY campuses. Under the new standard, silence cannot be taken as a sign of permission and consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed the so-called ``yes means yes'' policy this fall in response to what he says is an ``epidemic'' of sexual violence on college campuses.
