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.
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 Under the new standard, silence cannot be taken as a sign of permission and consent may be withdrawn at any time.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.
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