According to the FBI, the scammers:

• Contact the victim by phone, claiming that their personal information is linked to a financial fraud investigation;
• Transfer the phone call to what they claim to be the “Chinese police department”;
• Pose as a Chinese police officer and inform the victim that they are under investigation and must return to China or face arrest and/or a trial;
• Direct the victim to consent to 24/7 video and audio monitoring;
• Instruct the victim to avoid discussing details of the case, refrain from conducting internet searches on the case, and report all of their daily activities; and
• Direct victims to wire a large sum of money to a Chinese bank account to either prove their innocence or to post bail to avoid having to return to China.

To protect yourself, please take the following steps:��

• If an unknown individual contacts you and accuses you of a crime, immediately call the FBI or DPS. Do NOT release any personal or financial information and do not send any money.
• If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency, take down the name, title and contact information of the caller or email. Take steps to verify the contact by using public sources (internet) to locate the official government agency and then contact the agency yourself to confirm whether the outreach is legitimate.

��If you have received one of these phone calls, the best thing you can do is immediately contact the�����ǰ���.��

Transportation

has announced reduced campus shuttle services during the Thanksgiving break.��Safety escort services are available from 8 p.m.-6 a.m. from Nov. 23-Dec. 1 by using the .

For those students looking for help reaching their destinations over the break, Student Engagement provides roundtrip buses to select cities on the East Coast. The cities include: New York City; Boston, Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; White Plains, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Rockaway, New Jersey. Bus tickets are $110 and seats are still available. Visit the for more information.

The University also provides complimentary roundtrip transportation to the ���ϲ����� Hancock International Airport and the Regional Transportation Center (for buses and trains). Buses will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, with pickup from Goldstein Student Center (South Campus), College Place and the Brewster/Boland/Brockway Complex. On Sunday, Dec. 1, buses will provide return transportation from the ���ϲ����� Airport/Regional Transportation Center from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Campus Dining

Many campus dining options will be closed or operate at limited hours over the break.��To see the hours of operation for all locations, ��. Here are some options for where to eat on campus each day.

• Saturday, Nov. 23
  • Sadler Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 24
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 25
  • Dunkin’, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Gerry’s Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tavola 44, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 26
  • Dunkin’, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Gerry’s Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tavola 44, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 27
  • Dunkin’, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Gerry’s Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tavola 44, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 28
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 29
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 30
  • Sadler Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Orange Dining Center, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 1
  • Brockway Dining Center, Ernie Davis Dining Center, Graham Dining Center, Orange Dining Center, Sadler Dining Center and Shaw Dining Center, all open standard hours.
  • Starbucks (West Campus), 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Dunkin’, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Greens and Grains, noon-11 p.m.
  • Otto’s Juice Box (Goldstein), noon-11 p.m.
  • Starbucks (Goldstein), noon-8 p.m.
  • CoreLife Eatery, 1-7 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 1-7 p.m.
  • Original Orange, 4-11 p.m.
  • Southbound, 4-11 p.m.
  • Tomato Wheel, 4-11 p.m.

Barnes Center at The Arch

Barnes Center at The Arch hours for health care, mental health, recreation and other facilities over Thanksgiving break are available on the��.

Reminder: Call 315.443.8000 for 24-Hour Support

Students experiencing a mental health crisis, seeking support for sexual assault or relationship violence, or needing urgent medical consultation can receive free, confidential services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 315.443.8000. Routine consultations should hold until the next business day.

Libraries

The hours for ���ϲ����� Libraries facilities are as follows:

• Saturday, Nov. 23
  • Bird Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 24
  • Bird Library, noon-8 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 25
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • King + King Architecture Library, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 26
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m
  • King + King Architecture Library, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 27
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 28-Friday, Nov. 29
  • No libraries open
• Saturday, Nov. 30
  • Bird Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 1
  • Bird Library, opens at 10 a.m.
  • Carnegie Library, noon-8 p.m.

Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety is available to the campus community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The department can be reached at 315.443.2224 or by dialing 711 from any campus phone.

This story was written by Student Experience communications intern Chloe Langerman ’25, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The Department of Public Safety accepts their Advanced Accreditation during the Fall 2024 CALEA Conference. Pictured from left: CALEA Commissioner Marlon Lynch, DPS Director of Administration Donna Adams, Associate VP and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Craig A. Stone, DPS Accreditation Manager and Detective Chris Wood and CALEA Executive Director W. Craig Hartley, Jr. (Photo courtesy of CALEA)

The number one priority of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is keeping the campus community safe. This is accomplished through adhearing to public safety standards set forth by the and the . DPS obtained both the IACLEA accreditation in 2015 and CALEA accreditation in 2020 and is pleased to announce being granted advanced accreditation by CALEA.

In April 2022, Craig A. Stone, associate vice president and chief of campus safety and emergency management services, directed DPS staff to work together to seek advanced accreditation knowing that this would not only enhance the delivery of public safety services but also build trust within the campus community. Advanced accreditation surpasses standard accreditation by requiring the DPS to meet an even more comprehensive set of rigorous standards. This level of accreditation is a testament to DPS’s dedication to adopting and following best recognized practices, maintaining high levels of professionalism, and ensuring that its operations are aligned with the most up-to-date and effective law enforcement methodologies.

“We appreciate the annual external file reviews, and the independent on-site assessment conducted by CALEA to verify our compliance with advanced accreditation,” says Chief Stone. “Obtaining advanced accreditation is a voluntary process, which we welcomed as an opportunity to demonstrate the highest level of public safety service in our commitment to keeping the campus community safe.”

During its assessment, DPS demonstrated compliance with CALEA’s advanced standards, addressing the requirements with minimal issues. Throughout the process, the department consistently met the stringent criteria set by CALEA, showcasing its commitment to maintaining the highest levels of professionalism, accountability and operational excellence.

“Obtaining advanced law enforcement accreditation from CALEA demonstrates the commitment the ���ϲ����� Department of Public Safety has for enhancing its operational efficiency, accountability and professionalism,” says Detective Christopher Wood, accreditation manager. “This accreditation provides opportunities for ongoing training and development, improving overall performance and helping to maintain a safe and secure campus environment.”

Through advanced accreditation, DPS has improved its operational capabilities that are designed to address the challenges of campus safety. This includes more innovative training programs for officers, better relationships with our law enforcement partners and the establishment of more robust risk management and crime analysis. These improvements enable the department to respond more effectively to emergencies, manage risks effectively and provide a greater level of security for the campus community.

DPS achieving advanced accreditation with CALEA represents a significant milestone in our commitment to excellence and highlights the department’s critical role as a partner in maintaining a safe and supportive campus, contributing to ���ϲ�����’s broader mission of ensuring a safe and secure living, learning and working environment in partnership with those it serves.

On Friday, Nov. 15 from 11�� a.m. to 2 p.m., officers from DPS and SPD will be at the Hookway Athletic Field lot, 1799 E. Colvin St., to distribute steering wheel locks to both ���ϲ����� community members and ���ϲ����� residents. The steering wheel locks are free of charge.

“This event reflects our commitment to taking proactive measures in crime prevention and community engagement. Through this initiative, we hope to arm vehicle owners with an additional layer of protection to reduce the likelihood of theft,” says DPS Commander James McLellan.

“These steering wheel locks serve as a visible and effective deterrent to potential car thieves. The ���ϲ����� Police Department is dedicated to working with state and local partners like DPS to promote awareness about vehicle security,” says SPD Sergeant Tom Blake.

Involvement with the CRB began when the previous law student representative, Omnia Shedid L’24, sought a successor. Intrigued by the CRB’s role in reviewing complaints about��the conduct of Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers, Oliver stepped into the position, driven by a passion for justice and equality.

As vice chair of the CRB, she emphasizes the importance of student input in maintaining campus safety. “Having a student in the vice chair position allows the student body to be more involved in decision-making,” Oliver says. “The goal is to enhance the relationship between DPS and the student population by ensuring student voices are heard in policy and procedure discussions.”

Oliver also aims to raise awareness about the CRB’s role on campus. “The CRB is a valuable asset to students, but it’s sometimes underutilized because people don’t know what we do,” Oliver says. By increasing visibility, she hopes to encourage more students and DPS members to utilize the CRB for appeals, ensuring their concerns are addressed.

History of the CRB

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in 2020-21. It is responsible for:

• reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct;
• reviewing and commenting on prospective new DPS policies, procedures and trainings;
• reviewing key community-facing functions of DPS; and
• issuing to the University community a public annual report of findings and recommendations.

CRB Membership

Since last fall, the CRB has added new members, including:

• Fatoumata Barry ’27, undergraduate student,��College of Arts and Sciences
• Avva Boroujerdi ’25, undergraduate student, Whitman School of Management
• Rosemary Martin ’26, undergraduate student,��College of Arts and Sciences
• Lindsey Oliver��(vice chair),��graduate student,��College of Law
• Christina Papaleo, learning and development specialist,��Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Andrea Persin, assistant dean of budget, finance and administration,��College of Arts and Sciences
• Lynnie Westafer, graduate student, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
• Tanya Williamson, assistant vice president, Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Additionally, several members are still completing their term from last year, including:

• La’Kesa Allen, community standards coordinator, Community Standards
• Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, associate dean, Hendricks Chapel
• Mary Kiernan, associate teaching professor, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics (chair)
• Maria Pettolina, professor of practice, Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute, College of Arts and Sciences

The CRB has also engaged two highly experienced consultants to advise on its work. Bethaida “Bea” González, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, is senior advisor to the CRB; and Melvin “Tony” Perez, former chief of public safety for Monroe Community College, serves as its expert law enforcement consultant.

For more information,����or contact the CRB directly by email to��CRB@syr.edu.

From left to right: Detective Mike Toia, Officer Teng Kiir, John “Bol” Ajak and Officer John Mazurowski

Kiir came to the United States at a very young age. While pregnant, Kiir’s mother and father chose to take a leap of faith and leave everything they love in Sudan. Kiir’s family made the journey to Cairo, Egypt. The next step for his parents was to leave Africa as a whole and move to the U.S. In 2005, Kiir and his family found themselves in Chicago, Illinois. With his parents not knowing any English and now with a very young child, they navigated through their new country, eventually settling in ���ϲ�����, New York.

Ajak had a similar start to his journey, leaving Sudan as well. Ajak left at the start of the war when his mother took him and his older siblings to a refugee camp in Kenya. During this time, he started his education journey, which eventually helped land him an opportunity to come to the U.S. It was here that Ajak started playing basketball, eventually being recruited by the University. While at ���ϲ�����, Ajak realized that it was a lot more like home than he could have imagined. He saw many families living in the City of ���ϲ����� facing similar struggles to those at the refugee camp he was once in and decided that he wanted to do something to give back.

Teaming up with friends and family, Ajak created , which provides scholarships to kids in Sudan, helping them come to the U.S. to pursue their education.

“I want to help kids through school. Me being at ���ϲ�����, was for school. No one brought me here. I didn’t get drafted; I came to the United States because of school. If it’s possible for me, it is possible for the thousands of kids back home,” says Ajak.

“John’s charity is super impactful because it doesn’t just help our people back home in Sudan, but it also gives a sense of direction and hope for migrants from Sudan who are new to the U.S. and helps them navigate through these new windows of opportunities that have now opened for them,” says Kiir. “Many Sudanese families that are new to the U.S. end up in horrible living conditions because they come here with no guidance and are left blinded in what seems to be a whole new world to them; a charity like John’s can help counteract that.”

Ajak is hopeful that his charity will help keep kids coming to the U.S. off the streets and in school. He also believes having a familiar face like Kiir working as an officer for DPS will help bridge the gap.

“The next Sudanese kids that are coming here, will look up to him and hopefully abide by the law because it’s one of them telling them,” says Ajak. “In my mind, no one else can relate to them better than Teng can. This is a huge step for DPS, because this helps the community.”

Kiir graduated from the Department of Public Safety’s Peace Officer Academy in August. His reasoning for joining the force? He wants to be able to have the opportunity to connect with students on a level that most officers might not be able to, and not just connect, but understand them as well. Kiir says that in return, the students can also learn to understand the role of DPS and feel comfortable connecting with DPS officers.

In addition to email, text and voice messages, the Orange Alert test message will also be sent via push notification to the��, to the main ���ϲ����� and DPS Facebook and Twitter accounts, and will display on the University’s homepage and video monitors located in common areas in several buildings around campus.

The Orange Alert message will be sent to all ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) students and to SUNY ESF faculty and staff who have signed up. Orange Alert will send a notice to all devices that are registered on the system.

“As we do every semester, it is time for us to do a full-scale test of the Orange Alert System,” says William Karnadi, director of emergency management and business continuity planning. “Ahead of the test on Wednesday, please go into your MySlice account and verify that your contact information is up to date. This includes making sure that your cell phone is categorized as a mobile device, so that you receive our text messages.”

To review and/or modify your Orange Alert contact information, go to MySlice, log in using your NetID and password, select Student Home or Employee Home, depending on your primary affiliation with ���ϲ�����, select the Personal Profile tile, then “Orange Alert Contacts” from the navigation menu and review your information. If you need to add, update or delete contact information, select the “Add/Update/Delete Contact Details” link. If you are an ESF student, use the ESF emergency contact information page to update your information.

For additional information on the Orange Alert system, visit��.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to campus for the 2024-25 academic year. I enjoy participating in Welcome Week activities every year and meeting so many of you and your families. As dean of students, I want you to know our staff are here to support you in achieving your goals and celebrating your successes. My colleagues in Student Experience and I all have different specialties and areas of expertise, but we all share one common goal—to provide support to you as you move through your time at ���ϲ�����. Together, we work with you to help you understand expectations, provide guidance and support when there is a concern, and empower you to develop critical life skills, like independence, accountability, self-advocacy and resiliency.

As you begin your classes and settle into a new routine, we are writing to share an overview of resources, services and pertinent policies. They are designed to promote a respectful, inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Barnes Center at The Arch

Did you know well-being is one of the strongest predictors of academic success? That’s why it is so important to familiarize yourself with the . As the hub for student wellness, the Barnes Center features programs, services and offerings that promote holistic health, thriving and well-being in one accessible, centralized space on campus. The health and wellness team is committed to providing high-quality, student-centered care. Our approach encompasses mind, body, spirit and community and includes such things as physical and mental health care, recreation and fitness, pet therapy, mindfulness offerings, peer health education, crisis response and so much more. Please visit the website to explore the full slate of activities, resources and services.

Student Conduct Code

The outlines the standards we expect all students to uphold. Please familiarize yourself with the code. Details outlining the investigation, formal conduct, resolution by agreement and appeal processes and sanction guidelines may be found in the . If you have a concern about an alleged violation of the code, you can reach Community Standards at 315.443.3728, via email at studentconduct@syr.edu or using the . Their office is located at 804 University Ave., Suite 106.

���ϲ����� Statement on Free Expression and Free Inquiry

In May 2024, ���ϲ����� adopted and endorsed the “,” following a process in which a working group of faculty, students and staff sought and gathered community input. The statement defines and affirms the University’s commitment to free expression and free inquiry. We urge you to review it carefully.

Important Policies to Review

In addition to the aforementioned Student Conduct Code, the University has several policies that provide clear, consistent guidance around space reservations, prohibited harassment of others, demonstrations and other activity on campus. We urge you to review the following policies and visit to learn about other existing policies.

Student Title IX Case Management

Students who have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment, sexual assault or intimate partner violence have . One of the options includes the Student Title IX Case Management team, which supports students through the reporting and investigation process when the alleged perpetrator of misconduct is a student. Students can reach Student Title IX Case Management at titleix@syr.edu or 315.443.0211. Their office is located at 005 Steele Hall. If you believe a staff or faculty member has violated the University’s policy on sexual harassment, sexual assault or intimate partner violence, you may contact Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services at equalopp@syr.edu or 315.443.4018.

Student Outreach and Support

Case managers in are available to assist students involved in University processes, including the conduct process and Title IX process, by providing supportive measures, explanations and follow-up services. They also support students navigating a personal difficulty or challenges through a variety of interventions, referrals and advocacy. Students can reach Student Outreach and Support at 315.443.4357 (HELP) or studentsupport@syr.edu. Their office is located at 111 Waverly Ave., Suite 220.

STOP Bias and Hate Initiative

The University has a robust reporting system designed to empower individuals to alert appropriate officials to incidents that may be motivated by bias targeting on individual’s or group’s protected characteristic(s). The outlines resources to report and receive support for such incidents. Review the webpage for the definition of bias, reporting processes, how the University responds to reports, aggregated data by semester, educational opportunities and support resources. You may also elect to report a bias-motivated incident directly to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) via the options on the .

Department of Public Safety

In addition to the resources outlined above, we also encourage you to review the outlining important safety and reporting resources offered through DPS. DPS team members are focused on maintaining a safe and secure place to live, learn and work. Visit to learn more.

Stay Connected Digitally

There is a wealth of online resources that can help you make the most of your time at ���ϲ�����. Download the for convenient access to campus systems and information, frequently visit SU News to stay up-to-date on what’s happening across the University and on your favorite social media platforms.

The first weeks of a new academic year can be challenging. Please know that your fellow students, our staff and faculty want you to be successful and are available to provide any assistance you may need. If you have any questions, concerns or need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the resources listed above.

Wishing you a great semester,

Dean Dixon

Sheriah N. Dixon
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

“I challenge these new campus public safety officers to go out into the community every day and build trust with the people they serve. Congratulations graduates,” said Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the Department of Public Safety, during the graduation ceremony.

The graduates joining the ���ϲ����� DPS are:

• Thomas Bingham
• Kit Diana
• Keyatta Green
• Teng Kiir
• Sean McCaffery
• Delana Thomas
• Barrington Wallace
• Liam Welling

2024 campus peace officer recruits with instructors and Deputy Chief Sardino and Chief Craig Stone. (Front row, left to right: Officer Dishaw, Sgt. Wheeler, Kit Diana, Teng Kiir, Delana Thomas and Liam Welling; back row, left to right: Officer Patsos, Thomas Bingham, Keyatta Green, Sean McCaffery, Barrington Wallace, Deputy Chief John Sardino and Associate Vice President and Chief Craig Stone)

“Today marks not just the end of a rigorous journey, but the beginning of a new chapter in each of the graduates’ lives. Over the last few months, they have acquired values and skills that will help them through every challenge,” said Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director. “I am proud of them and look forward to seeing them finish the program and be important assets to our team here at DPS.”

During the ceremony, in addition to the badge pinning and certificates being distributed, special honors were given to a couple of graduates. Liam Welling and Keyatta Green received performance-based awards, while Welling was also honored as the valedictorian of the class.

The newest DPS graduates will now begin their time as field training officers, working side by side with veteran DPS officers as they complete the required 480 hours of training before becoming fully qualified officers and officially completing the training program.

The University’s Department of Public Safety provides around-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

This year’s SummerStart cohort, which arrived on June 29, includes 121 students from all of the University’s schools and colleges. As participants in the program, the students will earn 7-9 credits toward their degree, learn about and access campus resources, make connections with faculty and classmates, and experience a sense of community, says Kal Srinivas, director of retention and student success. The initiative brings together various University departments, demonstrating the power of teamwork in fostering a supportive and enriching environment for incoming students, she says.

121 students participated in this year’s SummerStart program to receive an early acclimation to campus life. (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

“From the moment they step onto campus, SummerStart students are met with a comprehensive network of support designed to address both their academic and personal needs,” Srinivas says.

SummerStart students also benefit from tutoring services in math and writing and resources like the . They also participate in social activities like (DPS) game nights, ropes course challenges, a resource fair and other group activities. DPS also conducts safety workshops and the offers the initiative to cultivate a culture of compassion, connection and well-being.

First-year student Tae Callam arrived at ���ϲ����� from Cleveland. The biomedical engineering major in the says the SummerStart experience has already helped her acclimate to campus life and meet new people. And her coursework, particularly in writing, has helped her develop her language skills as a non-native English speaker, she says.

“I am so glad that I have this opportunity to participate in SummerStart,” Callam says. “Even in the first week of SummerStart, I have become familiar with the campus, got a head start on my academics and made friends. What more could anyone ask for?”

Srinivas emphasizes the collaborative nature of SummerStart, which also involves , , and other administrative units.

“SummerStart is not just a program; it is a testament to what can be achieved when an entire institution works together with a common goal,” she says. “By combining resources, expertise and a shared commitment to student success, ���ϲ����� has created a nurturing environment that prepares students for both academic and personal growth.”

The report,��, outlines its progress in three areas:

1. Review of appeals of dispositions of civilian complaints against DPS employees;
2. Review of DPS standard operating procedures (SOPs), trainings and key community-facing functions; and
3. CRB composition and overview.

“The board was heavily involved in reviewing standing operating procedures from DPS this year,” says Mary Kiernan, CRB chair. “Reviewing these policies brought out very insightful conversations amongst the board members and helped formulate thought-provoking recommendations to DPS.”

Some highlights of the CRB’s work during the 2023-24 academic year include:

• Reviewed and held a University forum to solicit input on proposed recommendations for SOPs, including:
  • Career development
  • Recruitment and selection
  • Training of non-sworn employees
• Reviewed and made recommendations regarding trauma and trauma-informed care training.
• Reviewed, researched and made policy recommendations regarding Body Worn Camera Policy after seeking community input during the open forum.

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in the spring of 2021 and consists of 11 members: three undergraduate students, one graduate student, one law student, two faculty members, two staff members and two administrators. To learn more or to connect with members of the CRB, visit����or email��CRB@syr.edu.

The ECC team is comprised of highly trained personnel adept at handling a wide range of situations with calmness and efficiency. Whether it’s handling emergency calls, coordinating with DPS officers or providing crucial information during critical incidents, these dispatchers are always ready to offer their support.

“The ECC is the problem-solving center of this campus. Whether it comes to lockouts, dead car batteries or something more serious, we can help or get a hold of the staff who can help solve the problem,” says Michael Wilson, public safety dispatcher. “We even assist our Orange family who study abroad in Florence and London!”

Their work is not just about answering calls; it’s about ensuring the safety and security of students, faculty and staff on campus. They operate 24/7, 365 days a year, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the campus community.

DPS Emergency Communications Center (Photo by Alex Haessig)

Mateo Tarrats, emergency communications center manager, believes the genuine care of the ECC staff is what makes them special, “Every single person that works on this staff is here because they care about the work they do. This is not an easy occupation. People gravitate towards this kind of work because they genuinely care about the well-being of others.”

The ability to manage tens of thousands of calls per year is not just a testament to their individual skills but also to their collective effort and dedication towards creating a safe and responsive campus environment.

“The most rewarding aspect is knowing every call you are going to be helping someone,” says Shannon Hogue, public safety dispatcher. “We go out of our way to find answers if we do not know them already.”

The ECC staff is always looking to help the campus community with the best service possible. NPSTW serves as a necessary reminder of all the work that happens behind the scenes. The DPS team is always available: Call us 24/7, 365 days a year at 315.443.2224. You can also reach us by dialing #78 (#SU) from your cell phone, dialing 711 from a campus landline or by utilizing the .

Student, faculty and staff input is very important to DPS. The survey has been open for over a week, and hundreds of surveys have been completed so far. But we would like to collect more responses to have a fuller understanding of campus experiences and concerns.����

It is a busy time in the semester, and we appreciate you taking a few minutes to respond. Please check your inbox for a DPS survey reminder email where you will find a direct link to the survey.��

The survey is open through Monday, April 22,��and takes approximately 5-15 minutes to complete depending on your personal experience. Responses are anonymized and collected in Qualtrics by Institutional Effectiveness; only aggregated data will be provided to DPS.��If you have any questions about the survey process or require a Word version of the survey, please contact iea@syr.edu.

DPS looks forward to learning how it can enhance efforts to provide a safe and welcoming community for all.����

Story by Laura Harrington, associate director for institutional effectiveness

The Department of Public Safety’s new substation at 101 Marshall Street will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, Mar. 29. (Photo by Ross Oscar Knight)

DPS will also be offering $20 food vouchers to the first 44 students who stop by the event and have the Orange Safe app downloaded.

“This new space allows DPS to enhance our coverage in an area that not only serves our campus community but also visitors and alumni,” says , DPS chief and associate vice president. “I am looking forward to greater engagement with our campus community and welcoming students, faculty and staff to our new space on Friday.”

The hours of operation through the end of the spring semester are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The substation will have extended hours of 10 a.m.-3 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and 6 p.m.-3 a.m. on Saturday. It will be closed on Sunday.

Last year, the University initiated the establishment of the substation at the corner of Marshall Street and South Crouse Avenue. With the Sheraton Hotel and 727 Crouse being converted into student housing, it was vital for DPS to increase its footprint in the area to provide a visible presence to serve the campus community.

Marshall Street is one of the highest-traffic areas surrounding campus, and in addition to the new student housing projects, there are numerous restaurants, bars and shops that bring many visitors and alumni to the area.

DPS provides round-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

Pictured from left to right in the front row are First Deputy Chief Richard Shoff of the ���ϲ����� Police Department, Donovan Green, Teng Kiir, Delana Thomas, Kit Diana and Thomas Bingham. Pictured from left to right in the back row are Sean McCaffery, Liam Welling, Keyatta Green, Barrington Wallace and Chief Craig Stone.

Nine new recruits were sworn into the ���ϲ����� Department of Public Safety (DPS) Campus Peace Officer Academy on March 21 by ���ϲ����� Police First Deputy Chief Richard Shoff. Collaborating with the ���ϲ����� Police Department on the swearing-in ceremony serves as an official welcome and endorsement of the joint law enforcement efforts in the University area, and to provide these campus peace officers with the authority to enforce New York State law and local ordinances upon completion of the academy.��

The recruits sworn into this academy class are:��

• Thomas Bingham��
• Kit Diana��
• Donovan Green��
• Keyatta Green��
• Teng Kiir��
• Sean McCaffery��
• Delana Thomas��
• Barrington Wallace��
• Liam Welling��

The nine individuals listed above are training to become ���ϲ����� campus peace officers. One additional recruit, Jay Kreis, is joining this peace officer academy and will be heading to Onondaga Community College upon completion.��

“We are excited to welcome this group of recruits and work with them over the next several months,” said Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director. This is now the eighth time that the Department of Public Safety has held its own peace officer academy.��

During the academy, these recruits will be subject to technical, physical, classroom and field-based tests. Upon successful completion of the academy, graduates progress to field training with their respective field training officers for an additional 12 to 14 weeks.��

Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the Department of Public Safety, addressed the friends and families of the recruits. “We are excited to welcome new members to our team and all of them have prior customer service experience. They will assist us in keeping the campus community safe and increasing community engagement with our students as we strive to obtain advanced CALEA accreditation,” he said.��

The University’s Department of Public Safety provides round-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty, and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.��

The CRB was created following an independent review of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in 2020-21. It is responsible for the following:

• reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct;
• reviewing and commenting on prospective new DPS policies, procedures and trainings;
• reviewing key community-facing functions of DPS; and
• issuing to the University community a public annual report of findings and recommendations.

Spring Open Forum

During their annual spring open forum on Tuesday, April 2, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Falk College, White Hall, room 335, or , members of the CRB will share the work being completed by the board based on their responsibilities listed above. Additionally, the forum will serve as a listening session where members of the campus community can share about their experiences or ask thoughtful questions related to DPS and policing on campus.

For those attending in person, Communications Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. To request additional accommodations, please contact crb@syr.edu.

Join the CRB

CRB membership is on a rotating schedule. Currently, the board is seeking to fill four seats with one undergraduate student, one graduate student, a staff member and an administrator.

For those interested in being considered, and submit it to the specific individual designated for your constituent group:

• Undergraduate Students: One undergraduate student will be selected by the Student Association (SA); please submit your application to Will Treloar, president of SA.
• Graduate Students: One graduate student will be selected by the Graduate Student Organization (GSO); please submit your application to Daniel J. Kimmel, president of GSO.
• Staff: A staff member will be selected by the Office of Human Resources; please submit your application to Andrew Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resource officer.
• Administrators: An administrator will be selected by Chancellor Kent Syverud; please submit your application to Souher Cosselman, director for strategic initiatives, Chancellor’s Office.

Are you considering becoming a member of the CRB? Wondering why you should apply for membership? SU News asked that question of La’Kesa Allen, staff member representative for the CRB and coordinator in the , Linda Baguma, undergraduate student representative on the CRB and student in the and Avva Boroujerdi, also an undergraduate representative and student in the . The representatives say they wanted to join the CRB to engage collaboratively with other University members and help make a difference. Baguma and Boroujerdi also wanted to represent student voices and bring those insights to these important issues/conversations.

Read more about their experiences and why they think you, too, should join the CRB:

CPA academy receives instruction from Sgt. Stephens.

On March 6, 33 members of the campus community graduated from the Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Community Police Academy (CPA). The 33 graduates are nearly double the 17 that graduated from the Fall 2023 CPA.

The CPA is a free four-week program designed to give students, faculty and staff an idea of what it is like to protect and serve the campus community. During their time in the program, participants learned from guest presenters, including certified instructors from DPS, ���ϲ����� Police and ���ϲ����� Ambulance.

Spring 2024 CPA graduates with DPS instructors

The CPA wrapped up with a ceremony where the graduates were presented with CPA graduation certificate from Craig Stone, DPS chief and associate vice president. “The CPA is vital in our efforts to engage with and build trust with our campus community,” says Stone. “We nearly doubled the number of graduates from our previous CPA. It is a testament to the hard work of our instructors for developing, obtaining feedback from graduates, and improving a program that continues to gain momentum within our community.”

Officer George Wazen, coordinator of the CPA, is thankful the campus community has embraced the program with such enthusiasm.

“To see the excitement around the CPA continue to grow each semester is inspiring for us as instructors. To have this forum to host members of our community and learn from each other is invaluable to us at DPS,” says Wazen. Finding ways to innovate and have an interactive curriculum is paramount. “Thanks to feedback from our graduates we are already evaluating how to evolve the program in the future,” he says.

Dates for the next CPA during the Fall 2024 semester are in the process of being finalized. To learn more about the program, visit and follow DPS on social media ) for updates.

In addition to email, text and voice messages, the Orange Alert test message will also be sent via push notification to the , to the main ���ϲ����� and DPS Facebook and X accounts, and will display on the University’s homepage and video monitors located in common areas in several buildings around campus.

The Orange Alert message will be sent to all ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) students and to SUNY ESF faculty and staff who have signed up. Orange Alert will send a notice to all devices that are registered on the system.

“As we do every semester, it is time for us to do a full-scale test of the Orange Alert System,” says William Karnadi, director of emergency management and business continuity planning. “Ahead of the test on Tuesday, please log into your MySlice account and verify that your contact information is up to date. This includes making sure that your cell phone is categorized as a mobile device so that you receive our text messages.”

To review and/or modify your Orange Alert contact information, go to MySlice, log in using your NetID and password, select Student Home or Employee Home depending on your primary affiliation with ���ϲ�����, select the Personal Profile tile, then “Orange Alert Contacts” from the navigation menu and review your information. If you need to add, update or delete contact information, select the “Add/Update/Delete Contact Details” link. If you are an ESF student, use the ESF emergency contact information page to update your information.

For additional information on the Orange Alert system, visit .

“The Community Police Academy has been a focal point of our community engagement efforts,” says Associate Vice President and DPS Chief Craig Stone. “The goal of the program is for the participants to leave with a better understanding of DPS policies and procedures while also gaining practical safety skills.”

The Fall 2023 Community Police Academy saw 17 members of the campus community graduate. Throughout the program, the participants took part in an expansive curriculum that included crime scene investigation, fire safety training, traffic control, CPR basics and defensive tactics for self-protection.

Fall 2023 CPA graduates along with Chief Stone and instructors from DPS (Photo courtesy of DPS)

“We have continued to evolve the curriculum of the Community Police Academy,” says Officer George Wazen, Community Police Academy Coordinator, “We hope to welcome another group that is excited to learn more about DPS and have fun while doing it.”

For the Spring 2024 semester, the program will run for four consecutive Wednesdays starting on Feb. 14, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Lyman Hall. Dinner will be provided all four weeks. To learn more and apply, visit .

Transportation

reduced campus shuttle schedules during the Thanksgiving break period. Safety escort services are available from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Nov. 18-26 via the .

For those looking for help reaching their destinations over the break, the University provides to ���ϲ����� Hancock International Airport and the Regional Transportation Center (for buses and trains). Buses will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, with pickup from Goldstein Student Center (South Campus), College Place and the Brewster/Boland/Brockway Complex. On Sunday, Nov. 26, buses will provide return transportation from the ���ϲ����� Airport/Regional Transportation Center from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The ���ϲ����� Airport anticipates increased travel volume for air travelers this holiday season. Please note the following to help support your departure for break. It’s encouraged to arrive two hours before departure (especially for departures from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m.).

Food Services

Many campus eateries will be closed or operate at limited hours over the break. To see the hours of operation for all locations, . Here are some options for where to eat on campus each day.

• Saturday, Nov. 18
  • Graham Dining Center, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Sadler Dining Center, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Shaw Dining Center, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 19
  • Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 20
  • Eggers Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Dunkin Donuts (Schine), 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Panda Express, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tomato Wheel (Schine), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 21
  • Eggers Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Dunkin Donuts (Schine), 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Panda Express, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tomato Wheel (Schine), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 22
  • Eggers Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Dunkin Donuts (Schine), 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Panda Express, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Tomato Wheel (Schine), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 23
  • Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 24
  • Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 25
  • Graham Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sadler Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 26
  • Brockway Dining Center, Ernie Davis Dining Center, Graham Dining Center, Sadler Dining Center, Goldstein Student Center Dining, all open standard hours
  • Dunkin Donuts (Schine), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • CoreLife Eatery, 1-7 p.m.
  • Halal Shack, 1-7 p.m.

Barnes Center at The Arch

Barnes Center at The Arch hours for health care, mental health, recreation and other facilities over Thanksgiving Break are available on the .

Reminder: Call 315.443.8000 for 24-Hour Support

Students experiencing a mental health crisis, seeking support for sexual assault or relationship violence, or needing urgent medical consultation can receive free confidential services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 315.443.8000. Routine consultations should hold until the next business day.

Libraries

The hours for ���ϲ����� Libraries facilities are as follows:

• Saturday, Nov. 18
  • Bird Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 19
  • Bird Library, noon-8 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 20
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • King + King Architecture Library, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 21
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • King + King Architecture Library, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 22
  • Bird Library, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 23-Friday, Nov. 24
  • No libraries open
• Saturday, Nov. 25
  • Bird Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 26
  • Bird Library 10 a.m.-midnight
  • Carnegie Library, noon-8 p.m.

Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety is available to the campus community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. The department can be reached at 315.443.2224 or by dialing 711 from any campus phone.

After a brief introduction of the CRB’s mission and representatives, Associate Vice President and Chief Craig Stone will present the Department of Public Safety (DPS) policies that are currently being reviewed by the CRB and invite attendees to comment on them. The forum will also serve as a listening session where members of the campus community can share about their experiences or ask thoughtful questions related to the DPS and policing on campus.

For those attending in person, light refreshments will be available and Communications Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. To request additional accommodations, please contact��crb@syr.edu.

“We are all responsible for the well-being of our community. The CRB is a vehicle that aids us in better understanding each other and how we must function as a community. I encourage people to take a look at participating and see a side of their community they may not otherwise engage with,” says , associate teaching professor of nutrition and food studies in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and new chair of the CRB.

Jordan S. Beasley ’24, a political science major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences, is serving as the co-chair of the CRB and encourages student participation in events like the open forums. “I joined the CRB to ensure student voices are heard and included in the policies and decisions that will ultimately affect the future of student life at ���ϲ�����,” says Beasley.

Getting to Know the New Co-Chairs

Kiernan and Beasley have succeeded the inaugural chair of the CRB, Brianna Sclafani L’23, G’23 who graduated this past May. Along with the other members of the CRB, they each bring their own unique perspective and are looking forward to what they can accomplish as their times as co-chairs.

Kiernan, as a faculty member and originally from a small town and in an environment very different than ���ϲ�����, hopes to be a strong member for all the communities of ���ϲ�����.

“Growing up, our chief of police knew us kids by name, and we knew him. There was rapport among neighbors. The saying ‘it takes a village’ is true to me. We are all in this world together and need to work on understanding more than just the lens we see through,” says Kiernan. “By being part of the CRB, I will see more than one side of an issue; looking holistically at things, whether they be a change in a regulation or a case, is important. I hope my participation strengthens what a community is representative of.”

She invites and encourages everyone in the community to participate in the CRB and see a side of the community that they may not engage with otherwise. “We are all responsible for the well-being of our community and the CRB is a vehicle that aids us in better understanding each other and how we must function as a community,” says Kiernan.

Through the lens of a student, Beasley hopes to make the CRB more transparent and accessible to the student body. “I believe that our board is vital to the shared governance that this University balances itself upon. My goal moving forward is to continue to impact the policies within our realm,” he says. “We are here to serve and we are an accessible body. We will strive to ensure that all the decisions we make and the policies we advocate will benefit everyone who steps through the gates of ���ϲ�����.” Beasley encourages everyone to reach out to him via email if would like to share their concerns.

History of the CRB

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in 2020-21. It is responsible for:

• reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct;
• reviewing and commenting on prospective new DPS policies, procedures and trainings;
• reviewing key community-facing functions of DPS; and
• issuing to the University community a public annual report of findings and recommendations.

CRB Membership

Current members serving on the CRB include the following:

• La’Kesa Allen, community standards coordinator, Office of Community Standards
• Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president of diversity and inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Linda Baguma, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jordan Beasley, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences (co-chair)
• Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, associate dean, Hendricks Chapel
• Mary Kiernan, associate teaching professor, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics (chair)
• Maria Pettolina, professor of practice, Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute
• Omnia Shedid, graduate student, College of Law
• William Simurra, graduate student, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

The CRB has also engaged two highly experienced consultants to advise on its work. Bethaida “Bea” González, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, is senior advisor to the CRB; and Melvin “Tony” Perez, former chief of public safety for Monroe Community College, serves as its expert law enforcement consultant.

Interested in joining the CRB? Currently, there are two openings for undergraduate and staff representation. For those interested in being considered,����and��submit it to the specific individual designated for your constituent group:

• Undergraduate students:��One undergraduate student will be selected by the Student Association (SA); please submit your application to��Will Treloar, president of SA.
• Staff:��A staff member will be selected by the Office of Human Resources; please submit your application to��Andrew Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resource officer.

For more information,����or contact the CRB directly by email to��CRB@syr.edu.

First, if you are not one of the 10,000 community members who have already done so, whether you live on or off campus, we highly recommend you download the . This app has something for everyone. Some of its most used features include:

• 

  Orange Safe App

  Easy Emergency Communications: Connect to 911 for off-campus emergencies or DPS in an on-campus emergency by calling or live chatting with DPS staff 24/7.

• On Campus BlueLight: While you are on campus, tap the button to simultaneously send your location to and call the DPS Emergency Communications Center.
• Safe Walk:��Send your location in real-time to a friend so they can watch you as you walk to your destination.
• Tip Reporting:��Prevent dangerous situations by submitting a tip—anonymously or associated with your profile—and have real-time chat interactions with a member of the DPS��dispatch team.
• Social Escape:��Get out of a tough social situation by receiving a call and giving you an excuse to leave.
• Quick Access to Support Resources: Access important phone numbers and websites for safety and wellness resources.

A common misconception about this app is that because it is a safety resource from DPS, it can track you. Please know, this is not the case and that your privacy is of the utmost importance. You can only be located if you have asked for help. Orange Safe’s location information is only enabled when you choose to make an emergency call or when you use the On Campus BlueLight feature.

Keeping Yourself Safe

There are simple steps you can take to keep yourself safe on and off campus. These can also be helpful when you are traveling to new places.

• 

  Students walking together across campus. (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

  Walk in groups of three or more, especially after dark.��If that’s not possible, use the campus bus system or the�� provided by Parking and Transportation Services.

• Pay attention to your surroundings and maintain your personal��space.��If a person moves inside your comfort zone, move away.
• Follow the rules of the road when walking across the street or bicycling/skateboarding near campus. Don’t forget to wear a helmet.
• , remember��SAMI:��Stop,��Ask,��Match,��Inform

Keeping Your Property Safe

Your personal items are important to you and some of those items may hold a significant value. It is important to do what you can to safeguard them, including the following:

• Always lock your windows and doors, even if you are only going to be away from your room/apartment/house for a short period of time.
• Keep your belongings with you.��Never leave cell phones, laptops, wallets or other valuables behind–it only takes a few seconds for someone to walk away with them.
• 

  Bicycle secured using a U-Bolt lock. (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

  Use a U-bolt locking device for your bicycle and��.

• Know two ways out! One of the most basic is knowing how to get out of wherever you may be.��Whether you are somewhere new or somewhere you are familiar with, locate and familiarize yourself with additional exits.
• Report any activity that may look suspicious. If something doesn’t look or feel right on campus call DPS (315.443.2224) or for off campus call 911.
  • What is considered suspicious activity:
    • Strangers entering your neighbor’s apartment
    • Strangers trying doors to see if they are locked
    • The sound of breaking glass or other loud noises
    • Persons carrying bolt cutters and tools—especially near bicycles
    • Persons running—especially if carrying something valuable (They could be leaving a crime scene.)

For additional information or questions about how to keep you and your belongings safe on and off campus, visit the .

In addition to email, text and voice messages, the Orange Alert test message will also be sent via push notification to the , to the main ���ϲ����� and DPS Facebook and Twitter accounts, and will display on the University’s homepage and video monitors located in common areas in several buildings around campus.

The Orange Alert message will be sent to all ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) students and to SUNY ESF faculty and staff who have signed up. Orange Alert will send a notice to all devices that are registered on the system.

“As we do every semester, it is time for us to do a full-scale test of the Orange Alert System,” says William Karnadi, director of emergency management and business continuity planning. “Ahead of the test on Wednesday, please go into your MySlice account and verify that your contact information is up to date. This includes making sure that your cell phone is categorized as a mobile device, so that you receive our text messages.”

To review and/or modify your Orange Alert contact information, go to MySlice, log in using your NetID and password, select Student Home or Employee Home, depending on your primary affiliation with ���ϲ�����, select the Personal Profile tile, then “Orange Alert Contacts” from the navigation menu and review your information. If you need to add, update or delete contact information, select the “Add/Update/Delete Contact Details” link. If you are an ESF student, use the ESF emergency contact information page to update your information.

For additional information on the Orange Alert system, visit .

Sergeant John Stephens of DPS helps a Youth Leadership Camp participant use the virtual reality headset.

Engaging with the campus community is a main priority for the ���ϲ����� Department of Public Safety (DPS); however, the desire to connect and have meaningful interactions extends well beyond the borders of campus. Throughout the summer, DPS collaborated with numerous partners to partake in two summer programs that brought local high school students to the ���ϲ����� campus to learn and work alongside the DPS team.

“���ϲ����� is a pillar in the local community,” says Associate Vice President and DPS Chief Craig Stone. “DPS has increased our community engagement on campus and the community at large. Our team enjoyed spending time with our youth and exposing them to opportunities at ���ϲ�����.”

Each program provided a unique experience to the local high school students who participated.

Summer Internship Program

DPS proudly took part in the University’s Summer Internship program hosted by the Office of Community Engagement in collaboration with the ���ϲ����� City School District Career and Technical Education program.

Two of the rising seniors partaking in the Summer Internship Program chat with new ���ϲ����� Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Adrian Autry.

Rising high school seniors participated in this six-week work opportunity that aligned them with their chosen learning pathway. Throughout the six weeks, the three student interns interacted with the entire Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services (CSEMS) team, rotating between different units.

Summer Internship Coordinator for DPS, Commander Michael Hartnett, was thrilled by the work of the interns, “The three young women that took part in our summer internship program were exceptional. They accomplished so much throughout the summer and helped our CSEMS team tackle various projects.”

The three interns were recognized at the end of the six weeks with a ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments alongside other interns who spent time with various other departments at the University.

Youth Leadership Camp

Our first annual Youth Leadership Camp ran throughout July. This was yet again another collaboration with the ���ϲ����� City School District and their Career and Technical Education program, which brought rising ninth graders to campus for four days. The students participated in an expansive curriculum, including learning sessions that focused on life, career and education skills. The group also got out of the classroom to tour campus, see the athletics facilities, use the esports gaming room, try virtual reality law enforcement scenarios and learn how to use a fire extinguisher.

“I am thankful for all of the instructors and other groups that we collaborated with on our first ever Youth Leadership Camp,” says Youth Leadership Camp Coordinator Sergeant John Stephens, “Above all, I am grateful to the group of students that spent the week with us; hopefully, they learned some new skills they can put to use as they begin high school.”

The Office of Community Engagement and Government Relations was also a key partner in making the Youth Leadership Camp a reality. DPS is already evaluating ways to expand and grow the program for next summer.

“I’m extremely proud of the initiatives our team at DPS took on this summer,” says Stone. “We will continue to find ways to engage with the community and craft programming that will make a positive impact in their development.”

Youth Leadership Camp and Summer Internship participants pose with certificates received from program instructors.

This committee, which originated in Fall 2018 with the idea of bringing students, DPS members and other campus community members together to focus on integrating public safety with quality-of-life matters, will provide feedback on safety and DPS intervention, among other topics.

Students selected as part of the committee will work with DPS and other staff members to develop solutions to further ensure the well-being of students on and off campus. The committee will be co-chaired for the second consecutive year by DPS Associate Vice President and Chief, Craig Stone and Karess Gillespie, assistant director in the Office of Student Living.

“I’m proud of the dialogue our committee had throughout last year. We strive to have a meaningful conversation that fosters a safe and welcoming campus community. I look forward to continuing that mission with some new faces joining our committee for this academic year,” shares Chief Stone.

Students, faculty and staff can nominate a student or students can also apply themselves. Nominations/applications should be sent to nomination@syr.edu with a statement detailing the student’s interest in the committee and why the student would be a valuable member of the group. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, Oct. 8; the committee’s membership will be announced the following week.

Championed by the University’s Disability Access and Inclusion Council, the goal of this process is to ensure that the unique needs of individuals living with temporary or permanent disabilities receive timely and relevant assistance from emergency responders in the event of a campuswide or building-specific evacuation.

Instructions:

1. Log in to MySlice.
2. Locate the “Personal Profile” tile from the Student Home or Employee Home page.
3. Select “Evacuation Assistance Request” from the menu.
4. Ensure your addresses are correct; if not follow the instructions on the page to update them in MySlice.
5. Indicate the “Assistance Type” needed. Options include but are not limited to the following:
   • Manual or Motorized Wheelchair
   • Blind/Low Vision
   • Deaf/Hard of Hearing
   • Fragile Medical Condition
   • Noise and/or Crowd Sensitivity
   • May Need to Be Woken Up
   • Service/Emotional Support Animal
6. Enter the expiration date for your request if it is limited to a specific period of time.

Completing this process provides the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and/or Fire and Life Safety Services with advance awareness of an individual’s needs should an emergency situation arise. Those teams will always check the anticipated location(s) of a community member who has completed the form during an evacuation. Immediate assistance (i.e., if you are in a different campus location during a campus emergency) can always be requested by calling 315.443.2224 or via the .

As a reminder: In an emergency, the fastest and most efficient way to receive help from first responders is to call 911 (when off campus) or DPS (when on campus) and advise them of your present circumstances.

Further information about . For further guidance on navigating to and updating your MySlice Personal Profile, .

Community Police Academy (CPA)

Spring 2023 CPA graduates along with Chief Stone and instructors from DPS.

DPS is proud to offer a CPA for our students, faculty and staff.�� The CPA is a free four-week program designed to give eligible community members an idea of what it’s like to protect and serve our campus community.

Each session consists of weekly classes at Lyman Hall (room 020) where participants will discuss DPS programs, policies, and procedures. The comprehensive instruction includes open discussion and scenario-based role-playing. Our third CPA will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• Wednesday, Oct. 4
• Wednesday, Oct. 11
• Wednesday, Oct. 18
• Wednesday, Oct. 25

Due to classroom size, space in this CPA is limited. To learn more and apply, visit the DPS website at .

Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Classes

R.A.D. participants with DPS instructors

The ���ϲ����� Department of Public Safety (DPS) is currently accepting sign-ups for its R.A.D. fall session. R.A.D., which stands for Rape Aggression Defense, is a nationally known self-defense program. This women-only self-defense course is being offered exclusively to ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff on the following dates:

• Sunday, Oct. 1
• Sunday, Oct. 8
• Sunday, Oct. 15
• Sunday, Oct. 22

“The R.A.D. self-defense program is a pillar of the various trainings that DPS offers to the campus community,” says Associate Vice President and DPS Chief Craig Stone. “R.A.D. courses are taught by our nationally certified instructors who cultivate a welcoming environment where safety and self-defense measures are at the forefront.”

All sessions will be held in the Skybarn on South Campus from 5 to 8 p.m.; attendance is required for all four sessions. To learn more and register, visit the DPS website at or contact Michael Patsos (mpatsos@syr.edu).

2023 Campus Peace Officer recruits with instructors (front row left to right: Matthew Patire, Pised Yoeun, Johnathon Wazen and Samantha Nagen; back row left to right: Alex Hitchcock, Ivan Cruz, Montague Kreis, Sgt. Adam Wheeler, Officer Patsos and Officer Dishaw)

Earlier today, families, friends and colleagues of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Campus Peace Officer Academy recruits gathered together to celebrate their graduation. The ceremony, held at Drumlins Country Club, was an opportunity to reflect on their accomplishments but also look forward to the journey that awaits them.

“I believe that an officer’s job is more than just a craft and a profession. It is a career and a calling. Throughout your career, you will have the opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives,” said Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the DPS, while addressing the friends and families of the recruits.

The graduates joining the ���ϲ����� DPS are:

• Montague Kreis
• Samantha Nagen
• Johnathon Wazen
• Pised Yoeun

The graduates joining the Ithaca College DPS are:

• Ivan Cruz
• Alex Hitchcock
• Matthew Patire

“Anytime we have held an academy, there is a sense of pride and accomplishment that you feel as it wraps up,” says Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director, “I’m proud of the growth that I saw from this group over the past several months.” This is now the seventh time that the Department of Public Safety has held its own peace officer academy.

During the ceremony, in addition to the badge pinning and certificates being distributed, special honors were given to a few of the graduates, including Montague Kreis and Johnathan Wazen, who received performance-based awards, while Matthew Patire was honored as the Valedictorian of the class.

The newest DPS graduates will now begin their time as field training officers, working side-by-side with veteran DPS officers as they complete the required 480 hours of training before becoming fully qualified officers and officially complete the training program.

The University’s Department of Public Safety provides round-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

Previous R.A.D. class with the instructors from DPS

The ���ϲ����� Department of Public Safety (DPS) is currently accepting sign-ups for its R.A.D. summer session. R.A.D., which stands for Rape Aggression Defense, is a nationally known self-defense program. This women-only self-defense course is being offered exclusively to ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff on the following dates:

• Sunday, June 18
• Sunday, June 25
• Sunday, July 9
• Sunday, July 16

“The R.A.D. self-defense program is a pillar of the various trainings that DPS offers to the campus community,” says Associate Vice President and DPS Chief Craig Stone. “R.A.D. courses are taught by our nationally certified instructors who cultivate a welcoming environment where safety and self-defense measures are at the forefront.”

All sessions will be held in the Skybarn on South Campus from 5 to 8 p.m. Faculty and staff have the option to attend with their daughters; please note that anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To learn more and register, visit the DPS website at or contact Michael Patsos at mpatsos@syr.edu.

Students in Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and staff from the Department of Public Safety teamed up for an Earth Day cleanup.

The (DPS) and partnered for an Earth Day cleanup on April 22, which brought together 10 DPS team members and 128 Greek members from 47 chapters to volunteer their time and effort to clean up the east neighborhood in ���ϲ�����. The cleanup covered Ostrom Pl., Ostrom Ave., Livingston Ave., Sumner Ave., Ackerman Ave, Lancaster Ave., Redfield Pl., Clarendon St., Maryland Ave. and Thornden Park. A full truckload of garbage was picked up and disposed of at Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s refuse facility.

The idea for the cleanup event stemmed from , and DPS led the coordination of locations and details. While it was the first time organizing such an event, the turnout and end result left a lasting impression on those involved and an excitement to continue this next year.

“I was immensely impressed with the turnout for the neighborhood cleanup. Over 100 students took time out of their Saturday morning to help make a positive difference for our campus community,” said Stone. “DPS is looking forward to continuing this initiative in the future.”

“Seeing our student volunteers and members of the DPS team work together was awe-inspiring and truly indicative of what it means to be part of the ���ϲ����� community.��This is the first of many Earth Day events sponsored by DPS and we look forward to partnering with Fraternity and Sorority Affairs going forward in regard to this most worthy cause,” added DPS Sergeant John A. Stephens.

Chapter members working together during Earth Day cleanup.

Shane Corridore, a junior in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and member of Sigma Alpha Mu, reflected, “The most meaningful part was just seeing how many people decided to be there and help out. The vibe was amazing, and everyone had a good time helping the community.”

“Service is a core value of the fraternity and sorority community, so when DPS approached us with this idea, we knew our chapter members would be eager to volunteer to make a difference in the local area,” said Tiffany Dennett, director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. “We expect this will become a staple of the many service projects our chapters support throughout the year.”

Story by Student Experience communications intern Wanshi Zhang ’23

The report,��, outlines its progress in three areas:

1. Review of appeals of dispositions of civilian complaints against DPS employees;
2. Review of DPS standard operating procedures (SOPs), trainings and key community-facing functions; and
3. CRB composition and overview.

“As I step down after graduation in the coming weeks, I know the work that the board has done over the last two years has been critical to ensure effective, transparent and equitable public safety,” says CRB chair and law student Brianna Sclafani. “Thank you to all those who engaged with us during my time in this role, and I encourage as many as possible to engage with the important work of the CRB going forward.”

Some highlights of the CRB’s work during the 2022-23 academic year include:

• Reviewed and held University forum to solicit input on proposed recommendations for SOPs, including:
  • Arrest, detention and transportation of arrestees
  • Exculpatory evidence
• Reviewed and made recommendations regarding Police Research Forum training aimed at defusing critical incidents.
• Held a hearing regarding Internal Affairs Complaint Appeal and made recommendations to the Chancellor.
• Proposed bylaw amendments to better align CRB board terms with the academic calendar.

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in Spring 2021 and consists of 11 members: three undergraduate students, one graduate student, one law student, two faculty members, two staff members and two administrators. To learn more or to connect with members of the CRB, visit����or email��CRB@syr.edu.

Spring 2023 CPA graduates along with Chief Stone and instructors from DPS.

On March 8, members of the campus community graduated from the community police academy (CPA). The CPA is a free four-week program designed to give students, faculty and staff an idea of what it is like to protect and serve the campus community. During their time, participants learned from guest presenters, including certified instructors from DPS, , and .

The CPA culminated in a graduation ceremony where the graduates were presented with “Stop the Bleed” and CPA graduation certificates from Craig Stone, DPS chief and associate vice president. “Building trust with our campus community is something that we are constantly focused on,” says Chief Stone. “The CPA has been a successful tool in helping strengthen the bonds with our community. I am grateful to both classes of the CPA that have graduated this academic year.”

Feedback from the CPA graduates about how the program was run was encouraging to see. Anne O’Connor, student support assistant in the School of Education, believes the CPA allowed her to have a better understanding of how DPS operates. “Now I know how things flow within DPS, especially in terms of jurisdiction and who can help me in what type of situation,” says O’Connor. “It also showed how many people are really involved to ensure the welfare and safety of every person on campus.”

Officer George Wazen, coordinator of the CPA, is encouraged by the growth he has seen with the program during its first year. “We are so fortunate that our campus community is enthusiastic about this initiative. We were able to increase our number of applicants and our number of graduates from our first CPA that was run in October,” says Wazen. Continuing to improve and expand the CPA is priority number one. “Our team is already hard at work with how we can continue to evolve the program for the future.,” he says.

O’Connor believes the CPA is not just for those who have an interest in law enforcement. “Even if you don’t necessarily have an interest in the police force, this program gave a lot more insight on how to be safe, and the right steps to take in case of any emergency on or off campus,” she says.

Dates for the next CPA during the Fall 2023 semester are in the process of being finalized. To learn more about the program, visit and follow DPS on social media ) for updates.

As I conclude my time as chair of the inaugural Community Review Board (CRB), I write to you today to invite members of our University community to apply to serve on the CRB. As the spring semester comes to a close, the CRB is seeking to fill six seats with one from each of the following categories:

• Undergraduate student
• Graduate student
• Law student
• Staff member
• Faculty member
• Administrator

What is the Community Review Board?

The CRB, which consists of 11 community members, reviews appeals of civilian complaints regarding Department of Public Safety (DPS) officer conduct, current and prospective DPS policies, procedures and trainings, and key community-facing functions of DPS. The CRB is also responsible for issuing an annual public report of findings and recommendations. The 2022-23 report will be shared with the campus community later this spring.

How can I apply to serve?

For those interested in being considered, and submit it to the specific individual designated for your constituent group:

• Undergraduate Students: One undergraduate student will be selected by the Student Association (SA); please submit your application to David Bruen, president of SA.
• Graduate Students: One graduate student will be selected by the Graduate Student Organization (GSO); please submit your application to Daniel J. Kimmel, acting president of GSO.
• Law Students: One law student will be selected by the Student Bar Association; please submit your application to Jessica R. Senzer, executive president of the Student Bar Association.
• Faculty: A faculty member will be selected by the University Senate; please submit your application to Dan Cutler, co-chair of the Senate Administrative Operations Committee.
• Staff: A staff member will be selected by the Office of Human Resources; please submit your application to Andrew Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resource officer.
• Administrators: An administrator will be selected by Chancellor Kent Syverud; please submit your application to Souher Cosselman, director for strategic initiatives, Chancellor’s Office.

When is my application due?

To be considered this year, please submit your application by Friday, March 31. Individuals selected to serve will be notified by Friday, April 14.

To learn more about the CRB, or contact the CRB directly by email to CRB@syr.edu.

Sincerely,

Brianna C. Sclafani
Chair, Community Review Board

After a brief introduction of the CRB’s mission and representatives, the open forum will serve as a listening session where members of the campus community can share about their experiences or ask thoughtful questions related to the Department of Public Safety and policing on campus.

For those attending in person, light refreshments will be available and Communications Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. To request additional accommodations, please contact��crb@syr.edu.

“These forums are invaluable for us to hear from as many campus constituents as possible to ensure we are serving in an inclusive and representative way. During previous sessions, attendees have offered thoughtful suggestions and asked insightful questions,” says Brianna Sclafani, the CRB chair who is also a law student in the College of Law and graduate student in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in 2020-21. It is responsible for:

• reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct;
• reviewing and commenting on prospective new DPS policies, procedures and trainings;
• reviewing key community-facing functions of DPS; and
• issuing to the University community a public annual report of findings and recommendations.

Current members serving on the CRB include:

• Yusuf S. Abdul-Qadir, graduate student, School of Information Studies
• Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president of diversity and inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Linda Baguma, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jordan Beasley, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Sam Castleberry, undergraduate recruiting specialist, College of Visual and Performing Arts (vice chair)
• Theresa A. Jenkins, academic advisor, Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Milton R. Laufer, director and associate professor, School of Music, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Adia Santos, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Brianna C. Sclafani, graduate student, College of Law (chair)
• Salatha Willis, associate athletic director diversity and inclusion, Student Athletic Development
• Corrinne B. Zoli, research faculty, Forensic Science Institute

The CRB has also engaged two highly experienced consultants to advise on its work. Bethaida “Bea” González, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, is senior advisor to the CRB; and Melvin “Tony” Perez, former chief of public safety for Monroe Community College, serves as its expert law enforcement consultant.

For more information,����or contact the CRB directly by email to��CRB@syr.edu.

Pictured from left to right are, Deputy Chief Richard Shoff of the ���ϲ����� Police Department, Montague Kreis, Dre Everson, Pised Yoeun, Johnathon Wazen, Samantha Nagen and Associate Vice President and Chief Craig Stone of the Department of Public Safety.

Five new recruits were sworn into the ���ϲ����� campus peace officer academy on Thursday, March 9, by ���ϲ����� Police Deputy Chief Richard Shoff. Collaborating with the ���ϲ����� Police Department on the swearing-in ceremony serves as an official welcome and endorsement of the joint law enforcement efforts in the University area, and to provide these campus peace officers with authority to enforce New York State law and local ordinances upon completion of the academy.

The recruits sworn into this academy class are:

• Dre Everson
• Montague Kreis
• Samantha Nagen
• Johnathon Wazen
• Pised Yoeun

The five individuals listed above are training to become ���ϲ����� campus peace officers. Three additional recruits are joining this peace officer academy and will be heading to Ithaca College upon completion.

“They will be tested throughout the next several months, but through hard work and dedication, they will become a part of something special,” said Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director. This is now the seventh time that the Department of Public Safety has held its own peace officer academy.

During the next several months, these recruits will be subject to technical, physical, classroom and field-based tests. Upon successful completion of the academy, graduates progress to field training with their respective field training officers for an additional 12 to 14 weeks.

Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the Department of Public Safety, addressed the friends and families of the recruits. “We are excited to welcome a group that wants to join our team and serve the campus community, we will support these recruits in every way we can,” he said.

The University’s Department of Public Safety provides round-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty, and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

Brianna Sclafani

As a student in the joint J.D./M.P.A. degree program, Brianna Sclafani L’23, G’23 doesn’t find herself with a lot of free time for extracurricular activities.

But when she found out about the University’s (CRB), an independent advisory council comprising students, faculty, staff and administrators that provides community oversight of the , she knew she wanted to serve her fellow students and the campus at large by getting involved in its work.

As the board got off the ground in fall 2021, Sclafani was nominated as the law student representative, then voted in by the board as its inaugural chair, playing a key leadership role during the first two years of the board’s operation.

The CRB is tasked with reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct; reviewing and commenting on any new prospective DPS policies, procedures and trainings; and issuing an annual public report of findings and recommendations to the University community.

“What the CRB is and what it really boils down to is an independent body focused on making sure that our community members feel like their voices are heard when it comes to dealing with the Department of Public Safety,” Sclafani says.

University community members can do just that with two upcoming opportunities to get involved:

• The CRB will host its annual open forum on March 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Underground in Schine Student Center. Board members will give a brief overview of the CRB and its work to date, then allow time for students, faculty and staff to share their experiences with DPS and ask thoughtful questions.
• Several board positions are vacant for the upcoming (2023-24) academic year. Students (undergraduate, graduate and law), faculty, staff and administrators interested in serving on the board can apply this spring. More information will be shared via email.

Check out episode 133 of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, where Sclafani discusses her experiences as a law and graduate student, her work with the CRB and how community members can get involved in this work. A transcript [PDF] is also available.

“I would recommend anyone who’s interested in serving their community at large apply,” Sclafani says, noting that no prior experience or interest in law enforcement, criminal justice or community policing is required. “All you need to have is an interest in serving your community, in serving the ���ϲ����� members who potentially come forth in front of this board unhappy with something that has happened.”

Those with questions about the CRB are invited to email CRB@syr.edu.

We write to you today to remind our community of important safety information. We do this in light of the violent tragedy at Michigan State University, where three promising young lives were cut short, and five other students were critically injured. This is a painful reminder that very few spaces, including college campuses, are immune to senseless acts of violence. On behalf of the entire Orange community, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Michigan State University community, and to all those who have been impacted by senseless violence in their schools, on their campuses and in their communities.

While tragedies such as these often come without warning, it is critical that students, faculty and staff are aware of safety resources and take steps to prepare in the rare event of an emergency on campus. We are writing to remind you of some of these key resources:

• We strongly urge you to download our safety app, . It allows for easy access to emergency contacts and is another way for our team to quickly communicate in times of crisis.
• In addition, you can stay informed through our notification system. It is important to update your contact information in MySlice for Orange Alert emergency notifications.
• In the event of an active shooter, please know our Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers are trained and prepared to immediately respond to stop the threat and save lives. In addition, DPS trains and works in conjunction with local, state and federal public safety agencies to respond collectively during emergencies. You can access additional resources in the “Active Threat” section of “Emergency Plans” in the Orange Safe app.
• DPS educates members of the campus community on the active shooter protocol known as “Run. Hide. Fight.” You can also access the DPS at any time.

We also know these events can cause feelings of concern and distress, and we want remind you that there are a variety of ways to receive support through the .

The safety and security of each member of our community is our top priority. We encourage you to review the safety and security procedures and preparation posted on the . If you are seeking additional information or support to help you or others prepare or respond in an emergency situation, please do not hesitate to .

Sincerely,

Allen W. Groves
Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer

Craig A. Stone
Associate Vice President and Chief
Department of Public Safety

In addition to email, text and voice messages, the Orange Alert test message will also be sent via push notification to the , to the main ���ϲ����� and DPS Facebook and Twitter accounts and will display on the University’s web properties and video monitors located in common areas in several buildings around campus.

The Orange Alert message will be sent to all ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) students and to SUNY ESF faculty and staff who have signed up. Orange Alert will send a notice to all devices registered on the system.

“As always we perform an Orange Alert test once per semester so that in the event of an emergency, you can anticipate how we will reach you,” says William Karnadi, director of emergency management and business continuity planning. “Before Thursday, please go into your MySlice account and verify that your contact information is up to date. This includes ensuring that your cell phone is categorized as a mobile device so that you receive our text messages.”

To review and/or modify your Orange Alert contact information, go to MySlice, log in using your NetID and password, select Student Home or Employee Home depending on your primary affiliation with ���ϲ�����, select the Personal Profile tile, then “Orange Alert Contacts” from the navigation menu and review your information. If you need to add, update or delete contact information, select the “Add/Update/Delete Contact Details” link. If you are an ESF student, use the ESF emergency contact information page to update your information.

For additional information on the Orange Alert system, visit .

The first is a revision to an existing policy designed to provide DPS guidance for arrests made in academic classrooms and settings, and the second is a new policy to ensure DPS compliance to disclose potential exculpatory and impeachment evidence in criminal cases. The full policy revision and recommendations are available online [PDF] for review.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m., the CRB will host a webinar titled “,” where representatives from the DPS and CRB will present the policies and revisions. Attendees will have an opportunity to submit questions during the session. Registration for the webinar is not required; .

“Even if you are unable to attend the webinar, we still want to hear the feedback you have regarding these two policies from DPS,” says Brianna Sclafani, the CRB chair who is also a law student in the College of Law and graduate student in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. “We encourage all students, faculty and staff to review the proposed policies and submit their feedback to the CRB by sending an email to CRB@syr.edu,” she added.

For more information,����or contact the CRB directly by email to CRB@syr.edu.

As Central New York begins to experience winter weather, we are writing to you today to provide you important information regarding how the University navigates and communicates about extreme weather conditions. We ask that you please review the enclosed information carefully.

In general, ���ϲ����� will remain open for business. However, we will always prioritize the safety and well-being of our community members when determining operating status. The University works with an independent weather service, Precision Weather Service, to inform our decisions about weather delays, closings or other operational changes. Input is also provided by Academic Affairs; Campus Facilities; Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services; and the Student Experience.

In the event of extreme weather and if a change in the University’s operating status becomes necessary, it will be announced via the University’s emergency broadcast notification system and will carry the notice SU WEATHER ALERT. To ensure you receive these messages, please confirm your Orange Alert settings are up to date in MySlice.

SU WEATHER ALERT information will be announced via the following communications channels:

• via Orange Safe;
• via campus email;
• via text message;
• via a “crawl” on campus TV monitors and University websites;
• on Twitter: , and ;
• on Facebook: , and ;
• on and ; and
• via ���ϲ����� public radio station and other local media outlets.

Only ���ϲ�����’s Division of Communications is authorized to transmit to the campus community and the news media announcements about closings, work-schedule changes or class-start delays.

Although ���ϲ����� rarely closes for inclement weather, individuals must make personal decisions based on a risk assessment related to travel. We encourage all employees to take precautions and use good judgment when traveling to/from work. Faculty and staff concerned about travel conditions should contact their department chair or supervisor, respectively.

For information on winter weather preparedness, visit the .

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Vice Chancellor and Provost

Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety

• reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct (after a formal complaint has been filed with DPS Internal Affairs);
• commenting on prospective new DPS policies, procedures and trainings;
• reviewing key community-facing functions of DPS; and
• issuing to the University community a public annual report of findings and recommendations.

The board was established in fall 2021 based on the recommendation of former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch following her independent review of DPS in early 2021, and spent much of its first year laying the groundwork for its operations.

As recommended by Lynch, the board is composed of 11 members: three undergraduate students, one graduate student, one law student, two faculty members, two staff members and two administrators. Current membership includes:

• Yusuf S. Abdul-Qadir, graduate student, School of Information Studies
• Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president of diversity and inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Linda Baguma, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jordan Beasley, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Sam Castleberry, undergraduate recruiting specialist, College of Visual and Performing Arts (vice chair)
• Theresa A. Jenkins, academic advisor, Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Milton R. Laufer, director and associate professor, School of Music, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Adia Santos, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Brianna C. Sclafani, graduate student, College of Law (chair)
• Salatha Willis, associate athletic director diversity and inclusion, Student Athletic Development
• Corrinne B. Zoli, research faculty, Forensic Science Institute

The board is also served by two advisors—Bethaida “Bea” González, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, as senior advisor and Melvin “Tony” Perez, former chief of public safety for Monroe Community College, as an expert law enforcement consultant.

“I decided to serve because it’s my duty as a community member,” says Salatha T. Willis Jr., one of the board’s newer members. “As employees on our campus, it is important that we are active participants in helping shape community standards for students and staff members on campus as well as the overall ���ϲ����� community.”

Earlier in the semester, the CRB heard its first case, and the board was recently asked to provide input on an updated DPS standard operating procedure related to the arrest, detention and transportation of arrestees.

“It’s exciting and rewarding to be fully operationalized as a board and moving into the meat of our work,” says Sclafani, who has chaired the board since its inception. “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our board members and any and all students, faculty and staff who need our services, and positively contributing to the experience of all members of our community.”

In early spring, the board will issue a call for applications for new members for the 2023-24 academic year. The CRB also plans to hold its annual open forum in March before spring break. The entire University community will be invited to ask questions, provide input and voice their experiences with DPS on campus.

To learn more or to connect with members of the CRB, or email CRB@syr.edu.

From left to right: Quartermaster Joseph Dishaw, Officer Kara Salce, Chief Craig Stone, Jay Gelb, Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves, Officer Charles Fiesinger

A generous donation made by a student’s family is helping strengthen the work of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to provide a safe and secure campus environment. The gift from Jay and Sandra Gelb, parents of College of Law students Matthew, Nicole and Robert, has allowed DPS to purchase two state-of-the-art electric bicycles, with a third expected to be purchased soon.

“Campus safety should be a priority. As parents we entrust that our most valuable asset—our children—is safeguarded while away from home,” says Jay Gelb. “It is so important to make sure that those protecting our loved ones have the best resources at their disposal.”

The motorized bicycles will help conserve officers’ energy during long shifts and can navigate terrain that may not have vehicle access. The new bikes will be used during various campus events, including concerts, graduation, move-in and athletics events, adding to the department’s fleet of bicycles. They will be vital for patrol and crowd management.

“This donation from the Gelb family will have a tremendous impact on our campus community,” says Craig Stone, DPS chief and associate vice president. “It will allow us to revamp our bicycle fleet for our officers, cover more ground and expand upon our community engagement.”

Allen Groves, senior vice president and chief student experience officer, is grateful to the Gelb family for the funding that will bolster policing across campus in different ways.

“We appreciate this demonstration of support by the Gelb family for our broader campus safety initiatives, and their trust in Chief Stone and DPS leadership to put these funds to their best use,” says Groves. “The motorized bicycles we’ve purchased with this generous gift will enhance our goal of true community policing and will also allow campus safety officers to respond in new ways.”

Stone and Groves presented the Gelbs with a custom plaque to commemorate the family’s investment in helping to create the safest campus possible. In addition, DPS has added decals to each of the bicycles highlighting the generosity of the Gelb family. ��

“A donation of this magnitude shows me how invested our ���ϲ����� families are in our shared goal of safety,” says Stone. “We will continue to use every resource at our disposal to enhance community safety. The Gelb family has allowed us to add important new tools in this effort.”

The Gelb family’s gift will aid DPS officers in the vital work they do every day for every campus community member. “Through this experience, I have found that DPS is staffed with professional and dedicated individuals. They do a great job, but I wanted to find out how we could assist them in doing even more,” says Gelb. “As parents and community members, it is important to ask how we can help, because our ultimate goal is that everyone at ���ϲ����� goes home safe every single day.”

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

About Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ�����

Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ����� is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit����to learn more.

Here is important information about the hours of operation for student services on campus during the Thanksgiving break period—Saturday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 27. The ’Cuse Trolley will also offer transportation services to students traveling over break. Read on to learn more!

Transportation

Parking and Transportation Services has announced reduced campus shuttle schedules during the Thanksgiving break period. .

Food Services

Many of the popular campus eateries will be closed or operate at limited hours over the break. To see the hours of operation for all locations, .

Here are some options where to eat each day:

Saturday, Nov. 19

• Graham Dining Center, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Sadler Dining Center, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Shaw Dining Center, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 20

• Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 21

• Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Dunkin Donuts (Schine), 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Panda Express, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

• Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Dunkin Donuts (Schine), 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Panda Express, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 23

• Life Sciences Café, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Dunkin Donuts (Schine), 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Panda Express, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 24

• Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 25

• Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26

• Graham Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Sadler Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Shaw Dining Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27

• Dunkin Donuts (Schine), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Halal Shack (Schine), 1-7 p.m.
• Skytop Marketplace (Goldstein), noon-8 p.m.
• CoreLife Eatery (Schine), 1-7 p.m.
• Dunkin Donuts (Goldstein), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Schine and Goldstein Student Centers

The Schine Student Center and Goldstein Student Center on South Campus will have .

Barnes Center at The Arch��

All Barnes Center at The Arch Thanksgiving Break hours are updated on the .

Recreation:

Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20

• Barnes Center: noon-6 p.m.
• Pool and Climbing Wall: closed
• Esports: noon-4 p.m.
• Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion: noon-6 p.m

Monday, Nov. 21, and Tuesday, Nov. 22

• Barnes Center: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Pool: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Climbing Wall: noon-4 p.m.
• Esports: noon-4 p.m.
• Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion: noon-8 p.m

Wednesday, Nov. 23

• Barnes Center: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Pool: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Climbing Wall: noon-4 p.m.
• Esports: noon-4 p.m.
• Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion: noon-6 p.m

Thursday, Nov. 24

• Barnes Center, Pool, Climbing Wall, Esports and Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion are all closed.

Friday, Nov. 25

• Barnes Center, Pool, Climbing Wall, Esports and Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion are all closed.

Saturday, Nov. 26

• Barnes Center: noon-6 p.m.
• Pool and Climbing Wall: closed
• Esports: noon-4 p.m.
• Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion: noon-6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27

• Barnes Center: noon-10 p.m.
• Pool: 4-8 p.m.
• Climbing Wall: 4-8 p.m.
• Esports: 4-8 p.m.
• Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion: noon-6 p.m.

Health Care, Pharmacy and Counseling:

Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20

• Closed

Monday, Nov. 21-Wednesday, Nov. 23

• 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Nov. 27

• Closed

Crowley Family MindSpa:

Nov. 18-27

• Closed

Walters Pet Therapy Room:

Nov. 17-28

• Closed

Reminder: Call 315.443.8000 for 24-Hour Support

Students experiencing a mental health crisis, seeking support for sexual assault or relationship violence, or needing urgent medical consultation can receive free confidential services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 315.443.8000. Routine consultations should hold until the next business day.

Libraries

Saturday, Nov. 19

• Bird Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 20

• Bird Library, noon-8 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 21

• Bird Library, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• King + King Architecture Library, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

• Bird Library, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• King + King Architecture Library, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 23

• Bird Library, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Carnegie Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Law Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 24-Friday, Nov. 25

• No libraries open

Saturday, Nov. 26

• Bird Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27

• Bird Library, reopens at 10 a.m.
• Carnegie Library, noon-8 p.m.

Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety is available to the campus community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. The department can be reached at 315.443.2224 or by dialing 711 from any campus phone. You can also download the for convenient tools to help keep you safe on campus.

Traveling for Thanksgiving Break?

For those looking for transportation, the to ���ϲ����� Hancock International Airport and the Regional Transportation Center (for buses and trains). The schedule is as follows for departing travel:

• Friday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Pick-up Location: College Place

Time: Every hour on the hour

Drop-off to Regional Transportation Center: 20 minutes past the hour

Drop-off to ���ϲ����� Airport (north terminal): 35-40 minutes past the hour

For return travel, pick-up at the airport and Regional Transportation Center, with drop-off at College Place, will be provided on Sunday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (also from the airport’s north terminal).

On Oct. 26, 18 members of the campus community graduated from the first Department of Public Safety (DPS) community police academy. The academy is a free four-week program designed to give students, faculty and staff an idea of what it is like to protect and serve the campus community. During their time, participants learned from guest presenters, including representatives from DPS, Fire and Life Safety Services, Residential Safety Program and ���ϲ����� Ambulance. The presentations included tours, lectures and hands-on practical trainings.

The academy culminated in a graduation ceremony where the graduates were presented a certificate of completion from Craig Stone, DPS chief and associate vice president. “Being able to share how DPS operates with our campus community is a vital part of transparency,” says Stone. “I am thankful for this first group of graduates. The connection to the community we serve is something we will continue to strengthen.”

Graduates felt they forged a connection with DPS and gained a deeper understanding of how the department functions. Erika Schneider, assistant professor in the Newhouse School of Public Communications, believes she now better understands how DPS operates. “The community police academy was a very positive experience. I appreciated the transparency that the DPS officers used while discussing their operations and procedures,” she says. “It was great to be a student again and learn from so many knowledgeable members of DPS.”

Officer George Wazen, who spearheaded organizing the academy, believes this endeavor is something that will continue to strengthen the relationship between DPS and the campus community. “The academy was about why DPS operates the way it does. Our emphasis on transparency will hopefully instill understanding and confidence amongst our campus community as we work towards bridging any gaps,” says Wazen. Seeing the graduates learn in real time is what proved to be most rewarding to Wazen. “Watching the participants’ reaction to our lectures and hands-on activities is truly priceless,” he says.

The goal for Wazen and DPS is for the academy to continue to grow moving forward. Schneider believes that the academy is something more members of the campus community should take part in. “I would highly recommend the community police academy to any student, faculty, or staff member. I would love to continue this training myself if it were to get extended,” she says.

As DPS celebrates its first class graduating, the department is already hard at work preparing for the next iteration of the CPA, slated for the Spring 2023 semester. To learn more about the program, visit and follow DPS on social media (@syracusedps) for updates.

Officer Jessica Zaccari (left) with Sgt. Welling and Officer Bennett

Officer Jessica Zaccari joined the Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a campus peace officer in 2018. Given Officer Zaccari’s background and with October being Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month��we thought it would be a perfect time to sit down with her and chat about what she does and the resources that are available to our campus community members who experience dating or domestic violence.

Back row, left to right: Officers Kevin Tucker, John Mazurowski, Steven Hutchison, Aiden Welling and Sgt. Adam Wheeler. Front row, left to right: Training Coordinator Michael Patsos, Officers Alison Gregor, Alexandria Payne, Daquann Smith and Gabrielle Morrissey

On Oct. 5, the eight recruits from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Peace Officer Academy celebrated their graduation with families, friends and colleagues. The ceremony, held at Drumlins Country Club, marked a milestone for these recruits as they complete the Campus Peace Officer Academy program.

“I had the opportunity to see first-hand what these young men and women went through as they completed their academy training,” says Craig Stone, DPS chief and associate vice president. “I am proud of them and look forward to seeing them finish the program and be important assets to our team here at DPS.”

The graduates are:

• Alison E. Gregor of Baldwinsville
• Steven M. Hutchison of Ithaca
• John Mazurowski of Utica
• Gabrielle D. Morrissey of Chittenango
• Alexandria M. Payne of ���ϲ�����
• Daquann J. Smith of ���ϲ�����
• Kevin J. Tucker of ���ϲ�����
• Aidan L. Welling of Fayetteville

Sgt. Jeremy Welling (left) and his son, Officer Aiden Welling

This class was very unique with the family ties that existed. This is the second time that DPS has had the son of a patrol sergeant attend and complete the academy. This time, Aidan Welling, son of Patrol Sergeant Jeremy Welling, will be joining patrol with his dad. “I couldn’t be more proud of Aidan, and am thrilled to have him join me here at DPS” says Sgt. Welling. “I also enjoyed being part of his training, but at the same time, as a father, I am obviously worried about him, given the nature of our profession, as any father would be.”

In speaking with Aidan about his time in the academy with his father, he says, “He often believed in me more than I believed in myself. I gained a whole new level of respect for him when going through the academy. I never knew what he did when he left for work each day before I started the academy, but being in the same work environment as him, and seeing how much work he puts in, how much knowledge he has, and how much he cares about the academy, and seeing each recruit succeed, was incredible to watch.”

Members of the Smith and Tucker families gather during the Campus Peace Officer Academy ceremony on Oct. 5. Cousins Daquann Smith and Kevin Tucker graduated together.

That family support system continued with Daquann Smith and Kevin Tucker, who are cousins. This is not the first time they have graduated together. The duo also graduated high school together and now their graduation from the Peace Officer Academy was another exciting milestone their families got to celebrate together. When asked about their experience in the academy together, they shared that while the academy had its ups and downs, the two stuck it out and made a pact that no matter what, they would not quit and that they would “make it happen” and that is exactly what these two young men did.

“Any time we have an academy—given the nature of the time the group spends together—our recruits and the instructions become a supportive family unit of sorts. With the family connections we had pre-established this year, this happened even faster than usual,” say Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director. “I am very proud of what this group accomplished together this year.”

During the ceremony, in addition to the badge pinning and certificated being distributed, special honors went to valedictorian, Steven M. Hutchison.

Officers Gregor, Mazurowski, Morrissey, Payne, Smith, Tucker and Welling have become the newest officers on the DPS staff. Officer Hutchison has begun his position at Ithaca College.

The newest DPS graduates have begun their time as field training officers, working side-by-side with veteran DPS officers as they complete the required 480 hours of training before becoming fully qualified officers and officially completing the training program.

Robert “Robbie” Robinson

Shortly after Robert “Robbie” Robinson became the University’s chief of public safety in October 1993, he had a “chance encounter” with James K. Duah-Agyeman, who was then the director of the Center for Academic Achievement in the Division of Student Support and Development. “I made it a point to introduce myself to him,” says Duah-Agyeman, who now serves as lead director, Intercultural Collective, and director, Multicultural Affairs. “As I began to do so, the chief chimed in and said, ‘I know who you are, James. It is my job to know those I serve and protect.’”

The memories of the former chief’s deep sense of public service came flooding back to Duah-Agyeman after learning of Robinson’s death earlier this year. Robert T. Robinson was 75 years old when he passed away April 8, 2022. Today, he’s being remembered for what he brought to ���ϲ����� when he was appointed to lead the Department of Public Safety in 1993 and what he left behind when he left the job nearly nine years later in January 2001.

“Robbie led by example,” says Keith A. Alford, who was an assistant professor of social work when he met Chief Robinson in 1996. Alford is now dean of University at Buffalo’s School of Social Work. “Robbie was fiercely dedicated to his role as chief of public safety. He was a hands-on leader and had a special ability to make sure that everyone he encountered felt uniquely valued—this included students, staff and faculty.”

It was that dedication to inclusion that Robinson brought with him to ���ϲ�����. He had previously served as chief of police at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. When he stepped down from his SMU post, The Daily Campus newspaper published a story (Aug. 31, 1993, Vol. 79, No. 2) quoting Robinson: “My goal and intention at the time that I took the position was to present a challenge to SMU. That was a challenge of diversity, of sensitivity—that the SMU police department would be inclusive within the community, as opposed to exclusive. When I came here, I was on a journey. Now, I’m taking this journey to ���ϲ�����, New York.”

Duah-Agyeman says that’s exactly what happened: “A dedicated servant leader and diversity change agent, Robbie was very committed to engaging his department in relevant trainings on diversity, equity and inclusion to raise the level of sensitivity and awareness of his staff on diversity related issues as they interacted with our students.” Duah-Ageyman recalls it was a difficult time and “there was a need for our students of color to see that they could relate to law enforcement.”

When Alford arrived on campus three years later, progress was underway. “I remember the public safety division being quite diverse, inclusive of women and people of color,” says Alford. “Robbie was well known for making sure his department had the proper training to engage a diverse campus and work well with diverse groups around campus. He met with campus leaders and student leaders, and he was good at sponsoring gatherings, just pulling folks together to engage in opportunities for dialogue. I remember attending several cultural festivals with Robbie front and center. It was important for someone of his stature to embrace multiculturalism.”

Robinson was born in Jefferson, Alabama. He joined the United States Air Force after graduating high school. Following the Air Force, he joined the Baltimore City Police Department and later became a Baltimore City Court Commissioner. He attended Baltimore City Community College where he received an associate’s degree; University of Baltimore for a bachelor of science degree in law enforcement and Coppin State University for a master’s degree in correctional education-administration.

According to a memorial tribute authored by family and friends, Robinson was the first black assistant director of public safety at Georgetown University Law School; the first black director of public safety at Goucher College in Baltimore; the first black director of public safety at Youngstown State University; and the first black director of public safety at SMU before coming to ���ϲ�����. Robinson ended his career at two historically black institutions as director of public safety at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, and the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C.

Robinson is survived by his wife Carol, two daughters, a son, three grandsons and extended family.

In addition to email, text and voice messages, the Orange Alert test message will also be sent via push notification to the newly launched , to the main ���ϲ����� and DPS Facebook and Twitter accounts, and will display on the University’s homepage and video monitors located in common areas in several buildings around campus.

The Orange Alert message will be sent to all ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) students and to SUNY ESF faculty and staff who have signed up. Orange Alert will send a notice to all devices that are registered on the system.

“We perform this test once a semester so that in the event of an emergency, you can anticipate how will reach you,” says William Karnadi, director of emergency management and business continuity planning. “Please use this test as an opportunity to go into your MySlice account and verify that your contact information is up to date before we conduct the test on Wednesday. This includes making sure that your cell phone is categorized as a mobile device, so that you receive our text messages.”

To review and/or modify your Orange Alert contact information, go to MySlice, log in using your NetID and password, select Student Home or Employee Home depending on your primary affiliation with ���ϲ�����, select the Personal Profile tile, then “Orange Alert Contacts” from the navigation menu and review your information. If you need to add, update or delete contact information, select the “Add/Update/Delete Contact Details” link. If you are an ESF student, use the ESF emergency contact information page to update your information.

For additional information on the Orange Alert system, .

Chief Craig Stone (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

What does it take to keep 21,000-plus students safe on a thriving residential campus in the heart of an urban area? We attempt to answer this question and others on the latest episode of “’Cuse Conversations” featuring Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Services Craig Stone. Chief Stone joined the team at ���ϲ����� this past spring and his team works 24/7/365 to protect our community and ensure the University is a safe place to live, learn and work.

This interview covers his new role and his background in campus safety and law enforcement; the priorities for his tenure as chief; ways the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is inviting community members to engage with it this fall; common misconceptions about DPS; and strategies for protecting yourself and your belongings on campus.

Check out the full podcast with Chief Stone. A transcript [PDF]��is also available.

Orange Safe offers the same features that users have grown accustomed to, including reporting tips, having a friend or family member watch them safely walk across campus, quickly connecting with DPS or 9-1-1 and important campus links and phone numbers, plus so much more!

��Why Orange Safe?

Rave Mobile Safety, the department’s vendor for critical communications, including Orange Alerts and Public Safety Notices, purchased AppArmor, the developer who assisted DPS in creating the Orange Safe app. “We wanted to get in on the ground floor of this merger,” says William Karnadi, director of emergency management and business continuity. Karnadi, who has experience working with AppArmor from his time at NYU says, “Partnering with AppAmor at ���ϲ����� allows us to provide customized safety resources and enhance our service delivery using the latest available technology for our campus community.”

Orange Safe does not require the user to create an account. To register, users will only need to login with their NetID and password.

What are the features available in the Orange Safe app?

• Easy Emergency Communications:��With a push of a button, you can directly connect to 9-1-1 for off-campus emergencies or DPS in an on-campus emergency.
• On Campus BlueLight: While you are on campus, tap the button to simultaneously send your location to and call the DPS Emergency Communications Center (ECC). The DPS ECC will receiving your location in real-time and talk to you on the phone.
• Safe Walk:��Send your location in real-time to a friend so they can watch you as you walk to your destination. They’ll watch you and can trigger a call to emergency services if necessary. It is as simple as sending a text message to a family or friend and they will be sent a link used to follow you. Once you reach your destination, you can simply disconnect.
• Tip Reporting:��Prevent dangerous situations by submitting a tip—anonymously or associated with your profile—and have real-time chat interactions with a member of the DPS��dispatch team. This way, dispatchers and police can get the information they need about suspicious behavior, unsafe situations, or crimes and you can be sure the issue is being reported without drawing attention from those around you. The app allows you to text suspicious activity to DPS, using photos or video.
• Social Escape:��Get out of a tough social situation by receiving a call and giving you an excuse to leave. It is as simple as entering your phone number in the app and setting how quickly you want to receive the phone call.
• Be Prepared with Emergency Plans:��Do you know what to do in the event of an emergency on campus? Be prepared by reviewing our emergency plans!
• Safety Toolbox:��This section includes links to important safety related resources as well as the “I’m OK!” feature which will send your location and a message indicating that you are okay to a recipient of your choosing.
• Push Notifications:��Orange Safe offers a seamless notification process in the event of an emergency. In extreme circumstances, phone lines may prevent some messages from going through quickly; Orange Safe’s push notifications allow you to get the message almost instantaneously, even if you don’t have cellular service, such as in the basement of a building. (Wi-Fi access would be necessary.)
• Quick Access to Support Resources:��Beyond being able to contact DPS or 911 with the touch of a button, you can also access important phone numbers and websites for safety and wellness resources—on campus and beyond.

��Will DPS be able to track users?

No. DPS does not have the ability to track or monitor the location of the app users. Any voluntary location-sharing can only be triggered by the user. In addition, it will only be available during that specific call or chat session and users will be made aware of this prior to joining the session.

“The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority at ���ϲ�����,” says DPS Chief Craig Stone. “The Orange Safe app allows each one of our campus members to be proactive about their safety and help keep themselves, as well as their friends and colleagues, safer. We encourage everyone to download and register with the Orange Safe app; it’s free and easy to use!”

Does the app work off-campus?

All incoming requests through the app will be addressed and triaged by the ECC regardless of location. If the request is within our , DPS will respond to it. If it is outside our jurisdiction, the dispatcher will connect them with the appropriate authority.

The Orange Safe app can be downloaded in the Apple or Google Play stores by searching for “Orange Safe.” You can also learn more at�� or on the DPS website at��.

AppArmor is a product of Rave Mobile Safety, the most trusted safety software partner, connecting millions to those they trust to protect them, by providing safety officials with innovative tools to prepare better, respond faster, and communicate more effectively during emergencies. Rave protects more than 1,200 colleges and universities across the U.S.

“I am thrilled to bring this program to ���ϲ�����,” says Associate Vice President and DPS Chief Craig Stone. “Our goal is to give our community members insight into the training and scenarios that our staff may face while protecting our campus community. My hope is that the participants realize that not only is this an opportunity to learn, but also to interact and engage with our staff, cultivating productive conversations and generating new ideas for collaborating.”

For the Fall 2022 semester, the program will run on the four consecutive Wednesdays in October from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Lyman Hall. The classes will include both classroom lecture and on-hands training. Dinner will be provided all four weeks. To learn more and apply, visit .

The report, , outlines its progress in three areas:

1. Review of appeals of dispositions of civilian complaints against DPS employees;
2. Review of DPS standard operating procedures (SOPs), trainings and key community-facing functions; and
3. CRB composition and overview.

“We would like to thank all of those who engage with and support our work to ensure effective, transparent and equitable public safety,” says CRB Chair and law student Brianna Sclafani. “The CRB looks forward to continuing to serve the entire University community in the next academic year.”

Some highlights of the CRB’s work in 2021-22 include:

• Creating a webpage, online form for appeal submissions and dedicated email account to liaise with the University community;
• Formalizing processes and procedures related to civilian complaints and developing a confidentiality and conflict of interest policy for all CRB members;
• Providing input on the new interview and selection process for new DPS Chief Craig Stone; and
• Hosting its Annual Forum in April, an opportunity for all members of the campus community to engage with the CRB and have their voices heard.

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in spring 2021 and consists of 11 members: three undergraduate students, one graduate student, one law student, two faculty members, two staff members and two administrators. To learn more or to connect with members of the CRB, visit or email CRB@syr.edu.

The recruits sworn into today’s academy class are:

• Alison Gregor of Baldwinsville
• John Mazurwoski of Utica
• Gabrielle Morrissey of Chittenango
• Alexandria Payne of ���ϲ�����
• Daquann Smith of ���ϲ�����
• Kevin Tucker of ���ϲ�����
• Aidan Welling of Fayetteville

Pictured in the back row, left to right, are Chief Joe Cecile of the ���ϲ����� Police Department, Steven Hutchinson, John Mazurwoski, Kevin Tucker, Aidan Welling, Alexandria Payne and Associate Vice President and Chief Craig Stone of the Department of Public Safety. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Alison Gregor, Daquann Smith and Gabrielle Morrissey.

The seven individuals listed above are training to become ���ϲ����� peace officers. The eighth recruit, Steven Hutchinson, is training to become a member of the public safety team at Ithaca College.�� He was sworn in by Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne on May 12.

Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the Department of Public Safety, addressed the families of the recruits. “Thank you for raising and mentoring them to this point. We can teach them what they need to know to do the job, but you taught them integrity, character and core values, which start at home,” he said.

Over the next 20 weeks, the academy challenges the recruits to technical, physical, classroom and field-based tests. Following successful completion of the academy, graduates will begin their field training with their respective field training officers for an additional 12 to 14 weeks.

“This is not just a job, you are starting your career here and along with that, you are joining a family,” said Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director. This is the sixth time that the Department of Public Safety has held its own campus peace officer academy.

The University’s����provides round-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty, and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

In addition to email, text and voice messages, the Orange Alert test message will also be sent via push notification to the��, the main ���ϲ����� and DPS Facebook and Twitter accounts and will display on the University’s homepage and video monitors located in common areas in several buildings around campus.

The Orange Alert message will be sent to all ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) students and SUNY ESF faculty and staff who have signed up. Orange Alert will send a notice to all devices that are registered on the system.

“In the event of an emergency, it is critical that we can reach you. Please use this test as an opportunity to go into your MySlice account and verify that your contact information is up to date. This includes making sure that your cell phone is categorized as a mobile device, so that you receive our text messages,” says William Karnadi, director of emergency management and business continuity planning.

To review and/or modify your Orange Alert contact information:

• Go to MySlice
• Log in using your NetID and password
• Select Student Home or Employee Home (depending on your primary affiliation with the University)
• Select the Personal Profile tile
• Select Orange Alert Contacts from the navigation menu and review your information
• If you need to add, update or delete contact information, select the Add/Update/Delete Contact Details link

SUNY ESF students can use the SUNY ESF emergency contact information page to update your information.

For additional information on the Orange Alert system, . With questions, contact dpsadmin@syr.edu.

This committee, which originated in Fall 2018 with the idea of bringing students, DPS members and other campus community members together to focus on integrating public safety with quality-of-life matters, will provide feedback on safety and DPS intervention, among other topics. Students selected as part of the committee will work with DPS and other staff members to develop solutions to further ensure the well-being of students on and off campus.

The committee will be co-chaired by DPS Associate Vice President and Chief Craig Stone. A student co-chair will be designated in the coming month. Additionally, DPS is in the process of identifying other community members who will serve as ad hoc committee members.

“Our goal is to create and maintain an environment where all students are safe, they feel safe, and they feel appreciated and welcome. I look forward to collaborating with this committee and finding ways for our department to continually evolve and improve,” shares Chief Stone.

Students, faculty and staff can nominate a student or students can also nominate themselves. Nominations should be sent to��nomination@syr.edu��with a statement detailing the student’s interest in the committee and why the student would be a valuable member of the group. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 29; the committee’s membership will be announced the following week.

I am writing today in my role as chair of the inaugural Community Review Board (CRB) to invite members of our campus community to apply to serve on the CRB. As the spring semester comes to a close, the CRB is seeking to fill six seats with two undergraduate students and one graduate student, staff member, faculty member and administrator.

What is the Community Review Board?

The CRB, which consists of 11 community members, reviews appeals of civilian complaints regarding Department of Public Safety (DPS) officer conduct, current and prospective DPS policies, procedures and trainings, and key community-facing functions of DPS. The CRB is also responsible for issuing an annual public report of findings and recommendations. The first report will be shared with the campus community later this spring.

How can I apply to serve?

For those interested in being considered, and submit it to the specific individual designated for your constituent group:

• Undergraduate Students: Undergraduate representation will be selected by the Student Association (SA); please submit your application to David Bruen, president of SA.
• Graduate Students: One graduate student will be selected by the Graduate Student Organization (GSO); please submit your application to Yousr Dhaouadi, president of GSO.
• Faculty: Faculty members will be selected by the University Senate; please submit your application to Dan Cutler, co-chair of the Senate Administrative Operations Committee.
• Staff: Staff will be selected by the Office of Human Resources; please submit your application to Andrew Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resource officer.
• Administrators: Administrators will be selected by Chancellor Kent Syverud; please submit your application to Megan Travis, director for strategic initiatives, Chancellor’s Office.

When is my application due?

To be considered this year, please submit your application by Monday, April 25. Individuals selected to serve will be notified by Friday, May 6.

To learn more about the CRB, or contact the CRB directly by email to CRB@syr.edu.

Sincerely,

Brianna C. Sclafani
Chair, Community Review Board

After a brief introduction of the CRB’s mission, representatives and progress to date, the open forum will serve as a listening session where members of the campus community can bring forth ideas, opinions, personal experiences and concerns related to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and policing on campus.

No RSVP is required; Communications Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. To request additional accommodations, please contact crb@syr.edu.

“As the CRB continues its important work, it is invaluable to hear from as many campus constituents as possible to ensure we are serving in an inclusive and representative way. This work is much bigger than the 11 of us who serve on the Community Review Board—for us to best meet the needs of the entire campus community, broad input is imperative,” says Brianna Sclafani, the CRB chair who is also a law student in the College of Law and graduate student in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in 2020-21. It is responsible for:

• reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct;
• reviewing and commenting on prospective new DPS policies, procedures and trainings;
• reviewing key community-facing functions of DPS; and
• issuing to the University community a public annual report of findings and recommendations.

Current members serving on the CRB include:

• Yusuf S. Abdul-Qadir, graduate student, School of Information Studies
• Guilherme Maurell Costa, senior associate vice president and deputy university secretary, Office of the Board of Trustees
• Liz Green, executive director, Online Student Success (vice-chair)
• Keith L. Henderson, chief compliance officer, Office of University Counsel
• Theresa A. Jenkins, academic advisor, Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Milton R. Laufer, director and associate professor, School of Music, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Hunter Stanley Luke, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Alexandra Zoey Pollack, undergraduate Student, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Adia Santos, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Brianna C. Sclafani, graduate student, College of Law (chair)
• Corrinne B. Zoli, research faculty, Forensic Science Institute

The CRB has also engaged two highly experienced consultants to advise on its work. Bethaida “Bea” González, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, is senior advisor to the CRB; and Melvin “Tony” Perez, former chief of public safety for Monroe Community College, serves as its expert law enforcement consultant.

For more information, or contact the CRB directly by email to CRB@syr.edu.

Craig Stone

Bringing extensive experience in public safety, campus security, community policing and emergency management to ���ϲ�����, Craig A. Stone has been appointed the new associate vice president and chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services. Stone most recently served as deputy director of the Department of Public Safety for the city of Columbus, Ohio. He begins his new role at ���ϲ����� on April 1, 2022.

The new position reports to Gwenn Judge, interim senior vice president and chief financial officer, and is responsible for Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services, including all administrative, operational and financial aspects of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Emergency Management, and Global Safety and Support.

“The search for this new position was comprehensive and attracted impressive candidates from across the nation,” says Judge. “Craig stood out in the field as a genuine leader, a bridge-builder and an innovator. I am eager to welcome him to the Orange community.”

Stone brings decades of experience to the role, with nearly 30 years as a police officer in Columbus, Ohio, including 13 years as a lieutenant in Homeland Security, Internal Affairs, Patrol and Staff Inspections, and prior service as chief of police for Cleveland State University, The Ohio State University (OSU) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“I am excited to join ���ϲ����� and work with the teams that are charged with advancing campus safety priorities,” says Stone. “I look forward to the kinds of transformative changes that will ensure a campus culture that is truly welcoming and offers a sense of safety and openness to diverse communities, thoughts and experiences.”

Allen Groves, senior vice president for the student experience and chief student experience officer, led the search committee supported by students, faculty and staff that recommended Stone.

“Craig impressed everyone with his depth of experience and his track record of collaborating with diverse constituencies to build trust and strengthen community relations,” says Groves. “Craig’s campus safety philosophy and his approach to community policing is responsive to and consistent with the evolving needs of students, faculty, staff and visitors. What impressed me the most was his commitment to openness, candor and collaboration. I have no doubt Craig will be an excellent addition to our community.”

In his most recent position in the city of Columbus, Stone helped develop a neighborhood violence prevention plan and worked with the Columbus City Council on legislation to improve the police hiring process. He helped expand community policing programs at OSU and, as OSU chief of police, implemented bike patrols and community police academies to build community trust.

Stone received a master of science in the administration of justice from the University of Louisville and a bachelor of business administration in organizational leadership from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He is a highly-sought-after presenter on issues ranging from risk management and crowd control to campus and community policing and high-risk drinking prevention, to diversifying police forces and biased-based profiling. Stone has also taught courses in criminal justice management and policing.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors��closes��the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together,��we’re��a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

Pictured, back row left to right, are Officer Mike Patsos, Officer Joel Mercer, Officer Shane Prue, Officer Anthony Zappala and Sgt. Adam Wheeler. Pictured, front row left to right, are Officer Levi Taylor, Officer Austin Blodgett, Officer Nadia Diaz and Officer Emily Swartwout. (Please note: masks were removed for this photo only. Public health protocols were being followed.)

On Friday, the ���ϲ����� Department of Public Safety (DPS) held the 2021 Campus Peace Officer Academy Graduation at Drumlins Country Club. Colleagues, friends and family members joined the graduates as they completed the program by receiving their diplomas from Adam Wheeler, sergeant and academy director. The graduates include:

• Austin Z. Blodgett
• Nadia R. Diaz
• Joel G. Mercer
• Shane F. Prue
• Emily E. Swartwout
• Levi G. Taylor
• Anthony R. Zappala

Zappala, the valedictorian, received special honors.

Blodgett, Diaz, Swartwout, Taylor and Zappala will become the newest officers on the DPS staff. Prue will begin his position at Onondaga Community College, and Mercer will join the New York State Inspector General’s Office.

The DPS graduates will now begin their time as field training officers, working side-by-side with veteran DPS officers as they complete their required 480 hours of training before becoming fully-qualified officers.

“We are proud of the work that the recruits have put in,” says Wheeler. “We look forward to the next phase of their training.”