SOPA
hi
34 |
lo
THURSDAY
17
january 19, 2012
t h e i n de pe n de n t s t u de n t n e w spa pe r of s y r acuse , n e w yor k
INSIDENEWS
INSIDEOPINION
INSIDEPULP
INSIDESPORTS
Dangerously distracting A billboard created by art
The right choice Pop culture columnist Ariana
Melodious messages When strangers call, One Hello World creates a
Three’s company The 3-pointer, in its 25th season since being
students receives a complaint for being too racy. Page 7
Romero discusses the pros and cons of the People’s Choice Awards. Page 4
soundtrack to their stories. Page 11
adopted by the NCAA, has changed college basketball and elevated the excitement of March Madness. Page 24
Education student to return after expulsion By Rachael Barillari ASST. NEWS EDITOR
For Syracuse University graduate student Matthew Werenczak, being expelled from the School of Education was the last thing he expected. Werenczak was prepared to start his last semester of student teaching in September 2011 when he was notified of his expulsion from the school for a complaint he made on
CHANCELLOR NANCY CANTOR listens to the proposed resolution, which created a committee to monitor the administration’s policies and procedures during future investigations at the university.
univ ersit y senat e
Committee to review investigations By Kathleen Ronayne DEVELOPMENT EDITOR
A committee to review internal investigations by the administration in light of alleged misconduct will take shape this semester, as per a resolution passed at Wednesday’s University Senate meeting. “The purpose of this resolution is to say OK, let’s get somebody outside of the administration, look at how you do things, and maybe make recom-
mendations that would improve it,” said Craig Dudczak, co-author of the resolution. Dudczak, associate professor of communication and rhetorical studies, and Pat Cihon, associate professor of law and public policy, introduced the resolution, which was developed in response to the university’s handling of the Bernie Fine investigation and previous internal investigations involving alleged misconduct. A
40-minute discussion followed, focusing on who will sit on the committee, what practices and procedures are subject to review, and the specificity of the resolution. Several senate members expressed concern at the level of detachment between the administration and the nominating committee. The scope of the committee is to determine whether university policies include the following things:
his personal Facebook page. He was readmitted into the program Wednesday after nearly five months of absence. While working as a student teacher at Danforth Middle School, Werenczak and a colleague, both white, overheard a comment made by a black member of the city’s Concerned Citizens Action Program in
SEE EXPULSION PAGE 8
Authorities yet to enforce Miner’s eviction deadline By Stephanie Bouvia and Marwa Eltagouri ASST. NEWS EDITORS
Twenty-four hours after being told they must vacate Perseverance Park, the Occupy Syracuse members were still camped out and rallying for their cause. Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner told the occupiers Tuesday at 8 a.m. they had to leave the premises within 24 hours because they violated city fire codes by having propane tanks, space heaters and
other electrical devices. At 7:30 a.m., on the movement’s 109th day, a crowd of more than 50 people stood along the sidewalk in 20-degree temperatures, bundled in hats, gloves, coats and scarves, to chant and sing songs such as “Lean on Me.” Several protestors displayed large cardboard signs with phrases such as “Just a ‘Miner’ setback” and “If nothing changes, nothing changes” written in permanent marker.
SEE OCCUPY PAGE 7
SEE USEN PAGE 6
Bernie Fine case inspires local town hall meeting By David Propper STAFF WRITER
Dan Leonard doesn’t worry about what other people think of him. For the male sex abuse survivor, it’s important to put a name and face to sexual abuse. “The reason I do speak is to get people talking, to get this on people’s minds so that people will stop being
silent bystanders,” Leonard said. “When I was abused, there were plenty of people that knew this guy wasn’t right. That he liked little boys. There were rumors around town but nobody did anything about it.” Prevention of sexual abuse is the purpose of Leonard’s activism because he does not want it to con-
SEE MCMAHON/RYAN PAGE 7
MCMAHON/RYAN TOWN HALL MEETING What: Citizens meet to discuss abuse in youth athletics Where: Onondaga Community College When: Thursday How much: Free
andrew renneisen | staff photographer JESS HARTZ embraces fellow Occupy member after anticipated authorities failed to show up to remove the campers at 8 a.m.