free
WEDNESDAY
dec. 4, 2019 high 38°, low 31°
t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r a c u s e , n e w yor k |
N • Providing treatment
The Syracuse Veterans Court opened in June, offering rehabilitation to veterans who’ve committed non-violent offenses instead of prison time. Page 3
O • Local voices
Members of the SU community reflect on campus racism and the university’s response, debating who should be held accountable for the series of hate crimes. Page 5
dailyorange.com
P • Lifelong learner
Professor Johanna Keller founded the Goldring Arts Journalism program. She is retiring from teaching after 16 years, and plans to continue writing about the arts. Page 7
S • Trending down
Syracuse men’s basketball lost its third-straight game on Tuesday night against Iowa. Its 4-4 start is the worst since before Jim Boeheim took over the program. Page 12
crime
student association
4 bias incidents reported to DPS
SA to discuss health resources
By Sam Ogozalek
By Chris Hippensteel
Four bias-related incidents were reported at buildings across Syracuse University’s campus this semester prior to the discovery of racist vandalism at Day Hall, records show. The incidents occurred in August and October, according to the Department of Public Safety’s crime log. DPS did not issue campus-wide alerts regarding the four cases. The cases are also not referenced on the university’s new bias-related incidents webpage, which DPS Chief Bobby Maldonado announced had been created in a campus-wide email Saturday. The webpage only lists public safety messages that DPS sent amid the string of at least 16 racist, anti-Semitic and bias-related incidents reported at or near SU in November. Responding to a set of questions about the August and October incidents on Monday, an SU spokesperson released the following information: The first incident was reported to DPS on Aug. 30 around 9:50 p.m. A student allegedly used a “derogatory term” toward a group of black students at Schine Student Center. An Orange After Dark laser tag event was scheduled to be held at Goldstein Auditorium that evening, during the time of the incident. The respondent in the case was referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities on Sept. 2. The second incident was reported to DPS on Oct. 10 at about 11:30 p.m. Three students in Shaw Hall allegedly used a “derogatory term” toward black people in a broad, “general” way. Three respondents were referred to OSRR on Oct. 11 in regard to the incident. The third incident was reported to DPS on Oct. 23 at about 2 a.m. Two students allegedly used a “derogatory term” toward an Asian student in Brewster Hall. The two respondents in the case were referred to OSRR that same day. The fourth incident was reported to DPS on Oct. 25 just before 2 a.m. A roommate at Day Hall allegedly used a “derogatory term” toward an Asian roommate. A respondent was referred to OSRR that same day in regard to the incident. Some details in the four cases, including what derogatory terms were used, remain unknown. A university spokesperson said SU does not release the specifics of incidents reported to DPS, and the Jeanne
Student Association President Mackenzie Mertikas and Vice President Sameeha Saied will meet with representatives from the Barnes Center at The Arch to discuss health resources, the association leaders announced Tuesday. Mertikas and Saied originally planned to meet with Barnes Center representatives on Wednesday, but the meeting was postponed due to the Community Peace Vigil taking place at Hendricks Chapel on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting is now planned for early next week. At the association’s last meeting of the semester, Saied asked SA Assembly members about their concerns regarding health resources at Syracuse University. Student protesters spoke about their negative experiences with mental health and counseling resources during the #NotAgainSU protest, a movement led by black students. #NotAgainSU held an eight-day sit-in in response to racist graffiti found at a SU residence hall. The protesters presented Chancellor Kent Syverud with a list of demands, which included a call for more counselors representative of marginalized identities. Mertikas and Saied stated their support for the #NotAgainSU movement at Tuesday’s meeting and said they want SA to play a role in implementing the protesters’ demands. Syverud signed 16 of protesters’ 19 demands as written on Nov. 21 and suggested revisions to the remaining three. “That’s where we’re at right now, still waiting to see what our role is going to be with all the demands being carried out,” Mertikas said. “That’s something we want to be a part of.” Several Assembly members at Tuesday’s meeting shared their experiences at the Barnes Center and offered suggestions. One representative said she was concerned about the center denying drop-in medical appointments. Another Assembly member said a doctor exaggerated the severity of her chronic health condition. Mertikas will push for the hiring of more counselors to better meet the needs of students, she said. She would also like to integrate mental health counseling services into the first-year experience so more first-year students are aware of the university’s mental health resources.
special projects editor
see incidents page 4
staff writer
‘We’re not ready’ ELIJAH HUGHES scored a season-low 10 points in Syracuse men’s basketball’s 68-54 loss to Iowa, marking its worst start to a season since before Jim Boeheim became SU’s head coach. Tuesday night’s loss was the Orange’s third-straight defeat. elizabeth billman asst. photo editor
november hate crimes
SU harassment policy follows peers By Sarah Alessandrini staff writer
Syracuse University’s anti-harassment policy faced critique from #NotAgainSU protesters, who demanded revisions to the policy as the campus experienced an onslaught of at least 16 hate crimes and bias-related incidents. Chancellor Kent Syverud agreed to meet nearly all 19 demands of the black student-led movement as written, including the measure that urged university officials to revise or clarify its hate speech policy to clearly denounce the targeted use of hate speech.
The protesters occupied the Barnes Center at The Arch for eight days in response to the hate crimes and bias-related incidents, which targeted black, Asian, Jewish and indigenous people. SU’s policy on harassment resembles those of its 23 peer institutions, but each policy differs based on the institution’s own values. Here’s a look at how SU defines different forms of harassment compared to its peer institutions:
Defining harassment
SU defines harassment as unwelcome conduct or
see policies page 4
cjhippen@syr.edu