Syracuse Tightens Security Over Bias Incidents

SYRACUSE, NY — Syracuse University has added extra security as bias incidents continue to occur on campus. Incidents of racial bigotry, including graffiti found repeatedly in dorms and academic buildings targeting black, Asian and Jewish students, led to protests. This past weekend, six possible bias incidents were reported and all fraternity social activities were suspended after a female student reported being harassed by frat members and their guests.

On Tuesday, the college's Department of Public Safety doubled patrols, stationed campus police cars around campus, and added more dedicated walking patrols.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo sparred with the college's Board of Trustees and the city's police chief in statements and press conferences Cuomo said he didn't think Chancellor Kent Syverud was handling the matter properly, and the board shot back to reaffirm its support for the chancellor.

"The hateful activities at Syracuse University are most disturbing, not only to the Syracuse University community, but to the greater community of New York," Cuomo said Tuesday. "I believe the Board of Trustees of Syracuse University should immediately bring in an experienced monitor with the relevant expertise to effectively investigate these incidents, clearly communicate the facts with the Board and to the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force and recommend a decisive strategy to address both the specific incidents and behavior. In the meantime, I am directing the Task Force to expand their previous investigations to include the recent reports of a white supremacist 'manifesto' being digitally disseminated to Syracuse University students."

"This is a deeply painful and unsettling time for our students and our whole Orange community," the head of the board, Kathy Walters, said in a statement backing Syverud. "We have been attacked – from inside our home and from the outside world."

On Sunday, the chancellor gave an update in a Facebook video. On Tuesday, the university detailed its responses to the incidents on the school's website and on Facebook.

The police chief of the city of Syracuse, Kenton Buckner, also backed the chancellor. In a press conference Tuesday.

"It's very easy to be on the outside looking in giving instructions on how to wrassle an octopus," he said. "But you don't fix something like this overnight. The kids up there protesting is not the result of 'a' incident."

However, Buckner didn't make light of the turmoil, specially the white supremacist document posted Monday night. The document appeared to be copied from the 'Christchurch' manifesto by the man accused of shooting up two mosques in New Zealand, killing 51. "It’s a very disturbing document,” he said at the press conference.

Meanwhile, parents are wondering what the heck is going on.

One of them is State Sen. Peter Harckham, whose 40th District includes parts of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. Syracuse is a popular college destination for Hudson Valley students.

"I find the recent incidents of hate speech, racial taunting and threats of violence on the Syracuse campus frightening and wholly despicable," said Harckham, the father of an undergraduate there.

Harckham's daughter reports students are scared and not going to class.

He called on the school to begin diversity, sensitivity, and inclusivity training for all students, faculty and staff immediately, form an advisory group of students based on the demands of students now protesting the college’s inaction and conduct a self-examination through a series of direct discussions, panels and forums.

Alumni too have watched with increasing dismay.

College officials have scheduled a Community Forum—Safety and Student Concerns for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. The forum will be held in Hendricks Chapel.