DPS News

Bias Incident Reporting, Communication, Resources and Services

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As we reach the midpoint of the Spring 2023 semester, we want to remind our community of the processes we follow as it relates to bias incident reporting, how we communicate and the resources and services available to support individuals impacted by bias.

Recent Bias Incident

This reminder is especially timely as late last week, a bias complaint was reported to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) after homophobic/anti-LGBTQ+ language was found in Watson Hall. Under the standard bias incident reporting protocol, incidents reported directly to DPS and that implicate possible criminal acts are published on the DPS Bias Incident Reports webpage within 48 hours. However, as noted on this webpage, DPS has discretion to refrain from publicly posting if posting would potentially impede or jeopardize an active investigation. The Watson Hall incident is an example of why we have this exception in place. While we cannot provide specific details on the investigation, DPS is aggressively following a lead that has resulted in a person of interest being interviewed. More information on this incident is posted on the Bias Incidents Reports webpage.

We recognize that when bias incidents occur, our community members want information quickly. Since our goal in these moments is identifying individuals responsible and holding them accountable, there are occasions where we will need to delay sharing information in order to conduct a swift and successful investigation. Our priority will always be providing care and support to anyone affected by bias behavior and conduct and connecting impacted individuals to resources and services.

Communications Processes

Included below is a summary explaining how and why DPS uses emergency notification and public safety messages. This includes how, when and via what channels we issue safety communications. Regardless of the incident or situation, we will always prioritize the safety of our campus community.

When we issue broad communications:

  • When there is an active or imminent threat of physical danger to the campus community.
  • When there is an active crime scene on or immediately adjacent to the campus and we need community members to avoid the area.
  • When a perpetrator is at large on or immediately adjacent to the campus and we need the community’s help locating the individual.

When we will not issue broad communications:

  • When initial investigation into an incident indicates there is no continuing threat.
  • When another law enforcement agency has jurisdiction or is the lead investigator on an active case, and we have been directed not to issue a notice. That agency may communicate to the broader public and direct us to inform our community.
  • When communicating broadly will impede or jeopardize an active investigation. Please note: Although it is our intention to communicate in a timely manner, we will always prioritize maintaining the integrity of an investigation, especially when we are following active leads.
  • Bias incidents are not emailed campuswide; instead, they are posted on the Bis Incident Reports web page. Individuals can subscribe to receive these reports by visiting the DPS Bias Incident Reports web page and submitting your email address where it reads “Subscribe to Reports.”

Reporting a Crime or Bias Incident

To report a crime or bias incident to DPS, please call us immediately at 315.443.2224, toll-free at 855.443.2224, by dialing 711 from a campus landline or via the Emergency Contacts button on the Orange Safe app. If you would like to anonymously report non-emergency information to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

We understand that not everyone is comfortable reporting a bias incident to law enforcement. Instead, you can report it via the STOP Bias and Hate website. Please note: only bias incidents reported to DPS are posted on the Bias Incident Reports web page. We are, however, currently working with campus stakeholders to determine the best method for providing information about incidents that are reported through STOP Bias and Hate. Often, individuals reporting through STOP Bias and Hate will elect to remain confidential or request their submission be handled without law enforcement. Also, not all bias incidents involve potential criminal activity, and are thus handled through the Office of Community Standards or other University offices.

Bias Resources and Services

The following offices/spaces on campus are available to provide support to those who may have experienced or been impacted by a bias-related incident on or off campus:

As a learning community, we are constantly striving to create an environment where every member is and feels welcome, respected and valued. We will continue to take action to educate and prevent bias motivated behavior and respond to incidents in a way that prioritizes the safety and well-being of our campus community.

Sincerely,

Allen Groves, Chief Student Experience Officer
Sheriah Dixon, Dean of Students
Craig Stone, Chief, Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services

Important Safety Resources

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

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, Orange Safe. 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 Orange Alert 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 “Run. Hide. Fight.” video online 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 Student Experience Division.

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 DPS website. 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 contact the Department of Public Safety.

Sincerely,

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

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

January 2023 Updates From the Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is thrilled to have community members back on campus and we look forward to helping facilitate a happy, healthy and safe spring semester. In today’s message, I will address the following topics:

  • Orange Alert Test
  • Community Police Academy
  • DPS Game Nights
  • Updates From CSEMS
  • Winter Weather Preparedness
  • Monthly Bias Update

Orange Alert Test

DPS will conduct a test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 12:25 p.m. ET. It will be a full test of the system which includes notifications sent via email, text message and voice call. The test will also include the Orange Alert outdoor siren system on North and South Campus. The sirens will be activated for two minutes at 12:25 p.m.

To review/modify your contact information in anticipation of this Orange Alert test, visit our website for guidance.

Community Police Academy

It is not too late to submit applications for our Community Police Academy. This is a free four-week program designed to give eligible students, faculty and staff an idea of what it’s like to protect and serve our campus community.

For the spring semester, classes will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Lyman Hall on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 15
  • Wednesday, Feb. 22
  • Wednesday, Mar. 1
  • Wednesday, Mar. 8

To learn more and apply, visit dps.syr.edu.

DPS Game Nights

Our DPS team is excited to have a full slate of DPS Game Nights scheduled for the spring semester. As always, we will have a PlayStation 5 and Oculus Quest available for use. Anyone interested in attending can join us this Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Schine Student Center, from 5 to 8 p.m.

We always welcome your suggestions for other events we can host that allow our officers and our community to get to know each other better. Be sure to follow us on social media for more information on future game nights and other DPS events: @SyracuseDPS.

Updates From Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services (CSEMS)

Our CSEMS team has been hard at work since the end of the fall semester. I would like to update you all on some of the recent news from within the department:

Impact Of Implicit Bias on Customer Service Training

CSEMS personnel recently completed customer service training, so we can better serve our campus community. This training, put together by Professional Consulting Associates, was designed to highlight the strengths of our agency, and to objectively address any obvious or subtle issue related to the impact of implicit bias on customer service.

Our CSEMS team was able to learn and grow from this experience. Our residential community safety officers will complete this training following the semester, which will mark the training being completed by all CSEMS personnel. I’m looking forward to seeing how it impacts the service we provide moving forward.

Employees of the Month—January 2023

I am pleased to share that Officers Kara Salce and Chuck Fiesinger have been selected as the January 2023 Employees of the Month! The two officers went above and beyond navigating a case that resulted in the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrator.

Officer Salce created a safe environment and established a crucial line of honest communication with the victims. Those efforts allowed the victims to feel comfortable enough to share what they had experienced. At the same time, Officer Fiesinger was instrumental in securing a crucial admission from the perpetrator during transport. Congratulations to them both!

Winter Weather Preparedness

Even though we have mostly avoided major winter weather so far, I want to stress the importance of being prepared for it. I urge you to review our 2022-23 winter weather preparedness message. It is helpful to know how the University makes decisions during severe winter weather and how you can best stay informed. For winter weather forecasts and resources, visit the National Weather Service website.

Monthly Bias Update

There are no new updates to share. As a reminder, if we do have additional updates, we will update the chart on our website and share any developments in this monthly email.

It is also never too late to come forward with information. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.

I wish you all a safe and productive semester.

Sincerely,

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

Department of Public Safety to Conduct a Test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System on Thursday, Feb. 9

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will conduct a test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 12:25 p.m. It will be a full test of the system which includes notifications sent via email, text message and voice call. The test will also include the Orange Alert outdoor siren system on the University’s North and South campuses. The sirens will be activated for two minutes beginning at 12:25 p.m.

In addition to email, text and voice messages, the Orange Alert test message will also be sent via push notification to the Orange Safe app, to the main Syracuse University 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 Syracuse University 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 Syracuse University, 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 DPS website.

Spring 2023: Important Campus Safety Communications

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

For those joining our community for the first time this semester, welcome! And to those returning students, faculty and staff, welcome back! As everyone settles in for the start of a new semester, I would like to take this opportunity to review the processes and protocols that guide when and how the Department of Public Safety (DPS) communicates about safety matters.

Communications Processes

The summary below explains how and why DPS uses emergency notification and public safety messages. This includes how, when and via what channels we issue safety communications. Regardless of the incident or situation, we will always prioritize the safety of our campus community.

When we issue broad communications:

  • When there is an active or imminent threat of physical danger to the campus community.
  • When there is an active crime scene on or immediately adjacent to the campus and we need community members to avoid the area.
  • When a perpetrator is at large on or immediately adjacent to the campus and we need the community’s help locating the individual.

When we will not issue broad communications:

  • When initial investigation into an incident indicates there is no continuing threat.
  • When another law enforcement agency has jurisdiction or is the lead investigator on an active case, and we have been directed not to issue a notice. That agency may communicate to the broader public and direct us to inform our community.
  • When communicating broadly will impede or jeopardize an active investigation. Please note: Although it is our intention to communicate in a timely manner, we will always prioritize maintaining the integrity of an investigation, especially when we are following active leads.

Reporting a Crime or Bias Incident

To report an incident to DPS, please call us immediately at 315.443.2224, toll-free at 855.443.2224, by dialing 711 from a campus landline or via the Emergency Contacts button on the Orange Safe app. If you would like to anonymously report non-emergency information to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

To report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.

Bias Incidents

In 2020, we introduced a Bias Incident Reports webpage where we aggregate bias-related incidents. Bias-related incidents are posted to this page within 48 hours, unless posting will impede or jeopardize an active investigation. This protocol has been developed in partnership with the Syracuse Police Department, New York State Police, the FBI and district attorney’s office and is aligned with best practices of peer universities.

Public Safety Messages (Timely Warnings)

Public safety messages are distributed via email and posted on the DPS website and on DPS social media accounts. There are three types of messages:

  1. Public Safety Notice designates a timely warning related to an ongoing concern for violence.
  2. Public Safety Information designates a warning related to an ongoing property crime problem or about general safety-related information.
  3. Public Safety Update provides information regarding a threat that has passed or an update to a previously issued Public Safety Notice.

These messages promote safety and are intended to inform the community of suspects at large or an ongoing threat to campus community members and to seek the community’s help in identifying suspects and gathering pertinent details. Follow-up information will be disseminated when appropriate and all alerts are posted online.

Emergency Notification and Response (Orange Alert)

The Orange Alert system is designed to provide rapid notification and instructions to Syracuse University students, faculty and staff, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students in the event of a verified crisis where an immediate threat of serious physical harm exists.

Orange Alert uses email, text messaging, social media networks and cell/landline phone calls to send a brief notice about the incident and instructions about what actions to take. Additionally, sirens will sound on North and South Campus. After an Orange Alert message is broadcasted, more detailed follow-up information will be provided.

This system is also utilized in the event of extreme weather, so having your most up-to-date contact information inputted is critically important.

Sign Up in MySlice

To receive the aforementioned communications, all students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to log in to MySlice to ensure their contact information for Orange Alert is up to date. It is important to note that to receive text message notifications, your cell phone number must be designated as a mobile device.

My colleagues and I are always available to discuss our processes, protocols and how we collaborate with local, state and federal law enforcement to keep our campus community safe. Finally, remember that the Department of Public Safety is here for you 24/7 by calling 315.443.2224 or by connecting on the Orange Safe app.

Wishing you a productive semester!

Sincerely,

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