Campus Alerts

DPS to Conduct a Test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System on Tuesday, Feb. 13

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will conduct a test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 1:55 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 at 1:55 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 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 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 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 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.

Important Winter Weather Information

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As Central New York begins to experience winter weather, we are writing to provide important information on how the University navigates and communicates about extreme weather conditions. Please review the enclosed information carefully.

Syracuse University generally remains open for business in inclement weather, while always prioritizing the safety and well-being of our community members. We work with Precision Weather Service to help inform our decisions about weather delays, closings or other operational changes. Academic Affairs, Campus Facilities, Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services, and the Student Experience Division are also consulted.

In the event extreme weather necessitates a change in the University’s operating status, 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:

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

Although Syracuse University 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, please visit the Department of Public Safety website.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Andrew R. Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Craig A. Stone
Chief, Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services

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

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