The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will conduct a test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System on Wednesday, April 20, at 3:40 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 the University’s North and South campuses. The sirens will be activated for two minutes at 3:40 p.m.
To read the full announcement, visit news.syr.edu.
Syracuse University is seeking student nominations for the Student of Color Advisory Committee, the student group tasked with collaborating closely with the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
This committee, which originated in Fall 2018 with the idea of bringing students, DPS members and other campus community members together to focus on integrating public safety with quality-of-life matters, will provide feedback on safety and DPS intervention, among other topics. Students selected as part of the committee will work with DPS and other staff members to develop solutions to further ensure the well-being of students on and off campus.
To read more, visit news.syr.edu.
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Today is my first official day as a member of the Syracuse University family. I am grateful for the opportunity to be Orange and look forward to getting to know the students, faculty and staff that make up this special community.
Throughout the interview process, it was obvious that Syracuse University would not be like any of the other institutions at which I served. The spirit and energy are palpable. When I walked the Einhorn Family Walk during my last visit, not only did I encounter so many wonderful people, I also had my first interaction with Otto. Like all of you at that time, masks were still covering our faces, even Otto, but the welcoming feeling and sense of community were vibrant and visible.
As my work gets underway, I will be especially focused on engaging our community, learning about your experiences with and expectations for our Department of Public Safety (DPS), and building relationships that benefit us all. Simultaneously, I plan to continue many of the engagement efforts DPS previously put into place. This includes the monthly email with important and pertinent updates from DPS. This month we are going to highlight the following:
Spring Residence Reminder
Having moved here from Ohio, I understand that one moment we can be experiencing lake effect snow squalls, only to be quickly followed by warmth and sunshine. I have experienced multiple seasons already in just the few days I have been in Syracuse!
That being said, with the return of warmer temperatures, be advised that criminals will be more brazen in their break-in attempts, particularly as more and more folks open their windows and doors for fresh air. Some easy steps to take to keep you and your property safe include:
For more safety tips, visit dps.syr.edu/crime-prevention/safety-strategies.
PS5 Community Engagement Project
Last month, the Department of Public Safety held its first PlayStation 5 (PS5) game night in the Schine Student Center. I’m told it was a well-attended event that brought students and DPS officers together for an evening of fun. Given that success, DPS is going to host a few more of these game nights this semester. I am looking forward to participating at one of the upcoming events! The schedule is:
This is just one of the fun activities DPS has planned; we welcome your suggestions on other events we can host that allow our officers and our community to get to know each other better. Be sure to mark your calendar and follow us on social media for more information (@SyracuseDPS).
Monthly Bias Update
We have no new updates to share on the status of our investigations. If we do have updates, we will update the chart on our website and share any developments in this monthly email.
As a reminder, it is also never too late to come forward with information. You can call the DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool or the Rave Guardian mobile app. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.
In the coming weeks, I plan to schedule a number of coffee and lunch events to get to meet more members of our community. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly to introduce yourself or schedule some time for me to chat with you or your department, organization or group.
Wishing you all the very best as we enter the final weeks of the spring semester!
Sincerely,
Chief Craig Stone
Department of Public Safety
Bringing extensive experience in public safety, campus security, community policing and emergency management to Syracuse
University, Craig A. Stone has been appointed the new associate vice president and chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services. Stone most recently served as deputy director of the Department of Public Safety for the city of Columbus, Ohio. He begins his new role at Syracuse University on April 1, 2022.
The new position reports to Gwenn Judge, interim senior vice president and chief financial officer, and is responsible for Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services, including all administrative, operational and financial aspects of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Emergency Management, and Global Safety and Support.
To read the full announcement, visit news.syr.edu.
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
We hope that everyone is having a strong start to the spring semester. This month we are going to highlight the following:
Preparing Your Residence for Spring Break
Spring Break is right around the corner, and we want to remind those who will be leaving campus to make sure you are properly preparing your residence before you leave. To enhance your safety and protect your personal space and belongings, we recommend taking the following steps.
On campus:
For those who live off campus:
As a reminder, if you see anything suspicious, for on campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Rave Guardian app, or, for off campus, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111.
Be Alert for Phishing Scams
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is warning U.S. organizations to beware of a possible rise in state-sponsored cyberattacks.
Our information security colleagues within Information Technology Services (ITS) have not detected any marked increase in activity over the past week but continue to monitor for and prevent attacks. One of the most effective paths for an attacker to gain a foothold on the Syracuse University network is through phishing emails and other social engineering techniques.
Please take moment to review an alert the ITS team recently shared with the community.
Monthly Bias Update
Feb. 4: Reports of racist, threatening language directed toward the Asian community on the social media site, Discord, which markets itself as a virtual meeting and gathering space.
Update: The individual believed to be responsible for the social media posts has been identified. The case has been referred to the Office of Community Standards.
As a reminder, 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 or the Rave Guardian mobile app. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the Stop Bias website.
Sincerely,
The Department of Public Safety
