Advocacy Center

The Advocacy Center was closed on June 4 after Chancellor Kent Syverud announced in a university-wide email on May 30 that SU will realign its sexual assault resources into the Counseling Center. Following the announcement, an online petition began asking the chancellor to reinstate the Advocacy Center. The petition currently has more than 8,000 signatures. As a result of student activism and outreach to the administration, a series of monthly listening meetings held on campus began in June and will continue through the fall. Students say they will continue protests until the center is restored.

Bookstore Deal Ends

Syracuse University fired the developer of its new bookstore and fitness center on June 20. SU said the developer, Cameron Group LLC, failed to meet the requirements of the development deal by delaying and failing to finance construction projects. However, on July 15, the former developer filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming SU wrongfully terminated the project. University officials say the lawsuit holds no merit and SU will reset plans for the project.

Felony Charge for Graffiti Vandalism

Sawyer Cresap, a recent Student Association cabinet member, and former SA Recorder Nick Bonafilia were charged with felony second-degree criminal mischief for causing more than $5,700 in damages from spray-painting several academic buildings on campus on Dec. 9, according to criminal complaints dated March 4. Many of the messages spray-painted on campus buildings critiqued the university, while the meanings of other messages were unclear. Cresap’s next court date will be on Oct. 30 and Bonafilia is expected back in court on Nov. 20.

Professor Fired

A male associate professor was fired after he was involved in a consensual relationship with a female undergraduate student while he taught and advised her, Syverud announced in an email sent on June 17. A hearing panel of three faculty members found the professor violated the consensual relationships provision of the Policy on Inappropriate Conduct by Faculty Members and the University Code of Ethical Conduct, suggesting he was in a position to abuse power. The panel recommended he be terminated from his position, including a cancellation of his tenure. The Board of Trustees reviewed the professor’s case and upheld the panel’s decision.

Oprah

Oprah Winfrey will attend and speak at the dedication of the Newhouse Studio and Innovation Center on Sept. 29. Winfrey will speak at 1 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium on Sept. 29 as part of a daylong series of events in honor of the Newhouse Studio and Innovation Center. SU students can pick up free tickets for the speaking event on Sept. 10 starting at 11 a.m. at the Schine Box Office. After her talk, Winfrey will attend the dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Waverly Avenue entrance to Newhouse II. Tickets are not required to attend the dedication ceremony.

LC Smith Dean Steps Down

The dean of the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science, Laura Steinberg, will step down from her position in December, Syverud said in a memorandum on May 12. Steinberg has held her position as dean since August 2008. After she leaves her position, she will take a sabbatical in the spring of 2015. Once she returns from her sabbatical, she will have a university-wide leadership role backing the chancellor’s initiatives.

NBA Draft

Tyler Ennis, former freshman point guard for Syracuse University’s men’s basketball team, was drafted to the Phoenix Suns with the No. 18 pick in the 2014 NBA draft at the Barclays Center on June 26. Following Ennis, former SU sophomore forward Jerami Grant was drafted to the Philadelphia 76ers with the 39th pick in the second round of the NBA draft. Former senior forward C.J. Fair was not selected in the NBA draft.

Princeton Review Ranking

The Princeton Review ranked Syracuse University as the nation’s top party school for the 2014­–15 year, based on a nationwide survey of 130,000 students. A day after the ranking was announced, Syverud sent an email to the SU community calling the title a “wake-up call” for the university.

Juice Jam

Electronic music artist Dillon Francis and rappers Schoolboy Q and Ace Hood will headline University Union’s Juice Jam Music Festival on Sept. 7. Other artists scheduled to appear are 3LAU, Broods, Tinashe and Misterwives. This year will be the 10^th annual Juice Jam, and the event will feature two stages. Francis, Schoolboy Q, Tinashe and 3LAU will play on the main stage, and Ace Hood, Broods and Misterwives will perform on the indie stage. Music starts at 11 a.m. at Skytop Field on South Campus. Tickets are $15 for Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF students with a school ID. Tickets will be available at a location and time that is still to be announced.

SU Drama Department Rank 13 by Hollywood Reporter

The drama department within the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University was ranked No. 13 on May 30 in a Hollywood Reporter article that listed the top 25 drama schools in the world. The department, which only has 200 students, offers bachelor degrees in acting, musical theatre, stage management and theater design and technology. Jessie Mueller, a 2005 graduate, is one of SU’s most successful drama alumni. She received the award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical at the 68th Tony Awards on June 8. Mueller starred as the title role in in the Broadway show “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

 

Published on August 20, 2014 at 1:00 am

Contact Anna: almerod@syr.edu