Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety doesn’t expect protests to be a problem during commencement week, despite numerous protests that occurred on campus during the last two weeks of April.

While preparing for commencement, DPS takes into account events occurring across the country as well as the SU campus climate, said DPS associate chief John Sardino.

“To be completely transparent, campus has been unsettled with students making demands on the chancellor and the Board of Trustees, and we’re cognizant of that,” Sardino said.

Recognize Us, a student-led advocacy group, organized several protests following the initial suspension of the Theta Tau fraternity on April 18. Videos released by The Daily Orange showed people at a Theta Tau-sponsored event engaging in behavior Chancellor Kent Syverud called “extremely racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities.”

Department of Public Safety Chief Bobby Maldonado speaks to protesters at a sit-in after the initial suspension of the Theta Tau fraternity in April. Jessica Sheldon | Senior Staff Photographer

Sardino said DPS has been speaking with different student groups to see if there are disruptions planned for commencement or convocation ceremonies. Sardino added the department keeps officers on standby to handle any disruptions, regardless of the current campus climate.

DPS follows a blueprint to organize and secure commencement week, Sardino said. He added that the number of officers and overall level of security will be similar to 2017.

Security at each venue depends on who is attending the event, because certain speakers or visitors may require a different level of security, Sardino said. During commencement week, every venue will be monitored by uniform and plainclothes officers, Sardino said. He added that visitors will have their bags checked and screened.

DPS sometimes starts planning for commencement week as early as January, Sardino said. The department discusses what went well and what didn’t during the previous commencement and makes adjustments for the upcoming ceremonies, he added.

One of the department’s biggest concerns is the weather, Sardino said. Rain can create delays and backlog the commencement schedule, he added.

In the past, social media has been an effective tool for DPS to notify the community of delays or other issues, Sardino said.

Published on May 4, 2018 at 6:15 pm