Here are some of the biggest news stories from around Syracuse University and central New York that you may have missed in the last few days.

President responds to resolution

SUNY-ESF President Quentin Wheeler responded to an Undergraduate Student Association resolution that called for increased communication between college administration and the campus community.

Wheeler, in an email to USA President Ben Taylor on Thursday, said the administration will be sending biweekly updates for significant announcements. A USA resolution passed in early February in part called on SUNY-ESF administration to clarify its work on major university initiatives.

Wheeler said his administration has increased their presence on campus and will “accelerate” this activity by appearing at more student scheduled events. Additionally, he and Provost and Executive Vice President Nosa Egiebor will be, “present in Gateway for informal discussions with students on a more routine basis.”

The turmoil surrounding January department chair dismissals at SUNY-ESF and other issues follows previous tension between SUNY-ESF faculty and administration. In November 2016, SUNY-ESF faculty passed a vote of no confidence in Wheeler, expressing frustration in the president’s leadership style and citing a climate of fear.

SUNY-ESF’s Board of Trustees during its Wednesday meeting also promised to more closely follow the administration’s actions after the university’s Academic Governance body and USA both passed similar resolutions.

SU Rising event held

Campus community members gathered Friday night to raise awareness about sexual abuse as part of the sixth annual SU Rising: Stop Sexual Abuse Event.

“It’s a call to action to stop sexual abuse and all kinds of patriarchy and misogyny, to create a world that is full of compassion and love, and to be together in that,” said Tula Goenka, an SU professor and one of the organizers and speakers at the event.

The event also aimed to raise awareness of campus resources. The program listed seven options for students seeking help: Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team, Hendricks Chapel, Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual & Relationship Violence, the Vera House, Office of Health Promotion, Contemplative Collaborative and SASSE.

Permanent Title IX officer appointed

Syracuse University announced on Thursday that Sheila Johnson-Willis, who served as the university’s chief equal opportunity and Title IX officer in an interim capacity since 2015, was permanently appointed to the position.

A committee of university officials and other campus community members launched a search for a permanent chief equal opportunity and Title IX officer last November.

That was more than two years after Johnson-Willis first started serving as interim officer.

“The committee understood the crucial nature of this position in fostering a culture of inclusion and acceptance and a safe and supportive learning, living and working environment,” said Andrew Gordon, the university’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer, in a press release Wednesday afternoon. Johnson-Willis reports to Gordon.

In her role, Johnson-Willis leads the Equal Opportunity and Inclusion Resolution Office. She’s responsible for the investigation of equal opportunity claims and disability rights guidance and investigations, among other things.
An active Title IX investigation is open at SU, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Title IX sexual assault investigation tracker. That investigation, opened in June 2016, was first reported by The Daily Orange in August 2016. The complaint alleges that the university failed to “respond promptly or equitably” to a report of sexual assault made on or about May 5, 2015.

Published on February 18, 2018 at 8:13 pm

Contact Sam: sfogozal@syr.edu | @SamOgozalek