Chancellor Shaw letter to students on the death of Simeon Popov

Chancellor Shaw letter to students on the death of Simeon PopovJanuary 21, 2002Dear Students: I grieve the loss of Simeon Popov and extend my prayers to his family and friends. And in light of Sunday’s tragedy, I want to reaffirm Syracuse University’s commitment to your safety. In response to recommendations made by the Student Association, the Residence Hall Association, the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Campus Security, and individual community members, we have been developing additional measures to promote safety both on and off campus. Among these are: campus lighting improvements, a South Campus Welcome Center (slated for implementation in fall 2002), pedestrian safety measures along some of our busiest streets, and enhanced student crime prevention education. Within the next two weeks we will launch a new shuttle service to transport students from on-campus classroom and co-curricular activities to their off-campus residences during evening hours. Particulars of this program will be announced soon. Additionally, I have asked Senior Vice President Barry L. Wells to place the highest priority in the allocation of funds from the new co-curricular fee to the establishment of an Office of Off Campus Student Services and to initiatives for further improving student safety. In closing I want to assure you that your well-being is of the utmost concern to Syracuse University and to the Syracuse Police Department. We will exhaust all efforts to find and bring to justice the person responsible for Sunday’s senseless act. The Police Department is maintaining a visible presence in the University neighborhood as the investigation continues. If you have any information about Sunday’s shooting, please contact the Syracuse Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 442-5222 or SU’s Department of Public Safety at 443-2224. We will keep you informed of the status of the investigation. Sincerely, Kenneth A. Shaw