Nominations Sought for Student of Color Advisory Committee

Syracuse University is seeking student nominations for the newly developed Student of Color Advisory Committee that will collaborate with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to provide feedback on important matters such as safety, late-night transportation 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.

Students, faculty and staff can nominate a student; students can also nominate themselves. Nominations should be sent to nomination@syr.edu with a statement detailing the student’s interest in the committee and why the student would be a valuable member of the group. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 29; the committee’s membership will be announced the following week.

The concept for the Student of Color Advisory Committee originated last fall through discussions between Interim Chief Diversity Officer Keith A. Alford and DPS Commander Ryan Beauford. The idea was to bring together students, DPS members and other campus community members to focus on integrating public safety with quality of life matters.

The proposed committee was then discussed during a Feb. 18 forum organized by the Student Association (SA) and the Student African American Society. Alford; Rob Hradsky, senior associate vice president for the student experience; and DPS Chief Bobby Maldonado participated in the forum and are working to implement several recommendations made by students.

“We always appreciate the feedback and concerns that students share with us. This new committee will provide a more formal approach to collaboration between our students and the Department of Public Safety,” Maldonado says. “Students’ concerns are our concerns. We want students to know they are being heard and that there are solutions that can be realized when we work together.”

Alford, who has been meeting with various groups of students during his time as interim chief diversity officer, is grateful to the students who have shared their perspectives and looks forward to this new collaboration. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to be part of an important new group that will inform the University’s work as we meet our shared goals to make sure each community member feels valued, safe and supported,” Alford says.

The Student of Color Advisory Committee will focus on current and emerging issues and hold meetings with DPS leaders. It will also work in collaboration with the existing DPS Safety Committee, a long-standing committee partnership between the Student Association and DPS, which also involves students outside of SA.