Campus & Community

New Appointees to the Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence Announced

Monday, October 7, 2019, By News Staff

Chancellor Kent Syverud has announced the new appointees to the Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence. Originally created on April 23, 2015, the task force represents students, faculty, staff and the broader campus community in advancing and implementing improvements in sexual violence prevention, education and advocacy services.

“The task force plays a significant role in our overall effort to identify and shape the opportunities we have to further improve sexual violence prevention, education and advocacy services at the University,” says Chancellor Syverud. “We are all aware of serious issues of sexual violence on college campuses around the nation. Such violence has no place on our campus. I have asked the task force to continue reviewing our policies, services and procedures, and propose any necessary changes if there are weaknesses or gaps in our current systems and structures.”

Continuing as co-chairs for the 2019-20 academic year will be Rob Hradsky, vice president for the student experience, and Diane Lyden Murphy, dean of the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Other members are:

  • Randi K. Bregman, executive director, Vera House
  • Katelyn U. Cowen, director of health promotions, Barnes Center at The Arch
  • Jeremiah Deep, Catholic campus minister
  • Connor Dennewitz, undergraduate student representative
  • Kaitlin Donovan, student-athlete representative
  • Herman R. Frazier, deputy director of athletics
  • Andy Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer
  • Huey Hsiao, associate director, Office of Multicultural Affairs
  • Chris Johnson, associate provost for academic affairs
  • Sheila Johnson, associate vice president, chief equal opportunity and Title IX officer
  • khristian kemp-de lisser, director, LGBT Resource Center
  • Annabelle Lee, graduate student representative
  • Andrew S. London, professor of sociology and associate dean, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
  • Bobby Maldonado, chief, Department of Public Safety
  • Rebecca Ortiz, assistant professor of public communications, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
  • Jeffrey S. Pauline, associate professor of sport management, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
  • Abby R. Perer, associate general counsel
  • Pamela A. Peter, assistant dean, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
  • Kyle Rosenblum, Student Association representative
  • Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president, communications
  • Cory Wallack, interim executive director, Barnes Center at The Arch
  • Dyane Watson, professor of practice in marriage and family therapy, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
  • Ralph Zito, professor of acting and chair of drama, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Describing their service on the task force as a “most important and sensitive responsibility on behalf of the Syracuse University community,” Chancellor Syverud charged members with exploring evidence-based best practices in order to frame their recommendations for improvement. They are also expected to seek significant involvement, input and feedback from members of the campus community and report their findings to the Chancellor on or before May 1, 2020.

The idea to establish the task force originated from the Chancellor’s Workgroup on Sexual Violence Prevention, Education and Advocacy, which recommended a permanent task force be established, including “individuals with expertise and authority on issues related to students’ need; privilege and confidentiality; federal, state and local statutes and policies; and fiscal and human resources issues.”

In implementing many of the recommendations, the University also has conducted a student climate survey designed to gauge attitudes, awareness and experiences related to sexual and relationship violence; created new support groups; signed on with the White House’s “It’s on Us” campaign; organized a full calendar of educational programs and events around the issues; and provided detailed information to faculty, staff and students about Title IX.