Campus & Community

Additional Information About Last Night’s Quad Gathering

Thursday, August 20, 2020, By News Staff

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

By now you are aware of the incredibly reckless behavior that took place on the Quad last night. We assure you: anyone we are able to identify as attending that gathering will be held responsible. Our investigation is ongoing and includes reviewing security camera footage, interviewing witnesses and processing a number of tips we are receiving with information on who was in attendance. We will continue to investigate, and individuals we are able to identify as participants will be referred to the student conduct process. Based on last night’s events and other related behaviors and actions that were in violation of the Code of Student Conduct and the Stay Safe Pledge, 23 students have received interim suspensions.

Here’s what we know about the events of last night: A small group of students arrived on the Quad around 9:45 p.m. last night. By 10 p.m., the group had grown considerably. At 10:19 p.m., Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers were dispatched to the Quad. Moments later, DPS officers arrived on the scene and the Quad was cleared just after 10:30 p.m. This gathering was foolish as it put these individuals, their fellow students and our ability to remain on campus in jeopardy.

Syracuse University expects all our students to fully comply with all COVID-19 public health directives, including those related to on- and off-campus parties and social gatherings. There can be no exceptions.

What does compliant mean?

At any gathering that includes individuals who are not your housemates/roommates, you must take all of the following actions:

  • Wear a mask or face covering at all times!
  • You must be able to maintain 6 feet of distance between individuals—always, no exceptions.
  • Gather with no more than 25 people in a single space and only if your space allows 6 feet of distance between each person.

What are the consequences for failing to comply?

Non-compliant gatherings pose an immediate public health risk and jeopardize the safety and well-being of our community. Behavior and actions that violate these guidelines and expectations will result in disciplinary action, including:

  • If you organize or host an off-campus party or gathering at your residence or other venue that does not comply with New York State Department of Health COVID-19 guidance, and/or the provisions of the Stay Safe Pledge, you risk suspension and possibly expulsion from the University.
  • If you organize or host a party or gathering at your on-campus residence that does not comply with New York State Department of Health COVID-19 guidance, and/or the provisions of the Stay Safe Pledge, you will be removed from University-owned campus housing and will be subject to suspension and possibly expulsion from the University.
  • If you attend a gathering that does not comply with New York State Department of Health COVID-19 guidance, and/or the provisions of the Stay Safe Pledge—whether on campus or off campus—you risk substantial disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct.
  • Other violations of Syracuse University’s health and safety guidelines related to physical distancing, mask wearing, contact tracing and the like—whether on campus or off campus—could result in substantial disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct.

We have been clear about our expectations of our students from the start. We will not tolerate anyone putting the health, safety and well-being of our campus and the Syracuse community at risk.

Our ability to remain here is directly dependent on the behavior and actions of our students. There is so much at stake for each member of our community—do your part.

Sincerely,

Chief Bobby Maldonado
Department of Public Safety

Marianne Thomson
Dean of Students