Community Review Board Continuing Its Charge, Announces New Members

Syracuse University’s Community Review Board (CRB) continues its important work as an independent entity that reviews and provides input on certain matters involving the University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS). The board’s areas of responsibility include:

• reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct (after a formal complaint has been filed with DPS Internal Affairs);
• commenting on prospective new DPS policies, procedures and trainings;
• reviewing key community-facing functions of DPS; and
• issuing to the University community a public annual report of findings and recommendations.

The board was established in fall 2021 based on the recommendation of former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch following her independent review of DPS in early 2021, and spent much of its first year laying the groundwork for its operations.

As recommended by Lynch, the board is composed of 11 members: three undergraduate students, one graduate student, one law student, two faculty members, two staff members and two administrators. Current membership includes:

• Yusuf S. Abdul-Qadir, graduate student, School of Information Studies
• Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president of diversity and inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Linda Baguma, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jordan Beasley, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Sam Castleberry, undergraduate recruiting specialist, College of Visual and Performing Arts (vice chair)
• Theresa A. Jenkins, academic advisor, Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Milton R. Laufer, director and associate professor, School of Music, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Adia Santos, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Brianna C. Sclafani, graduate student, College of Law (chair)
• Salatha Willis, associate athletic director diversity and inclusion, Student Athletic Development
• Corrinne B. Zoli, research faculty, Forensic Science Institute

The board is also served by two advisors—Bethaida “Bea” González, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, as senior advisor and Melvin “Tony” Perez, former chief of public safety for Monroe Community College, as an expert law enforcement consultant.

“I decided to serve because it’s my duty as a community member,” says Salatha T. Willis Jr., one of the board’s newer members. “As employees on our campus, it is important that we are active participants in helping shape community standards for students and staff members on campus as well as the overall Syracuse community.”

Earlier in the semester, the CRB heard its first case, and the board was recently asked to provide input on an updated DPS standard operating procedure related to the arrest, detention and transportation of arrestees.

“It’s exciting and rewarding to be fully operationalized as a board and moving into the meat of our work,” says Sclafani, who has chaired the board since its inception. “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our board members and any and all students, faculty and staff who need our services, and positively contributing to the experience of all members of our community.”

In early spring, the board will issue a call for applications for new members for the 2023-24 academic year. The CRB also plans to hold its annual open forum in March before spring break. The entire University community will be invited to ask questions, provide input and voice their experiences with DPS on campus.

To learn more or to connect with members of the CRB, visit its webpage or email CRB@syr.edu.