Campus & Community

Community Review Board Announces New Vice Chair and Members

Friday, November 8, 2024, By Christine Grabowski

Lindsey Oliver, a second-year law student in the College of Law is making strides in the criminal defense field while actively contributing to the University’s Community Review Board (CRB) as the new vice chair. With a background in criminal justice studies and psychology from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, Oliver’s journey to law school was shaped by a series of pivotal experiences, including a study on racial and mental illness bias in the criminal justice system and an internship at the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office. Now a 2L, Oliver is focused on a career in criminal defense.

Involvement with the CRB began when the previous law student representative, Omnia Shedid L’24, sought a successor. Intrigued by the CRB’s role in reviewing complaints about the conduct of Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers, Oliver stepped into the position, driven by a passion for justice and equality.

As vice chair of the CRB, she emphasizes the importance of student input in maintaining campus safety. “Having a student in the vice chair position allows the student body to be more involved in decision-making,” Oliver says. “The goal is to enhance the relationship between DPS and the student population by ensuring student voices are heard in policy and procedure discussions.”

Oliver also aims to raise awareness about the CRB’s role on campus. “The CRB is a valuable asset to students, but it’s sometimes underutilized because people don’t know what we do,” Oliver says. By increasing visibility, she hopes to encourage more students and DPS members to utilize the CRB for appeals, ensuring their concerns are addressed.

History of the CRB

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in 2020-21. It is responsible for:

  • reviewing appeals of civilian complaints regarding DPS officer conduct;
  • reviewing and 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.

CRB Membership

Since last fall, the CRB has added new members, including:

  • Fatoumata Barry ’27, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Avva Boroujerdi ’25, undergraduate student, Whitman School of Management
  • Rosemary Martin ’26, undergraduate student, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Lindsey Oliver (vice chair), graduate student, College of Law
  • Christina Papaleo, learning and development specialist, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Andrea Persin, assistant dean of budget, finance and administration, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Lynnie Westafer, graduate student, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
  • Tanya Williamson, assistant vice president, Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Additionally, several members are still completing their term from last year, including:

  • La’Kesa Allen, community standards coordinator, Community Standards
  • Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, associate dean, Hendricks Chapel
  • Mary Kiernan, associate teaching professor, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics (chair)
  • Maria Pettolina, professor of practice, Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute, College of Arts and Sciences

The CRB has also engaged two highly experienced consultants to advise on its work. Bethaida “Bea” González, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, is senior advisor to the CRB; and Melvin “Tony” Perez, former chief of public safety for Monroe Community College, serves as its expert law enforcement consultant.

For more information, visit the CRB webpage or contact the CRB directly by email to CRB@syr.edu.