UPDATED: Dec. 13, 2011 at 9:19 p.m.

A graduate student in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs was suspended after being accused of choking another student during a domestic dispute on campus.

Zaozao He, 23, is accused of choking a female student Wednesday on the ground floor of Eggers Hall, said Tony Callisto, Department of Public Safety chief. He was charged with obstruction of breathing, which is a misdemeanor, Callisto said.

Student and faculty witnesses heard the victim calling for help and alerted authorities, Callisto said. He then spent the night in jail.

Maxwell Dean James Steinberg and Michael Wasylenko, senior associate dean, sent an email to Maxwell students Saturday explaining charges were also made against He with the university’s judicial affairs, Wasylenko said.

‘At this point, we need to let those procedures unfold,’ Wasylenko said. ‘Both students are cooperating completely with University officers and the judicial process.’

Callisto said he could not speak to the university’s charges against He, but confirmed the victim was released from the hospital. He is forbidden to have contact with the victim until further notice, according to an article published in The Post-Standard Monday.

Thomas Wolfe, senior vice president and dean of student affairs could not be reached for comment.

egsawyer@syr.edu

Published on December 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Liz: egsawyer@syr.edu | @3sawyer