Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety held a forum Tuesday afternoon for SU College of Law students, faculty and staff that focused on personal safety.

The student forum, which took place at noon in the Melanie Grey Ceremonial Courtroom, dealt with personal security and community resources. It was held in response to a report indicating the drugging of a female SU College of Law student at an off-campus house party in December 2014, said John Sardino, DPS associate chief of law enforcement and the community policing division. After leaving the house party, which was located about five miles off the SU campus, the law student and her friend felt as if they had been drugged during the party.

About 120 SU College of Law students attended the forum, which lasted about an hour, Sardino said.

The forum was originally scheduled to be held last Friday, but at the request of the student who reported the incident and other student leaders, the date was moved back to make it more accessible to students.

“The student forum acted as an opportunity for law students to express any safety concerns they may have had,” Sardino said.

Representatives from the Counseling Center and Vera House, a domestic and sexual violence service agency, were present at the student forum, in addition to representatives from DPS, said Jill Lentz, DPS interim chief, in an email.

During the forum, representatives and speakers discussed tips on how to stay safe in certain situations and what exactly a person should do in those dangerous situations. The best ways to communicate with and contact local law enforcement were also discussed, Sardino said.

“The forum was a good starting point, but more work needs to be done,” Sardino said.

DPS is open to hosting more student safety forums like the one held Friday designed for specific SU schools and colleges in the near future, Sardino said.

“These forums can be educational opportunities on various subject matters,” Sardino said. “Recently, the Office of Residence Life has contacted us about hosting a safety presentation in the future for students living in residence halls to attend.”

As a follow-up to the student forum, the SU College of Law will be creating a student and faculty advisory panel. The panel will plan additional education and training on safety issues, Lentz said.]

Tomas Gonzalez, senior assistant dean of student life in the College of Law, referred questions to SU News.

“Of course, we’d like to do these types of things before more crime happens,” Sardino said.

He added that DPS’s main concerns right now are identifying the people who perpetrate these crimes and ensuring the safety of the SU community.

Published on February 4, 2015 at 12:01 am

Contact Sara: smswann@syr.edu | @saramswann