I am writing this letter as a parent of two Syracuse University students. Recently, I have had many concerns as to the overall safety of students on and or close to campus. I have a habit of looking at both the Syracuse.com website as well as The Daily Orange and I must say there seems to be quite a number of stories in those publications regarding issues of safety. I applaud the campus lockdown two weeks ago and I am thankful for the preventative action the university took in reference to the Hope Avenue shooting. I commend the Department of Public Safety as well as local law enforcement in their swift action in alerting the students and administrators. As a parent, I am grateful to such alertness by the university. Lately, I have read and heard of other incidents that have occurred around the immediate campus perimeter that have allegedly involved fondling and other alleged attacks on female students. As a parent, this is a major concern of mine and I would like to know what measures are being taken in educating and preventing these heinous violations that are specifically targeting female students both on campus and the closely surrounding environs of the campus. This type of behavior cannot be tolerated or “swept under the rug.” I am sure that (SU and its) staff are vigilant in the overall health and safety of both students and staff and hope these so-called issues will improve greatly in the immediate future. These “crimes” must not be overlooked and become statistics and hopefully a measure of a standard of safe environment can be maintained among all students whose education must not be deflected by worries of protection while pursuing their academic goals. Hopefully your publication will address this important issue as your voice is the voice of the student body. Thank you very much for your concern.

Sincerely,
Louis Macchia