Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Stand With Survivors SU called on Syracuse University to aid the Vera House with their financial troubles in a document released Monday, which detailed actions taken by Syracuse University following the release of its list of demands released in October 2021.

The student organization focused on advocating against rape culture originally called on the university to foster a closer connection with the Vera House, a nonprofit advocating against domestic and sexual violence. Following the Vera House’s op-ed about their budget deficit, SWSSU said they urge the university to financially support the Vera House.

“With the Vera House being an essential resource for our students however, we urge the University to make donations to their cause during this time,” SWSSU wrote.

Rob Hradsky, a co-chair on the Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence, wrote in his correspondence with SWSSU regarding its original list of demands that the Vera House will have a representative on campus for three hours a week.

According to Monday’s document, SU’s Sexual and Relationship Violence Team communicated to SWSSU that SU can’t enforce any disciplinary action on a student before the student is provided due process according to Title IX regulations.

On SWSSU’s list of demands, they asked SU to relocate all students who have an ongoing investigation relating to sexual assault or other charges to off-campus housing. The university said that, due to Title IX regulations, this could not be done.

SWSSU responded to Hradsky in their latest document, writing that this is especially dangerous for those assaulted by a member of Greek life.

“This is worrisome as houses can maintain their social status with multiple ongoing investigations of sexual misconduct,” SWSSU said.

SU also said that Title IX restricts the university’s ability to expand no contact orders to prevent accused students from attending student activities and classes. SU did clarify in their statement that Orders of Protection and Stay Away Orders can be issued by City of Syracuse Courts.

“While the specific conditions of these orders are determined by City courts based on the evidence provided, the Department of Public Safety has agreed to transport students to City court to request an Order of Protection or a Stay Away Order,” Hradsky wrote to SWSSU. SWSSU called this a small victory.

SWSSU PSA by The Daily Orange on Scribd

According to SU’s statements to SWSSU, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs will launch new training in January and February 2022.

“In addition, FASA will host sexual assault prevention programming during Sexual Assault Awareness Week in April 2022,” Hradsky wrote. “FASA will also launch sexual assault prevention programming in September 2022 and relationship violence prevention programming in October 2022 required of each chapter.”

The Interfraternity Council will also support an aspirational masculinity initiative for all members beginning in February, SU wrote. SWSSU wrote that they do not know what the training will entail and therefore do not know if the training will be sufficient.

SWSSU also reiterated that they want to see The Advocacy Center return to SU in some capacity.

SU also established in their communication with SWSSU that the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence is developing a four-year curriculum for undergraduate students addressing sexual and relationship violence.

“In addition, the First Year Experience team is working with the Barnes Center to incorporate content on bystander intervention into the First Year Seminar required of all first-year and transfer students,” Hradsky wrote.

SWSSU wrote that they still have not spoken directly with Chancellor Kent Syverud.

“With that being stated, we are excited for this semester, collaborating with on and off campus organizations, and recruiting new members who would like to dedicate time to making this campus a safer place,” SWSSU said.

Published on January 31, 2022 at 11:10 pm

Contact Kyle: kschouin@syr.edu | @Kyle_Chouinard