Street Sign Amnesty..

As many of you know, street signs have been disappearing in the off-campus neighborhood at an alarming rate. Often dismissed as a prank, stealing street signs is a crime and a danger to the community. Fire fighters, EMTs and police rely on signage when responding to emergencies. The lack of street signs increases response time and puts the community at risk. In addition, theft of a stop sign can cause an accident, resulting in more severe punishment. Each stolen sign costs the City of Syracuse $250 to replace.

The Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services is offering an amnesty program to give students a chance to return any stolen signs in their possession. Students can return stolen street signs without a fine, no questions asked. Cones and barricades will also be accepted. Signs can be returned to Off-Campus and Commuter Services, 754 Ostrom Avenue Nov. 9-13, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Students found with stolen street signs after this return period will be ticketed and held accountable to the Student Code of Conduct.

The possession of a stolen street sign can result in a ticket for criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, class A misdemeanor, referral to the Office of Judicial Affairs and a charge for the labor involved in replacing the sign. A person is guilty of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree when he/she knowingly possesses stolen property, with intent to benefit himself/herself or a person other than an owner thereof or to impede the recovery by an owner thereof.

For more information, contact the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services at (315) 443-5489 or offcampus@syr.edu.

AIDS Memorial Quilt Exhibition

Good morning everyone! I just found out about an awesome opportunity coming to campus that everyone should know about. The AIDS Memorial Quilt Exhibition is coming to Syracuse University's Schine Center on November 10 & 11. This is a great chance to experience such an important piece of history that is coming right to our front door.

The event starts on Thursday, November 10th at 11:00 am.m with an opening ceremony. Then from 11:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. you will have a chance to view the quilts and participate in a silent auction. On Friday, November 11th, the viewing of the quilts will be from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. along with a silent auction all day. At 6:30 p.m. that day, there will be a dedication of the new quilts.

This really is a great opportunity so please don't miss it. If you are interested in helping out, you can learn more about sponsorships, volunteer or school tour opportunities at (315) 472-8099. If you would like more information about the exhibition, you can visit www.cnyhsa.com. I hope you will take the chance and attend the event.

In off-campus news, I want to remind everyone that UNSAAC applications are due a week from today - Friday, November 6th. If you have any questions about the process or application, please let me know and I can provide the appropriate resources.

That's all for me right now, but please have a safe and enjoyable Halloween weekend. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at (315) 443-3919 or at codrisco@syr.edu. Happy Halloween everyone!!!

Car Smart Tips..

I thought I'd share some helpful hints, provided to me courtesy of Captain Paul Dillon of the Syracuse Police Department. It is always important, no matter where or when, to be diligent in preventing theft from your car. So here are the tips:

• Always keep your car doors locked.
• Roll windows up tight.
• Never leave valuables in sight.
• Always secure valuables in the truck.
• Park in heavily traveled or well lit areas.

That's all - nice and easy. Don't worry - I'll be back later on in the week, but I thought a little mid-week reminder on keeping your car safe might do some good. Until my next post, please be sure to contact me with any questions or concerns at codrisco@syr.edu or (315) 443-3919.

News about SU Showcase...

Good afternoon everyone. Just thought I'd share some news on this year's SU Showcase. SU Provost Eric Spina shared an email with the SU community today, providing "some important ways in which it will continue to mature as an academically focused event for 2010."

One of the major changes will be that SU Showcase will be held on a regular instructional day - which means that classes will be held. The date is Monday, April 19th. SU Showcase events will be concentrated on the Quad, where a "Teach-In Tent" will house featured presentations and serve as a hub for nearby activities.

Another difference from year's past is that no plans have been made for large-scale entertainment acts. The focus of the day is entirely academic. In light of Earth Day's 40th Anniversary that week, the theme will be sustainability, particularly across the disciplines.

I'm sure there will be more news to come on what exciting things will take place on the Quad, but for now I'm signing off. I hope you all have a great weekend and, as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at (315) 443-3919 or at codrisco@syr.edu.

Westcott Nation Invasion...

Good morning everyone! For all those of you who love the Westcott Street Fair and are willing to help out the Fair during the "off-season", then I have the perfect event for you.

Folks, mark your calendars for November 12th at 8 p.m. for a great chance to support your favorite local fall event. Syracuse's own improv troupe, "Don't Feed the Actors", will be holding a benefit at the Westcott Community Center in hopes of raising funds for next year's Westcott Street Cultural Fair. The show will include lots of interactive improv games that guarantee a good time for everyone.

The event will also showcase a five-minute video presentation from the 2009 Fair created by students of SU Transmedia Studies professor, Micho Suchy.

Tickets are only $15 at the door for adults, $13 for students/seniors. Advance sale tickets are also available for $12 at www.dontfeedtheactors.com.

If that's not enough incentive, then I'll give you one more: For those of you who attend the event and provide the financial support that the Fair needs, then I'll give you a "Get Out of Jail" guilt-free pass next fall when I'm begging people to volunteer for the Fair. How's that sound?

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at codrisco@syr.edu or at (315) 443-3919. Enjoy the rest of the week!

Turning on the Lights...and Registering Your Bikes..

Happy Monday everyone! In recent news, since my last post, it appears that the Syracuse Police Department has successfully identified the individuals responsible for a number of robberies that took place earlier in the semester. As I stated in my last post, the SPD and SU's Department of Public Safety (DPS) had increased patrols to address the recent crimes. Despite this encouraging news, it is still important to remain aware when in the neighborhood and take precautions to prevent these types of crimes. If you'd like more information on how to stay safe, you should contact SU's Department of Public Safety at http://publicsafety.syr.edu/ or at 443-2224.

Speaking of safety, SU's Orange Watch Program has been working throughout the neighborhood to address a major safety issue - lighting. Late last month, Orange Watch officers conducted a lighting survey in the Walnut Park area including Waverly Avenue and Harrison Street. The survey found that approximately 7 lights were inoperable. The officers submitted this information to National Grid, who responded and corrected the problem within 2 days. The officers then also participated in a ride-along with National Grid to survey the University neighborhood, which resulted in over 50 additional lights repaired to better light the area surrounding SU. Personally, I am very grateful for the proactive steps that our Orange Watch officers continue to take to make our neighborhood safer for all living and visiting here. So a big thank you goes out to them!

On a final safety note, the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services will be partnering with the Department of Public Safety to register bicycles for off-campus students today and tomorrow. The Bicycle Registration event will be held today (Monday, the 12th) from 12-3pm and tomorrow (Tuesday, the 13th) from 2-5pm on the corner of College Place and Sims Drive. The Department of Public Safety registers bikes with the City of Syracuse using a registration number. National studies have shown that registered bikes affixed with a clearly identified registration number are less likely to be stolen. If a registered bike is stolen, the registration number may help in its recovery and return to its rightful owner. All students who register their bikes will receive a free bike reflector and the first 10 students to register each day will receive an SU reusable coffee mug. So be sure to stop by and register your bike! If you have any questions, you can contact the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services at offcampus@syr.edu or at 443-5489.

That's all for me right now. As always, if you have any questions, please be sure to contact me at codrisco@syr.edu or at (315) 443-3919.

A Note on Safety...

I know there's been some concern about the number of robberies that have taken place in and around the University neighborhood. Both the Syracuse Police Department and SU's Department of Public Safety (DPS) have been working long and hard to catch the folks responsible and keep our community safe. I want to share with you a message that DPS Chief Tony Callisto sent out yesterday to update everyone on the plan of action and some things to keep in mind. Here it is:

Dear SU campus community member,

In recent days, crimes committed against college students in off-campus neighborhoods have heightened awareness of safety issues. The SU Department of Public Safety (DPS) works closely with the Syracuse Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to enhance safety awareness and security for the neighborhoods’ residents. In response to recent events we have intensified our joint and individual crime prevention and law enforcement efforts in the area.

Today, the Syracuse Police Department announced that it is increasing patrols in the off-campus neighborhoods. In addition, DPS is spearheading a series of initiatives to be implemented immediately that is designed to enhance safety and security for members of our campus community:

• All officers on patrol are operating at heightened alert.
• We are increasing Orange Watch patrols.
• We are coordinating with staff of the SU Office of Off-Campus Student Services to implement a safety tips campaign with literature and area home visits. We aim to encourage students to take advantage of the services available to them, including the Centro bus system, with routes through the University area that are free of charge (see http://parking.syr.edu/); and DPS safety escorts and shuttle services, which enable students to avoid walking alone.
• We are expanding the capabilities of the safety escort service during overnight and early morning hours (see http://publicsafety.syr.edu/students/shuttle_u_home.html).
  We have coordinated with National Grid and the City of Syracuse to have faulty public lighting fixtures repaired in off-campus areas.
• DPS investigators have increased communication with Syracuse Police Department detectives to ensure close coordination of enhanced efforts in the off-campus area.

I and the entire DPS staff understand the need for community members to be and feel safe. We aim to achieve that goal, and we invite members of the SU community to contact us at 315-443-5476 or at http://publicsafety.syr.edu with any related questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Tony Callisto Chief and Director of Public SafetySyracuse University

If you have any questions about these efforts, I encourage you to contact DPS. As always, you are welcome to contact our office as well as 315-443-3919 or gcr@syr.edu. Please be mindful, however, that DPS has dispatchers working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, whereas our office operates during regular business hours. I hope you all stay safe and have a great weekend!