Syracuse University added new restrictions to its policy on minors visiting campus after learning of sexual assault allegations against a former SU graduate student.

ESPN reported on Aug. 1 that Conrad Mainwaring, a former Olympic athlete who attended SU in the 1980s, had been accused of sexually assaulting at leastseven SU students during his time at the university. That day, Chancellor Kent Syverud announced the university became aware of an allegation against Mainwaring in February.

Mainwaring worked in Residence Life during his time at SU. At least seven local high school students have also accused him of sexual assault. He kept office hours as a counselor at Nottingham High School, about two miles from SU, where he met and allegedly abused minors, ESPN reported.

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SU’s policy banning students from hosting minors under the age of 13 on campus went into effect on Aug.1, said Marianne Thomson, associate vice president and dean of students, in a statement to The Daily Orange. The university also requires a parent or guardian of a minor, regardless of age, to submit a permission form if an SU student wants to bring them into a residential space.

“The primary goal of these policies is to foster a community of care that is safe for all of our students,” Thomson said. “We believe that increased thought about guests and minors on campus provides a more comprehensive approach to guests in the residence halls.”

In addition to its policy on minors, SU hopes to improve security by expanding the role of residential security aides, Thomson said. RSAs check IDs for all students and guests at the entrances to residence halls.

This fall, the university is transitioning RSAs into checking IDs at 5 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., with the goal being to have RSAs at residence halls 24/7 by the start of the spring semester.

Another policy change concerning safety is reflected in the Code of Student Conduct, which was updated for the 2019-20 academic year. A new rule, listed as No. 17 in the handbook, requires student leaders to intervene or notify the university of a situation threatening the safety of another person.

SU defines “student leaders” as students who hold positions in registered student organizations, including those with the titles of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, recruitment chair or team captain, Thomson said. Also included are students who influence the decisions of an organization, like an unofficial membership coordinator or event planner.

While the university has already banned hazing through the Code of Conduct and other policies, the student handbook now has a rule, No.15, that specifically prohibits the “assistance, participation in, promotion of, or perpetuation of hazing.” The code previously included the hazing ban in a rule that prohibited any conduct that threatens the mental or physical health of any person.

“The changes in the conduct code reflect our in situational values — that we care for each other and that we are one Orange Family that looks out for the wellbeing of our community members,” Thomson said.

 

Published on August 27, 2019 at 11:05 pm

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