SUNY students' voices on sexual harassment and assault not being heard?

“You can go to any district attorney’s office in the state, the U.S. Attorney — there is a crime victim advocate component that exists within the law enforcement community and they exist because we want to make sure that victims are properly cared for,” Soares, a Democrat, continued. “In this instance, there’s nothing that I’ve read to determine that the people who were most impacted by this behavior had ever been delivered or provided any kind of victim advocacy or services to even inform them of their very right to venture outside of this building to obtain relief. That’s problematic and that needs to be re-evaluated.”

Vielkind, Jimmy. "Soares: Harassment victims should come to me, not Assembly." Albany Times Union. May 16, 2013. http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/187223/soares-harassment-victims-should-come-to-not-assembly/

Pshaw!

Some formatting changes below to indicate quote levels, etc.:

From: Christopher Philippo

Subject: SUNY students' voices on sexual harassment and assault not being heard?

Date: December 5, 2012 12:21:33 PM EST

To: Michael Conners , Craig Apple , Tricia George , Bernard Amador

On Dec 4, 2012, at 11:24 AM, Christopher Philippo wrote:

The article by Crowley that I'd quoted earlier also had the following:

Rachel McEneny, said the office's sexual assault team is on call 24 hours, seven days a week and is eager to assist in an investigation, regardless of whether an arrest has been made.

"Our special victims unit has investigators, victim's advocates and attorneys that go away for sexual assault training all over the country," McEneny said. "We know how to interview and investigate the crime scene. It's a good service."

But police agencies are not required to contact them, she said.

"If young women at SUNY Albany feel that their voices haven't been heard, they should call the district attorney's office," McEneny said.

Crowley, Cathleen F. "Handling of rape case defended; UAlbany police chief says officers followed protocol in dealing with alleged assault." Albany Times Union. October 26, 2006: A1. http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6365244

UAlbany defines sexual assault as including sexual harassment. I don't know if retaliation for having reported sexual assault is classified as a form of sexual assault also, but it seems like at least quid pro quo sexual harassment might. Is the offer for assistance from the district attorney's office only open to young women, and not older women, or men of any age? My voice hasn't been heard yet. Is the DA's office unwilling to help regarding anything other than sexual assault, like firearms violations?

I had worried I might be discriminated against, particularly on the basis of my age, gender, disabilities. I hope perhaps you're just so swamped by communication from so many people on so many issues that you haven't been able to get to mine yet, and I realize my e-mails are probably longer than the majority of e-mails you receive. If you're finding my writing difficult to follow, let me know where you're having difficulties with it.

UAlbany's hardly unique in its problems. Look at Binghamton's 2010 athletics scandal, one of the worst aspects of which was a BU athlete putting a BU student into a coma and then fleeing the US while on bail:

Schapiro, Rich. "Bryan Steinhauer reclaims life following brutal 2008 assault by Serbian athlete Miladin Kovacevic." N.Y. Daily News. October 3, 2010. http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-10-03/local/27077052_1_cpa-exam-miladin-kovacevic-assault-charges

Read the Kaye Report about Binghamton http://www.suny.edu/Files/sunynewsFiles/Pdf/KayeReport.PDF - it doesn't seem like many recommendations in it have been followed. Look at what even police union officials in New York have stated about SUNY police in recent years:

James Lyman, Executive Director for Council 82, the New York State Law Enforcement Union, said he is "amazed and appalled" at the mismanagement at SUNY and says he is dissatisfied with SUNY's underreporting of crime, lack of manual of procedures and its being a "dumping ground for political patronage."

Pete Barry, executive vice president of the SUNY police officers union, says that 28 different sets of regulations and standards of police philosophies, create a lack of direction as to how police should respond to particular incidents.

Unqualified management is another concern of Barry's.

"Many campuses have appointed people with no law enforcement experience," Barry said.

"It is puzzling to look at the varying degrees of compensation packages. An assistant chief of one campus makes 30,000 more than another and has less officers," Barry said of the high salary levels.

Barry agreed with Lyman's assertion of erroneous reporting, saying that in 2007, the New York state comptroller reported that crime statistics conflicted with university police records.

Quinlan, Casey Leigh. "SUNY spending under the microscope; Other agencies will be examined also." Legislative Gazette. March 22, 2010. http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-c-2010-03-22-66179.113122-SUNY-spending-under-the-microscope.html

"We've gotten nowhere with SUNY Central," Dan DeFedericis, executive director of the PBA of New York State said. The complaint from last year alleges that Brockport administrators failed to follow the Clery Act.

Karlin, Rick. "Union cites SUNY safety issues." Albany Times Union. October 4, 2012. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Union-cites-SUNY-safety-issues-3917683.php

To what law enforcement agency may I report problems at UAlbany that include even J. "Frank" Wiley, Christine A. Bouchard (to whom Mr. Wiley reports within the Office of Student Success), and George M. Philip? According to the SUNY Police Manual § 5.01 http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=364 "The campus President, as the chief administrative officer, has the authority and responsibility for operation and security of the campus." The manual gives no indication that I can see what law enforcement agency it is to which people may report grievances or possible crimes involving the chief and/or the president of the university.

Thank you for any help you can provide,

Christopher Korey Philippo

---

"Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" whistleblower protection:

"The statute now includes language specifically protecting whistleblowers who report violations of the Clery Act. This section is effective immediately" (2).

Storch, Joseph. "2008 Changes to Clery Act Reporting Requirements." September 2, 2008. SUNY.edu. http://www.suny.edu/govtRelations/federal/pdf/2008-68%20Guidance%20on%202008%20Changes%20to%20Clery%20Act%20Reporting%20Requirements.pdf

"Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) (17)

"Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit an institution, or an officer, employee, or agent of an institution, participating in any program under this subchapter and part C of subchapter I of chapter 34 of title 42 to retaliate, intimidate, threaten, coerce, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the implementation of any provision of this subsection."

---

“Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” - Edward W. Bok

Status Cuomonny Hall

"the safety of our students and the security of our campuses is our top priority" — Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Press Releases. September 13, 2012. http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/091412stmtsunythreats

It's one thing to put out a press release and make claims about student safety and campus security being top priority. Actually, demonstrably making it top priority is something else entirely. Where's the evidence of any change for the better?

"the State is not an insurer or guarantor of the safety of SUNYA students"

McEnaney v. State of New York, 267 AD 2d 748 - NY: Appellate Div., 3rd Dept. 1999. http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14949034404515783354

"there are police chiefs in SUNY who are not mandating policer [sic] officers, certified, whatever. We have police chiefs that refuse to voluntarily give up their fingerprints"

James Lyman, Executive Director of Council 82 for the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union. (108). http://www.nysenate.gov/files/SUNY%20testimony%20pt.%202.PDF

"SUNY police chiefs serve at the pleasure of the campus president, thus are motivated to keep crime stats down by any means […] SUNY can no longer afford to staff, or overstaff, a body, or overstaff, a body which is subject to inefficiencies, manipulation, cronyism, ill motivation and mismanagement."

Peter Barry, VP & Legislative Director of NYS University Police Officers Union Local 1792 of the American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees AFSCME, Council 82 & AFL-CIO. (127-128). http://www.nysenate.gov/files/SUNY%20Testimony%20pt.%203.PDF

"'instead of the school doing what it should do, following basic standards of due process…basically, if you can’t cross-examine your accuser, since the time Sir Walter Raleigh, that accusers testimony needs to be discarded. However, in SUNY Albany the accuser, the cop, can say whatever he or she wants, and then you’re not allowed to cross-examine that cop.'" — Lee Kindlon of Kindlon, Shanks & Associates

Mineau, Lauren. "Bruised, arrested student alleges police brutality." Albany Student Press Blog. December 12, 2012. http://blog.timesunion.com/asp/2706/bruised-arrested-students-alleges-police-brutality/

A UAlbany freshman asked: "How do you call the UAlbany Police?"

A sophomore answered, "Soo-nie!"

Everyone else replied, "You don't. (It's safer not to.)"

People might be better off taking their chances with the City of Albany PD, despite Chief Krokoff being a UAlbany student (which shows):

"'I'm looking into our handling of it,' Police Chief Steven Krokoff said".

Lyons, Brendan J. "Cops chided in finger-biting case; Victim says police slow to probe attack that nearly cost her finger." Albany Times Union. January 31, 2013. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cops-chided-in-finger-biting-case-4236663.php

"Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff was surprised to find out that his officers have conducted some 655 strip searches dating back to January of 2009".

TU Editorial Board. "Why so many strip searches?" Albany Times Union. December 12, 2012. http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/why-so-many-strip-searches/23305/

"Police Chief Steven Krokoff says his department was 'insensitive' when it conducted a training exercise that involved police firing blank ammunition and using flash grenades near occupied apartments at the Ida J. Yarbrough Homes.

"The chief said the department will review how it conducts neighborhood-based training' after Thursday's operation drew criticism from residents who said they were frightened by a chaotic scene that seemed real to them.

"Krokoff released a statement as photos of the incident spread on Facebook. The pictures showed armed officers in tactical gear as well as fake blood and spent shell casings that were left behind at part of the public housing complex that is now deserted and slated for demolition."

Stanforth, Lauren. "Police training exercise draws criticism; Residents of Ida Yarbrough describe explosions and gunfire; chief apologizes." Albany Times Union. March 25, 2013. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Police-training-exercise-draws-criticism-4379839.php

For earlier issues with the City of Albany Police (of which there are many, evidently), see e.g.:

Gavin, Robert. "Tuffey taking time off with pay; Top cop takes action after Times Union report that he hasn't been sworn officer since 1996." Albany Times Union. May 27, 2009: A1. http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=8108430 (and some more relating to that: "Tough and wily? Nice going there, chiefs." http://minervawept.blogspot.com/2012/12/tough-and-wily-nice-going-there-chiefs.html

Journalistic ethics: a matter best ignored by Hearst journalists?

Ethics at George Randolph Hearst III's newspaper the Albany Times Union?

Subject: "Chief" J. "Frank" Wiley [Re: "Man charged in lewd behavior case at UAlbany": Correction]

Date: February 18, 2013 1:55:33 PM EST

To: "Buckley, Teresa"

On Feb 18, 2013, at 12:34 PM, "Buckley, Teresa" wrote:

| we had no reason to change Frank Wiley’s title from chief because it’s correct.

A straightforward answer, and I can respect that. A straightforward question: is that an assumption on the part of the Times Union or is it a statement based on evidence? The latter was what I was hoping to find.

Not being a lawyer myself, I can't be absolutely certain, but it had seemed to me that Mr. Wiley might not be chief for the following reasons, somewhat hastily written and not very easily put in digest form:

On August 2, 2012 I'd filed a FOIL request with UAlbany for Mr. Wiley's Oath of Office. I never received an acknowledgement of my FOIL request, but I was e-mailed a threat the next day from UAlbany that I may not communicate with (among others) their Records Access Officers. I'm pretty sure there's no provision in FOIL for issuing such threats?

There's a SUNY Oath of Office procedure item requirement http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=546 , citing N.Y. CIV. SERV. LAW § 62, N.Y. EDUC. LAW § 3002, and N.Y. Const. Art. 13 § 1. Both the SUNY webpage and the N.Y. EDUC. LAW § 3002 even state, "These oaths or statements must be available for public inspection" and "Such oaths or statements shall be available for public inspection" - seemingly FOIL would not even be required to obtain them. The latter also states "It shall be unlawful for an officer, person or board having control of the employment, dismissal or suspension of teachers, instructors or professors in such a school, college, university or institution, to permit a person to serve in any such capacity therein in violation of the provisions of this section."

I resubmitted the August 2, 2012 request not to UAlbany (since I'd been threatened about that) but to the NYS Department of State, and the DoS wrote me that Mr. Wiley has no Oath of Office on file for 1996 when he was hired, or 1999 when SUNY police were promoted from peace officers to police officers. Mr. Wiley would seemingly thus have vacated his office back in 1996 under N.Y. PUB. OFF. LAW § 30 (1) (h) and the legal precedent in People ex rel. Walton v. Hicks (173 App. Div. 338, affd. 221 N.Y. 503), at 341 which states of the New York Public Officers Law:

"This statute is emphatic and unequivocal. It does not seem possible that it can be misunderstood. In case a person appointed to office neglects to file his official oath within 15 days after notice of appointment or within 15 days after the commencement of the term of office, the office becomes vacant, ipso facto. That is all there is to it. No judicial procedure is necessary. No notice is necessary. Nothing is necessary. The office is vacant, as much so as though the appointee is dead. There is no incumbent, and the vacancy may be filled by the proper appointive power".

According to N.Y. EDUC. LAW § 3002 it would also seem to have been unlawful to employ him as an instructor, should he indeed lack an Oath of Office on file as required, as the NYS Department of State informed me that Mr. Wiley did indeed lack for his 1996 appointment. However, Mr. Wiley has been an instructor at the university:

"Chief J. Frank Wiley has taught the undergraduate course 'Law and African America' here at the University at Albany since 1998." http://www.albany.edu/studentsuccess/assessment/docs/Divisional%20AR%2007-08%20Compiled.pdf

The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services wrote me [on December 11, 2012 4:13 PM in response to a December 7, 2012 1:16 PM FOIL request] that Mr. Wiley "has not completed any training, including basic training, reported to DCJS".

On November 28, 2012 I'd filed a FOIL request with SUNY system administration for "the oath of office card and Division of Criminal Justice form 2214A" for Mr. Wiley, which SUNY should have since the SUNY Police Manual §10.01 states, "Upon the swearing in of a new officer, the officer’s oath of office card and Division of Criminal Justice form 2214A shall be forwarded to the Office of University Police within three working days." SUNY did not fulfill the request.

Had you found any evidence he'd sworn and filed his Oath of Office in 1996 with the NYS Secretary of State as required? Any evidence he's legally and constitutionally qualified to be a Chief of Police or a university instructor?

How could J. "Frank" Wiley have met the legal and constitutional requirements of N.Y. CIV. SERV. LAW §§ 58 (1) and (1-b), N.Y. EXEC. LAW § 840 (2) and N.Y. CONST. Art. 5, § 6? In 1996 he was appointed chief of UAlbany's peace officers at age forty, at which time he was said to be a Baltimore, Maryland public schoolteacher; the UAlbany department became full officers by NYS legislative act in 1999, when he was forty-three. Don't officers have to take the NYS police exam prior to age thirty-nine, demonstrate merit, moral, and physical fitness, work their way up through the ranks to become chief, etc.?

With the NYS Police Academy right next door to UAlbany, choosing a Maryland schoolteacher was perhaps not only a strange choice but an offensive one. Plenty of men and women who've worked their way up through the ranks in New York would have been far more qualified and deserving of the highly-paid job.

SUNY Albany had hired Mr. Wiley after Oberlin College in Ohio had rejected his application for employment that same year (after the Oberlin Review had initially reported he'd been hired). Evidently he wasn't interested in remaining in Maryland? Prior to that he'd been Director of Public Safety for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore for a short period of time, during which he somehow also found time to also be the Assistant Coach for the Lady Hawks women's basketball team there, which UMES tells me he must have been doing on a voluntary basis. His resume is decidedly weak for a number of other reasons as well. Appointing him in the wake of the campus shooting by Ralph J. Tortorici was perhaps not the wisest of appointments.

Mr. Wiley's under the impression, among other things, that the University at Albany has something called the "office of Student Rights and Responsibilities" and he believed that a fraudulent document with his own name on it that he'd acknowledged the UAlbany Police did not have as the document itself claimed was somehow not a police matter, but a matter for that fictitious office.

From: Wiley, J. Frank

Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 5:16 AM

Subject: Re: OK, so the December 9, 2011 cease and desist order I was sent is fake…?

Sir. Given the nature of your concerns i [sic] suggest you contact the office of Student Rights And Responsibilities [sic]. This [sic] office is the more appropriate outlet for your concerns. I will forward your concerns to that office. With respect to your desire to submit corrects [sic] i [sic] will forward your communication to the appropriate person who will contact you. Chief Wiley

Of course, nobody ever contacted me about the corrections or amendments I wanted made. Why I was addressed as "Sir," I don't know, but the biggest questions for me are why he didn't see it as a police matter, and why he believed there was something called the "office of Student Rights And Responsibilities."

I'm not sure if his tendency to use a lower case "i" to refer to himself was a poetic conceit (he doesn't go by j. "frank" wiley, so I'd guess not), or just a small manifestation of a seeming larger tendency on his part to be extremely sloppy about his work. The sloppy work of the UAlbany police is something the Times Union to its credit has repeatedly reported about, though it has unfortunately not tended not to follow up on such stories to any great degree. Mr. Wiley wouldn't be the only SUNY police "chief" with such issues, it would seem, according to people who certainly ought to know:

James Lyman, Executive Director of Council 82 for the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union, "there are police chiefs in SUNY who are not mandating policer [sic] officers, certified, whatever. We have police chiefs that refuse to voluntarily give up their fingerprints" (108). http://www.nysenate.gov/files/SUNY%20testimony%20pt.%202.PDF

Peter Barry, Vice President and Legislative Director of New York State University Police Officers Union, Local 1792 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, Council 82 and AFL-CIO, "decentralized structure promotes erroneous crime reporting and record keeping. One possible cause for this is that SUNY police chiefs serve at the pleasure of the campus president, thus are motivated to keep crime stats down by any means […] SUNY can no longer afford to staff, or overstaff, a body which is subject to inefficiencies, manipulation, cronyism, ill motivation and mismanagement" (127-128). http://www.nysenate.gov/files/SUNY%20Testimony%20pt.%203.PDF

With Mr. Wiley having been a "former high level athlete" who'd played "years of high impact sports," perhaps his injuries were not limited to the painful arthritis he appears to have given testimony about to a Massachusetts massage parlor? http://www.bmt.massagetherapy.com/testimonials http://www.usamassagetherapist.com/business/berkshire-massage-therapy

I'm not sure what all sports are considered "high impact": football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, field and track I'd guess. Mr. Wiley has the stocky physique of an ex-football player, and is publicly known to be a big fan of the sport.

"Study finds chronic brain damage in retired football players." L.A. Times. January 22, 2013. http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-cte-concussion-nfl-proteins-20130122,0,6280878.story

A checkup might be in order, should anybody care about the man's health, aside from other concerns about his performance of the job and the impact on others of his actions or inaction. After all, Mr. Wiley's past the age at which his predecessor Chief(?) Williams was forced, unwillingly, to retire.

In addition to that, SUNY Police Manual §20.09 also indicates that "All members of the department shall maintain good physical condition so that they can handle strenuous physical contacts that may be required of a university police officer." SUNY Police Manual § 1.13 states that members of the department are "Duly appointed university police personnel in the department, either in professional or classified services, including sworn and unsworn personnel." Mr. Wiley's painful arthritis and mobility problems, if still an issue, and his seeming obesity, would appear to put him in violation of 20.09, regardless of whether he swore and filed an Oath of Office with the NYS Secretary of State or not.

The Times Union used to pay the SUNY Albany police to do security for the N.Y. Giants' football training camp at UAlbany. Mr. Hearst is the President of the Board of Directors of the University at Albany Foundation. To investigate or not investigate the question of whether Mr. Wiley is really, legitimately, "chief" poses a challenge of journalistic ethics, or at least so it seems to me; I'm hoping the Times Union is up for it? I think the public could only respect the Times Union for having that high a level of journalistic integrity, or at least I'd like to think so.

The Times Union cares about student safety and campus security, I trust; I certainly do.

Thanks,

[...]

---

“Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” - Edward W. Bok

---

"Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) (17)

"Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit an institution, or an officer, employee, or agent of an institution, participating in any program under this subchapter and part C of subchapter I of chapter 34 of title 42 to retaliate, intimidate, threaten, coerce, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the implementation of any provision of this subsection."

William Randolph Hearst: "A man as low and mean as I can picture" - Governor Al Smith

William R. Hearst was denounced as an assassin of character, an enemy of the people, and an apostle of discord, and his newspapers were called a pestilence that walks in the dark by Governor Alfred E. Smith last night, in an address delivered at Carnegie Hall. [...] There were many preambles to the resolution in which Mr. Hearst was denounced for distortion of truth, vituperation, slander, and for pursuing a career of yellow journalism from which some of the most eminent public servants of this city, State and nation, have suffered unjustly.

Resolution Against Hearst.

The resolution follows:

1. Whereas, We hold the principle to be self-evident that criticism of public officials is the essential right and duty of a free press in a free country.

2. That abuse of this right through willful misrepresentation of the policies and acts of public servants is inimical to the republic.

3. That the distortion of news columns to serve a policy of hate, slander and even libel, is unscrupulous journalism.

4. That public servants irrespective of their political allegiance should be protected against such foul play on the part of a rich newspaper publisher who exercises power without responsibility.

5. That William Randolph Hearst has pursued a career of yellow journalism in which willful misrepresentation of policies, perversions of facts, distortion of the truth to suit his hate and self-will, have been his conspicuous characteristics.

6. That William Randolph Hearst has been tried by public opinion and has been found wanting as a truly loyal American in one of our Nation's most critical hours.

7. That his vituperations, slander, and falsehood, directed against some of our ablest and most devoted public servants, living and dead, among whom may be mentioned President Woodrow Wilson, ex-President Cleveland, ex-President McKinley, William J. Gaynor, Theodore Roosevelt, John Purroy Mitchell, and Alfred E. Smith, have violated every principle of justice and fair dealing and tended to discourage disinterested public servants.

8. That the only recourse open to a public servant is to meet his opponent in public debate, which William Randolph Hearst has refused to do.

Therefore, be it

Resolved, That a committee of 1,000 representative citizens be appointed, irrespective of party allegiance, to be known as the Citizens' Fair Play Committee, whose functions it shall be to frame a sound public opinion directed against the insidious and disintegrating opinions of his journalists, and to protect public servants and citizens generally from his irresponsible methods of misrepresentation and slander through the most effective methods it can see fit to employ.

"Smith Denounces Hearst; Launches Fair Play Battle; Says Editor Is an Assassin of Character, Enemy of People, Apostle of Discord; Appeals to Public Opinion; Governor Calls the Hearst Newspapers a 'Pestilence That Walks in the Dark'; 4,000 Shout in Approval; Carnegie Hall Audience Decides to Form Committee to Protect Citizens from 'Slander.'" N.Y. Times. October 30, 1919: 1, 3. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50C11FD3A5C1B728DDDA90B94D8415B898DF1D3

The Keystone (Light) Kops

"No More Drunken Cops." Albany Times Union. February 22, 2013: A12. http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=21653829

City of Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff has a BA from UAlbany, has been pursuing an MBA at UAlbany, and is also a SUNY Delhi instructor. http://www.albany.edu/burton_lecture/bio-krokoff.php

Krokoff's evidently a busy guy! When does he ever have time to look into what City of Albany Police officers are doing? Well...:

Aspiring TSA employees?

"Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff was surprised to find out that his officers have conducted some 655 strip searches dating back to January of 2009".

TU Editorial Board. "Why so many strip searches?" Albany Times Union. December 12, 2012. http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/why-so-many-strip-searches/23305/

Once bitten...

"'I'm looking into our handling of it,' Police Chief Steven Krokoff said".

Lyons, Brendan J. "Cops chided in finger-biting case; Victim says police slow to probe attack that nearly cost her finger." Albany Times Union. January 31, 2013. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cops-chided-in-finger-biting-case-4236663.php

Bloody cops...

"Police Chief Steven Krokoff says his department was 'insensitive' when it conducted a training exercise that involved police firing blank ammunition and using flash grenades near occupied apartments at the Ida J. Yarbrough Homes.

"The chief said the department will review how it conducts 'neighborhood-based training' after Thursday's operation drew criticism from residents who said they were frightened by a chaotic scene that seemed real to them.

"Krokoff released a statement as photos of the incident spread on Facebook. The pictures showed armed officers in tactical gear as well as fake blood and spent shell casings that were left behind at part of the public housing complex that is now deserted and slated for demolition."

Stanforth, Lauren. "Police training exercise draws criticism; Residents of Ida Yarbrough describe explosions and gunfire; chief apologizes." Albany Times Union. March 25, 2013. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Police-training-exercise-draws-criticism-4379839.php

If Krokoff is given an MBA in spite of the questionable administration skills he's displayed in the service of Mayor Jennings, would that affect the value of MBAs from UAlbany at all?

"New York Open for Sending Business Elsewhere"

"New York needs to communicate that it is the place where businesses want to come and stay."

"Governor Cuomo Launches 'New York Open for Business' Marketing Initiative; Global Marketing Initiative Will Promote the Advantages of Doing Business in New York." August 24, 2011. http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/08242011

When the State University of New York, for example, outsources the printing of 8 1/2" x 11" SUNY diplomas to Michael Sutter Company of Heber City, Utah, is the idea that they're hoping Michael Sutter Company will come to New York? That's not going to happen; they print diplomas for other states too. Why doesn't the SUNY Press or some business based in New York print them? SUNY seems to like undermining Governor Cuomo's efforts.

University at Albany

Ordering diplomas used to be a big production, however for us, since switching to Michael Sutter, it is truly a non event. We simply press a button and the Michael Sutter company completes the diploma process in a few days.

- Maria Brown, Associate Registrar

http://www.michaelsutter.com/testimonials.html

If ordering diplomas is so simple it's a "non event", the matter of a few days, why is it that diplomas aren't sent from Utah until weeks after Commencement? It would make a lot more sense if they were available at Commencement. Is that the Michael Sutter Company's fault, or the UAlbany Registrar's?

SUNY Albany Café: NO STUDENTS SERVED

"Professor Lawrence Snyder, Chair of the Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expresion, and Community Responsibility (CAFFEECoR) discussed a proposed student academic bill of rights, which will be presented to the Senate Executive Committee. […] Professor Snyder mentioned the possible creation of a website where students may state faculty grievances. […] Another student concern was when students take ADD/ADHD drugs to stay focused on exams. It is especially upsetting for students when the drugs are not prescribed to a particular student who purchases them for the sole purpose of helping them concentrate while studying. Students believe those students have an unfair advantage. According to students, plagiarism and other forms of student cheating is not handled in the same manner for all students resulting in unequal student treatment. The committee concluded it was important to have a location where students may discuss their grievances privately without fear of faculty retribution.

"Professor Snyder mentioned the website entitled ratemyprofessor.com where students are able to post faculty names and comments. He mentioned an example where a student that posted negative comments never approached the faculty member to discuss the matter. Such comments place the University in a poor might and is worsened by the fact that the entire world can access the website."

"Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Community Responsibility." Undergraduate Academic Council. December 17, 2005. http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/12-19-05_UAC_minutes.doc

SUNY Albany's Undergraduate Academic Council recognized that some professors retaliate against students who have grievances. There'd been the thought that it would be better for problems to be solved than for complaints to be posted in view of "the entire world" (really just a segment of English speakers with Internet access). They didn't issue ratemyprofessor.com a "cease and desist" however (AFAIK), yet they didn't create the Undergraduate Ombuds office either.

Are student complaints always so unimportant to SUNY Albany administrators? Does the administration find it acceptable to employ faculty who retaliate against students with grievances? Professor Snyder alleged that a student had "never" approached a professor about a problem, but he presumably only had the professor's word for that; regardless, it could easily have been a student fearing retaliation.