Syracuse U tightens security after white supremacist manifesto; New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo rips chancellor

John Bacon | USA TODAY

Security was tightened across the Syracuse University campus Tuesday after a white supremacist manifesto was posted on a campus forum and reportedly "air dropped" to cellphones of some students at the school library.

The appearance of the manifesto was the latest in a series of almost daily racist episodes that have sparked days of protests at the 22,000-student university.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statement Tuesday blasting Chancellor Kent Syverud's handling of the issue, and the university responded later in the day with an 11-page chart detailing how its administration has responded to each incident.

"The hateful activities at Syracuse University are most disturbing, not only to the Syracuse University community, but to the greater community of New York," Cuomo said. "They have not been handled in a manner that reflects this state's aggressive opposition to such odious, reckless, reprehensible behavior."

Cuomo called on the university's Board of Trustees to bring in an "experienced monitor" to oversee the situation. In a statement, Syverud said the university is revising its policies, meeting with diverse student groups and providing additional safety resources.

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"As Chancellor, I take very seriously these immediate priorities, and commit to promptly achieving them, as well as to supporting the other important measures in the responses," he said.

The Department of Public Safety – campus police – said it was working with Syracuse police, New York State Police and the FBI to determine the origin of the manifesto. The incident happened at about 1 a.m. Tuesday, and the department then issued a campuswide email urging anyone "traveling on campus at this time (to) please call for a safety escort."

AirDrop is an Apple sharing tool. The school newspaper, the Daily Orange, said the manifesto was a 74-page document written by the perpetrator of the deadly mosque shootings in New Zealand earlier this year.

The New Zealand attack took place in Christchurch on March 15. The gunman live-streamed the carnage, which killed more than 50 people and wounded dozens more. The shooter had emailed the hate-laced manifesto to dozens of people minutes before beginning his attack.

Campus police said Tuesday that patrols were doubled, marked vehicles were stationed "strategically" around campus, and walking patrols were increased.

On Monday, campus police said it was investigating racist graffiti "using language that is derogatory to African Americans" on the 5th floor of a residence hall.

Syverud issued an earlier statement Sunday, hours after campus police said an African American female reported being verbally harassed Saturday by a large group of individuals who reportedly were yelling the “N-word” as she walked by. There was no physical altercation, the department said in a statement.

Syverud said some of the suspects in that case were members and guests of a fraternity, which he immediately suspended. He did not name the fraternity, but the school's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs listed the school's Alpha Chi Rho chapter as suspended.

The chancellor also suspended social activities for all fraternities through the end of the semester.

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Last week, campus police revealed they were investigating other recent bias incidents. One involved anti-Semitic graffiti depicting a swastika; another was a student loudly yelling a racial epithet derogatory to African Americans. A third incident, targeting Asians, was reported earlier this month.

Campus police also said they were aware of a "hateful" email directed as several members of the university community. Syracuse police were handling that investigation, campus police said.

Students have been conducting sit-ins and other protests for a week. Expulsion of all students involved in racist incidents and more counselors representing marginalized minorities are among their demands. They set a deadline of Wednesday, saying they would call for Syverud's ouster if their demands were not met.

They may have an ally in Cuomo.

"Despite his efforts, I do not believe Chancellor Syverud has handled this matter in a way that instills confidence," Cuomo said.

Syverud announced there will be a community forum on Wednesday, and called on students to work together with administrators to ensure a supportive environment.

Contributing: Joseph Spector, USA TODAY Network