SUDadx2
2nd String
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I'm not sure it was said how he lost his tooth. LA accepted responsibility for striking the "victim" after LA was hit twice in the head/face by the "victim" (causing LA to have a bloody nose) and before the "victim" could strike LA a third time. The university later acknowledged LA had a right to defend himself I don't recall LA ever stating he took responsibility for the victim's tooth.
According to the attached statements the "victim" was involved in other altercations the same night. At least once it was stated he was jumped by a group of people and while on the ground was hit and kicked in his head several times until his female friend threw herself on top of him (the "victim") so the beating would stop. In her affidavit, the female friend stated after this she noticed the "victim's" lip was split and bleeding. See page 23 of the 16th attachment for her affidavit taken on 12/13/2022.
If I read these statements correctly, the "victim" made multiple statements and contradicted himself multiple times. See pages 27 - 30 of attachment 16.
If LA is being disciplined for escalating the situation, then why isn't every other student implicated in this incident by way of these statements and affidavits being held accountable in a similar manner? Disparate treatment?
See #7
Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities | Policies
Scope Students Policy Statement 1. SPEECH/EXPRESSION/PRESS Students have the right to express themselves freely on any subject provided they do so in a mann ...
policies.syr.edu
Students have the right to expect a reasonably safe environment supportive of the University’s Mission and their own educational goals. Students have the responsibility to protect and maintain that environment and to protect themselves from all hazards to the extent that reasonable behavior and precaution can avoid risk.
Section 11.6 of the Student Conduct System Handbook
Sanctioning Guidelines for Violence-Related Violations
| Category | Sanction |
|---|---|
| Physical harm or threat of physical harm without a weapon resulting in little or no physical injury to involved persons. | Disciplinary Probation or Suspension. Participation in the Conflict Resolution Program, and the Options Program referral if alcohol or other drugs were a factor in the incident. Community service and/or other educational sanctions |
| Physical harm without a weapon resulting in significant physical injury to another person. | Suspension or Expulsion |
Was it ever proven that LA caused the injury to the "victim" who was involved in more than one altercation on the night in question?
The very first sentence in the section addressing Sanctions on the SU website reads;
The primary goal of the University Student Conduct System is education.
Sanctions - Community Standards
The primary goal of the University Student Conduct System is education. In addition to educational sanctions, the university may issue sanctions that affect a student or student organization’s status at the university. All sanctions are official actions of the University. Failure to comply with...
experience.syracuse.edu
Disciplinary sanctions should have some educational value to them and not simply be punitive. I do not see the educational value in suspending LA for two semesters.
There is no justice here unless all participants are held accountable for their actions related to this incident. This includes the "victim" who went "looking for answers" (an act of escalation) and allegedly hit LA twice.
We must do better.
