Dear Students, Parents and Members of the Campus Community,

Earlier this morning, SUNY Oswego issued a NY-Alert informing our campus of an incident that occurred outside of Shineman Center involving the stabbing of one of our students. I am writing to provide you with an update of the situation. 

First and foremost, our student is in stable condition at Upstate University Hospital recovering from his wounds. His injuries are not life threatening.

I commend our University Police for their prompt response to the incident and the work already taking place in the investigation of this assault. University Police Chief John Rossi has shared with me that after assessing the known facts at this time, there is no reason to believe there is any current danger on our campus. Chief Rossi also indicated the suspects (four men and one woman who drove off in a dark colored 4-door Honda) are believed to be from outside the Oswego community and have very likely left the area.   

Please know, however, that we are committed to the safety of the SUNY Oswego family. Our University Police is focused on chasing down leads and, as a measure of heightened safety and security, has called in additional officers to patrol the campus and its perimeters today.

We will continue to communicate with witnesses who were present or connected to the fight/assault this morning, as well as reach out to those who attended last night's off-campus event at the American Legion, where it is believed the incident initially started.

As the investigation continues and we seek answers to this morning’s assault, I urge all members of our campus community to be supportive of one another. It is imperative to remember that our campus is home to all of our members from many different backgrounds, and by demonstrating our respect, concern and understanding for each other we live our best lives and help our campus stay safe and strong.

I will provide an update to the campus community as additional information becomes available. In the meantime, I encourage anyone with additional information to please contact State University Police at 315-312-5555 or use the department's electronic tip line  https://www.oswego.edu/police/concerns.

Sincerely,

Deborah F. Stanley

President