Here are the biggest news stories from the Syracuse University campus and around the city you may have missed while away for winter break:

Syracuse University suspends employee who faces two child pornography charges

Syracuse University suspended Ryan K. Gavigan, an employee in SU’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, after he was arrested in mid-December on two child pornography charges.

Gavigan was previously listed as a student conduct advisor on OSRR’s webpage. The office investigates violations of the Code of Student Conduct, which can include sexual assault complaints. Gavigan had also previously worked as an “Assistant Residence Director” in the university’s Office of Residence Life, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Police said he was charged with possession of a sexual performance by a child and promoting the sexual performance of a child, both felonies.

An investigation determined that Gavigan shared multiple images, depicted as child pornography, with another individual on the internet, according to a New York State Police press release.

Tax bill passed without many contentious provisions that would have affected Syracuse University

The Republican Party’s final tax overhaul bill, which Congress approved in mid-December, was passed without several contentious provisions that would have directly affected the Syracuse University community.

Some of the proposed provisions eliminated from the final bill would have caused the cost of university attendance for some students to skyrocket. The elimination of graduate student tuition waivers was included in the House’s original tax bill, for example.

Chancellor Kent Syverud said a team of campus officials worked to fight certain provisions of the tax plan.

The final tax bill will still eliminate an 80 percent tax deduction available to sports fans for “seat-license fees.” Syverud said in a November letter to Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) that the funds generated by the payments play a “significant role” in supporting investments in athletic infrastructure, scholarships and student programs.

Frank Fowler to remain Syracuse police chief during replacement search

Despite saying he would retire at the start of 2018, Frank Fowler will continue to serve as Syracuse’s police chief while Mayor Ben Walsh conducts a national search for his replacement.

Fowler previously said he would retire when outgoing Mayor Stephanie Miner left office.

Joseph Cecile, the Syracuse Police Department’s first deputy chief, will also remain in his position throughout 2018, Walsh said. That decision came when the new mayor announced the appointment of three new SPD deputy chiefs in late December.

Walsh also authorized a new class of SPD officers to fill 25 of the 30 officer vacancies in the city’s police department.

Ben Walsh takes oath of office to become mayor of Syracuse

Walsh, 39, officially became the 54th mayor of Syracuse at midnight on Jan. 1. The former economic development director made history in November after he was elected as Syracuse’s first independent mayor in over 100 years.

In a private inauguration ceremony in City Hall, more than 70 people gathered to congratulate Walsh on his victory, including his father, former Republican congressman Jim Walsh. Common Council President Helen Hudson also attended the event.

Walsh told reporters he does not “plan on taking time off.” In the week before the inauguration, Walsh hired several key members of his new administration, including former Republican county legislator Bob Andrews, who will head intergovernmental relations and shared services.

The new mayor has spoken with Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in recent weeks.

Syracuse University freshman dies due to carbon monoxide poisoning

Raja “Safi” Aziz, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, died during winter break as the result of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning while visiting family in Pakistan. He was 19.

Aziz’s loved ones will come to Syracuse in the coming weeks to hold a memorial service, said Dolan Evanovich, Syracuse University’s senior vice president for the division of enrollment and the student experience.

Friends of Aziz said he was studying biology and hoped to one day become a doctor.

Fraternity placed on probation following conduct violations related to hazing

Syracuse University placed the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity on “extended disciplinary probation” following an investigation into violations of SU’s Code of Student Conduct. The conduct violations were related to hazing, said Cameron Pierro, the fraternity’s president, in an email.

DKE was originally supposed to be suspended from campus, but the decision was appealed in mid-January, Pierro said. The fraternity will be on disciplinary probation through Dec. 15, 2019 and on social probation through Dec. 15, 2018, he said.

According to SU’s Student Conduct System Handbook, additional violations of the code of conduct may result in immediate suspension, indefinite suspension or expulsion from the university.

DKE was suspended from the university in March 2000 after a former pledge accused the fraternity of abuses that included hazing. The organization was suspended again in April 2002 after a fight near Marshall Street involving more than 100 people.

Published on January 15, 2018 at 6:46 pm

Contact Jordan: jmulle01@syr.edu | @jordanmuller18