Governor Andrew Cuomo criticized Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud and SU leadership for their response to the string of reported racial incidents at the university over the past week and a half, saying they “have not been handled in a manner that reflects this state's aggressive opposition to such odious, reckless, reprehensible behavior.”

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

The governor added that an outside investigation should take part in searching for those responsible for the various incidents.

"I believe the Board of Trustees of Syracuse University should immediately bring in an experienced monitor with the relevant expertise to effectively investigate these incidents, clearly communicate the facts with the Board and to the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force and recommend a decisive strategy to address both the specific incidents and behavior,” Cuomo said. “In the meantime, I am directing the Task Force to expand their previous investigations to include the recent reports of a white supremacist 'manifesto' being digitally disseminated to Syracuse University students in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies.”

Syverud has been under fire from some students since reports of the incidents first surfaced. Last week, some students compiled a list of demands for the chancellor, one of which calls for the expulsion of any student involved in the incident. Another requested a "same race" option for roommate selection.

At a press conference Tuesday addressing investigations of the incidents, Syracuse area law enforcement defended Syverud.

“I couldn’t say enough about the chancellor’s leadership,” said SU Department of Public Safety Chief Bobby Maldonado. “He’s worked tirelessly for the last 13 days. He’s committed to not only making sure there’s calm in the community, but getting to the bottom of this.”

Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner said — from an optics standpoint — that it’s “very easy to be on the outside looking in, giving instructions on how to rassle an oculus.”

“I can tell you that from my view, from where I sit here on the ground in Syracuse, the chancellor could not have done more to try to respond to issues that are going on on that campus.”

The chancellor has detailed planned changes to protocol in these situations since they began, and on Tuesday released summaries of the university’s response to each of the concerns stated by the student Barnes Center participators and by the International Students.

University Releases Plan to Address Bias Incidents by Anonymous okrJR6rTR on Scribd