Post by Dan Cummings - A quick thought on one of our "page one" stories this week:  the suspension of SU freshman guard "Scoop" Jardine.  It came to my attention that Syracuse University is between a rock and a hard place, when it comes to saying anything about the matter.  While fans and others might like the University to be more forthcoming about the reasons behind this suspension...the SU administration is hamstrung by federal privacy laws.  (google FERPA and read all about it).  
 
There are significant sanctions, including stiff fines...for violating this act.  If SU officials buckled to continuing pressure from reporters and others to clear up the "mystery" surrounding such suspensions...they would be stepping into territory clearly forbidden by this statute, which is designed to protect the privacy of students and their records.   This goes to academic records as well as disciplinary and judicial proceedings.
 
The "mystery" was somewhat clarified when Jardine's cousin was charged with forgery, grand larceny, and identity theft.  Robert Washington's statement to police indicated that Jardine knew that food was being purchased with an ID card stolen from another SU student.  For that, apparently, and I stress apparently...the young player is not playing.   
 
Is there more to the suspension?   We do not know, and by law, it's none of our business.  
 
An SU Vice-President did tell me that the goal in these cases is to have some degree of resolution or closure within 30 days.  But that 30 day clock doesn't start until judicial charges are brought against a student.  Have such charges been brought against Jardine?  The SU VP will not say.  He can only confirm two facts:  "Scoop" is an enrolled student at the University, and he is on indefinite suspension from the basketball team.  
 
For now:  GO ORANGE !  (and stay healthy...there aren't that many of you left).