Syracuse Seeks Role in Monitoring Abuse

ALBANY — The Cuomo administration is strongly considering a surprise bid from Syracuse University to run a new federally financed nonprofit agency that will monitor treatment of people with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses, according to people involved in the process.

The university’s application, however, is being questioned by some disability advocates. Syracuse is proposing to create a nonprofit group under its auspices that would run the oversight agency, a departure for the university, which is largely known for its research and policy expertise in the field. And while the group is supposed to be independent, the university is proposing to allow one-third of its board members “to be elected with input from the governor.”