For the past three weeks, students have organized to raise awareness to issues facing marginalized groups at Syracuse University. THE General Body, a collective of student organizations, wants to address the administration’s recent changes, including the closure of the Advocacy Centerand cuts to a scholarship fund for minority students. This year at SU has been defined by a particularly active participation from student voices. Earlier this semester, groups of students led protests in relation to similar social justice issues.
One of many signs in Crouse-Hinds hall | Photo courtesy of THE General Body
For 18 days, the group sat, slept, and held meetings in SU’s administration building, Crouse-Hinds, to protest the university’s alleged lack of diversity. THE General Body presented a list of grievances and solutions to Chancellor Kent Syverud and his administration. The students and administration have tried to negotiate the demands, passing the list back and forth. However, THE General Body criticizes the administration for not providing direct answers or a written commitment to their grievances.
The protesters left Crouse-Hinds on Thursday and announced that they will enter the second stage of the Diversity and Transparency (DAT) movement, along with growing support from faculty and alumni. SU departmental faculty have written letters to Syverud and have participated in rallies alongside the students. The group has continued to receive letters in solidarity from organizations and university communities around the country as well, such as the United Healthcare Workers East, Colgate University, and American University.
THE General Body comprised a list of central demands to Syverud and his administration:
-Address a culture of racism, homophobia, and hate speech on campus
-Support diversity and student safety
-Invest in mental health, psychiatric, and sexual assault services for students
-Commit to budget transparency
-Improve accessibility on campus
Here is a quick run-down of the past two weeks of rallies, sit-in, and negotiations at SU:
Monday, Nov. 3: Students gathered on the steps of Hendrick’s Chapel for the Diversity and Transparency (DAT) Rally. After, students marched to the administration building, Crouse-Hinds, handed their list of grievances to a member of Syverud’s administration, and staged a sit-in.
