Syracuse University’s lack of involvement with the Stadium Task Force could negatively affect the campus community in the future.

The Stadium Task Force met for the first time since it was created on Tuesday. On Feb. 7, Chancellor Kent Syverud turned down an invitation to have a representative on the force, saying he felt the “best course of action is for the university and the city to undertake these analyses separately.”

As of Tuesday’s meeting, none of the members had seen the feasibility study done by SU to assess the project, according to a Feb. 25 Post-Standard article. This makes it more difficult for the planning process and negatively affects the decision-making.

The university should formulate how it wants to proceed with its own internal review on the new stadium, but it should also be cooperating with the city.

Syverud’s decision to keep the university out of the discussion may have detrimental effects on the task force, as it can only work with SU by either setting up an in-person meeting or submitting questions in writing.

The majority of the Daily Orange editorial board feels that SU should have a representative on the task force. By not having a direct voice involved in the planning, the university cuts off a dialogue between the two parties.

The disconnect between the university and the task force is a problem because SU should be able to voice its concerns to the task force, and the planners should be able to have a direct line to SU’s information.

The new stadium is planned to be built in Kennedy Square, which is less than two miles from the Carrier Dome. Regardless of whether the new stadium will be used by SU or the city, it will have a major effect to SU. 

The stadium project will likely move forward with or without SU’s voice. Having a representative on the task force provides the school with an opportunity to have its voice heard before it’s too late to prevent a change that may negatively affect SU.

SU should be more involved in planning for the new stadium. Though the university may also want to analyze the effects of a new stadium on its own, staying out of the public conversation is not beneficial for either party.

Published on February 25, 2014 at 11:11 pm