Chancellor Kent Syverud visited the #NotAgainSU organizers occupying Crouse-Hinds Hall on Friday morning, his first visit since the demonstration began.

#NotAgainSU, a movement led by Black students, began occupying Crouse-Hinds on Monday at noon. The demonstration is part of the group’s ongoing protests of Syracuse University’s handling of at least 26 racist, anti-Semitic and bias-related incidents that have occurred at or near SU since early November.

The Department of Public Safety restricted access to Crouse-Hinds to those with card access from Tuesday to Wednesday. Food, medicine, and other supplies were not permitted to enter the building until Wednesday afternoon.

Protesters questioned Syverud throughout the Friday meeting about his role in restricting access to Crouse-Hinds Hall, pressuring Syverud to take responsibility and identify other parties involved in the decision.

“You people have starved us, and you have made us compromise for things that should not be treated like contraband in a prison,” one protester said. “I was a prisoner for three days, and you all had a hand in that. And so we want to know how to hold those people accountable.”

“And we will do so,” another protester added.

Syverud answered that he does not know exactly who was responsible for the decision, but said he’d find out. The protesters should have access to food and supplies moving forward, he said. SU provided lunch and dinner to the organizers Tuesday and breakfast Wednesday.

“There is a lot going on in the university besides this right now, believe it or not,” Syverud said. “So every detail of every decision here, I do not know about.”

#NotAgainSU has for months called for the resignation or removal of Syverud, along with three other university officials: DPS Chief Bobby Moldonado, DPS Associate Chief John Sardino and Dolan Evanovich, vice president for enrollment and the student experience.

The movement reissued those calls at the start of its occupation, listing today as the deadline for the administrators to vacate their positions.

The university initially suspended all protesters who remained in Crouse-Hinds past 9 p.m. Monday. Syverud—who announced Wednesday those suspensions had been lifted—reassured protesters Friday that they would not face consequences and could continue to occupy the building.

Syverud also told protesters he agreed with a statement the Maxwell Faculty Council recently issued. The statement, which protesters said they have not received, pushes for structured faculty involvement in conversations between protesters and administration.

For faculty to be part of the solution, they must also be part of the discussion, Syverud said.

“We’ve been telling you that,” a protester responded. “It should not take a faculty statement from Maxwell to know that.”

Protesters raised concerns about the operating hours of Crouse-Hinds over the weekend and their continued access to food and supplies. #NotAgainSU should receive an answer about the building’s operating hours as soon as possible, Syverud said.

Rob Hradsky, senior associate vice president for the student experience, later informed protesters the building would operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. over the weekend.

Protesters continued to urge Syrverud to assume responsibility for the university’s prior handling of the occupation.

“You are ultimately responsible for that decision, as someone who is the highest position at this campus,” a protester said. “You’re still responsible.”

Published on February 21, 2020 at 1:11 pm

Contact Chris: cjhippen@syr.edu