Syracuse University’s Student Association introduced and passed a resolution to address the current campus climate at Monday night’s Assembly meeting.

SA’s resolution requests that the university fully acknowledge and take ownership of the mistreatment of #NotAgainSU student protesters and expunge any code of conduct violations on students’ records.

#NotAgainSU, a movement led by Black students, has been occupying Crouse-Hinds Hall since Feb. 17 in response to at least 30 racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic incidents that have occurred at or near SU since early November.

More than 30 organizers were placed under interim suspension early morning Feb. 18 for staying in Crouse-Hinds past closing. Chancellor Kent Syverud later lifted all suspensions at a University Senate meeting Wednesday night.

Department of Public Safety officers sealed the building off Feb. 18 and Wednesday, preventing outside food from entering the building until Wednesday afternoon. SU provided protesters with lunch and dinner Feb. 18 and breakfast Wednesday.

“Our job is to advocate for students in as many ways as we can,” SA President Mackenzie Mertikas said. “We knew we wanted to write an official resolution as soon as things started happening last week.”

University administration announced Monday that the suspensions would not appear on any of the students’ academic records.

SA Parliamentarian Josh Shub-Seltzer proposed to vote on the bill immediately due to the time-sensitive nature of the resolution. The resolution then passed unanimously.

“We are the representative body and for everyone in the organization to sign off and vote and say this is appropriate is really important,” SA Vice President Sameeha Saied said. “Administration respects the organization and the work that we do.”

Other Business:

• SA elected new members to the Finance Board, Board of Elections and Membership and Administrative Operations Board.

Published on February 25, 2020 at 12:36 am

Contact Mira: mlberenb@syr.edu