In the two weeks that #NotAgainSU protesters have occupied Crouse-Hinds Hall, there has been little visible progress toward tangible solutions. Now, as the two sides finally sit at the negotiation table, it is time for compromise.

The Daily Orange Editorial Board commends the work of #NotAgainSU protesters in bringing inequality on Syracuse University’s campus to light. The Editorial Board supports the protesters’ mission and recognizes the necessity of action. Now, it’s time for serious concessions from both sides in an effort to bring resolution.

Until recently, SU officials have shown reluctance to work with protesters. Administrators should have prioritized meeting with students in the lobby of Crouse-Hinds Hall, just like they did six years ago during the occupation of Crouse-Hinds by another student-led protest group, THE General Body.

Instead of taking time to listen, SU officials handed out suspensions. This was a dangerous first move that cost them protesters’ trust.

By suspending students on their first night occupying the building, SU administration strayed away from its previous strategy of interacting with student protesters. Though students were able to leave Crouse-Hinds at any time, campus police barred other students, faculty, food and medical supplies from getting to protesters inside.

SU now faces a leadership crisis which confuses the entire SU community. Who is in charge? Chancellor Kent Syverud has been sympathetic to protesters in public speeches, reversing suspensions and pleading ignorance to claims of misconduct by Department of Public Safety officers. While Syverud attempted to placate students, other SU administrators claimed that protesters have an “unwillingness to engage” and directed Department of Public Safety officers to blockade Crouse-Hinds. It is crucial now that the SU administration comes to protesters with a unified goal and a clear leader.

#NotAgainSU protesters must also strive to negotiate in good faith. On Feb. 24, protesters added 10 demands to their list of 24, and now insist that all 34 demands be accepted by SU. While their cause is valiant, the lack of compromise is concerning.

In any negotiation, difficult concessions will need to be made. Just as SU must acknowledge its mistakes and listen to #NotAgainSU protesters now, the protesters must understand the limitations of SU administrators by both the legal system and the SU Board of Trustees.

Across the country, collegiate administrators have learned to sit down with, understand and negotiate with students instead of working against them. At the University of Oklahoma last week, a similar Black student-led sit-in lasted only three days after administrators quickly entered negotiations with and agreed to terms with protesters.

SU administrators must work with protesters to enact demands to the best of their ability. But now they must also work to rebuild the trust in the campus community that the administrations’ poor actions have torn down, and construct a plan to work with future student protesters that doesn’t involve suspension and restricting access to buildings.

The Daily Orange Editorial Board serves as the voice of the organization and aims to contribute the perspectives of students to discussions that concern Syracuse University and the greater Syracuse community. The editorial board’s stances are determined by a majority of its members. You can read more about the editorial board here. Are you interested in pitching a topic for the editorial board to discuss? Email opinion@dailyorange.com.

Published on March 1, 2020 at 11:36 pm

Contact: opinion@dailyorange.com