The recent student-led protests on campus are a powerful way for students to voice their opinions while also getting the attention of administration. Students should continue to express their concerns regarding important campus issues, and these intelligent, peaceful protests are the most effective way to do that.

Taking place only a few days after the “Rally for Consent” Advocacy Center protest, the “Rally for a Difference” was the most recent student-led protest. It focused on Syracuse University’s decision to reduce involvement with the Posse program, which provides full scholarships to minority students at four-year universities around the country.

In both the Rally for Consent and Rally for a Difference protests, the SU administration actually addressed students’ concerns. During the Rally for Consent, Chancellor Kent Syverud responded to questions about the Advocacy Center. And at the Rally for a Difference, Eric Spina, vice chancellor and provost, addressed the crowd and said there would be a forum on Oct. 2 to discuss respect and inclusion. A list of demands was also presented to Syverud after the event’s conclusion.

When students take a stand and vocalize what they want, it brings the problems to the attention of administration more effectively than in videos or trending hashtags. The fact that students are willing to go out and actively protest these changes reinforces how important they are to the student body. Though these protests have not yet led to direct results, they have led to forums and more general acknowledgement of problems by administrators.

The university will not know what its students want and feel unless students make their opinions known. Because these two protests have proven capable of making administration listen, students should continue to band together and exhibit their concerns in a respectful and well thought-out way.