Syracuse University has pledged to keep campus open despite the ongoing crisis of racist actions and student protests. The tension and fear on campus ramped up after the announcement of a white supremacist diatribe being posted on a website related to SU fraternities. That brought in FBI investigators, who are working with the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force, already looking into the spate of incidents from the past 10 days.
In a release signed by Vice Chancellor Michele Wheatly and Department of Public Safety Chief Bobby Maldonado, SU says federal and state authorities advise the school to remain open.
“In consultation with the FBI, New York State Police and Syracuse Police, our campus has and will continue to remain fully open. While the University’s operating status remains open, faculty have been given broad discretion in regards to accommodations, coursework and holding classes. Additionally, excused absences will be granted for students for the remainder of the week,” said the communication sent to students and staff.
The university officials summed up increased safety measures being taken to ease student fears.
- We have Syracuse Police officers and New York State troopers patrolling on and off campus
- Department of Public Safety has doubled patrols
- Stationed Department of Public Safety vehicles strategically around campus
- Increased walking patrols to all residence halls and campus buildings
- Increased property checks
- Enhanced our safety escort program to include added shuttle and walking escorts; you can call for a safety escort anytime at 315.443.SAFE (7233).
The statement comes before a planned forum with Chancellor Kent Syverud expected to address campus security, as well as a list of demands from students that staged a sit-in that began last week. Syverud sent out a written response to many of the demands. The detailed proposal listed the individuals or departments that would carry out changes to diversity and inclusion measures, communications, campus safety issues and more. It also detailed timelines to give a sense of confidence that progress would be made.
Students who were part of the sit in, dubbed #Not Again SU, initially expressed skepticism that change would happen quickly and effectively enough.
