Syracuse, N.Y. - Syracuse University students are holding a sit-in in response to racist graffiti found in a residence hall last week. About 50 students gathered in the Barnes Center on the campus to call for a safer campus for students of color, particularly black students. The protest comes after racial slurs were discovered in Day Hall on SU’s campus.
The Chancellor of Syracuse University, Kent Syverud apologizied for the delay in telling students about racist graffiti found in a residence hall. In a letter,the Chancellor said school leaders should have communicated more swiftly and broadly and expressed disappointment that that did not happen.
The State Police Hate Crimes Task Force is looking into the incident and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
The students also have a list of demands and if they are not met by next Wednesday, they will call for Chancellor Kent Syverud’s resignation.
Here is a list of those demands:
- The expulsion of any students involved in Day Hall vandalism.
- The creation of an twice-annual open forum for students to communicate directly with the Board of Trustees.
- Curriculum reform to better educate students on questions of diversity.
- Mandatory diversity training for faculty and staff.
- A zero-tolerance policy for hate speech among students.
- A “same race” option for roommate selection on the student housing application.
- Hiring of additional counselors that better represent student body and marginalized communities.
- $1 million investment in long-term curriculum changes that address issues of diversity and racism.