Student protestors are trying to get the University to take action against the hate crimes occurring on campus.

Syracuse University is punishing students for protesting instead of punishing students who commit hate crimes on campus.  

Write to the administration at Syracuse University and tell them to hold students who commit hate crimes accountable. 

Dear John,

Syracuse University has been suspending Black students for protesting, and blocking them from receiving food and feminine hygiene products.1 Yes, you read that correctly; instead of punishing the students on campus who are committing various racist, homophobic, and anti-Semitic hate crimes, the University is suspending the students who are protesting against them. This is a gross mistreatment of students who are fighting for their right to be safe on campus. 

Write a letter to University leaders Chancellor Syverud, Dolan Evanovich, Chief Maldonado, and Deputy Chief Sardino telling them to institute consequences for students who commit hate crimes. 

Since November, student protestors have been trying to get the administration at Syracuse to take action against the hate crimes occurring on campus. In support of the students, more than 21,000 Color Of Change members signed a petition that brought attention to student protestors’ demands for accountability. The situation is so dire that the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, attempted to intervene, demanding accountability from Chancellor Kent Syverud.2 Despite these actions, the administration refuses to make changes to increase transparency around, and accountability for, hate crimes happening on campus. 

Syracuse students are demanding changes that are long overdue, and the students need our help to get the administration to respond to their demands. 

It’s time for the University’s administration to meet the demands of the students who are protesting against hate crimes. Write to University leadership and tell them to punish students who commit hate crimes and institute student protestors’ demands for transparency and accountability.

Until justice is real, 
—Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Jade, Johnny, Future, Amanda, Evan, Imani, Samantha, Jenette, Ciera, Eesha, Marcus, FolaSade, and the rest of the Color Of Change team

Please see our previous email below for more information on this issue. 

A series of racist incidents have taken place on Syracuse University’s campus. Black students are being targeted with racist graffiti and racial slurs. A white supremacist manifesto from the New Zealand shooter was posted online to a Greek life forum and sent to several students’ phones.3 And a Black woman was verbally attacked by white fraternity members, who shouted the N-word at her.4 These incidents are jeopardizing Black students’ safety on campus. As an alum, I was disturbed, but I was not surprised.

Join me in supporting Syracuse students as they demand accountability for students who commit racist acts. 

This is not the first instance of racism at Syracuse. Earlier this year, it was reported that a white student used a gun to pistol-whip and terrorize Black students at a party.5 Last year, a group of Theta Tau fraternity members performed and posted racist skits online. Although the students were suspended, some of them were allowed to return to class and to continue to learn alongside the same Black students who were harmed by their actions.6 The university’s insufficient responses to this pattern of bigotry demonstrate a blatant disregard for the health and safety of Black students. 

Join Syracuse students in calling on the University to implement anti-racist policies on campus.   

The University’s lackluster response here is unsurprising. Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud seems to care more about shutting down parties than protecting Black students. His vague commitments in response to these incidents show he’s not willing to take a strong stand against racism. Black students — people who have had to work two, three, four, or five times as hard to get into, and stay in, college — are having their college experience destroyed.  

We cannot allow white Syracuse students to keep threatening their Black peers. We will continue to support the Black community at Syracuse as they push for change to university policies and for a campus where every Black student feels safe.7 By signing the petition, you will support Black students as they demand:

  1. The University immediately expel anyone who commits racist acts;  
  2. The University hire more counselors that represent marginalized groups; 
  3. The University adjust the Code of Student Conduct so that it specifically establishes consequences for racism;  
  4. The University provide notification of racist incidents within 48 hours of the occurrence; and 
  5. The University commit to implementing an anti-racism curriculum.8 9 

Join me in demanding that Syracuse create a safe campus for Black students. 

References: 

  1. “Hate crimes go unchecked at Syracuse University, students say,” USA Today, February 19, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/237047?t=15&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll
  2. “Syracuse U tightens security after white supremacist manifesto; New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo rips chancellor,” USA Today, November 19, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/237048?t=17&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll
  3. “SU chancellor responds to student sit-in demands as racist incidents continue,” WBFO.org, November 20, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215219?t=19&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll
  4. Twitter, November 19, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215220?t=21&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll
  5. “SU community members voice concerns about Ackerman Avenue assault,” The Daily Orange, February 2019, http://act.colorofchange.org/go/215221?t=23&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll
  6. “Syracuse Theta Tau brothers explain crude skits: 'We thought it was OK' (police video),” Syracuse.com, January 29, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215222?t=25&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll
  7. “#NotAgainSU releases revised list of demands,” The Daily Orange, November 15, 2019, http://act.colorofchange.org/go/215223?t=27&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll
  8. Twitter, November 19, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215220?t=29&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll
  9. “SU chancellor responds to student sit-in demands as racist incidents continue,” WBFO.org, November 20, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215219?t=31&akid=41172%2E4731121%2Ekv9Vll

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