A Black Syracuse Alum just started a petition to Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud to:

Hold Syracuse students accountable for their racist acts!

Dear John,

I just started a petition titled "Hold Syracuse students accountable for their racism!"

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. And a Black woman was verbally attacked by white fraternity members, who shouted the N-word at her. These incidents are jeopardizing Black students’ safety on campus. As an alum, I was disturbed. But I was not surprised.

Join me in supporting Black 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. 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. The University’s insufficient responses to this pattern of bigotry demonstrates a blatant disregard for the health and safety of Black students. 

Join Black 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 changes to university policies and for a campus where every Black student feels safe. 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. 

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

Thank you,
A Black Syracuse Alum 

References: 

1. “SU chancellor responds to student sit-in demands as racist incidents continue,” WBFO.org, November 20, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215219?t=13&akid=39145%2E4731121%2EMAFo21
2. Twitter, November 19, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215220?t=15&akid=39145%2E4731121%2EMAFo21
   
3. “SU community members voice concerns about Ackerman Avenue assault,” The Daily Orange, February 2019, http://act.colorofchange.org/go/215221?t=17&akid=39145%2E4731121%2EMAFo21
4. “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=19&akid=39145%2E4731121%2EMAFo21
5. “#NotAgainSU releases revised list of demands,” The Daily Orange, November 15, 2019, http://act.colorofchange.org/go/215223?t=21&akid=39145%2E4731121%2EMAFo21
6. Twitter, November 19, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215220?t=23&akid=39145%2E4731121%2EMAFo21
   
7. “SU chancellor responds to student sit-in demands as racist incidents continue,” WBFO.org, November 20, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215219?t=25&akid=39145%2E4731121%2EMAFo21