Syracuse University did not inform parents and guardians of #NotAgainSU protesters about the circumstances surrounding their children’s suspensions, according to a letter parents addressed to Chancellor Kent Syverud on Monday.

#NotAgainSU, a movement led by Black students, began occupying Crouse-Hinds Hall at noon on Feb. 17. The demonstration is part of the group’s ongoing protests of the university’s handling of at least 29 racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic incidents that have occurred at or near SU since early November.

The university suspended any protesters who remained in Crouse-Hinds past 9 pm on Feb. 17. The Department of Public Safety restricted access to the building starting Tuesday morning, preventing food, medicine and other supplies from entering until Wednesday afternoon.

Syverud announced the university had rescinded protesters’ suspensions at a University Senate meeting Wednesday night. Crouse-Hinds reopened the following morning.

When the SU officials contacted the parents of protesters’ about the consequences of their children’s suspensions, the officials did not mention the building had been sealed, the letter said. The suspension notices told parents the students were safe, the letter said.

“We were outraged and extremely disappointed to see and hear the executive administration’s tolerance of the inhumane treatment of our students as they exercised their right to peacefully protest on campus,” parents said in the letter.

25 parents and guardians have signed the letter, according to #NotAgainSU’s social media. The parents also criticized how DPS officers guarding Crouse-Hinds treated students.

Parents expect the university to expunge all records of the protesters’ suspensions to avoid any future consequences, the letter read. They also requested SU faculty members excuse protesters’ absences and provide reasonable accommodations for protesters to make up missed assignments, projects, labs, or exams.

Records of the suspensions will not appear on any students’ academic record because the sanctions were lifted, Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost John Liu and Peter Vanable, Dean of the Graduate School, said in an SU News release Monday.

Protesters who remained inside Crouse-Hinds on Tuesday and Wednesday are experiencing psychological stress, parents said in the letter.

“The intimidation tactics employed by SU staff against our students continue to tax, negatively influence and overwhelm their emotional wellbeing,” the letter reads. “We fully expect that immediate access to group and individual services administered by the Psychological Services Center be provided onsite during the protests.”

Given its intellectual and financial resources, the university should be able to respond to the protesters’ demands for change on SU’s campus, the letter reads. The parents are committed to supporting the protesters and the university in a path forward, and look forward to a written response from the university to their requests, it said.

“Just like SU, our students are fully committed to fostering, experiencing and maintaining a diverse, truly and respectful campus for all,” parents said in the letter.

Published on February 24, 2020 at 2:44 pm

Contact Chris: cjhippen@syr.edu