Syracuse University’s Student Association urged the university to give protesters inside Crouse-Hinds Hall access to food and other supplies in a statement Wednesday.

#NotAgainSU, a movement led by Black students, began occupying Crouse-Hinds on Monday at noon. The demonstration is part of the group’s ongoing protests of SU’s handling of at least 26 racist, anti-Semitic and bias-related incidents that have occurred at or near SU since early November.

SU suspended any protesters who remained inside Crouse-Hinds past 9 p.m. on Monday. Department of Public Safety officers sealed off the building as of Tuesday morning, preventing food and medicine from entering.

Chancellor Kent Syverud lifted the students’ suspension at a University Senate meeting Wednesday afternoon. Crouse-Hinds will reopen Thursday.

As the protest entered its third day, SA issued a statement urging the university to reevaluate its treatment of the student protesters. #NotAgainSU published the statement through its Instagram page.

“The Student Association is deeply troubled and concerned for the well-being of both students that continue to occupy the space inside and those that choose to peacefully demonstrate outside the building,” the organization’s statement read.

The statement urged the university to provide protesters inside Crouse-Hinds with access to food, medicine and other supplies. It also said protesters should have access to the counsel of trusted faculty and staff.

Limiting protesters’ access to these resources has jeopardized student well-being, the statement said.

“Crouse-Hinds Hall has been converted into yet another space on campus that students of marginalized identities feel unsafe and unwelcome in,” the statement said.

The university provided protesters with lunch and dinner Tuesday. DPS officers allowed bags containing donated medicine and hygiene supplies to enter Wednesday afternoon.

The organization said it’s concerned about rising tensions between protesters and SU officials, noting that DPS has broken “physical boundaries” when dealing with students. A DPS officer physically struggled with a protester Tuesday to prevent them from entering Crouse-Hinds.

The university has responded to the protest with unwanted hostility that does not benefit students or the university, the statement said.

SA also urged students to continue supporting #NotAgainSU by both listening to and advocating for the protesters.

“We as a community must take a stand against the hatred and bigotry that has manifested on campus and continue to work towards a more equitable student experience,” the statement concluded.

Published on February 19, 2020 at 11:02 pm

Contact Chris: cjhippen@syr.edu