Chancellor Kent Syverud spoke face-to-face with a group of about 40 people who marched up to his office on Wednesday afternoon to voice their concerns about changes to sexual assault resources at Syracuse University.

“I really appreciate you doing this. This is what Syracuse should be proud of,” Syverud told the crowd of students and faculty members, many of whom were holding signs that said “No more decisions about us, without us” and “Reclaim the university for students.”

The group climbed the narrow staircase to the sixth floor of Crouse-Hinds Hall as part of the “Rally for Consent,” which was held Wednesday afternoon. The rally began on the steps of Hendricks Chapel at noon before the group of about 75 people marched down the hill to Syverud’s office.

The rally was the latest event in a monthslong movement that began in May when Syverud announced that the Advocacy Center would close in June and its sexual assault resources would be reorganized into the Counseling Center, Office of Health Promotions and Office of Student Assistance.

Since the decision was made, the administration has been criticized by SU community members for a lack of transparency in its decision-making and the way it has informed the student body about changes to sexual assault resources. Throughout the rally, students criticized the university for not involving students in the decision to close the Advocacy Center and for not explaining the reasoning behind its decision.

Many of these concerns were brought up by speakers at the rally before the group moved down the hill to Crouse-Hinds.

Farrell Brenner, a sophomore citizenship and civic engagement and women’s and gender studies major, and Brittany Moore, Student Association director of student engagement, spoke about the need to have students involved in the process of changing sexual assault services.

Brenner echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the closing of the Advocacy Center was announced at noon on Friday of a holiday weekend in an email attachment that detailed many other administrative changes as well. The only listening meetings that have been held so far were held during the summer, when students weren’t here, she added.

“We were also deeply distressed by the way these changes were implemented,” Brenner said. “And this can be best summed up in four words: We were not here.”

Eileen Schell, an associate professor of writing and member of the University Senate Committee on Women’s Concerns, led the crowd in a chant of “Our university, our lives, our bodies” and asked the group if any of them had consented to the closing of the Advocacy Center.

“No,” the crowd yelled back.

“I’ve been here for 18 years and I’ve always been pretty proud of Syracuse University but this is a moment I don’t feel proud,” Schell continued. “I want a sense that we’re not just being listened to, but that we’re being heard.”

 

SYVERUD SPEAKS TO PROTESTERS

Syverud’s meeting with the group of protesters didn’t come without a fight, though. Following the initial rally on the steps of Hendricks, the protesters marched down the hill to Crouse-Hinds chanting, “Show me what an advocate looks like. This is what an advocate looks like!” “Rape culture: tear it down! Patriarchy: tear it down!” and “Yes means yes, no means no, rape culture has got to go.”

When the group arrived at Crouse-Hinds, about 20 people remained outside to continue chanting while the rest of the group climbed the stairs to the sixth floor.

As the protesters squeezed into the lobby in front of Syverud’s office, they were greeted by Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, senior vice president and dean of the Division of Student Affairs, and Kevin Quinn, senior vice president of public affairs.

Kantrowitz told the group that she and Syverud had no idea the protesters were going to directly come to his office after the march, and that he was not available to speak to students at the time.

After listening to the protesters for several minutes, Quinn said he would speak with Syverud and ask him to meet with them. A few minutes later, a staff member from Syverud’s office came out and told the protesters the chancellor would meet with them in a conference room upstairs. But the protesters held their ground.

“It’s easier to mobilize one person than 50,” said Yanira Rodriguez, a graduate student in the composition and cultural rhetoric program, told the staff member.

Syverud’s staff member said she understood and that the chancellor would be out in two minutes.

When Syverud finally came out to greet the protesters, they handed him a petition with 8,000 signature and 700 comments. After Syverud received the petition, several protesters began to read comments from the petition to him.

Syverud attempted to address the group’s concerns, telling the crowd that he’s committed to learning from the way the administration made the decision.

But Becca Glaser, a graduate student in the creative writing program, spoke up and said the administration made the decision behind closed doors.

“I’m not going to argue on this at this point other than to say I’m very eager to work with the chancellor’s workgroup,” Syverud said in response, referring to the Chancellor’s Workgroup on Sexual Violence Prevention, Assault and Advocacy.

After Syverud said he hoped to come to the next listening meeting, Ben Kuebrich, a graduate student in composition and cultural rhetoric, asked Syverud if he would make a commitment to never close down a center the way he had closed the Advocacy Center.

Syverud explained that was a difficult question to answer, considering the many circumstances in his job.

“I mean, it (the Advocacy Center) is just really important. I just don’t know how you could have shut that down,” Glaser said, interrupting Syverud.

“I encourage you to speak with Rebecca (Kantrowitz),” Syverud interjected.

“Can you promise to read all of those comments?” Glaser asked.

“I already said that I would read them,” Syverud said as he began to return to his office. “Thank you so much. I have to stop now, but thank you so much I appreciate it.”

 

A STARTING POINT

Patrick Neary, president of the Graduate Student Organization, said the rally was the biggest protest he’s seen since he’s been at SU and he was excited about the number of people who showed up to the rally.

Syverud’s decision to step out of a meeting to talk to the group showed that this is a high priority for him, Neary added. The group stayed calm and presented its opinions respectfully, he said and this demonstrated that they’re willing to work with the administration to solve this issue.

Like Neary, Glaser said she was happy that Syverud came out of his office to speak to the students. Glaser said she and the other protesters don’t want to be “butting heads” with the university all the time, but when administrators are only listening to themselves, it’s important that people make their voices heard.

“The idea is that you sometimes have to push through painful conflict to get the best services possible for sexual assault at SU,” she said.

Kuebrich also said he was encouraged by the number of people who attended the rally and by the group’s meeting with Syverud. Kuebrich said the group has been hoping to have more contact with Syverud. SU community members have sent emails, attended the listening meetings and created a petition, he said.

“It was like, what else can a group of people do to have a conversation with someone?” he said. “We had to bring 50 people to his office door.”

 

Published on September 18, 2014 at 1:00 am

Contact Anna: almerod@syr.edu
Contact Jessica: jliannet@syr.edu | @JessicaIannetta