UPDATED: Nov. 6, 1:07 a.m.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud and Bea Gonzalez, dean of University College, met with members of THE General Body Wednesday night in the lobby of Crouse-Hinds Hall to discuss certain parts of the group’s list of grievances.

Representatives of THE General Body, Syverud and Gonzalez discussed six separate issues in the meeting, which lasted for around an hour and fifteen minutes.

The issues discussed were:

— Retaliation toward protesters

— The changes to SU’s mission and vision statement

— The closing of the Advocacy Center

— Changes to the POSSE program

— The search for an Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator

— Problems with mental health services on campus

In total, 14 members of THE General Body represented the group. Other protesters surrounded the meeting place, offering snaps of approval when certain topics were discussed. SU students who were not able to get into Crouse-Hinds Hall because the space had reached maximum occupancy lined the windows outside the building. They also tapped on the glass windows to show their approval.

“I’m here to hear you,” Syverud said. “What we would really like to do in the meeting is make a move toward action.”

Syverud said that he hoped great progress would come from the meeting.

“It does need to be taken seriously,” Syverud said in reference to the meeting. “Serious to me doesn’t mean appointing another workgroup or listening meeting.”

Both sides agreed that protesters should not receive any retaliation from employees or agents of SU. A non-retaliation agreement was also presented to Syverud for him to sign.

“Up to this point, I think the students involved in it (the protest) have been responsible,” he added. Syverud did not sign the document.

Ben Kuebrich, a compositional and cultural rhetoric PhD candidate, introduced the discussion of changes to the mission and vision statement at SU. Kuebrich asked for the proposed vote on the statements at the Board of Trustees meeting Thursday and Friday to be postponed. He cited a lack of discussion as a reason for why the vote should be postponed.

“I really have tried to engage and seek opportunities for engagement,” Syverud said.

Syverud said that he doesn’t control the agenda of the Board of Trustees meetings, but said he will contact Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Thompson to encourage Thompson to delay the vote. Syverud said he can’t promise a postponement will happen, but said he should have an answer by Thursday.

Becca Glaser, a graduate student in the creative writing program, said she wants THE General Body to meet with the Board of Trustees.

“Having this discussion with 109 people is challenging,” Syverud said.

Farrell Brenner, a representative for THE General Body, led the discussion on the closing of the Advocacy Center, saying the decision-making process was wrong and the changes needed to be communicated better.

Syverud said he worries he has “not adequately communicated” the changes and said he was willing to work with the protesters outside of workgroups that “go into a black hole.”

Glaser said that she wants Syverud to use the word “apology” in reference to the closing of the Advocacy Center and said, “In that decision, you actually let so many people down.”

The discussion on changes to POSSE scholarships did not lead to an agreement. Syverud said that he agreed with the protesters that communication was lacking in the decision.

Miles Marcotte, who represented POSSE scholars, said that he wants SU to honor its original contract with POSSE and extend the contract for another five years. Syverud said that he can’t promise any particular resolution, but said he has talked with the POSSE Foundation directly.

In the discussion on a search for an American with Disabilities Act coordinator, Syverud said “every decision involves a complex history,” and that he would work with representatives of THE General Body to improve resources for students with disabilities.

Nick Holzthum, a sophomore Information Management and Technology major and representative for THE General Body, said that he wants another search for an ADA coordinator and asked for a start date of Spring 2015 for the search.

The final topic on the agenda was mental health services and Syverud ended by saying that he will look to hire more psychiatrists.

“I feel like this is work that has to begin now,” he said.

The meeting concluded around 10 p.m. and protesters said they will still be sitting-in Crouse-Hinds Hall overnight.

“This meeting doesn’t mean we’re leaving,” said Colton Jones, one of the leaders of the protest.

“It was nice to have the chancellor here, but we all have the understanding that all this isn’t resolved in a day and all this isn’t resolved in an hour-long meeting,” Jones said in an interview after the meeting. “I think it was good that he showed his face and he acknowledged some of the things that are going on but we know that this is far from over.”

Syverud said that he and Gonzalez have a long night ahead of them.

Said Syverud: “I think we have a lot to do for tomorrow.”

Published on November 5, 2014 at 11:20 pm

Contact Justin: jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306