Less than 15 minutes into a meeting to discuss concerns about Syracuse University’s handling of ongoing campus protests, graduate students told administrators to stop talking and listen. 

More than 150 graduate students, teaching and research assistants and other graduate workers attended the meeting in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall, which was announced this morning. Multiple deans and faculty members also attended. 

Audience members interrupted Graduate School Dean Peter Vanable to challenge SU’s response to student protests and clarify details about the ongoing labor strike some graduate students of color and international students have participated in since Thursday. 

More than 100 graduate students and workers who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as international students, have signed onto the strike. Vanable and Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost John Liu responded to the seven demands that striking graduate students sent in a letter released Monday morning.

Vanable repeatedly called the strike a “petition” until members of the audience corrected him. Graduate students said their strike will not end until the university meets the demands of #NotAgainSU, a movement led by Black students that has occupied Crouse-Hinds Hall since Feb. 17. 

Students and workers pushed back against SU’s statements in support of the protest, specifically challenging the language Liu and Vanable used in their letter this morning. 

“We recognize this is a difficult time for our community,” the statement reads. “We acknowledge and applaud the support you provide to our students every day, inside and outside the classroom.” 

Members of the audience said they want confirmation from SU that they will not be penalized for striking or lose pay instead of “empty” emails from administrators. 

“There is no intention to defund any student right now,” Vanable said in an interview after the meeting. 

Graduate students during the meeting also criticized university administrators’ continued use of the term “good faith” to describe their interactions with protesters, students and university employees. 

SU has not been honest about how it decided to suspend #NotAgainSU organizers occupying Crouse-Hinds and to restrict outside food and supplies from entering the building, they said. SU provided lunch and dinner to protesters Tuesday and breakfast Wednesday. Faculty were able to deliver outside food Wednesday afternoon. 

“I cannot act in good faith with liars,” one member of the audience said. 

Multiple students also criticized Liu and Vanable for not taking notes during the meeting. They said Liu did not actively listen when he met with students in Crouse-Hinds either. 

Another SU employee took notes during the meeting on Liu’s behalf, Liu said after the meeting. 

“Your neck must be sore from all the nodding you’re doing,” one member of the audience told Liu and Vanable, who stood at the front of the auditorium silent for most of the meeting.

About 45 minutes into the meeting, most of the audience stood up and exited the auditorium. Graduate students are on strike and should not have to do the labor of educating university officials, they said. 

Published on February 24, 2020 at 11:30 pm

Contact Michael: msessa@syr.edu | @MichaelSessa3