Hendricks forum proves importance of students’ access to SU leadership

UPDATED: April 26, 2018 at 6:29 p.m.

The Syracuse University town hall held at Hendricks Chapel on Wednesday highlighted the importance of students’ accessibility to administrative officials to cultivate tangible change.

The meeting gave members of the SU community the opportunity to speak with Chancellor Kent Syverud and members of the university’s Board of Trustees, including Chair Steven Barnes, about their grievances. #RecognizeUs, a student coalition that formed after Syverud sent a campus-wide email about a series of problematic videos filmed in the Theta Tau house, also delivered demands to the administration with a deadline of Sept. 3.

At the town hall, SU student Susima Weerakoon asked Syverud and board members why students must pay for Title IX transcripts in sexual assault cases that are sent to the city for no-contact orders. When Syverud said he was unaware of the “stupid policy,” Andy Gordon, Syracuse University’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer, said that as of tomorrow, the university will make funds available for students to access their transcripts.

That moment of recognition showcased how crucial it is for students to have a transparent, open relationship with administrators, especially regarding issues affecting the quality of student life. Syverud and other administrators have been criticized for their lack of transparency regarding policymaking in the past, and Wednesday’s forum showed how powerful students are when they have the opportunity to confront administrators.

The information gap between the administration and students makes it so administrators don’t understand the everyday problems of students, especially those with marginalized identities. The more administrators make themselves available to students, the more the campus will adapt to fit the needs of students.

With classes ending next week, SU must use the summer to develop policies and programs that remedy the grievances students have shared since Syverud sent the email about Theta Tau. This process must come before — or at least fall in tandem with — the university’s planning and implementation of its large-scale initiatives, including Invest Syracuse.

Students have made their voices heard. Now, it’s time for the university to not only be willing to listen, but also willing to change.

The Daily Orange Editorial Board serves as the voice of the organization and aims to contribute the perspectives of students to discussions that concern Syracuse University and the greater Syracuse community. The editorial board’s stances are determined by a majority of its members. You can read more about the editorial board here. Are you interested in pitching a topic for the editorial board to discuss? Email opinion@dailyorange.com.

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this post, Andy Gordon, who said the university would make funds available for students to access their transcripts, was misidentified. The Daily Orange regrets this error.