Week in News: University officials meet to discuss student athletic fee, Student Association-sponsored bus breaks down and more
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Here's what happened in news this past week. Sam Blum | Sports Editor
1. University officials meet to discuss student athletic fee
Student Association President Aysha Seedat met with Director of Athletics Mark Coyle and Deputy Athletics Director Kimberly Keenan-Kirkpatrick to discuss SA’s proposals for a student athletic fee, a spirit program and an expanded student section at men’s basketball and football games. No final decisions were made, but Seedat said she will be meeting with Coyle and Keenan-Kirkpatrick again before the end of the semester.
More: Student athletic fee
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2. Student Association-sponsored bus breaks down during trip back to Syracuse University
A bus bringing about 50 students from Washington, D.C. back to SU after Thanksgiving break broke down north of Binghamton stranding them for about two hours until a replacement could arrive. The students returned to campus 11 hours and 30 minutes after they departed Union Station.
More: Bus breakdown
3. DPS tests single-button system that would lock all buildings on campus
Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety tested a button that will lock all buildings on campus that require an ID for entry — a total of 95 academic, residential and administrative buildings — during Thanksgiving break. There will be another test over Winter Break and the system could be fully operational by the spring 2016 semester.
More: Single-button locking system
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4. Data reveals SU Athletics as most economically-efficient department among Power Five schools
SU’s revenue-to-expense ratio was the best among all Power Five conference schools last year. For every dollar in expenses, SU generated $1.29 in revenue — best among current ACC schools since Notre Dame in 2007.
More: Athletic expenses
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5. Syracuse University professor sues university on disability, gender discrimination
Ruth Westervelt, a former design professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, claims certain faculty in her department were sexist toward females — “Mad Men”-esque — and discriminated against faculty with disabilities. She is now seeking up to $300,000 in damages.
More: Discrimination lawsuit
6. Yogurtland on Marshall Street to permanently close
The frozen yogurt store will be closing for good come Dec. 19. The Fullerton, California-based chain opened on Marshall Street in August 2012, replacing Brickstone Eatery.
More: Yogurtland
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7. University senators express concern over administrative transparency
The Committee on Services to Faculty and Staff gave its first report after a 12-year hiatus at the University Senate meeting. It detailed its efforts to work with the Office of Human Resources and obtain updates on the university’s buyout program. What resulted was a plethora of complaints voiced by faculty in attendance.
More: University Senate
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