Syracuse University has placed more than 30 members of #NotAgainSU under interim suspension for remaining in Crouse-Hinds Hall after the building closed.

The movement, led by Black students, began occupying Crouse-Hinds on Monday afternoon to continue its months-long protest of SU’s response to hate crimes and bias incidents on and near campus. The building, which houses the offices of Chancellor Kent Syverud and other university administrators, closes at 9 p.m.

A Department of Public Safety officer as of 12:50 a.m. gave organizers in Crouse-Hinds letters that stated they were suspended, effective immediately, an organizer said. A decision has not yet been made about the protesters’ culpability in refusing to leave the building past closing, the letter reads.

About 50 organizers had gathered in the Crouse-Hinds lobby at the building’s closing time. More than 30 remained inside after speaking with university officials.

Rob Hradsky, senior associate vice president of the student experience and dean of students, informed the students at 9 p.m. that they’d be placed under interim suspension for violating SU’s Code of Student Conduct if they remained in the building past closing. 

Interim suspension, which is temporary, “is based on the determination that the safety and well-being of the University community or specific persons are at risk,” according to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. 

Hradsky suggested the organizers relocate to Bird Library. #NotAgainSU asked administrators and media to briefly leave the lobby.

“I don’t think we should touch any students, but I think we should be like, ‘it’s time to go,’” said Marianne Thomson, associate vice president and dean of students, to Hradsky and other administrators while standing away from the organizers.

#NotAgainSU held a sit-in at the Barnes Center at The Arch for eight days in November to protest the university’s response to a series of hate crimes and bias incidents. At least 26 racist, anti-Semitic and bias-related incidents have occurred at or near SU since Nov. 7.

One organizer asked why the movement was allowed to hold the sit-in at the Barnes Center without facing conduct sanctions. The university suspended the rules for that situation, Hradsky said. 

Thomson passed around fliers detailing the consequences of violating SU’s Campus Disruption Policy by remaining in Crouse-Hinds overnight. SU prohibits the obstruction or disruption of university activities and the entry or use of universities facilities without authorization, the flyer said. 

Students who failed to leave the building at closing have been referred to SU’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for conduct charges, said Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for university communications, in a statement at 10:37 p.m.

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Keith Alford, Hradsky and Thomson have been in constant communication with #NotAgainSU, Scalese said. The university told the protesters that they were welcome to demonstrate in Crouse-Hinds during its hours of operation, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., she said. 

“The student demonstrators were invited to continue their peaceful protests through the evening in Bird Library, which is open 24 hours, and return to Crouse Hinds Hall in the morning,” Scalese said. “They declined that invitation.”

Several organizers left the building as of 9:15 p.m., carrying blankets to the outside of Crouse-Hinds. They stood in the 27-degree weather on a patch of grass. Wrapping themselves in their blankets, they considered camping outside overnight.

“It’s round two,” an organizer outside the building said.

#NotAgainSU called for students to support the organizers inside via the movement’s Instagram story. About 35 students stood outside as of 10:45 p.m.

Organizers were told as of 11 p.m. that food from outside will not be allowed in the building, an organizer said. Protesters currently have only chips and snack food, the organizer said.

“Let food in,” students chanted outside.

Published on February 18, 2020 at 1:34 am

Contact Emma: esfolts@syr.edu