Speakers discuss student activism during first day of teach-in

THE General Body, a coalition of student organizations, held the first part of its two-day teach-in Friday.

The teach-in took place at the Community Folk Art Center, located at 805 E. Genesee Street. Panels and speakers discussed the history of student activism on the Syracuse University campus, “the corporatization of universities across the country” and how to “create a beloved community.”

THE General Body staged an 18-day sit-in in Crouse-Hinds Hall in November 2014 to protest topics listed in the group’s 45-page list of grievances and demands. After the group of protesters left Crouse-Hinds on Nov. 20, 2014, organizers of the movement looked to increase the organization’s campus presence as it moved into “Phase Two.”

Colton Jones, a senior psychology major and member of THE General Body, said about 75 people were at each of the scheduled events on Friday, and more than 150 members of the SU community were present for the keynote address by Margo Okazawa-Rey, a faculty member at Fielding Graduate University. Jones said there were attendees from Hamilton College and other institutions at the teach-in.

“I doubted that we (THE General Body) were going too quickly, but all of that doubt was thrown away when I saw the beauty of what was going on,” he said.

Jones said the teach-in isn’t exactly what “Phase Two” will consist of, but said, “we’re just rolling with it and taking it one step at a time.”

The group expects a small increase in attendance for the events tomorrow, which he said start at 9:30 a.m. at the same location.