Changes university now considering are years overdue

Ackerman, Theta Tau, Madrid, and now adding to the list of racist incidents that have occurred at Syracuse University, Day Hall.

Today, students at Syracuse University gathered at the Barnes Center at the Arch to participate in a sit-in protest surrounding the events of racist graffiti found in Day Hall. The protest was organized by students of color who have been communicating with each other in various ways since the incident occurred.

Students have already spoken to several administrators and even were surprised by the appearance of Chancellor Kent Syverud. Once he arrived, students handed him a list of demands in response to the accident. Some include reviewing the Student Code of Conduct and implementing a zero tolerance policy toward any harassment, especially to any students of color. Also, as per any other violation of the student code of conduct, students want to see explicit consequences for anyone who were to violate the bias-related incident part of the student code of conduct.

Many other students also want to see SEM 100, a class created after the Theta Tau incident, reconstructed and only taught by people of color. The class, by many facilitators, has been deemed unhelpful and the curriculum completely irrelevant.

Personally, I am glad that changes which should have been made years ago are now finally being looked at. As a student of color, I would want to see a mandated diversity course, which is another one of the demands from the students.

DPS also needs to be held accountable in this incident as they informed students not to spread this issue on social media. If I were a student on the mount, I would want to know this occurred immediately. If someone is capable of ripping light fixtures down and throwing them into water, which is already dangerous, I cannot imagine the harm they could have caused other people if they are not careful.

DPS is quick to report crimes committed by black people, but white people and their crimes are kept out of the eye of the media and email inboxes of students. I am saddened by these actions and can only wish for a change in attitude and heart.

Feryal Nawaz is a junior political science major. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at fnawaz@syr.edu. She can be followed on Twitter @feryal_nawaz.