Chancellor Kent Syverud sent out a campus-wide video message addressing the difference between hate speech and free speech on Friday.  

Syverud condemned the recent incidents of hate speech on and near Syracuse University’s campus, and reiterated his support for free speech. He spoke on Friday with protesters, international students and Hillel Center students and staff on Friday.

He discussed “concrete steps” SU will take in response to student demands. The chancellor said he will provide further detailed responses to the recommendations next week.

“I am grateful for our students who are putting forward tangible solutions to some of the most pressing climate issues confronting our community,” he said. “I am committed to the difficult conversations we are having on our campus.”

#NotAgainSU, a movement led by black students, has occupied the lobby of the Barnes Center at The Arch since 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The demonstration was motivated by SU’s delayed communication of racist graffiti against black and Asian people in Day Hall. 

In the two days since the sit-in began, additional racist and bias-related graffiti directed toward Asian people was found in the bathroom in the Physics Building and on the third floor of Day Hall. A swastika drawn in the snow was discovered Thursday afternoon across from the 505 on Walnut, a luxury apartment complex. 

The Department of Public Safety is working with the Syracuse Police Department and the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to investigate the recent racist incidents “rigorously and appropriately” to identify those responsible, Syverud said.  

“When these hateful incidents at Day Hall, the Physics Building, and on Walnut produce hostile environments, it’s the responsibility of our university and our community to step up,” he said. “I am stepping up. Our students at The Barnes Center have stepped up.” 

Syverud is working with the student experience staff to provide a safe environment for students to peacefully protest, he said. He asked that anyone with information relevant to identifying those responsible for the graffiti to speak up. 

Syverud said he is committed to keeping the university community properly informed of incidents as they occur and SU’s response to them.  

“I cannot promise you that at this fraught time in our country that there will be no more hateful incidents in our community,” Syverud said. “But I can promise you that our university will respond in the future transparently and quickly and will clearly assert our orange values or inclusion and of rejecting hate.”

Published on November 15, 2019 at 7:59 pm

Contact Natalie: nrrubiol@syr.edu