On November 20th after meetings with Syracuse University officials, THE General Body decided to end their sit-in at the Crouse-Hinds Building. Upon the meetings conclusion at a press conference organization representative Colton Jones announced that the sit-in would be ending that day.
The following is a portion of what was released to the public after the 18 day sit-in where student groups, faculty, alumni and community supports united around a common goal. The student action was initiated after the closure of the Advocacy Center, formerly the Rape Center, a resource for survivors of sexual assault and a community of individuals fighting domestic and sexual violence. In addition to the above; defunding of the POSSE program, a scholarship program for inner-city youth leaders were amoung issues presented to Syracuse University’s Chancellor Kenneth Syverud. After intense negotiations facilitated by Dean Bea Gonzalez, the Chancellor issued his final response to THE General Body.
For the latest update click on links below:
Please see document below for the University’s response to THE General Body
http://syr.edu/news/about/CompiledGrievancesNeedsandResponses_11_12_14.pdf
Please see document below for information regarding THE General Body’s End of 18 Day Sit-In
Grievances & Needs: To read THE General Body’s list of grievances and needs/solutions, click here.
“THE General Body ended the sit-in on a strong note, with a clear sense of support from the campus. ‘We decided to end the sit-in on our own terms,’ said undergraduate student Angelina Vargas. In addition to statements of support from alumni, students, and faculty, THE General Body has received solidarity statements from 1199SEIU, a coalition of Syracuse community groups, Adjuncts United, and Cold Case Justice Initiative and Democratizing Knowledge, among others.
At the press conference, available as audio here, PhD student Tessa Brown reviewed the sit-in’s achievements and how far THE General Body has come. Vani Kannan, PhD Student, discussed the future of the movement. Law school professor Paula Johnson also spoke, expressing her respect and admiration for the students of THE General Body, her belief that they have changed campus for the better, and her commitment on behalf of the faculty to stand with them as the movement continues into next semester.”