SU cancels residential classes; #NotAgainSU moves out

SU goes to online-only classes; #NotAgainSU moves out

Latest: Student demonstrators end protest after 31 days in Crouse-Hinds Hall.
Published: March 19, 2020

As students vacate Syracuse University’s campus for the coronavirus outbreak this week, #NotAgainSU protestors have ended their 31-day occupation of Crouse-Hinds Hall.

#NotAgainSU organizers announced their plans to move out on social media Wednesday night, bringing a close to an ongoing sit-in that started Feb. 17 when about 25 students took over the lobby of SU’s main administration and Admissions building.

The weeks-long protest included tense moments over access to Crouse-Hinds during the initial days, a protest that shut down traffic on Waverly and Crouse avenues on Feb. 27 and four days of direct negotiations with SU administrators.

#NotAgainSU said in its social post that administrators agreed to a virtual meeting at a later time to continue negotiations.

“During that virtual meeting, it is our hope to have a binding document digitally signed so that everyone’s work and support over the past month will amount to concrete change on this campus for future years,” the statement read.

SU goes to online-only classes for rest of spring
March 16, 2020 3:00 pm

Syracuse University will conclude its year with online-only classes as coronavirus concerns prompted Chancellor Kent Syverud to cancel on-campus classes Monday.

SU has been preparing for nearly a week to move classes online through March 30 after spring break concluded. With no classes on campus, end-of-year events such as Commencement, Mayfest and Block Party will not continue as they traditionally have.

“I recognize that this decision is disappointing to many of you. It is to me as well,” Syverud said in his statement.

Syverud said the immediate issue is vacating campus dorms as soon as possible, and SU will help make arrangements for students who don’t have transportation or place to go. More information was expected later Monday.

SU Vice Chancellor Michael Haynie said in a follow-up email that campus dining halls and fitness centers would close at 8 p.m. Monday in accordance with the New York state mandate that restaurants and non-essential businesses close. Takeout options would be available.

“Given this news, we urge those students remaining in University housing who can depart campus for home to consider doing so as soon as possible,” Haynie’s statement said.

Syverud acknowledged there will be more questions to answer with the cancellation and urged people to consult SU’s coronavirus website.

On Monday morning, Onondaga County health officials confirmed that a woman in her 70s had tested positive for the coronavirus and was admitted to the hospital. Officials said she had “underlying health conditions.”

Later Monday, health officials announced the woman’s husband tested positive, making the second confirmed case.

Read Syverud’s full statement below:

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.thenewshouse.com/wp-content/uploads/News/2020/Coronavirus/spring-classes-canceled.pdf”]

ACC cancels spring sports
March 17, 2020 11:40 am

The ACC moved from suspending spring sports activities through the end of the school year to officially canceling them on Tuesday.

“Our top priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes as well as our fans, communities and the overall well-being of others during these uncharted times,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said in a statement. “We are particularly disappointed for our student-athletes and will continue to work with our membership to assess what is appropriate in the future.”

Free bus services offered
March 17, 2020 9:30 am

Syracuse University is offering free bus tickets to several major cities in order for students who stayed for spring break to leave campus.

Buses depart starting at Noon, Tuesday to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Rockaway, N.J., and Washington, D.C.

Tickets can be reserved at SU’s Box Office online system.

Move-out and storage FAQ released
March 17, 2020 9:00 am

Syracuse University officials have compiled instructions for students currently moving off campus as well as storage and retrieval options for those who have already left.

For North Campus and Skyhall residents, a staggered move-out schedule has been set up that allows parents and students to choose a specific time to be on campus.

South Campus residents have until 9 p.m. Sunday to move out of their apartments.

Students who left campus for spring break are requested not to return to Syracuse and instead complete a storage request form to get their possessions at a later date.

Review the full FAQ on SU’s coronavirus website.

Online petition lobbies for pass/fail grading
March 16, 2020 3:15 pm

Architecture freshman Meenu Pillai recently launched an online petition asking Syracuse University to switch to pass/fail rather than online grades.

“These online classes place a burden on students who have no access to the internet or students who excel in physical classroom environments,” the petition read. “Not to mention, thousands of international students face time and location pressures.”

The petition had 100 signatures as of Monday afternoon.