For over one week, THE General Body — a coalition of students representing an array of issues affecting the Syracuse University community— has been sitting in the Crouse-Hinds Hall until its demands for more diversity and transparency within the school are met. Although negotiations have been ongoing between students and administration, the fight for change on SU’s campus continues.

Students have sacrificed their personal time at this late point in the semester to ensure that the sit-in and the entire #DATmovementSU is a success. The creation of THE General Body and the sit-in are prime examples of strong activism on a college campus. But the unity displayed amongst students makes this movement different from other similar instances that have occurred at other universities. The ability for students to find a common ground across many different identities reveals a true commitment to unity and inclusion and not personal interests.

One effective and inspiring component of the #DATmovementSU is how students — and now a supportive community of some SU faculty — have remained invested in the cause of each group that THE General Body is made of. Even as some demands are beginning to gain the acknowledgement of administration and some steps of action are being put in motion, no group has backed out just because their own interests have been met. The unified mentality of all involved in this movement put forth the ultimate example of what it means to be an ally. Although it was separate causes that brought students together at first — such as divesting from fossil fuels, the closing the Advocacy Center, defunding of the POSSE Program and advocating for mental health, disability and sexual assault services — it is the common thread of wanting equal treatment that holds students together.

To be a student at SU during this time is to witness a moment in history. For those students who have dedicated time to being at the actual sit-in — no matter the length — the experience has been inspiring. SU senior and television, radio and film major Bria Holness said, “I was in awe being there. I have never seen a group of people come together like that for a common goal.” The movement also shows that this generation can be activists beyond social media, and remain united in the face of adversity Holness said. “At first I was skeptical, I thought there might be a divide. But there are representatives from each group negotiating. I think people realize that if we’re divided, it’s only going to undermine our power,” she said.

For those skeptical or critical of the #DATmovementSU, it is certainly not an experience that one can judge from the outside looking in. Stopping into the admissions building for even just a few minutes throughout the day for a teach-in or just to listen to updates from the negotiators or administration can be enlightening. In such a short amount of time, THE General Body has done its best to disseminate information on what is occurring inside of Crouse-Hinds.

Ultimately, the group continuously serves to remind students that this fight is not for show or personal gain, but for the betterment of the campus community for years to come.  The unity that has transpired amongst students and the campus community over the duration of this sit-in is something that will leave a lasting impact on the campus — something that other colleges may someday be inspired by.

 Nina Rodgers is a junior sociology major. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at nmrodger@syr.edu.

 

 

 

Published on November 11, 2014 at 12:01 am