Here are three Syracuse University news stories you may have missed this weekend.

Whitman student dies

Charisse Juno Calaquian, a student in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management’s online professional accounting program, died last week, an SU official said in an email Friday afternoon.

“On behalf of the entire Syracuse University community, I extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to Charisse’s family, friends, professors and all those who are mourning this loss,” said Eugene Anderson, dean of Whitman.

Anderson offered support services for both students and faculty. Students can visit the Counseling Center and the Office of Student Assistance, while staff and faculty can receive assistance through Carebridge, SU’s faculty and staff assistance program

Calaquian previously attended the University of Florida, according to her Facebook account.

College Democrats, Republicans debate First Amendment rights, other issues

SU’s College Republicans and Democrats debated income inequality, climate change and First Amendment rights at a co-organized debate Thursday night in Maxwell Auditorium.

College Republicans began the debate by asserting that education reform was the solution to income inequality. In his opening statement, Steven Kemp of the College Democrats said increased support for unions and government opportunities such as health care and improved housing were ways to solve the issue.

Debate regarding First Amendment rights centered around whether hate speech should be protected. While both parties agreed the First Amendment should be protected, Abby Neuviller of the College Democrats said restrictions should be implemented if speech aims to incite violence. College Republican debater Alex Wilgocki said defining and banning hate speech could lead governments to control who is prosecuted for speech they deem hateful.

In the third round, which concerned climate change, College Democrats debater Alex Keegan said investment in renewable energy could help the economy address climate change, among other things. Rody Conway of the College Republicans proposed reforming the Environmental Protection Agency by reducing both the agency’s staff and funding, as well as shifting its responsibilities to Congress.

Syverud: SU will protect freedom of expression

Chancellor Kent Syverud said in a statement that the university will continue to protect freedom of expression in light of President Donald Trump’s executive order which threatened universities with the withholding of federal education grants and research funding if they do not uphold federal free speech standards.

Twelve federal agencies are required to monitor universities receiving such grants under the order, which was signed Thursday.

“I can’t imagine academic freedom or the genuine search for truth thriving here without free speech,” Syverud said.

The order mandates annual updates to College Scorecard, an online service which tracks the values of colleges and universities, as well as the creation of an Office of Federal Student Aid website to provide payment information to students with federal loans.

Published on March 24, 2019 at 11:05 pm

Contact Emma: esfolts@syr.edu