For many in the room at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Red Table Talk, being heard meant being seen. 

On Tuesday evening, dozens of Syracuse University students spoke openly with senior officials about their experiences on campus as people of color. The sorority chapter hosted the open forum as part of its “Evolution of a Revolution” Delta Week. The forum focused discussions on how administrators can more effectively address bias-related incidents.

At the event, students shared personal stories about how microaggressions often go undetected by white students, but drastically shape the first-year experiences of many students of color looking to settle in.

“We can feel as a student body that it’s hard to have our voices heard,” one student said.

Students from a variety of majors presented perspectives on the campus’ most recent changes. Some expressed frustration with the decentralized process for communicating with administrators. Others questioned the lack of physical spaces for those conversations to take place.

“As years go on, there’s less and less culture visible to new students,” another student said. “You have to hear through word of mouth.”

Several pointed to Schine Student Center as an important space for students of color to gather, which is now unavailable as a meeting place because of ongoing renovations. One student expressed worry at the lack of community visibility resulting from the center’s construction.

Rob Hradsky, senior associate vice president of the student experience, at the meeting acknowledged the need for a new area for campus communities.

SU administration would consider new locations including the Barnes Center at The Arch and the Quad for tabling to continue unimpeded, he said.

Other officials present at the talk include Department of Public Safety Chief Bobby Maldonado, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Keith Alford, and Dean of Students Marianne Thomson. Each expressed their support of the forum’s open structure as a means of promoting positive change through student voices.

Other topics discussed include a push for diverse hiring at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Some students called on SU administrators to reconsider bias training initiatives for academic staff and residential advisers. Students also questioned the diversity and practices of current DPS forces, a conversation Maldonado said he welcomed.

Thomson said she hopes for a campus that welcomed open, informed dialogue. At the end of the evening, Alford also echoed this sentiment and encouraged students to continue the conversations they had brought up.

“Never underestimate the power of your voice,” Alford said. “What you have shared with us tonight speaks volumes.”

Published on October 8, 2019 at 11:41 pm

Contact Marnie: ammunozc@syr.edu