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A resolution related to admission pauses for 20 majors in the College of Arts and Sciences without faculty input was tabled at Syracuse University Senate’s first meeting of the 2025-26 academic year.

The resolution was introduced as Wednesday’s meeting was ending, but senators quickly voted to extend the meeting until the vote was finalized. An overwhelming majority of senators voted to table the resolution vote until October.

Crystal Bartolovich, an associate professor in the English department, introduced the resolution, citing concerns over curricular decisions being made “above” the faculty.

“I have not talked to a single faculty member who is not as deeply concerned for the health of this institution and wanting us to have the best possible programs, and this is true of departments that are struggling,” she said in the meeting. “That these decisions were made above us, without our input, is deeply troubling.”

Bartolovich said the resolution was necessary for the senate to affirm its intention for the administration to work “in the spirit, as much as possible, of shared governance” over curriculum, and so that department chairs are not “shocked out of their minds” when they learn about university decisions.

Senators, however, debated whether the body had ever voted on eliminating courses, and deliberated over the “usual review process” mentioned in the resolution. The tabling of the resolution means this definition and overview of the broad curricula elimination process will likely be discussed at the next meeting.

The university’s decision to pause multiple programs comes weeks after now-Vice Chancellor and Provost Lois Agnew instructed each dean to begin an academic portfolio review of their school or college due at the end of the semester.

In remarks delivered over Zoom, Agnew focused on the ongoing portfolio reviews and other broad academic changes, including those to the Renée Crown University Honors Program.

“Since 2017, we’ve reviewed individual programs on a four-year cycle, but this is the first time in many years that we’re looking holistically at our entire academic portfolio,” Agnew said. “This review comes at a critical moment. We’re in the midst of a rapidly changing landscape in higher education.”

Agnew said the reviews will “sharpen” SU’s academic offerings for the long term, and allow the school to better answer questions related to “what makes a Syracuse education distinctive.”

“We’re financially stable today due to the determined efforts of many people, but the path we’re on is not sustainable if we continue without change,” Agnew said.

Ahead of the reviews, she said deans were provided with nine-year enrollment data and financial metrics to “guide their conversation.” She said deans have made “preliminary recommendations” and are now working with faculty to establish next steps.

On the Honors program, Agnew provided brief updates on an ongoing group-led review. She said the group will review the program’s curriculum, including the thesis requirement, and seek to establish a governance structure for the program that includes bylaws, a charter or charge, a mission statement and a governing or advisory body and systems for further engagement.

Responding to a question about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the university’s “commitments to academic freedom and freedom of speech,” both Agnew and Chancellor Kent Syverud said safety and university values are the top priority.

“A human being was murdered in front of hundreds of college students, and many of whom agreed with his views, and the reaction has been complicated and troubling,” Syverud said. “In particular, I would note that there are, arising from this, serious security concerns about college campuses because of the response that has been on social media directly, including faculty members.”

Beyond the question-and-answer portion of the meeting, Syverud also delivered a 20-minute address. He discussed the current challenges impacting higher education and delved into specifics on SU’s enrollment and financial numbers.

While both Syverud and Agnew highlighted the need to prioritize free speech and academic freedom, they referred to the faculty manual’s reference to the faculty’s speech responsibilities.

“When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations,” the manual reads. “They should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.”

Agnew said Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Jamie Winders is planning “conversations with faculty members” to discuss “what freedom of speech means for faculty members,” and how social media factors in.

“The faculty manual does urge faculty members to think about their special position in the community when they speak as citizens, and there are particular guidelines in terms of considering how they need to position themselves, in terms of exercising restraint, showing respect for the opinions of others, making sure that they are not speaking for the institution,” Agnew said. “Those are broad guidelines, and I realize that I think we have to work through together exactly what that means.”

Senators raised other questions regarding SU’s IDEA course requirements and shared competencies. They questioned changes made to both over the summer, including the removal of “diversity and inclusion” from one of the competencies, which Agnew confirmed.

The first competency, “Ethics, Integrity, and Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion,” was changed to “Ethics and Integrity.” It is unclear how and when this change was made, although some senators suggested it was done over the summer without senate input.

“The reason I’m really wanting us to move forward with this process now is that we have the opportunity to work together and really think about those questions of how we can come up with informed decisions that aren’t driven by panic,” Agnew said.

The senate’s next meeting is on Oct. 22 on Zoom.

Other business

• The senate’s Parking Advisory Working Group was established over the summer. Co-chaired by Déirdre Joyce and Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala, the group, which received a formal charge from the chancellor, seeks to “analyze parking costs and affordability” and “accessibility for people with disabilities.” The group will have more to report in upcoming meetings, Joyce said, and is looking for increased student representation. Interested students can contact dfjoyce@syr.edu.
• The senate “overwhelmingly” approved a slate of candidates for the chancellor search committee, which is co-chaired by Shelly Fisher and Lisa Fontenelli. The final search committee will be made public by Friday, according to previous university statements.
• Agnew said the university is undergoing the Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaccreditation process. The final decision from Middle States will happen in spring 2027, she said.

Published on September 18, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Contact Griffin: gbrown19@syr.edu