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Syracuse University’s Senate deliberated on a proposal for a veteran-specific First Year Seminar and the status of the Graduate Student Organization in its last Wednesday meeting of the semester.

Both topics emerged during the Student Life Committee’s report, which was separated into three parts per its three subcommittees — veteran and military-connected, undergraduates and graduate students.

The veteran and military-connected student subcommittee presented findings from research focused on supporting veteran students’ transitions from service into college. Among the recommendations was the establishment of a peer mentorship program and veteran-specific FYS, the university-wide course required for first-year students.

“Currently, (veterans’) experience with FYS is that it is alienating and offensive, and that it does not help them with their sense of belonging or their overall transition process into both civilian and academic cultures,” Patty Giles, a committee chair, said.

A handful of senators pushed back on the proposal for the additional FYS, raising concerns that a “segregated” course may not achieve the committee’s stated goals. Senator Reed Granger, an SU undergraduate and former vice president of the Student Government Association, called for a larger conversation about how the FYS curriculum affects students’ sense of belonging.

Senator Harriet Brown, a professor at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, asked if the new course would remove diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility concepts, given the military “often has a way of objecting to those.” Giles said the committee is not recommending content changes.

The Student Life Committee’s remarks also sparked conversation about the now-deregistered GSO. In April, GSO declared itself an independent entity, due to “increased oversight” from SU administrators. Then, in June, SU removed the body’s registered student organization status.

GSO still exists, although it is no longer an RSO and lacks many of its past responsibilities, including distributing the student activity fee.

“We don’t take a side in terms of who’s responsible for how things got out of control or where they are today, but we do encourage mediation to try to reconcile the differences between them,” Bob Van Gulick, another committee chair, said.

The committee introduced a resolution to bring the senate into a “supervised process of mediation” between the Graduate School and GSO. The resolution, which previously passed the committee unanimously, was sent to a virtual senate vote after Wednesday’s meeting.

Peter Vanable, the dean of SU’s Graduate School, reminded senators GSO leadership was “explicitly cautioned against pursuing independence,” and that the school has been “very thoughtful” in taking over some of the body’s responsibilities, including administering the student activity fee.

Chancellor Kent Syverud also delivered his last remarks of the semester, honoring late School of Architecture Professor Fei Wang, who died from a traffic accident on Dec. 8. He also thanked departing Hendricks Chapel Dean Rev. Brian Konkol, who will become Valparaiso University president on Jan. 1.

Syverud said SU’s fiscal year 2026 budget remains balanced, and his successor will inherit a “sound physical foundation and a lot of positive momentum on various fronts.” The Chancellor Search Committee will announce his successor next semester, he confirmed.

Vice Chancellor and Provost Lois Agnew started her statement by offering her best wishes to outgoing College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith, who will begin as Clemson University’s provost on Jan. 1.

She said the portfolio review process remains ongoing as deans finalize their reports and consult with their constituents. Agnew emphasized the review “has no predetermined outcome” and is a “recognized best practice in higher education.”

Agnew and other deans will look over the recommendations and share them with the Academic Affairs Committee after the new year, she said at last month’s senate meeting.

Other business

• Two subcommittees within the Committee on Curriculum and Instruction, one on Idea courses and shared competency and another reviewing “current curriculum processes,” continue to meet, said Rick DiRubbo, senator and member of the committee.
• The Parking and Transportation Advisory Council recommended SU develop parking permit tiers to accommodate earners making less than $30,000 annually, committee member Déirdre Joyce said. The committee also recommended that its ad hoc status be changed to a standing committee.

Published on December 18, 2025 at 3:18 pm
Contact Griffin: gbrown19@syr.edu