The decision to move Syracuse University’s Student Association office from its long-time location in Schine Student Center is causing concern among its members that administrators are not considering what is best for students.

SA President Colin Seale said the decision was made without first discussing it with him or other members of the organization.

“We weren’t considered at all and there’s really no reason why we shouldn’t have been,” Seale said. “We don’t want the administration to think they can make decisions for us without talking to us.”

SA’s staple presence in the middle of Suite 126 in Schine Student Center will move to a corner area less visible to students next year when the new Office of Greek Life and Experiential Learning will take over the space. The new office is a combination of the Student Activities Office and the Office of Greek Life.

Dean of Students Anastasia Urtz stated that the SA and Greek Life and Experiential Learning offices will have to switch locations because of the consolidation, which will occur on July 1.

“Consequently, the recognized student organization space in 126 Schine Student Center will be rearranged to accommodate more staff members and more recognized student organizations,” Urtz wrote in an e-mail.

Laurel Reed, associate director of the Student Activities Office could not be reached for comment and William Longcore, director of the Office of Greek Life, declined to comment.

Andrew Thomson, parliamentarian of SA, said he was less concerned about the issue of office location and more bothered by Urtz’s failure to consult with SA before making the switch.

“It’s not necessarily that I have a problem with switching offices; it’s that they made the decision without asking us first,” Thomson said. “I don’t believe anyone else (in SA) had any input in the change.”

Urtz indicated the process of designating office space isn’t one that requires consultation with students. She said recognized student organizations go through a process to determine how much space they’ll receive and where their office will be located on a yearly basis. These organizations are invited to apply for space in writing. The requests as well as the amount of space utilized by the Student Activities Office and “a determination by the Dean of Students of the best utilization of recognized student organization space in light of the new organization that will be inaugurated this summer” were contributing factors in switching the SA and SAO offices, Urtz’s e-mail stated.

Seale said SA did submit a request to remain in the same office and that regardless of the process Urtz should have consulted with SA before she made the decision because they’ve occupied the same office for so long.

“There’s no reason for her not saying anything because several students in SA meet with her on a regular basis,” Seale said. “I just take issue with the fact that this decision has been made without considering us.”

Thomson said SA’s office was deliberately chosen several years ago to stress the presence of a student-run organization on campus.

“It was done that way because it was a student-centered place and this was the first area visible to students,” he said.

“It’s been that way for so long and was set up for a specific purpose and so I think to change that with no consultation is a drastic measure,” Thomson said. “It’s sending the wrong message to students that they (administration) don’t center around students.”

Seale said moving the office wouldn’t allow students to see what’s happening in the office as easily, which might possibly deter them from stopping into the office.

“The system we have now works and this could very well change the environment of the organization,” Seale said.

Thomson agreed.

He said his first visits to SU as a prospective student were impressive because he saw that there were no administrators in the area SA occupies.

“It was all students working,” he said.

While Seale and Thomson think less students will visit the SA office, Urtz thinks the move will be beneficial for the organizations.

“This arrangement is intended to encourage inter-organizational dialogue and collaboration on subjects of mutual concerns,” she wrote.

She also wrote that because student organizations had not yet been formally notified about their space allocation for next year she could not comment freely on the entire situation. She did write, however, that the organizations would be notified by the end of this week.

Still, Thomson is still concerned about whether SA’s office is the best place for the Office of Greek Life and Experiential Learning to relocate.

“I can understand they do need more space. Space is at a premium on this campus,” Thomson said. “I just question whether turning a student-centered space into an administrative area is good.”

Published on April 24, 2002 at 12:00 pm