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Collin’s Barber & Beauty Shop, a family-owned Syracuse staple for more than 50 years, has become a hub for community engagement and youth motivation. Page 7
Local residents protested drone operations at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Tuesday as part of the Upstate Drone Action group. Page 3
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In a game of runs, Syracuse men’s basketball dropped a home matchup to No. 22 Florida State, 80-62. Only four of SU’s players scored Tuesday. Page 12
Off-campus confusion
on campus
Scientist’s memoir chosen for SEM 100 By Kennedy Rose news editor
illustration by sarah allam illustration editor
University Hill landlords are divided over SU’s online housing search portal By Casey Darnell
Personte said SU is not trying to determine who is a good landlord or label certain properties as safe. n December, Syracuse University launched a new online A disclaimer on the portal states that a property being search portal to help students find off-campus housing. listed on the site does not represent an endorsement by SU Two months later, major landlords in the university or Off Campus Partners — the company running the site — neighborhood are still divided over the idea. of the landlord, their properties or their business practices. SU launched the tool to “create the Off Campus Partners did not respond to best living environment for students,� multiple requests for comment. Joe Personte, director of SU’s Office of Off Personte said the disclaimer does Campus and Commuter Services, said, To do this right not mean that SU cannot guarantee a and properties listed on the site must be property is safe. costs money, and compliant with the city’s housing codes. “What we’re saying is that the properties But University Hill neighborhood SU doesn’t want are up to code based on city regulations,� he landlords said SU’s housing portal can give said. “That’s all we’re saying.� to do that. students the wrong impression about the W hen asked how the university safety of the properties listed on the site. defined “up to code,� Personte said that Ben Tupper Ben Tupper, who owns Rent From Ben definition was up to the city. He wouldn’t owner of rent from ben — a housing company that rents about 150 say how SU would determine which properties to tenants in Syracuse — said he has no plans to list violations were acceptable. his properties on the portal. One of Tupper’s main concerns with the portal was Tupper said an initial proposal of the site in 2016 that SU has not said how it will ensure properties that immediately caused backlash from landlords. Those were originally approved to be on the site remain up to landlords told SU officials that determining whether a code, he said. landlord is reputable would take too much work for one “This is a living document that needs to be updated every person, and it could open SU to legal liability, he said. day,� Tupper said. “Someone literally has to call the city every asst. news editor
I
see portal page 4
“Lab Girl� has been selected as the required reading component for next semester’s SEM 100 freshman forum. “Lab Girl,� a 2016 memoir written by geobiologist Hope Jahren, focuses on Jahren’s discovery of her interest in science and success as a researcher. “The Daily Show� host Trevor Noah’s memoir, “Born a Crime,� was the first selection for SEM 100, a five-week mandatory program for first year students created to discuss diversity and inclusion. Noah’s book detailed his upbringing in South Africa and racism in a country with government-mandated racial segregation. Though the “Lab Girl� does not focus on issues of race and racial diversity, as Noah’s did, SU officials said it was chosen because it examines themes of belonging, working in a men-dominated field and mental health. “As an institution of higher learning, this story relates well to the concept of intellectual adversity and courage to pioneer within a field,� Amanda Nicholson, assistant provost and dean of student success, said in an email. “The book examines issues of identity and belonging that can resonate with us all.� Changes to SEM 100 for the next academic year have not been announced, but the First-Year Experience Initiative Steering Committee will use feedback from surveys and focus groups to improve the program, Kira Reed, provost faculty fellow and associate professor of management, said in an email. “The intent of SEM 100 is to provide students with a communitybuilding shared experience that allows them to explore their own identity and develop a perspective of the similarities and differences across all our identities,� Reed said. krose100@syr.edu
GSO
Senators to conduct survey on graduate student wages By Richard J. Chang staff writer
Syracuse University’s Graduate Student Organization is gathering statistics on graduate employees’ wages, employment benefits and working conditions to evaluate graduate employment at SU.
The GSO’s Employment Issues Committee plans to draft a new survey this week to collect information on employment and wage. Last semester, the committee concluded that graduate students at SU don’t make a living wage. Anthony Walker, a GSO Senator on the committee, said he wants
to send the new survey to all SU graduate students so those who are not employed can say whether they choose not to have a job or if they’re seeking employment. The committee has not decided who the survey will be sent to, he said. GSO President Jack Wilson said the employment survey will be part
of a more comprehensive survey sent to all graduate students. It will cover questions about wage, working hours, health care, international student life, living with a family, employment and other topics, he said. Syracuse Graduate Employees United, a group of SU graduate student employees advocating
for better employee benefits and rights, was excluded from viewing the results of the survey. The Senate voted to exclude SGEU due to confidentiality concerns. Walker, who is also a member of SGEU, said the two groups butted heads last year when GSO voted
see survey page 4