April 29, 2014

Page 1

free

TUESDAY

april 29, 2014 high 57°, low 39°

t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r a c u s e , n e w yor k |

dailyorange.com

SU spends $60,000 in lobbying University focuses on science, veterans in first quarter of 2014 By Justin Mattingly staff writer

KRISTINA VROOMAN, 14, looks out from the steps of 601 Tully located on the Near Westside. The center’s future is uncertain after its director learned that it will receive $200,000 less in funding for its budget next year. frankie prijatel staff photographer

In flux Decrease in funding leaves future of 601 Tully uncertain By Debbie Truong staff writer

F

ounded partly to be a pillar of stability and consistency in an area of the city governed by uncertainty and change, the future of a Syracuse University-run arts center on the Near Westside — now, too — is in flux. 601 Tully, which was part of thenSU Chancellor Nancy Cantor’s vision of uniting the university with the city of Syracuse, will receive $200,000 less than its director anticipated for

N • Cultural connection

One year after opening, La Casita Cultural Center’s bilingual library continues to encourage Near Westside youth to connect with Hispanic culture. Page 3

the center’s 2014–15 budget. The “last-minute decision” would eliminate two salaried positions, said Marion Wilson, director of 601 Tully and an associate professor of arts education. That means programs students and community members depend on — including a summer camp for area youth — are in limbo. “I think what’s really important, has always been important to me, is just to show up every day. To not change. To not be the thing that’s unstable in this neighborhood’s life,” Wilson said. “Because with these

JASMINE TURNER watches John Cardone take down an exhibit at 601 Tully. frankie prijatel staff photographer

kids, everything else is unstable. So the one thing that we could do, no matter how imperfect we look, we would just show up every day.”

Cash-strapped

That stability was threatened earlier this month when Interim School of Education Dean Joanna Masingila informed Wilson that money

P • A thousand words

Known in the Newhouse community as a soft spoken but friendly janitor, George Lambert now plans to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. Page 17

for the two salaried positions would not be included in Chancellor Kent Syverud’s budget for next year. Wilson said this was the first time she heard about the cuts. “I was stunned,” Wilson said. “I mean, I just had no warning. I called all the people I could to talk to them see 601

tully page 15

S • Stand up for Sue

After Rob Edson’s sudden death in September, the SU Athletics community has embraced Sue Edson and family. Rob worked for Syracuse for 21 years. Page 32

Syracuse University reported $60,000 in total lobbying activity for the first quarter of 2014, down from $70,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to its most recent filings with Congress. Lobbying activity for the first quarter focused on science, homeland security and veterans. The first quarter report covered Jan. 1 through March 31. The report was due on April 21. SU reported less spending for the first quarter of 2014 compared to previous first quarter reports in 2012 and 2013, respectively. This was a result of Chancellor Kent Syverud’s transition into his position and the amount of time SU spent lobbying because of the transition, said Eric Persons, associate vice president of government and community relations at SU in an email. “Given the leadership transition with the new chancellor, it’s not unusual that the university reported less spending on lobbying, simply because we have been spending less time lobbying, and more time supporting the chancellor’s transition,” he said. The areas the university did lobby in, such as science, homeland security and veterans, are all issues that directly relate to SU’s research and teaching on campus, Persons said. “Our faculty and researchers regularly speak to our federal representatives about the important role that federal research funding has in science and developing innovation technologies to grow our economy,” he said. In science and technology, SU lobbied for funding opportunities for research on energy efficiency, according to the report. In regards to homeland security, SU lobbied for “contact with regard to grant or other funding opportunities for research and training in the areas of forensic science as it relates to

see lobbying page 8


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.