free
THURSDAY
nov. 30, 2017 high 48°, low 34°
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 |
N • Prison divestment
A Syracuse University philosophy professor is pushing the administration to publicly pledge to not invest in companies that service private prisons. Page 3
dailyorange.com
S • Central command
P • Still standing
Syracuse Athletics houses its video team in a “war room” in the Carrier Dome where the team creates content on the fly during football games. Page 16
Century-old historic homes in the University Hill neighborhood that are rented out to SU upperclassmen have weathered years of deterioration. Page 9
College Democrats, Republicans face off Protesters denounce tax plan on campus
By Casey Darnell and Kennedy Rose the daily orange
Members of the College Democrats and Republicans groups clashed in a debate Wednesday night while discussing the effectiveness of former President Barack Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act. kai nguyen staff photographer
Students wrangle with health care, abortion, immigration and gun control at heated debate
see protest page 4
By Jordan Muller asst. news editor
Syracuse University students, faculty and other community members packed into Maxwell Auditorium on Wednesday night to watch a debate between the College Republicans and College Democrats groups, which at times grew heated as students discussed some contentious policy issues. Grant Reeher, a political science professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, moderated the debate, which was structured to cover four issues: health care, abortion, immigration and gun control. Teams of three members from each group debated each topic.
Health care
The College Republicans said the Affordable Care Act — also known as “Obamacare” — should be repaired and replaced. Aedan Gillan, a freshman economics major debating for the College Republicans, said the Republican Party’s platform on health care coverage had flaws. But he also said the ACA was the “biggest public policy disaster” in the last 20 years. “The concept of the act in itself is completely antithetical to the American ideal,” Gillan said, adding that the bill “coerces” citizens to purchase health insurance or pay a tax. He also said the bill diminishes the concept of personal responsibility in a market where the largest expenses come from patterns of poor, voluntary choices.
Janet Flores, a senior geography major, stood in front of Hendricks Chapel on Wednesday, looking out at a shivering crowd of Syracuse University campus community members. “When graduate students are under attack, what do we do?” Flores shouted, holding a megaphone. “Stand up, fight back!” the crowd of more than 100 people responded, roaring in protest of a proposed tax plan that would force graduate students to pay thousands of dollars in extra income taxes, if passed. SU students, faculty and staff on Wednesday denounced a push from Republican congressional leaders to count tuition remission — waivers on tuition fees universities give to student employees — as taxable income. This specific provision was included in a tax plan passed by the United States House of Representatives earlier this month. At SU, 875 graduate students receive tuition waivers, according to a letter Chancellor Kent Syverud sent to
university politics
Chancellor comments on bill By Jordan Muller asst. news editor
Syracuse University community members filled Maxwell Auditorium to watch the debate. kai nguyen staff photographer
Erik Farrar, a sophomore political science major, was one of three students debating for the College Democrats on health care. He said the insurance market fails to provide adequate care for people who can’t afford it, Democrats and Republicans alike. Both sides agreed the cost of health care in the United States is “ridiculously expensive.”
Abortion and Planned Parenthood
Emma Peca, a freshman political science, Asian American studies and disabilities studies triple major, said Planned Parenthood should not primarily be considered an abortion clinic. She noted that federal funding, under the Hyde Amendment, cannot be used for abortions unless a woman
becomes pregnant from incest or rape. The amendment also states that federal funding can be used if continuing the pregnancy would put the woman’s life in danger. She said Planned Parenthood’s benefits include sexually transmitted disease tests, safe abortions, general health care and relationship counseling, among other services. Justine Murray, debating for the College Republicans, said Planned Parenthood is a partisan organization that primarily supports the Democratic Party. Thomas Steelman, a freshman political science and philosophy double major, said videos show that see debate page 6
In a letter to Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) last week, Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud expressed concerns about provisions of the recently passed House of Representatives tax bill that would impact higher education. The tax plan, which would dramatically increase the cost of university attendance for certain groups and eliminate tax deductions on premium seating at collegiate athletic events, was passed by the House on Nov. 16. Katko voted in favor of the bill. Sy verud said he was concerned by: • The reduction in tuition tax credits • The elimination of a tax exemption for tuition waivers • The taxation of employer-provided tuition payments • The repeal of the Student Loan Interest Deduction see letter page 4