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Otto Tunes released an EP titled “Other Lover” on Jan. 1 that includes three songs and is available on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Page 7
Three finalists for dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications will visit campus this month and deliver presentations. Page 3
dailyorange.com
IN THE PAINT See the insert
on campus
SU student dies on break in London
Obviously there’s still room to improve — there’s always room to improve — but I think we’ve done a good job getting things back on track
By Michael Sessa asst. news editor
Sameeha Saied student association vice president
MACKENZIE MERTIKAS (RIGHT) AND SAMEEHA SAIED increased involvement in Student Association during their first semester as president and vice president. Now, they’re looking ahead to implement new initiatives. elizabeth billman asst. photo editor
Moving forward After increasing membership, SA leaders want to take action in spring semester
Clément Sutter, a student at Syracuse University, died last week, an SU official said Tuesday. Sutter, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, was on break in London at the time, said Marianne Thomson, associate vice president and dean of students, in a campuswide email. Sutter lived in Brewster Hall, she said. “I, along with Chancellor Kent Syverud, extend deep sympathies to Clément’s family, friends and loved ones,” Thomson said in the email. “We join the Syracuse University community in mourning this loss and send thoughts and prayers to all those who knew him.” Students in need of counseling services can visit the Barnes Center at The Arch seven days a week. The Dean of Students Office also provides additional support services from Monday to Friday, Thomson said. msessa@syr.edu
By Chris Hippensteel asst. news editor
hate crimes
Mackenzie Mertikas and Sameeha Saied, president and vice president of Student Association, admitted they were nervous when they took control of the organization this fall. The duo inherited an organization that had faced internal tensions and was struggling to find representatives. A contentious election in spring 2019 saw multiple campaigns placed under investigation or suspended, while several students accused SA of election rigging and bias. Several representatives left the assembly due to an internal environment Mertikas later described as “not healthy.” “A lot of people left at the end of last year and didn’t come back at the beginning of this year,” Mertikas said. “It was really hard starting fresh and not having members who know all of the processes and know how things work.” see sa page 4
Officials nationwide resign amid protests By Sarah Alessandrini asst. copy editor
city
Common Council inaugurates three members By Marnie Muñoz asst. copy editor
Syracuse’s Common Council inaugurated three new members in December. Second District Councilor Patrick Hogan, Third District Councilor Chol Majok and Councilor at-large Rita Paniagua were elected in November. The newlyinaugurated councilors bring diversity and community service experience to City Hall. Majok’s landslide victory in November seated him as the first former refugee elected to the council. Majok fled civil war in
South Sudan when he was eight years old. Serving as the city’s former director of constituent services contributed to his desire to run for office, Majok said. Majok hopes to address unemployment, transportation and engagement needs during his tenure, he said. Majok’s district includes the Valley, Southside and Outer Comstock areas. “My district is very diverse,” Majok said. “And it would be a disservice for leaders in our position not to prioritize it.” Paniagua first came to Syracuse in 2003 from Puerto Rico. As a
When you do this kind of work, you’re advocating for every community Rita Paniagua councilor at-large
leader within the Spanish Action League and later as a board member for the Syracuse City School District, Paniagua said she focused her work on issues directly affecting the community. Becoming a coun-
cilor was just the next step, she said. “The thing is that it doesn’t matter where you come from,” Paniagua said. “When you do this kind of work, you’re advocating for every community.” Hogan formerly served four terms as the city’s 2nd District councilor, but remained politically active through working at the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency and the Greater Syracuse Land Bank, he said. Hogan will serve on the city’s Economic Development Committee. Like Majok, he emphasized the importance of job training in a see councilors page 4
University officials across the country have resigned following studentled campus protests. #NotAgainSU, a black studentled movement, delivered letters of resignation to Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud and three other university administrators in December. The movement demanded the officials resign by Monday for their response to a series of hate crimes and biasrelated incidents. At least 20 racist, anti-Semitic and bias-related incidents have occurred on or near SU since Nov. 7. The incidents have targeted black, Asian, Jewish, Latino and indigenous people. Syverud said Dec. 11 that he does not intend to “walk away” from SU. As of ___ p.m., #NotAgainSU has not publicly commented on its deadline for the resignations. see resignations page 4