Indigenous Students Concerns

1a. Maintain Residency at 113 Euclid

1b. Native students and allies will have first priority to live in the Native Student Learning Community in Haven Hall

1c. Construction of new building using Indigenous design

Lead Responsible Party

1a. Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Pete Sala, Vice President and Chief Campus Facilities Officer

1b. Rob Hradsky, Vice President for the Student Experience and Dean of Students, and Chris Johnson, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs (Kris Klinger, Terra Peckskamp)

1c. Matt Ter Molen, Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President; Pete Sala; Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Response

1a. The University is committed to allowing the Native Student Program to remain in 113 Euclid Ave. until another mutually agreed upon space is identified. Renovations to 113 Euclid Ave., including the addition of a kitchen, will be concluded in fall 2020.

1b. Native students and allies will have first priority to live in the Native Student Learning Community currently located in Haven Hall.

1c. The University commits to working with donors on a long-term plan to fund an Indigenous-designed space.

Status Complete

Progress

October 2021

• Renovations on 113 Euclid Ave. are complete.

December 2020 and January 2021

• The learning community application process for fall 2021 will launch in spring 2021. Generally, there are unfilled spaces available in this learning community each year. We will continue to accept all interested parties who complete the application process.

October and November 2020

• The Native Student Program will be housed at 113 Euclid Ave. A meeting was held on July 8 with students and University representatives to discuss planning and design. Upgrades to the student gathering environment, including a kitchen and accessible restroom, are complete. An accessible entry will be constructed in spring 2020, and an elevator study is in progress.

2a. Need two staff to support Regina Jones and students

2b. Clarify tutoring and similar supports available to NSP students against HEOP, Say Yes, etc.

2c. Hire an Indigenous Career Counselor in Career Services

Lead Responsible Party

2a. Rob Hradsky (Meredith Davis)

2b. Rob Hradsky

2c. Rob Hradsky

Response

2a. The University has reviewed staffing of the Native Student Program and finds that programs and services are comparable, and in some cases exceed, other similar programs on campus. The University commits to creating an Indigenous student mentoring program with necessary staffing.

2b. Services offered by the Native Student Program are comparable with other programs and tutoring support is already in place. Funding to address gaps with other programs is already in place through the Financial Aid appeal process. The University commits to increasing communication about the Financial Aid appeal process.

2c. The University will prioritize the recruitment of staff with diverse identities when vacancies occur on the career counseling staff. Future recruitment efforts will be targeted to Indigenous nations/tribal communities.

Status Complete

Progress

June 2021

• 2c. An offer has been accepted by an Indigenous healer for a position at the Barnes Center. The healer will begin mid-July. The Office of Multicultural Affairs is excited to welcome new Indigenous students in the fall into the Ionkerihonnién:ni [yion gali hoon ya ni] Guide Program.

March 2021

• The Native Student Program is working with Admissions on language to inform all Indigenous/Haudenosaunee Promise Students about the Ionkerihonnién:ni [yion gali hoon ya ni] Guide Program.

February 2021

• The newly named Ionkerihonnién:ni [yion gali hoon ya ni] Guide Program held its first seminar meeting on Feb. 17. University Ombuds Neal Powless was the guest speaker. Presentation slides are available online.
• The Native Student Program and Office of Multicultural Affairs continue to solicit new guides and participants.

December 2020 and January 2021

A.

• Two academic consultants have been hired to design and implement the Native Student Program (NSP) Mentoring Program during the Spring 2021 semester.

NSP decided on naming the mentoring program Ionkerihonnién:ni [yion gali hoon ya ni] Guide Program. The name was suggested by NSP alumnus Nicole Smoke ’17, who established the program as part of her senior thesis. Smoke is a member of the Mohawk Nation and confirmed the name with her elders. The name translates to “they teach me.”  It reinforces the idea that the students will not only be learners, but also teachers. In consultation with the University ombuds, administrators decided to use the term guide instead of mentor.

The mission of the program is to provide Indigenous students with a space to live their culture and promote community building by encouraging cultural expression and exploration of their values and identity. The targeted group will be first-year Haudenosaunee Promise scholars and non-Haudenosaunee Promise students in the Indigenous Living Learning Community. The program will launch during the week of Feb. 15 with an anticipated enrollment of 20 students.

B.

• The Office of Financial Aid held a targeted session about the financial aid for the Native Student Program in December.

C.

• There are no current vacancies in the central Career Services staff. The University will be attentive to experience and training in career development of marginalized/Indigenous communities when an opportunity to hire arises.

3a. Invite Tadadaho Sid Hill to reinstate Thanksgiving Address at Convocation & Graduation

3b. Add Onondaga and Haudenosaunee language greetings to HBC hall list of greetings

3c. Fly Haudenosaunee flag as high as US flag above new veterans building

Lead Responsible Party

3a. John Liu

3b. Pete Sala

3c. Pete Sala

Response

3a. We agree to reinstate the Thanksgiving address at convocation and graduation ceremonies.

3b. The Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics sign will be updated to include Onondaga and Haudenosaunee greetings indicating, “Welcome to our Multicultural Community.”

3c. The Haudenosaunee flag will be flown at the National Veterans Resource Center. During the design and construction of the National Veterans Resource Center, the University requested permission to do so from Onondaga Nation Tadadaho Sydney Hill, who enthusiastically agreed, and attended the center’s opening ceremony and flag raising. Consistent with the University’s practice of displaying the U.S. flag higher than other flags when flown at Syracuse University, the Haudenosaunee flag will fly at the same height as the seven other flags being flown at the center.

Status Complete

Progress

October 2021

The Thanksgiving Address is a fixture of Convocation and graduation ceremonies.

July 2021

• On July 19, 2021, University administration received the Onondaga Haudenosaunee language greeting translation for Huntington Beard Crouse (HBC) Hall signage. The translation is Wa’tgwanoñheñ:nyoñ’ hwa’dyoñgwe’dageh. Efforts are underway to have the signage in place for the fall semester.

June 2021

• University officials and faculty continue to work with the Onondaga Language Speakers to translate the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics sign.
• The Haudenosaunee flag is being flown at the National Veterans Resource Center. Consistent with the University’s practice of displaying the U.S. flag higher than other flags when flown at Syracuse University, the Haudenosaunee flag will fly at the same height as the seven other flags being flown at the center.

May 2021

• The Thanksgiving Address is a permanent fixture of the Commencement and graduation ceremonies.

4a. Counselors of color and counselors who represent marginalized groups on campus are needed. Indigenous mental health counselors are in particular need as we do not have any at all and Indigenous students often statistically face high rates of suicidality and violence

4b. Develop Syracuse University's reputation for excellence in Native American and Indigenous teaching and research

4c. Institute an Elder-in-Residence Program

Lead Responsible Party

4a. Rob Hradsky

4b. Steve Bennett

4c. Steve Bennett

Response

4a. An Indigenous-identifying counselor has been hired in the Barnes Center and the University will prioritize the recruitment of staff with diverse identities when vacancies occur on the counseling staff. Future recruitment efforts will be targeted to Indigenous nations/tribal communities.

4b. A cluster hire has been approved for Indigenous Studies in the Environment. The Diversity Opportunity Hires Program will incentivize hiring of faculty from marginalized identities across all schools and colleges and many departments. As this program evolves, the University commits to providing additional incentives for hiring new Indigenous faculty members.

4c. Syracuse University will implement an elder-in-residence program to best support bridging Indigenous and higher education, creating spaces for Indigenous student success, and fostering partnerships with the Onondaga Nation and other nearby Indigenous communities.

Status Substantially Complete

Progress

October 2021

• 4a. An Indigenous identifying counselor and an Honwadiyenawa’sek (One who helps them) have been hired by the Barnes Center.
• 4b. Two faculty hires have been completed.

June 2021

• 4a. An offer has been accepted by an Indigenous healer for a position at the Barnes Center. The healer will begin mid-July.
• 4c. The initiative to implement an elder-in-residence program is paused due to pandemic concerns. There are plans to reengage this process this fall.

May 2021

• Final candidates for the Indigenous healer position have been identified and will be going through the final selection process.
• An active cluster hire search is in progress with several excellent candidates in Native American and Indigenous studies.
• The initiative to implement an elder-in-residence program is paused due to pandemic concerns. There are plans to reengage this process in fall 2021.

March 2021

• The search for the Indigenous healer is progressing. Candidates are being screened by Human Resources and candidates will be forwarded to the search committee for interviews in April and May.

December 2020 and January 2021

• An Indigenous-identifying counselor has been hired in the Barnes Center, and the University will prioritize the recruitment of staff with diverse identities when vacancies occur on the counseling staff. Future recruitment efforts will be targeted to Indigenous nations/tribal communities, including an Indigenous healer.

October and November 2020

• The Barnes Center plans to hire an Indigenous healer in spring 2021.

5a. Create a study abroad (cultural exchange) program

5b. Incorporate Indigeneity and Settler Colonialism into SEM100 and future Diversity & Inclusion Curricular offerings

5c. Hire more Indigenous tenured & tenure-track faculty

5d. Include Indigenous curriculum and pedagogy in the curriculum

5e. Add a Haudenosaunee language course, allow language immersion classes to count as foreign language requirements, and review high school transcripts that show Native language courses as favorably in the admissions process as transcripts from other students with other foreign language classes (i.e. French or Spanish)

5f. Institute Indigenous Law Center

5g. Create a Native American & Indigenous Studies Major and Graduate Department of Study, and Indigenous Research Center

5h. Hire a dedicated staff for the Native American & Indigenous Studies Program

Lead Responsible Party

5 a, b, c, d, f, g and h. Steve Bennett

5e. Steve Bennett and Ryan Williams

Response

5a. The University runs short term, faculty-led programming both internationally and domestically, and commits to expanding this program to include local and Indigenous communities. These programs will be supported through Syracuse Abroad and the University will provide financial support for those students who would otherwise be unable to participate in these programs. When fully implemented, these programs will not only improve the University’s relationship with local and global Indigenous communities, but will also offer opportunities for a rigorous, competitive and innovative academic experience for participants.

5b. Indigenous faculty and students have been appointed to participate on the SEM 100 Ad Hoc Committee for 2021.

5c. A cluster hire has been approved for Indigenous Studies in the Environment. The Faculty Diversity Opportunity Hiring Program will incentivize hiring of faculty from marginalized identities and will prioritize recruiting and retaining new Indigenous faculty members.

5d. A cluster hire has been approved for Indigenous Studies in the Environment. The Diversity Opportunity Hires Program will incentivize hiring of faculty from marginalized identities. A cluster hire has been approved for Indigenous Studies in the Environment. The Diversity Opportunity Hires Program will incentivize hiring of faculty from marginalized identities. Indigenous faculty and students have been appointed to participate on the Ad Hoc Committee to replace SEM 100 as a required course for all first year students starting 2021, together with an upper level 3-credit "social justice/social difference" course requirement for all  undergraduates. The University commits to working with Indigenous students and faculty to ensure that lndigeneity is represented in both the 1-credit first-year course and in many of the 3-credit course offerings. These courses will be assessed by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. Broader curricular change will require an in tandem approach with hiring more Indigenous faculty. In the meantime, Academic Affairs staff will work with the Indigenous Student Curricular & Diversity Committee and other stakeholders to craft thoughtful ways to influence curriculum changes in departments across the University.

5e. High school Haudenosaunee language courses will count toward the three-year language requirement for admission. Academic Affairs and University College will consider expanding course offerings in the Iroquois Linguistics for Language Learners program.

5f. The College of Law is not in a position to invest in this center. However, the University commits to supporting the research of newly recruited and hired Indigenous faculty, and the University commits to helping launch a center or institute on a related topic should the incoming faculty seek to start such an enterprise.

5g. Academic Affairs has commissioned a study through the Educational Advisory Board to determine the feasibility of the initiative. Meanwhile,  Academic Affairs will work with new cluster and diversity faculty to further develop the NAIS course offerings, with an eye to  building a robust set of courses that could become the backbone of an independent program.Academic Affairs will proactively work with relevant staff, faculty and students and with the University's Office of Advancement and External Affairs to develop and advance grant funding for this purpose.

5h. Academic Affairs will review staffing and share the review with relevant stakeholders to define a path forward in the short and long term.

Status Complete

Progress

October 2021

• Two faculty hires have been made.
• 5d. Information on indigeneity and settler colonialism has become part of the First-Year Seminar (FYS 101) course, which replaces SEM 100, and the upper-level diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility course offering.

May 2021

• The study abroad/cultural exchange program planning has been paused due to pandemic concerns; however, the University remains committed to this initiative.
• Information on indigeneity and settler colonialism has become part of the First Year Seminar (FYS 101) course, which replaces SEM 100 in the fall, and the upper-level diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility course offering.
• An active cluster hire search is in progress with several excellent candidates in Native American and Indigenous studies.
• A curriculum that includes Indigenous pedagogy has become part of the First Year Seminar (FYS 101) course, which replaces SEM 100 in the fall, and the upper-level diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility course offering.
• High school Haudenosaunee language courses count toward the three-year language requirement for admission. Academic Affairs and University College will consider expanding course offerings in the Iroquois Linguistics for Language Learners program.
• The College of Law is not in a position to invest in an Indigenous Law Center. However, the University commits to supporting the research of newly recruited and hired Indigenous faculty, and the University commits to helping launch a center or institute on a related topic should the incoming faculty seek to start such an enterprise.
• Creation of a Native American and Indigenous studies major, graduate department of study and Indigenous research center is tied to the active cluster hire search that is in progress. The search process has identified several excellent candidates in Native American and Indigenous studies.
• Staffing for the Native American and Indigenous Studies Program is tied to the cluster hire process and will be evaluated when that is complete.

October and November 2020

• An Indigenous-identifying counselor has been hired in the Barnes Center and the University will prioritize the recruitment of staff with diverse identities when vacancies occur on the counseling staff. Future recruitment efforts will be targeted to Indigenous nations/tribal communities. The Barnes Center plans to hire an indigenous healer in spring 2021.

6a. Create Graduate Scholarships

6b. Outside of the Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship, institute Indigenous-specific grants for undergraduate students

6c. Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship recipients who begin in the spring semester have been inconsistently offered access to HPS funding. Commitment to Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship dollars for students who start in the spring semester

6d. Add and hire an Indigenous alumni representative and begin outreach, inclusion, and networking with Syracuse University's over 650 Indigenous alums. Clarify who will be taking the lead on this initiative

Lead Responsible Party

6a. Matt Ter Molen & Ryan Williams

6b. Ryan Williams

6c. Ryan Williams

6d. Matt Ter Molen

Response

6a. This initiative will require fundraising and will be added to the Forever Orange campaign.

6b. The University will award need-based grants to newly admitted Indigenous undergraduate students who are enrolled in state and/or federally recognized tribes (and children of individuals who are enrolled in state and/or federally recognized tribes) including First Nations, Inuit and Metis students with status cards starting in fall 2020.

6c. Any student admitted for fall or spring determined eligible for the Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship will be offered such.

6d. The Office of Alumni Engagement will partner with the Native Student Program to plan an event for Indigenous alumni during Orange Central in October 2020 and will also host a networking event for Indigenous alumni in the coming year. Donors may now contribute to the Native Student Program through the University's website.

Status Complete

Progress

October 2021

A.

• After the University’s fund minimum is reached for graduate student support, then scholarships may be awarded. This is an ongoing effort. Donors can contribute on giving.syr.edu.
• The criteria for awarding these scholarships may include enrollment in a specific school or college and/or a specific area of study. Eligibility for these scholarships would include graduate students who are enrolled or registered members of a state or federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribal nation (or who have a parent who is a member of any such tribal nation).

D

• While hiring an Indigenous alumni representative is not feasible at this time, Cory Miller and Kate Ludwig, the alumni engagement leaders for all affinity efforts, are responsible for this area.
• A meet and greet for Indigenous alumni, the Ongwehonwe Alumni Association, was held on Oct. 29, 2020, to build community and learn about the University’s commitment to its Indigenous students, faculty and staff. The University will again feature an Ongwehonwe Alumni Meet and Greet during Orange Central reunion weekend, Friday, Oct. 29, at 4:30 p.m. in the Schine Student Center.
• Also, the Art Museum is hosting an exhibition, “Each One, Inspired: Haudenosaunee Art Across the Homelands,” which will be featured at two “Behind the Scenes at our Art Museum: Tours During Orange Central,” on Friday, Oct. 29, at 2 and 3:15 p.m.

May 2021

A.

• Donors can contribute to the Native Student Program on giving.syr.edu, and the Office of Multicultural Advancement is developing a short list of individual prospects for direct outreach. Additionally, Corporate and Foundation Relations is working on a proposal in conjunction with faculty to a leading national foundation for an Indigenous studies program that would include funding for Indigenous students.

D

• While hiring an Indigenous alumni representative is not feasible at this time, Cory Miller and Kate Ludwig, the alumni engagement leaders for all affinity efforts, have been meeting regularly with the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience representatives, as well as a select group of Indigenous alumni for the past year. Results to date include the first Orange Central 2020 virtual gathering (14 attendees), as well as ongoing conversations about featuring our Indigenous alumni via podcasts, profiles, Syracuse University Alumni Association Board of Directors nominations, etc.

December 2020 and January 2021

A.

• The Office of Financial Aid has begun a background review of establishing graduate scholarships for Indigenous students.

B.

• The University awarded need-based scholarships to newly admitted Indigenous undergraduate students for fall 2020 as outlined in our response. 

C.

• Any admitted student eligible for the Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship was offered such.    

D.

• A meet and greet for Indigenous alumni, the Ongwehonwe Alumni Association, was held on Oct. 29, 2020, to build community and learn about the University’s commitment to its Indigenous students, faculty and staff. Fourteen individuals participated in the event.

7a. Revise land acknowledgement statement

7b. Develop language to contextualize purpose behind land acknowledgement

7c. Formal announcement to campus community that there is a land acknowledgement and why/where/when it is done

7d. Install a permanent art piece (statue, mural, building, etc.)

Lead Responsible Party

7a. Pete Sala and Chief Diversity Officer 

7b. Pete Sala and Chief Diversity Officer 

7c. Pete Sala, and Jeff Stoecker, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer 

7d. Pete Sala and Chief Diversity Officer 

Response

7a. A committee was formed to revise the language of the land acknowledgement. The revisions will be presented to the Onondaga Nation Council for approval then to Chancellor for final review and implementation.

7b. A committee was formed to revise the language. The revisions will be presented to the Onondaga Nation Council for approval then to Chancellor for final review and implementation.

7c. Haudenosaunee students and faculty will be consulted about how to publicize these acknowledgements and who will be part of these announcements.

7d. The University has convened a committee with Indigenous student representation to plan the commissioning of a permanent marker.

Status In Progress

Progress

October 2021

• 7d. A recent update on the art installation planned for the Shaw Quadrangle was shared by the Chancellor as part of his Indigenous People’s Day (Monday, Oct. 12) communication to the campus.

February 2021

• Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol has met with the committee of Indigenous students to plan the commissioning of a permanent marker on campus. Students have chosen to work with artist Brandon Lazore, Onondaga Nation, Snipe Clan.
• Discussions continue on proper placement.