SA to host ‘Save MayFest’ open forum
Syracuse University’s Student Association will host a ‘Save MayFest’ open forum today at 6 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium.
Though the name of the event was recently changed to SU Showcase, SA President Larry Seivert said the campaign this past week is not about the name change.
‘What Student Association realizes is there’s a disconnect growing among the university, the SU off-campus community and the students,’ Seivert said. ‘There’s a risk of losing this tradition if it continues with this increasing disconnect.’
Seivert explained that there are larger issues at hand than just the name change. He said that a position submitted by the Southeast University Neighborhood Association stated that if students cannot be relied upon to attend university sponsored MayFest events, then classes should be reinstituted that day.
‘This is one of the most anticipated days of the year for all the students on this campus,’ Seivert said. ‘No matter what activities the students are participating in, it’s one of the largest traditions for the student body.’
Seivert said SA is taking ‘every action necessary’ to ensure that the tradition is not lost, and that student interest should be the primary concern. He also said that student safety is their primary concern for the day, scheduled for April 21. Seivert said he understands that for many students, the party scene takes precedence, but whether the parties are going on or not, he wants students to be safe in whatever they choose to do that day.
John Barnhart, SA’s chair for the student engagement committee, said that last year water bottles were given out on Euclid Avenue as a way to keep the party scene safe. Barnhart said MayFest includes three major parts of the day – activities outside the Dome, activities inside the Dome, and activities on Euclid Avenue. He doesn’t think that the new name, SU Showcase, encompasses all three of these features.
‘We need the university to be on board with us,’ Barnhart said.
Sarah Kim, a sophomore international relations major, said she would attend the meeting.
‘I like MayFest a lot, it makes SU special,’ Kim said. ‘We need MayFest.’
Seivert said he wants to hear directly from students where they want to see the day go. He said he plans to listen to all the ideas, and from there create a collaborative solution to improve the day and improve relations between the university, the students and the community.
‘We know the university community sees many issues with this day, and we’re looking to see that we, as Student Association, solve them and actually act on behalf of the students,’ Seivert said.
Seivert said he has high hopes for a good turnout at the meeting. Along with a Facebook group with the tagline ‘Student Association needs your help to Save MayFest,’ Seivert also sent out an e-mail to the student body.
‘We need everyone to show up who has a voice they want to be heard,’ he said. ‘Because we’re listening.’
Published on February 11, 2009 at 12:00 pm
