If You Break the Rules, Discipline Should Follow

photo courtesy of @syracuseu Instagram

On the night of February 13th, the privilege of SU’s athletes was on full display. Only a day after the announcement of multiple Greek parties causing a potential outbreak, SU athletes had an outbreak party of their own. 

According to multiple campus news sources, at least 50 maskless individuals attended an off-campus party. Our campus community only knows about the event because of campus sources like the Daily Orange and the Tab, not because our administration told us. Instead, an email originally meant for Syracuse Athletes from Athletics Director John Wildhack was leaked. In the email, Wildhack stated that he was “disappointed” and the Athletics Department will not “tolerate behavior which puts our… University at risk.” It’s now been a week, and Syracuse University students have yet to see SU athletes be held accountable for their actions. 

On Wednesday, February 17th, Chancellor Kent Syverud attempted to act as a leader and state that “No matter who you are—a member of the Greek community, a student-athlete or anyone else—if you break the rules, discipline will follow.” And this is somewhat true... but only if you’re a member of the infamous Greek community. 

Now, I’m in no way defending Greek life and their repeatedly terrible decisions. But it is ridiculous how within two days of being exposed for throwing parties, a Greek chapter was suspended. Meanwhile, our student-athletes who made equally terrible decisions have yet to face any public repercussions. 

Greek life is continuously vilified, and for good reason, but allowing athletes to believe that consequences do not apply to them is unbelievable. Just because they bring in money for the school, their actions should not be excusable. Also, let’s keep it real, how much money is our 1-10 football team bringing in anyways? 

Now, if we place these accusations upon an average student, they would be quickly placed under probation or even kicked out of the school. They would be left to fend for themselves, whereas SU athletes’ decisions and scholarships are being protected by the all-powerful Athletics Department. The entire incident almost sent us all home! By some miracle though, our football team was able to pull off one more win when New York State announced that SU will only be forced into online classes if the campus positivity rate reaches 5% instead of 100 reported cases. Nice one, boys. 

But in all honesty, shame on the administration for not having more control over the student body. So to all the student-athletes, sororities, frats, and other regular students who continue to party with no shame- I hope you’re having a great time potentially ruining shit for the rest of us.