After weeks of protest from Syracuse University students, the administration is promoting peace.

"We're better when we're together,” said Brian Konkol, Syracuse University’s Dean of Hendricks Chapel. “I think tonight was an opportunity to express that publicly."

Dozens of students and faculty gathered at Hendricks Chapel for a vigil, after a series of racist graffiti and bias incidents on campus.

 

 

"It's really important for people to just come together, as cheesy as that sounds, it's true,” said Ashley Laird, a Syracuse University student. “That's what we need right now, especially in this environment that's so divisive."

"I think it's really important to make peace a focal point when you're going through times like this,” said Gabriel Milluzzo, another student. “I think peace is a great way to remind ourselves to stay centered and keep that kind of unity."

Students and staff hope solidarity will prevail.

Although, some say it won't be easy.

"I'm glad people came and we're together,” Laird said. “But again, I think it's going to take a very long time for things to change. I don't think a vigil is going to solve everything."

But, it's a start to create the inclusive campus many students are fighting for.

"There are a lot of good people on this campus,” said Milluzzo. “There are a lot of people who want to make change and see change happen. I think it will happen because the energy is there.”

"The people who gathered here tonight are people of hope and people of action,” said Konkol. “So we are moving forward, we're moving forward together."

The administration plans to have more events like this, and they increased support resources on campus.

However, students behind the Not Again SU Movement say they’re going to continue to fight for what they deserve.

They’re having a walk out at HBC Hall on Thursday at 1 p.m.