Moving to Syracuse University can easily turn a student’s life around. We have to rediscover comforts we’re used to or find new things to make a different city feel like home. That can mean having to find new grocery stores and restaurants, nail salons, and, most importantly, new hair salons and barbershops.

For students of color, finding a place to get their hair done can be especially challenging.

There are many different hair patterns and textures. Each hair type has different ways to keep them healthy, and a skilled dresser who has experience with your patterns or texture.

SU should provide more guidance in this area by promoting students who cut hair for their peers.

“I think it’s important for us to deeply think about this and consider creating workshops for students, inviting the community in to speak to students about their hairdressers, skills and specialties,” said Syeisha Byrd, director of the Office of Engagement Programs at Hendricks Chapel. “I grew up in Syracuse, so based off my personal experience, I know if you’re not from here it is difficult to find someone.”

The Office of Multicultural Affairs is the one place on campus that is working to solve this issue. They provide addresses and phone numbers for multicultural beauty salons and barber shops on the back of planners.

Professional hair is something everyone takes pride in. For men, they have a barbershop that’s walking distance from campus — Collins Barber & Beauty Shop.

The barbers, though, who work there cannot cut the hair of all black and Latino men at SU. The responsibility to cut hair has fallen on our peers to provide these services for us, through student barbers.

A great way SU could help students of color is by having fairs or events to promote student stylists’ work. Providing a space during the weekend that student stylists can cut peers’ hair would make a difference. It would also help student hair businesses flourish.

It’s not just hair. Hair is a part of our identity, and we want to feel good about ourselves when we look in the mirror.

Although it’s not SU’s responsibility to make sure our hair is done, they can always do more to help us feel at home. Promoting student barbers is a great way to do that.

Maria Sanchez is a sophomore communication, rhetoric studies and political science dual major. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at mfsanche@syr.edu.

Published on March 25, 2019 at 9:41 pm