HR News

Crucial Conversations, a popular professional development workshop series for faculty and staff, will be offered in person beginning later this month. Crucial Influence, an offering for leaders, supervisors and managers from the creators of Crucial Conversations, is also being held again this summer.

The University is pleased to announce its participation in “On My Own Time”—a celebration of local visual arts that highlights the often-unsung artists who create art on their own time.

This year is the 51st anniversary of this program, organized by CNY Arts, and faculty and staff are invited to showcase their talents along with other employers and businesses in the region.

For faculty and staff who had a flexible spending account (FSA) through Syracuse University in 2023, the deadline to submit eligible expenses from the previous calendar year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2023) for reimbursement is Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Additionally, up to $610 in unused funds from 2023 may be rolled over to a health care FSA for use in 2024. No funds may be carried over to the following calendar year for the dependent care account.

New Guidance Continue to stay home if sick: If you test positive for COVID-19, you are encouraged to stay home if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, cough and other known respiratory virus symptoms. No longer mandated to isolate: Those with COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate for five days. Instead, according to the NYSDOH, “individuals can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true: symptoms are getting better overall, and they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.” No longer required to report a positive test: Students and faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to report that positive test to the Barnes Center and Human Resources, respectively. How to keep yourself and those around you healthy! Although isolation and vaccination are no longer required, COVID-19 continues to be present and causes varying degrees of illness. There are several ways you can keep yourself and those around you healthy, including: Get vaccinated: We encourage our community to consider vaccinations against common communicable illnesses, including COVID-19. Students, faculty and staff can search locations offering COVID-19 vaccinations using the Vaccine Finder website. The COVID-19 vaccine is available in the pharmacy at the Barnes Center. Please use the patient portal to make an appointment. Monitor for COVID-like symptoms: If you’re a student, contact the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000 if you are concerned about your symptoms. Barnes Center staff will direct you on what actions to take next. Faculty and staff should contact their primary care provider. Stay home: If you’re experiencing COVID-like symptoms, including a fever, stay home. Wear a mask: If you are feeling under the weather, consider wearing a mask to limit the spread of your symptoms. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is welcome to do so and should be supported. Exercise good hygiene habits: Cover your cough and sneezes. Wash your hands often. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, especially your residence hall rooms. The University appreciates your continued cooperation and commitment to a safe and healthy environment for all members of our community. To learn more about public health guidance, please visit the CDC website.

The Office of Human Resources is offering a series of Crucial Influence workshops to help supervisors build skills in leading behavior change within their team or organization.

Human Resources and Syracuse Athletics are pleased to offer a ticket discount for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at the Orange men’s lacrosse game on Monday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening out with your colleagues, friends and/or family while supporting the Orange and being celebrated for all you do for the University!

To assist individuals and families who are in need of winter outerwear, Syracuse University is again partnering with InterFaith Works of Central New York and Hendricks Chapel for Operation Orange Warmup. The coat collection drive will take place at the Syracuse men’s basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 27, versus North Carolina State.

At the start of this new semester, I want to welcome our newest community members and welcome back our returning students, faculty and staff. As coordinator of the University’s ongoing response efforts to communicable illnesses, such as COVID-19 and influenza, I want to provide some reminders that can help keep you and our community healthy.

Crucial Conversations, a popular professional development workshop series for faculty and staff, will be offered in two formats—in-person and virtually—beginning later this month. Crucial Influence, a new offering for leaders from the creators of Crucial Conversations, is also being held again this spring.