HR News

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

I am writing as a follow up to the message I shared Tuesday regarding New York State’s expansion of vaccine eligibility. We have secured further guidance from the state’s Department of Health related to those who may be newly eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Wednesday, March 17. The news is positive for our campus community.

Beginning March 17, all Syracuse University employees who are currently required to perform their job in person and on campus will be eligible for vaccination in the category of: “In-person College Faculty or Essential In-person Staff.” The guidance also extends eligibility to some student workers who have public-facing and in-person roles (i.e., residence hall advisors). At this time, employees who are working fully remotely do not yet qualify as eligible based on this new guidance.

For those Syracuse University employees eligible beginning March 17, please note the following:

• You can pursue a vaccination appointment by registering at either the Onondaga County (OnCenter) or New York State (Fairgrounds) vaccination sites.
• You are not eligible to pursue an appointment prior to March 17. Be advised that if you do register for an appointment prior to March 17, you may be turned away from the vaccination site.
• In addition to scheduling an appointment online, appointments can be scheduled by calling the state’s hotline at 1.833.697.4829.
• Employees will be required to show proof of eligible employment, and should bring with them their Syracuse University I.D., insurance card and a pay stub.

We remain in close contact with state, county and local officials and will share any additional updates related to this newly expanded eligibility. Please continue to visit Syracuse.edu/staysafe for the latest information about the University’s COVID-19 response.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff: Today you received a message from University Trustees Richard Alexander and Jeffrey Scruggs, co-leads of the Board of Trustees Special Committee on University Climate, Diversity and Inclusion. The committee has completed its comprehensive review and delivered its final report and recommendations [PDF] to advance the University’s goals in diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility. I appreciate the committee’s work and am most grateful for the students, faculty, staff, alumni and independent experts who shared their experiences, counsel and wisdom. These recommendations are a direct result of our community’s willingness to participate honestly and constructively. The committee has given us several tangible actions that will serve to position all of our students, faculty and staff for success, regardless of their race, background, religion or life experiences. Implementation of some recommendations is already underway, with the rest to be fulfilled promptly. The committee’s work is one piece of the University’s larger effort to foster an inclusive and respectful campus environment for everyone. The delivery of this report follows the completion of former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s independent review of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and framework for a DPS Community Review Board. Still forthcoming are the results and insights from the campus climate pulse survey that was conducted by Dr. Damon Williams. All this work will inform the creation of a Universitywide strategic plan focused on advancing our goals relative to diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility. As I shared with our community last week, there is no endpoint to this work. We aspire to be the example of a University that is welcoming to all. I am confident that the commitment and collective efforts of every corner of our community will get us there. Sincerely, Chancellor Kent Syverud

Dear Faculty and Staff: The University continues to update our campus community about ongoing developments related to the distribution and availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in New York. The state has not yet expanded vaccine eligibility beyond those in Phase 1a and 1b groups and individuals with certain underlying health conditions. However, there are efforts underway to make vaccines more readily available to those who are already eligible. To that end, we have two important updates to share: Vaccine Hours to Expand at New York State Fairgrounds Yesterday, it was announced that with approval of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, the New York State Fairgrounds will begin operating as a 24-hour-a-day vaccination clinic beginning Friday, March 5. Extended hours and expanded vaccine availability will open up thousands of additional appointments, making it easier for those eligible to receive the vaccine. New appointment time slots at the fairgrounds will open at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 4. To check your eligibility and make an appointment, visit the New York State eligibility tool website or call the state’s Vaccination Hotline at 1.833.697.4829. Again, the state is currently vaccinating Phase 1a and 1b groups, including those with certain comorbidities and underlying conditions, as outlined in its phased vaccine distribution plan. Only individuals determined to be eligible by the state should pursue an appointment. Employment Verification Letters No Longer Required at County/State Vaccination Sites Faculty and staff eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a county or state vaccination site (including the fairgrounds) are not required to bring an employment verification letter to their appointment as previously instructed. Employees should, however, bring the following items to their appointment: ·       Syracuse University I.D.; ·       A pay stub; and ·       Health insurance ID card (there will not be a co-pay or other out-of-pocket expense for the vaccination). We will continue to keep you informed of any additional updates on vaccine eligibility and availability. As a reminder, New York State—not Syracuse University—makes all determinations related to vaccine eligibility based on a variety of factors, including the risk associated with workplace exposure and the availability of vaccine supplied to New York State by the federal government. Sincerely, Andrew R. Gordon Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer J. Michael Haynie Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

John Liu
Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:

The landscape of federal, state and local policy guidance related to the COVID health emergency continues to evolve at a rapid pace. We are following these policy changes and amended public health guidelines very closely, to ensure that our ongoing response to the COVID health emergency is informed by the most current science and public policy.

Today’s message addresses some of the recent health policy changes and prevention protocols announced by New York State and federal authorities and is intended to provide clarity as to how those changes are impacting our efforts to ensure the health and safety of our campus and Central New York communities. In this message I will address:

• New York State Guidance to Colleges and Universities
• Mandatory Student Testing
• Vaccine Eligibility and Requirements
• Current Travel Guidance
• Spring Break Travel

Please continue to visit Syracuse.edu/staysafe for the latest news and information, and to review the most up-to-date COVID-19 dashboard.

Clarity on New York State Guidance: New guidance from New York State related to the conditions that would require a “pause” to in-person learning and student activities has generated a lot of news, chatter and word-of-mouth on college and university campuses. I want to provide clarity on how the new guidance impacts us.

On Friday, Feb. 19, New York State updated its guidance for when colleges and universities must go “on-pause” because of COVID infections on campus. Previously, if our campus experienced 100 positive COVID test results over a fixed two-week period, New York State would require that we pause in-person learning and student activities for 14 days. Under the revised guidance, the threshold for the number of positive test results that would result in a mandatory pause is now set at 5 percent of the total on-campus population (over a 14-day period). At Syracuse University, this equates to a threshold of 880 positive test results over a rolling 14-day period. Under New York State guidelines, this new standard applies only to colleges and universities conducting surveillance testing of a minimum of 25 percent of the on-campus population weekly. Currently, the University is testing approximately 75 percent of our on-campus population weekly and will do so for the entire semester.

Though we are grateful for relief from the prior and somewhat arbitrary standard of 100 positive tests, it is important that all members of our community understand that what this change in policy really does is afford the University enhanced discretion to enact public health policies and measures that best align with our unique circumstance. In other words, it is important not to interpret the 880-positive test metric as the single standard by which the University may decide—even absent a mandate from the state—to pause in-person learning given an outbreak of COVID infection on our campus. Instead, moving forward, that threshold will be informed by our own public health experts and the unique situation on campus. Be assured that the Syracuse University Public Health Team will continue to proactively monitor the public health situation on campus and if necessary, those experts may act in advance of a mandate from New York State to introduce restrictions or limitations deemed necessary to protect the safety and well-being of our community.

Testing Is Mandatory for any Student Accessing Campus: Any student who is accessing campus—for whatever reason and regardless of how infrequently—must comply with the weekly testing regimen. This includes those students whose classes are solely online this semester but visit campus to use the dining facilities, fitness centers or other campus resources. Individuals, whether remote students or students who live off campus, are prohibited from accessing campus buildings and facilities without participating in the COVID surveillance testing program. Failure to be tested as required will result in consequences, as previously communicated. To learn more about our testing surveillance program, please review this message from the Public Health Team that was shared on Friday, Feb. 19.

Vaccine Eligibility and Requirements: We continue to receive questions about the state’s vaccination distribution process. There is nothing we want more than for every individual who wants to be vaccinated to get vaccinated. However, as a reminder, New York State—not Syracuse University—makes all determinations related to vaccine eligibility. Eligibility determinations are assigned based on a variety of factors, including the risk associated with workplace exposure and as a function of the availability of vaccine supplied to New York State by the federal government.

Recently, New York State announced that those with certain underlying medical conditions are now eligible. The full list of qualifying comorbidities and underlying conditions is available on the New York State website. For those who may qualify, you can confirm your eligibility, review frequently asked questions and register for the vaccination (when appointments are available) on the New York State eligibility tool website.

At the moment, only New York State, county health departments, pharmacies and hospitals are distributing the vaccine. Syracuse University has applied to the state to be an employer point of distribution in the event that vaccine supplies improve and eligibility for the vaccine is expanded. The New York State vaccination plan is evolving as vaccines become more available. The Syracuse University Public Health Team will continue to share new information as we receive it, including updates and changes impacting the vaccine eligibility and the availability of vaccination resources in our community.

Current Travel Guidance: Travel for University purposes remains limited to essential purposes only. Personal travel is also strongly discouraged to limit the risk of importing contagion into the Central New York community. In all cases, New York State guidance for traveler quarantine must be observed. Requests to travel for essential research purposes may be made to the vice president for research on the Return to Campus Research webpage. Students are prohibited from traveling outside of Central New York except as noted in the provisions of the Stay Safe Pledge. Travel for other essential reasons may be considered by relevant vice presidents or deans. Potential travelers are encouraged to contact the Office of Global Safety and Support at satucker@syr.edu or 315.443.1968 to discuss options. In all cases, those traveling for University purposes or students traveling for essential personal reasons should register their travel on the Syracuse University Travel Registry website.

Spring Break Travel: With the above guidance in mind and given the suspension of spring break this year, I want to remind our students to avoid making travel plans out of state. We are aware that some travel companies are already marketing travel packages to students. Per the Stay Safe Pledge, you are advised to remain here in Central New York; those who violate this provision may compromise the health and wellness of our students, faculty, staff and neighbors—and you may also face disciplinary sanctions for violating the Stay Safe Pledge.

I want to once again express my gratitude to those of you who are working hard to ensure that we all experience a safe and meaningful academic semester. We cannot let our guard down—not for even a single moment. It is everyone’s job to keep our campus community and neighbors safe, healthy and well.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Dear Faculty and Staff: Since March of last year, New York State has reported experiencing a significant increase in fraudulent unemployment benefit claims submitted on behalf of individuals. According to the New York State Department of Labor, as of Feb. 2., there have been over 425,000 fraudulent claims statewide. This includes multiple false claims filed in the names of Syracuse University employees. Fraudulent claims are being investigated by law enforcement at the federal, state and local level. The University is taking all necessary precautions to identify potential fraudulent unemployment claim activity. Please be aware that:  If you are personally impacted, you may receive notification from New York State with instructions about how to respond to a fraudulent unemployment claim. If the Office of Human Resources receives a potential fraudulent unemployment claim or inquiry on your behalf, HR Shared Services will contact you with further instructions. HR Shared Services is notifying New York State of all unemployment fraud cases that involve the University. If you become aware of an unemployment claim fraudulently filed on your behalf, please contact the New York State Department of Labor New York State Department of Labor. Additional resources on safeguarding faculty and staff against fraud and identity theft can be found on the Office of Human Resources website. Please contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or by emailing HR Shared Services if you have any additional questions or concerns. Sincerely,

Andrew R. Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer

Dear Members of the Orange Community:

We are not yet two weeks into the spring semester, and we already find ourselves approaching the threshold of 100 positive COVID-19 cases in a two-week period. When and if we do, the University will have no choice but to go “on pause” as mandated by the state of New York. This means no in-person learning or student activities for two weeks, perhaps longer, and fewer of the opportunities that make being a student here so special.

To the vast majority of our students who are following the Stay Safe Pledge—getting tested and protecting our community—I say thank you. You have done the right things. You have shown respect to your fellow students, your families and our community. You have shown that this can be done.

To our students who continue to host and attend large parties and ignore public health guidelines, I don’t know what more anyone can tell you. Your actions put your health and the health of others at risk. Your actions put the semester for the entire campus at risk. Your actions put the Central New York community at risk. And your actions put your status here on campus at risk. 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.

We are at a pivotal moment. I know this pandemic has been hard for everyone in different ways. And I know you are fatigued by it all. That makes remaining here on campus this spring all the more important. And right now, it is at risk. Let’s show respect to one another by recommitting ourselves to following public health mandates and the Stay Safe Pledge. Being put “on pause” may or may not be inevitable at this point. But a spring semester with mostly in-person experiences is still within your control.

Sincerely,
Chancellor Kent Syverud

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:

Welcome back to campus and to the Spring 2021 academic semester! As the new semester gets underway, I am writing to share some important information.

First, however, I want to say thank you to our entire campus community. Many of you continue to sacrifice in service to our academic mission, and in support of our collective efforts to safeguard the health, safety and wellness of our campus and the Central New York Community. The expanded access to the COVID vaccine that we anticipate later this spring and summer gives us a reason for optimism. At the same time, to sustain our residential campus experience this spring will require additional sacrifice and new compromises. To stay open and operating will require—as Chancellor Kent Syverud said in his Winter Message to the University Community—determination and grit. These are qualities you have demonstrated time and again throughout the COVID health emergency. Along with patience and grace, these are attributes we will all need to employ once again in the weeks ahead to successfully navigate what is hopefully the final leg of our pandemic journey. In anticipation of your continued efforts, I want to say thanks.

Whether you are new to campus or returning to Syracuse this semester, please pay close attention to the information contained in this update. We learned a great deal last semester, and we have applied those lessons in the form of new or changed policies and processes designed to minimize the impact of the pandemic on our campus and community. We will update you regularly through these emails and post updates at Syracuse.edu/staysafe.

Today’s message covers important information regarding:

• COVID-19 Testing
  • Stadium Testing Center Hours
  • Six Things to Know About the Upgraded COVID-19 Stadium Testing Center
  • Remote Student Testing
  • Steps to Take Before Testing
• Student Community Reminders
  • Stay Safe Pledge
  • Student Daily Health Screenings
  • Schine Student Center Building Usage
• Access to the COVID Vaccine
• Resources for Responding to COVID-19 Exposure
  • COVID-19 Response Checklists
  • edu/staysafe

COVID-19 Testing

Stadium Testing Center Hours: The Stadium Testing Center will operate with enhanced hours, including evening and weekend availability.

• Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday evening from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Six Things to Know About the Upgraded COVID-19 Stadium Testing Center: A recent SU News story highlights some of the process improvements and changes made at the testing center since the fall semester. Read about the new SalivaDirect testing method, in-house lab analysis, expanded eligibility and more.

Remote Student Testing and Campus Access: We recognize that some of our students have chosen to learn in a fully remote capacity this semester. Remote students who are in Central New York are still encouraged to take advantage of the Stadium Testing Center resources. As a reminder, any student who intends to access campus resources or facilities (classrooms, laboratories, libraries, fitness centers, etc.)—no matter how infrequently—is required to be tested weekly. Individuals, whether remote students or students who live off campus, are prohibited from accessing campus buildings and facilities without participating in the COVID surveillance testing program. Failure to be tested as required will result in consequences, as previously communicated.

Steps to Take Before Testing: In order for our laboratory to provide you with a COVID surveillance test result, it is important to provide an adequate and non-contaminated saliva sample by following these simple instructions:

• Do not eat, chew gum, drink, use mouthwash or use any tobacco products for 30 minutes before testing.
• Deposit enough saliva to reach the line marked on your tube.
• Be sure you only deposit saliva into the tube (not mucus or phlegm).
• It is recommended to hydrate well earlier in the day before you test to prevent dry mouth.

If you do not follow these instructions closely, there is a chance that your sample can’t be analyzed. In such an instance, you will be notified to return to the Stadium Testing Center to provide a new sample. If you have questions, please ask a testing assistant for help. For more information, please watch this short video.

Student Community Reminders

Stay Safe Pledge: Now that the spring semester is underway and the vast majority of our community is back on campus, it’s important that we remind ourselves of and recommit to best health practices. For our students, the Stay Safe Pledge provides clear details regarding what’s expected this semester, including, but not limited to:

• Wear a mask;
• Maintain social distance;
• Get your flu shot;
• Limit gatherings;
• Monitor for symptoms and complete the Daily Health Screening;
• Do not travel outside of Central New York unless deemed essential;
• Participate in testing and contact tracing procedures immediately and honestly; and
• Adhere to all directives from state and local authorities and the University.

Student Daily Health Screening: As a reminder, in accordance with the Stay Safe Pledge, all students are required to complete the Daily Health Screening in the Patient Portal prior to accessing campus. Students receive a daily reminder email about completing the screening. For students living on campus, including on South Campus, the screening must be completed seven days a week. For students living off campus, you must complete the screening every day you plan to come onto campus, including attending in-person classes or activities, entering campus facilities or working on campus. The screening includes a few questions related to potential exposure and symptoms of COVID-19. The data collected is used to monitor the health of our campus community to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure on campus, as well as to provide students who may be experiencing symptoms with the necessary steps to seek care.

Schine Student Center Building Access and Usage: With the reopening of the transformed Schine Student Center, we understand that you are eager to visit and make use of the many enhanced features and spaces within the building. It is critical that we continue to adhere to all public health guidelines to ensure we can continue to use this space throughout the spring semester. This means:

• eating and drinking in the designated dining and café areas only;
• following all occupancy and seating limits as posted;
• adhering to directives provided by staff;
• limiting your visit to no more than two hours; and
• maintaining social distance, especially while in line for food.

Please review all health and safety protocols prior to accessing the building.

Access to the COVID Vaccine

Vaccine Eligibility and Requirements: As we have stated previously, New York State—not Syracuse University—makes all determinations related to vaccine eligibility. Eligibility determinations are assigned based on a variety of factors, including the risk associated with workplace exposure, and as a function of the availability of vaccine supplied to New York State by the federal government.

Recently, New York State announced that those with underlying medical conditions will be eligible beginning Feb. 15, 2021. The full list of qualifying comorbidities and underlying conditions is available on the New York State website. For those who may qualify, you can confirm your eligibility, review frequently asked questions and register for the vaccination (when appointments are available) on the New York State eligibility tool website.

The New York State vaccination plan is evolving as vaccines become more available. The Syracuse University Public Health Team will continue to share new information as we receive it, including updates and changes impacting the vaccine eligibility and the availability of vaccination resources in our community.

Resources for Responding to COVID-19 Exposure

COVID-19 Response Checklists: Quickly identifying, isolating and tracing instances of COVID-19 exposure is critical to mitigating the spread of the virus. As a reminder, the University developed a series of COVID-19 checklists for students, faculty and staff to provide direction in situations where a member of the Syracuse University community has tested positive for or suspects they have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

The checklists, including a downloadable and printable PDF, can be found on the Stay Safe website. The checklists cannot fully address the unique nature of every situation and are intended to provide general guidance related to the most appropriate and required actions in response to positive test results or suspected exposure to the virus. Members of the community should contact the Syracuse University COVID-19 Project Management Office (PMO) at 315.443.6180 or SUcovid@syr.edu with additional questions or concerns or to receive further guidance.

Information Hub: I encourage you to bookmark Syracuse.edu/staysafe. This site will continue to be the hub for information about campus operations, public health and safety, testing information and the Syracuse University COVID-19 Dashboard. The dashboard has also undergone some revisions based on feedback we have received from the community. I hope you find the updated dashboard helpful and easy to navigate.

There’s no doubt this semester will present us with challenges. I also have no doubt that we can overcome any challenge together. I look forward to the months ahead and wish you a safe, healthy and successful semester.

Sincerely,

J. . Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Chancellor Kent Syverud shared his 2021 Winter Message to the University Community in a virtual message, recorded in the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building at Syracuse University.

Below is the text of his remarks.

Greetings from the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building at Syracuse University. I’m coming to you from the K.G. Tan Auditorium. It is a spectacular space. It’s empty today, but soon pandemic conditions permitting it will host all kinds of events. Memories and history will be made here. Our ROTC commissionings, convocations will be held here. Lectures and seminars will be delivered here. Leaders from around the world will come together here. I can’t wait for you all to experience this.

I usually deliver a winter message in a room together with many of you, the pandemic is stopping us from doing that today but all of us who are orange, we’ve gotten pretty good at finding new ways of doing things. We improvise and we get it done as we will once again this semester.

Our spring semester has officially begun at Syracuse University. Your university is strong today, we are poised for an even stronger tomorrow. I know this because of the way our community has come together over the last year. I know this because of the unstoppable orange spirit of our community. And I know this because of the opportunities that lie before us and our willingness to act on them boldly. I am grateful like so many of you that we are able to welcome the vast majority of our community back to this campus for the spring semester. It has been a long road to get here. It is the determination of so many that is making this semester possible. Our faculty, our staff have worked hard to ensure that no matter where you are in the world, you can be part of the Syracuse University family. I appreciate all of you. We are here today because of you and because of your tireless efforts. Thank you.

I am also grateful for what we, as a university, were able to accomplish this past fall semester. I believe it was the hardest semester our university has faced in our lifetime. I think historians will agree. Our community has surely faced difficult times before, Pan Am 103, the height of the Vietnam War and other challenges. But there was more collective stress on our entire university this past summer and fall than any other semester in our memory. As a community, we rose to the occasion, we are ready to do it again and show the world how it is done.

The global pandemic has disrupted so much in our lives yet Syracuse University, students, faculty, staff, alumni, fans and friends have met every challenge and we have done it as one orange community. Being orange is not something are given or born with, it’s something you earn. Today, I want to share some stories of how our orange community has displayed grit and grace and greatness. These qualities will shape how we face the world this semester and these qualities will continue to shape our university long into the future. Grit, grace and greatness, I see these qualities every day in our people.

Start with grit. Grit is courage in the face of challenges, it is persistence in the face of obstacles and setbacks, it is demonstrating resilience, fortitude, and perseverance in the most difficult of times. This pandemic has tested our grit in extraordinary ways. So many things are harder than before. We have experienced losses of jobs, of experiences, of loved ones. We have missed milestones, we’ve missed celebrations. We are distanced from friends and family. Grit pushes back on these challenges in different ways, it is what we do every day that has now become routine. Getting tested, social distancing, washing our hands, wearing our masks. It is all of the extra work we do to offer classes in person, online and sometimes both at the same time. It is rethinking how we use spaces for labs and rehearsals and activities and athletics. It is our alumni, donors and friends who have stepped up to support the University and our students during challenging economic times, whether through Syracuse Responds or giving to scholarships. These ways of being part of the Syracuse University community are essential, especially now.

Grit reveals itself when we create ways to do things we have never done before. Back in October, we needed to pivot some of our public health protocols to keep our community safe. And we needed people to help us make this pivot happen. Zach Baxter, a senior and a member of our ROTC Corps asked what he could do to help. He had volunteered earlier in the semester with the public health team. Zach reached out to Program Manager Pruthvi Kilaru, in our department of public health. Within 24 hours, Zach and his fellow ROTC cadets were ready to train in the safe collection, registration and pooling of COVID testing samples. We needed to move quickly here, we needed the people to make it happen, Zach and his fellow cadets stepped up to keep our community safe.

Grit is also Tiana Mangakahia. Tiana is a member of our women’s basketball team. She returned to the court this year, after a courageous battle with cancer. She hadn’t played in an intercollegiate game for more than 600 days when she stepped back on the court in November. That night she scored 16 points, had seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. Grit got her there, just like grit got her through her cancer treatment, just like grit is keeping her and all our student athletes motivated and focused through another season that is regularly disrupted by the pandemic.

Grit may be what we do, but grace is how we do it. When someone challenges our thinking or says something that strikes us at first as wrong, grace is extending the patience to have a conversation. Grace opens our hearts and minds to make sure we understand someone else’s point of view. Grace is sometimes as simple as giving our fellow classmate or colleague the benefit of the doubt. Now more than ever, grace is going out of our way to help someone else. We saw grace in how so many in our orange community came together around a contentious national election to discuss the hard issues and respecting those with whom they disagreed. We also saw grace demonstrated by our work study students and our graduate students in the Setnor School of Music. they worked through complex schedules and social distancing guidelines so that classes could still take place and rehearsals could still be held.

Grace is also in people like Nel Gaudé, a master’s student in food studies saw needs in our community and decided to help working with the Syracuse Onondaga Food Systems Alliance. Nel developed a Food Policy Council to organize and connect people with emergency food. So many are suffering right now, and Nel is finding ways to meet the needs of underrepresented communities in Syracuse. Professor Evan Weissman, who passed away last semester, connected Nel with these community groups. Together, they are continuing to practice what Professor Weissman taught us about food security and social justice.

I am certain that this semester will continue to test our grace. While the vaccine has arrived, we will need to continue to exercise diligence and patience. Even now the number of individuals who are eligible is far higher than the number of vaccine doses that are available. We need everyone to get tested more frequently. It may disrupt your day, but it is simple, selfless and shows you care about those around you. All you have to do is show up at the stadium and deposit your saliva. This small act of grace could help protect us, our friends, our campus, and our neighbors from the virus. With continued grit and grace we will get through this semester, but more than that, we will come out of this coming semester thriving and aiming for greatness. Greatness is not what we say, but what we do and we achieve. It is how we make an impact on the world around us. Even during this unusual and challenging year Syracuse University alumni, faculty, staff, and students are changing the world in distinctive and amazing ways.

A Syracuse University law graduate is in the White House, I am proud of that. We can all be proud that all of our Syracuse University schools and colleges produce individuals who rise to the highest levels. We should take pride knowing that leaders and luminaries continue to build their foundation for greatness here at Syracuse University. Greatness is how our work speaks to and shapes the world. Just last week our spectacular artist in residence Carrie Mae Weems was the focus of a virtual forum of experts held by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The museum is currently exhibiting her work entitled “From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried.” Her work tells stories of racism and social injustice and gives voice to those who had none.

Greatness also comes when you aim high and ask what if. Zhen Ma, our faculty member in biomedical and chemical engineering worked with a new nano-material approach when he was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California. He asked, what if we could use this system to understand how the heart forms in a human embryo. That question has now led to more than $2.7 million in competitive grant funding to his lab here at Syracuse. And it has resulted in an ethical way to test whether commonly prescribed drugs affect fetal heart development.

We have so many opportunities as a university and as individuals to ask, what if, and what’s next. The answers to these questions will undoubtedly lead to greatness. We’re looking for leadership that asks these tough questions too. Leadership that looks beyond the status quo. We are searching for the next senior vice president for the student experience. This will be someone who confronts the tough questions, the highest hurdles with excitement and with energy and with our students. This new leader will be in place by summer and this new leader will have a tremendous foundation to build upon.

Over the last year, we have completed the first phase of the Stadium Project. And this semester the transformed Schine Student Center is open once again. We did these ambitious projects on time and on budget thanks to a lot of hard work by so many on our campus. We have achieved what our students asked for and what we need now, spaces tailored to students and spaces where we can stay socially distant but together. The stadium and the re-imagined Schine Student Center are spectacular. But as we have seen with the Barnes Center at The Arch, it’s what happens in these spaces that makes an impact. To all our students please enjoy these new facilities, it is how you use them and what you do inside them that will bring greatness to your student experience here

We also need to look for greatness as we shape our culture and our community. Our country continues its reckoning with anti-black racism, we are experiencing a new wave of antisemitism. When members of our community suffer, it is on all of us to respond. This semester we will kick off a university-wide strategic plan for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. We have the opportunity to make real and lasting changes to how our community addresses discrimination of any kind. We have the opportunity to make our campus more accessible for people with disabilities. We have the opportunity to build an even stronger culture of respect and to deliver an equitable experience for all. This work directly impacts how individuals experience Syracuse University. This work will demand a lot from all of us. It will follow extensive and comprehensive reviews of our current infrastructure. Soon, our community will receive the results of these reviews, this includes a review of our department of public safety led by former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch. It includes the results of the campus climate survey, where we heard from our community and it will include the review conducted by the board of trustees special committee on university climate, diversity and inclusion.

This work will require open minds and open hearts. It will require all of us to acknowledge where we’ve been and where we want to go. And it will require grit and grace to overcome where we’ve fallen short in the past, this work will be a commitment to greatness recognizing we can be better and we will be better. Thinking in terms of greatness is also necessary as we search for our next provost and chief academic officer. This leader will oversee important initiatives in faculty recruitment and retention in development and in academic excellence. We need to look for greatness as we seek to hire new and diverse faculty. We have identified 10 research clusters where we think Syracuse University can be distinctive. Now is the time to invest in the people who will make this happen. Now is the time to invest in the academic and research facilities where this will happen. And now is the time to invest in the collaborations and partnerships that will shape how this happens. Cutting edge fields like quantum information, science, bio inspired materials and living systems and autonomous systems policy are all asking what’s next for our society.

Grit, grace and greatness, let’s manifest all three this semester at Syracuse University. I asked that we all approach the challenges and opportunities we will face together this semester with grit. Let’s treat each other in our community, even when we don’t see eye to eye with grace. Finally, let’s find the potential for greatness in ourselves, in others and in our university as we strive for excellence. We know what orange can do this semester let’s show the world how we do it. Thank you.

American Heart Month, celebrated each February, is dedicated to motivating as many Americans as possible to adopt healthier lifestyles that can help prevent heart disease. As one of the hardest working muscles in your body, it’s crucial to include heart health as a regular part of your self-care routine. There are many steps that can be taken toward a healthier heart, including these offerings from the faculty and staff Wellness Initiative.

Take the 1,500 Jumping Jack Challenge!

Jumping jacks can improve both heart health and strength, thanks to the combination of cardiovascular conditioning and body weight resistance they provide. From Feb. 8-27, join the Wellness Initiative in a Teams group with the goal of achieving 1,500 jumping jacks over 20 days—that’s 75 per day. This challenge is suitable for all fitness levels, and jumping jack variations to help make it more or less challenging will be provided. Learn more or sign up.

What If One Hour a Day Could Change Everything?

That’s the central question of a new 21-day challenge where participants will commit to three 20-minute daily practices to help bring greater balance to daily life. Using the tools of meditation, movement and mindful moments, and with the support of a skilled facilitator, participants will build resilience, increase mindfulness, strengthen heart health and improve their overall sense of well-being. The challenge launches on Feb. 8, so learn more and/or sign up today!

Virtual Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Pilot Program 

Research shows that the simple process of checking and recording your blood pressure at least twice a month over a four-month period may lower blood pressure in those with high blood pressure. Proper nutrition, particularly a reduction in sodium, can help to lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure, as well.

The Wellness Initiative is partnering with the YMCA of Greater Syracuse to offer a Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring pilot program to eligible faculty and staff. The four-month-long program will focus on the practice of home self-monitoring, identifying triggers and adopting healthier eating habits to manage high blood pressure.

Attend an information session on Feb. 10 from noon-12:30 p.m. or Feb. 11 from 1-1:30 p.m. to learn more and see if you qualify.

Know Your Numbers Virtual Seminar

On Feb. 16 from noon-12:30 p.m., join guest speaker Dr. Stephen Cohen from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to discuss the “big four” numbers when it comes to heart health—BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Participants will learn what the goal levels are for these metrics and actions one can take to bring them into an appropriate range, if needed. Learn more or sign up.

Get to the Heart of It: Quiz Series

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Get to the Heart of It quiz series to boost heart health knowledge and learn valuable tips to ensure a healthy heart. Begin with Heart Health 101 and after submitting their responses, participants will receive an email with the answers, explanations, links to more resources and a link to the next quiz. Good luck!

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Though the spring semester is fast approaching, the weather remains wintry. This is a good time to remind our campus community of how we make decisions—and how you can stay up to date—regarding weather conditions and University operations. In general, we remain open for business even in challenging weather conditions, but we will always prioritize the safety and well-being of our community members when determining operating status.

Any change in the University’s operating status will be announced via the University’s emergency broadcast notification system and will carry the notice SU WEATHER ALERT. Please be sure your Orange Alert settings are always up to date in MySlice.

SU WEATHER ALERT information will be announced via the following communications channels:

• via campus email;
• via text message;
• via a “crawl” on campus TV monitors and University websites;
• on Twitter: @SUCampus, @SyracuseUNews and @SyracuseDPS;
• on Facebook: @SUCampus, @SyracuseUniversityNews and @SyracuseDPS;
• on syr.edu and Syracuse.edu; and
• via Syracuse University public radio station WAER-FM/88.3 and other local media outlets.

Only Syracuse University’s Internal Communications and Media Relations teams are authorized to transmit to the news media and the campus community announcements about closings, work-schedule changes or class-start delays.

Although Syracuse University rarely closes for inclement weather, individuals must make personal decisions based on a risk assessment related to travel. We encourage all employees to take precautions and use good judgment when traveling to/from work. Faculty and staff concerned about their safety should contact their department chair or supervisor, respectively.

Please note: in the event extreme weather results in the closure of our campus, in-person and hybrid classes will be cancelled; online classes will continue as planned.

The University works with an independent weather service, Precision Weather Service, to inform our decisions about weather delays, closings or work-schedule changes. Input is also provided by the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services and Academic Affairs.

For information on winter weather preparedness, visit the Department of Public Safety website.

Sincerely,

Tony Callisto
Senior Vice President and Chief Law Enforcement Officer

John Liu
Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost