HR News

Staff and faculty are invited to attend a virtual event to learn about what student services, resources, spaces and activities will look like for the Fall 2020 semester as new health and safety guidelines are in place for COVID-19.

The “Fall 2020: What to Expect for Student Engagement Symposium” will be held Wednesday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required. Those interested in attending must register by the end of the day on Monday, July 27. Live closed captioning will be provided.

The event will be recorded and available later for viewing.

The symposium will provide staff and faculty with information on changes to student-facing services pertaining to COVID-19 and the expectations for creating a safe and healthy community.

The symposium was organized by the training group members of the Student Engagement and Experience subcommittee, one of nine subcommittees formed as part of the Fall 2020 Open Working Group to ensure a safe and smooth return to residential instruction for the entire campus community.

The subcommittee is led by Amanda Nicholson, interim deputy senior vice president in the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience, and Rob Hradsky, vice president for the student experience, with Meredith Davis, associate vice president for student engagement, and Cory Wallack, Barnes Center at The Arch executive director.

Representatives from student-facing units and services will take part in the symposium, including the Barnes Center at The Arch, Food Services, the Office of Student Living, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, and the Office of Student Activities.

“The ultimate goal of the symposium is for people to get a glimpse into the shift of services, programs, resources and spaces available for students as we prepare for the Fall 2020 semester in this time of COVID-19,” Davis says. “The subcommittee has been working since the spring on the policies, spaces and training necessary to bring students back together safely and still have a valuable on-campus student experience.”

The symposium topics are:

• 10 a.m.: Health Guidelines and Testing for Students
• 10:30 a.m.: Student Events and Programs
  • Student Centers
  • Student Activities
  • Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
  • The Student Dining Experience
• 11 a.m.: Health Services and Recreation
• 11:30 a.m.: Residential Experience
• Noon: Social Compact/ Dean of Students Office

Each session will last thirty minutes, with time for questions and answers from participants.

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Families,

This is a critical time of preparation as many faculty and staff return to campus this summer, and as we plan to welcome back thousands of students next month. You will continue to see evidence of the work being done by teams across campus to implement new policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community. This work is often made more complicated by the evolving nature of the global pandemic, and as we receive new recommendations from public health authorities and government officials. We will continue to adapt our planning efforts in response to this dynamic environment.

I’ve heard from many of you related to our operations and plans to reopen Syracuse University safely. It is right and expected that many members of our campus community will continue to have questions about our plans for the fall. It’s also true that our community is uniquely positioned to contribute valuable insights related to our planning and preparedness. For that reason, beginning this week and extending throughout the remainder of the summer, we’ll be hosting weekly virtual update sessions, where you can ask questions and offer feedback in real time. More information on these update sessions is below. I’m very much looking forward to engaging with our campus community in this way.

Today’s campus update includes new information related to our ongoing planning for the fall, and policies and resources relevant to faculty, staff and students throughout the summer and beyond.

For Our Community:

• SU Safe Weekly Roundup Virtual Update Sessions
• New York State Travel Restrictions
• Daily Health Screening Questionnaire Requirement
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cleaning Supply Request Guidelines Available
• Mask Guidance for Individuals with Disabilities

For Students and Families:

• Updated COVID Testing Information
• New Parent and Families Virtual SUmmer Series

For Faculty and Staff:

• Fall Course Preparation Resources, Services and Tools for Faculty
• Phase Three Return to Work Underway

For Our Community

SU Safe Weekly Roundup Virtual Update Sessions: Starting this Friday, July 10, I will host “SU Safe Weekly Roundup,” a series of weekly virtual update sessions to assist University community members in preparing for the Fall 2020 semester. The hourlong Zoom sessions will be held on Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. and will feature myself and other University leaders and subject matter experts speaking on such issues as public health, the student experience, teaching, learning and researching during a pandemic. These meetings seek to provide clarity on the path forward to in-person instruction for the Fall 2020 semester; answer questions and address concerns of community members about returning to campus; and to receive feedback and suggestions. The meetings will be captioned and will run in a “webinar” format. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions via the chat function. The sessions will run weekly from July 10 through Aug. 14, and can be accessed through this link using an syr.edu email account. Each session is limited to 500 attendees. For those unable to participate live, the link to the video will be posted on Syracuse.edu/Fall2020 and on the University’s campus social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.

New York State Travel Restrictions: On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that three more states have been added to the previously announced travel restrictions. Individuals traveling to Central New York from 19 states experiencing high infection rates of COVID-19 will be expected to self-quarantine for 14 days. This action, announced in partnership with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut, will impact how Syracuse University accommodates students, faculty, staff and others traveling to campus from other states around the country. This restriction currently applies to individuals traveling to Syracuse from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and share more information on this subject once New York State provides additional detail.

Daily Health Screening Questionnaire Requirement: To comply with New York State requirements, anyone coming to campus for work or research (including faculty, staff and students) must complete an online Daily Health Screening Questionnaire prior to arriving on campus each day. The questionnaire has two questions related to exposure to and symptoms of COVID-19. Within the questionnaire, instructions are provided as to how those working on campus should proceed if they, or any member of their household, has been directed to self-isolate or quarantine or they are experiencing symptoms. Faculty and staff who have returned to campus will also receive reminder emails to complete the questionnaire on a daily basis.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cleaning Supply Request Guidelines Available: As more faculty and staff return to the campus workplace over the summer and the University prepares for fall reopening, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety Services has released new guidelines for requesting PPE and cleaning supplies, including masks, disinfectants and hand sanitizer. Schools, colleges and departments are encouraged to compile their initial COVID-19 supply needs and make one request via the COVID-19 supply request form. The request should be made by a dean, senior leader or their designee with leadership approval. We ask that you do not stockpile supplies and request only what is needed. Schools, colleges and departments are encouraged to follow guidelines and request only what is needed for the resumption of on-campus operations this summer and the initial campus reopening in August (not the entire Fall 2020 semester). More supplies can be requested, especially as supply chain availability improves. Excessive requests will be flagged for review by University leadership. Visit news.syr.edu for additional information and resources.

Mask Guidance for Individuals with Disabilities: Wearing a face mask may be difficult for some people with a disability. The Southeast ADA Center and the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University have released guidance offering answers to questions about the issue of face mask policies; reasons why a person with a disability might not be able to wear a face mask; information on the legal rights a person has under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and a listing of reasonable modifications that businesses and government agencies may make in their face mask policy to accommodate an individual with a disability. The Southeast ADA Center and BBI’s ADA and Face Mask Policies brief is available online.

For Students and Families

Updated Testing Information: As detailed in prior messages, Syracuse University plans to test all returning students for COVID-19 at the start of the semester. The plan for testing all student upon arrival remains unchanged. However, we want to make students and families aware that we are enhancing our testing program to add a pre-travel testing requirement. Specifically, given the increasingly availability of COVID testing in communities across the U.S., Syracuse University will require that all students be tested for COVID-19 before traveling to campus in August. We are incorporating this enhancement to our testing program based on recommendations of public health experts, and given ongoing consultation with peer institutions in New York state and across the U.S. The University will provide additional details in the coming weeks, related to how soon (prior to travel) this test should be accomplished and how to document a negative test result with the University prior to travel.

New Parent and Families Virtual SUmmer Series: The Parent and Family Services Office has organized a series of live Zoom sessions to provide new parents and families with information on multiple facets of the student experience, as well as share how to support a student transitioning to college life. Each session will cover a specific topic area and feature staff who will present and answer attendees’ questions on their respective topic. Topics covered include homesickness, healthy relationships, resiliency and more. Each live session is 7 to 8 p.m. ET and most will be recorded for future viewing. New parents and family members can learn more about each session and register on the Virtual SUmmer Series page.

For Faculty and Staff

Fall Course Preparation Resources, Services and Tools for Faculty: All faculty teaching this fall are highly encouraged to utilize the University’s suite of Fall Course Transition Services. No matter what format will be required, you can plan for a successful semester and get a running start on the first two weeks of classes. Use the Fall 2020 Preparedness Checklist as a starting point, then consult the Fall 2020 Align Your Course for Any Format for helpful resources on designing objectives, assessments, assignments, weekly activities and running class sections in a mixed formats. If you teach a large course session with TAs, consider working with them now to begin planning for their fall sessions as well. The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Online Learning Services and the Center for Online and Digital Learning can help—complete the brief Fall Course Development Form to get started.

Phase Three Return to Work Underway: For those involved in Phase Three of the University’s Return to Campus Plan for Faculty and Staff, the Wellness Initiative has compiled a list of mental and emotional well-being resources to facilitate a smooth transition. And please remember to complete your Daily Health Screening Questionnaire each day before you leave home.

The Wellness Initiative invites faculty and staff to register for the Real Food Challenge. The challenge runs from July 13-31 and involves each day swapping one fake food (heavily processed, packaged foods containing chemicals and additives) for one real food (any food that is minimally processed or not processed at all). Replacing fake food with real food provides your body with the nutrients to sustain a healthy weight, healthy mind and healthy brain function.

And registration is open for the THRIVE! series sessions “Working with Worry” (July 21 from noon to 1 p.m. or July 22 from 1 to 2 p.m.) and “Real Time Resilience” (July 28 from noon to 1 p.m. or July 29 from 1 to 2 p.m.). Sessions are offered via Zoom.

Thank you for remaining attentive to the evolving situation, as external forces continue to have an impact on our planning and procedures. We continue to add resources in programming and services to ensure a smooth transition for return to campus for the thousands of students, faculty and staff who truly define the Syracuse University experience both in-class and online. We will keep you informed through these updates.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Anyone coming to campus for work or research (including faculty, staff and students) must complete an online Daily Health Screening Questionnaire prior to arriving on campus each day.

The online questionnaire is secure, HIPAA-compliant, and includes just two questions related to exposure to and symptoms of COVID-19. The questionnaire must be done before coming to campus. Within the questionnaire, instructions are provided as to how those working on campus should proceed if:

they, or any member of their household, has been directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 exposure; or
they have a temperature or are otherwise experiencing symptoms.
Completing this mandatory online Daily Health Screening Questionnaire is not only a New York State requirement, but the right thing to do for the health and safety of everyone on campus.

For easy daily access, bookmark the Daily Health Screening Questionnaire on your computer or mobile device. Faculty and staff who have returned to campus will also receive reminder emails to complete the questionnaire on a daily basis.

When a group of local Chinese American community members, including University faculty and staff, heard about the devastating impact of COVID-19 on China’s people and its health care system earlier this year, they recognized what could happen in the United States.

And, as the first cases of the illness were reported in the country, they took action to help.

Through social media and community connections, the community members and many international students at the University and their families took part in an effort that raised $40,000 and gathered personal protective equipment donations to supply Syracuse-area health care facilities, government agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations with needed items for essential workers.

In January, international students at the University had seen the troubling news from China and initially launched a fundraiser to help supply medical supplies to the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei province, which was the center of the coronavirus outbreak.

“The international students from China paid so much attention to what was going on and how damaging the pandemic was. They started to think of ways to help, so they had a ‘A Hand for Wuhan’ fundraiser,” says Wei Gao, associate director of operations and outreach for the Center for International Services. “It was so successful—$53,000 was raised.”

Local community members also watched what was happening closely.

“Social media was flooded with discussions about the whole situation back in China, and then a few months later, the wave turned and the U.S. started getting hit hard,” says Zunli Lu, associate professor of Earth sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. “We observed very closely what happened in China and how the health care system was heavily affected and the horrific things that could happen, so some local community members thought we could really do something about it here.”

A core group of 11 community members, including Gao and Lu, set up a GoFundMe page and began making calls and circulating notices on social media about helping local health care professionals and organizations with needed supplies.

“We looked everywhere to find medical supplies. The core group found a lot of resources through personal connections and online,” Gao says.

The supplies were verified to make sure of their sourcing, and an Upstate University Hospital staff member assisted in ensuring the quality.

Once the word spread that this local effort was taking place, international students and their parents were also eager to be involved.

“We didn’t want the tragic story in China with the impact on doctors and nurses who took care of the sick to happen here,” Gao says. “We wanted to work ahead of time to find the resources and equipment to supply doctors and nurses who may need them, or even community people who are working as essential workers.”

Along with the core group of volunteers, another 34 volunteers assisted with receiving and distributing supplies that had to be carefully logged.

Half of the funding was raised through a GoFundMe social media campaign, including donations from University faculty and staff; the other half was raised from parents of Syracuse University international students in Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan.

Through the group’s fundraising efforts and the personal protective equipment sent from families of students in China, more than 45,000 pieces of personal protective equipment—including surgical masks and gowns, gloves and face masks—were donated to local organizations. Over 100 packages from families of international students were shipped by air freight from China to Syracuse. On one day in May, they received a shipment of 33 boxes containing thousands of isolation gowns donated by Beijing parents who raised funds together. In addition, parents from all over China held two big fundraising efforts. The first was to acquire and donate PPE; the second raised more than $23,000 for the Syracuse COVID-19 Response Fund.

The group was also able to obtain the specialized N95 respirators, specifically for medical professionals working with patients—a critical item that had been in short supply.

Supplies were donated to some 40 Central New York organizations, including Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Tops Supermarket, the Syracuse Community Health Center, Meals on Wheels, the Fayetteville-Manlius School District and the Syracuse Police Department. The organizations have responded with “thank you” notes and letters, appreciative of the resources and the work of the community members, students and families who made it happen.

Some of the funding was also used to provide kits—which included isolation gowns, goggles and gloves—for international students traveling home on long flights.

“We take care of our international students—they consider Syracuse and the University as their second homes,” Lu says. “They have a lot of emotional attachment to the University. When their second home needs something, they are more than happy to contribute.”

Gao was proud of the students and the work they did to raise funds for Wuhan and then asking their families in China to help when Syracuse was in need.

“It’s touching to see, even in this difficult time, how they donated money to their community in Syracuse,” Gao says. “We have several key families of international students who took the lead in this and who sacrificed their time and money and energy to help out Syracuse University and the local community. They are a great resource for the University and a great resource for the community during this pandemic.”

Lu agrees: “I am most proud of how the international students contributed wholeheartedly to the effort and the community.”

College students may appear to be isolated from the community, but they shop at local restaurants and grocery stores and participate in the community. “Any effort like this can bring people together, instead of dividing people,” Gao says. “What we can say, using this as an example, is that we are truly in this together. If one part of us hurts, the other part will hurt as well.”

Gao also points to this as a learning experience for students. “Many international students might not know how local grassroots efforts work to make change,” Gao says. “This is action. Students think if they need something, they can work something out. They can do something, and we can find a solution together, even if they feel afraid or isolated. This is an opportunity to work together, and we can all make something beautiful and better than before.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic has made it challenging to source personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, University teams have been hard at work centrally procuring safety and cleaning items in alignment with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Environmental Protection Agency.

As more faculty and staff return to the campus workplace over the summer and the University prepares for fall reopening, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety Services has released new guidelines for requesting PPE and cleaning supplies, including masks, disinfectants and hand sanitizer.

Facilities Services works diligently to clean and disinfect each building daily throughout the University and has increased the frequency of cleaning in high-traffic areas. To further reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, the Return to Campus Guidance for Faculty and Staff asks all of us to pitch in to help keep shared and personal work areas as clean and free from germs as possible. Here are some helpful things to know.

Who Can/Should Request Cleaning Supplies and PPE?

Schools, colleges and departments are encouraged to compile their initial COVID-19 supply needs and make one request via the COVID-19 supply request form. The request should be made by a dean, senior leader or their designee with leadership approval.

Don’t Stockpile Supplies—Request Only What Is Needed

The guidelines provide recommendations for where disinfectants and dry paper wipes should be made available to support the cleaning and disinfecting of personal and shared work areas, as well as guidance for requesting additional masks and hand sanitizer beyond what is provided to every employee upon campus return.

Schools, colleges and departments are encouraged to follow these guidelines and request only what is needed for the resumption of on-campus operations this summer and the initial campus reopening in August (not the entire Fall 2020 semester). More supplies can be requested, especially as supply chain availability improves. Excessive requests will be flagged for review by University leadership.

Where To Find More Information

• Read the full PPE and Cleaning Supply Request Guidelines on ehss.syr.edu.
• Visit the Office of Human Resources website for FAQ related to cleaning and PPE.
• Visit the Syracuse.edu/fall2020 website for additional information specific to fall reopening.

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Families:

Summer is officially here, and our preparations to welcome thousands of students, faculty and staff back to campus are well underway. In normal times, a tremendous amount of work goes on behind the scenes during the summer months to get ready for the start of a new semester. These are not normal times.

In recent days, I have joined several members of University leadership, including Chancellor Kent Syverud and Interim Provost John Liu, in meetings with the faculty of every school and college. Hundreds of faculty members participated in the virtual meetings, affording us the opportunity to solicit input and insight, while also providing the latest information on our fall 2020 planning. These sessions have been extremely valuable and informative. Our faculty raised important questions and provided thoughtful suggestions and solutions. Similar meetings for graduate students are underway. Staff meetings are being scheduled now, so please stay tuned for a scheduling announcement.

On the subject of communications, a suggestion we received from several faculty members was to launch a weekly question-and-answer video session, where University leaders and subject matter experts can answer questions submitted by the campus community related to COVID-19 and our plans for the fall. Great idea! I am happy to share that we are acting on that suggestion, and you can look for this new communications platform to launch shortly after the July Fourth holiday.

Today’s campus update includes new information related to our ongoing planning for the fall, and policies and resources relevant to faculty, staff and students throughout the summer and beyond.

For Our Community

• New York State Travel Restrictions
• Fall 2020 Website
• Academic Strategy/Contingency Subcommittee Report
• Public Health Framework
• Fall 2021 Admissions Process
• Syracuse Abroad Suspension of Fall 2020 Programs
• Libraries Resume Limited Access

For Students and Families

• Move-In Schedule
• Social Compact
• Fall Student Engagement Activities
• Graduate Student Engagement

For Faculty and Staff

• Phase Two of Return to Campus Plan for Faculty and Staff Underway
• Interim Travel Guidelines
• Fall Course Preparation

For Our Community

New York State Travel Restrictions: Effective today, individuals traveling to Central New York from certain states experiencing high infection rates of COVID-19 will be expected to self-quarantine for 14 days. This action by Gov. Cuomo, announced in partnership with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut, will impact how Syracuse University accommodates students, faculty, staff and others traveling to campus from other states around the country. This new restriction currently applies to individuals traveling to Syracuse from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. Violations of the governors’ order can result in significant fines. Syracuse University is evaluating how this new order impacts students, faculty, staff and others who may be traveling over the summer for athletic teams preparation and practice, or academic, research or business purposes, to ensure the availability of appropriate housing and other services to accommodate the quarantine order. We will have more information to share on this subject, once New York State provides additional detail concerning implementation of this new policy.

Fall 2020 Website: Syracuse University has launched Syracuse.edu/fall2020 where you can find all you need to know about our ongoing COVID-19 planning and preparedness as well as details and updates regarding our fall 2020 opening plans. This page will be updated frequently, so please be sure to check in regularly.

Academic Strategy/Contingency Subcommittee Report: The Academic Strategy/Contingency Subcommittee report is now available on the Fall 2020 Open website. The subcommittee, which consists of deans, faculty and staff from across the University, is led by University College Dean Mike Frasciello, Professor Marcelle Haddix, Associate Provost Chris Johnson and Graduate School Dean Peter Vanable. The subcommittee conducted a series of focus groups that shaped and informed the creation of its report. Many of the recommendations are now being implemented. If you haven’t read the full report yet, I urge you to do so.

Public Health Framework: Last week, the Public Health and Emergency Management Subcommittee of the Fall 2020 Open Working Group released its full, initial report. To review the report’s findings and recommendations, please visit Syracuse.edu/fall2020. There you can download and print a fully accessible version of the document. The subcommittee’s report includes processes, protocols, policies and procedures that will help the University ensure it is prepared to safely resume residential life in the fall. The report will continue to remain in draft form and be updated and revised as COVID-19 science, public health guidance and local conditions evolve in the weeks and months to come.

Fall 2021 Admissions Process: The University announced that SAT and ACT test scores will not be required for submission in the application process for fall 2021 admission. With test dates canceled and social distancing impacting testing capacity, the University recognizes the difficulties faced by high school students and their families to have students take the tests. Greater emphasis will be placed on other required application credentials, including academic performance, the rigor of coursework and co-curricular engagement. Students who do not submit test scores will not be disadvantaged in the application process and will remain eligible for merit scholarships.

Syracuse Abroad Suspension of Fall 2020 Programs: Syracuse Abroad has decided to suspend all study abroad programs for the fall due to the uncertainties regarding international travel restrictions for U.S. travelers, re-openings of such public spaces as museums and cultural sites, and limited internship and travel opportunities. In an email sent on Monday to fall study abroad students, students were given the option to defer their application and receive priority placement for the spring or summer semesters in 2021. For further information, students can reach out to Syracuse Abroad at suabroad@syr.edu.

Libraries Resume Limited Access: Syracuse University Libraries has resumed limited access to physical collections. The Libraries provides electronic delivery of articles scanned from print journals, as well as book chapters, to those with valid Syracuse University identification. The Libraries also offers contactless pickup of circulating materials by appointment and UPS delivery of materials to faculty residences. More information can be found in this Syracuse University news article.

For Students and Families

Move-In Schedule: With the accelerated academic calendar for fall 2020, we know many students and families are eagerly awaiting details on move-in to make travel arrangements and plans for their arrival to campus. The University is in the process of finalizing move-in dates and options for incoming and returning students and is expecting to share more information next week. We are also keeping track of New York state advisories regarding travel from other states to New York and whether or not they impact move-in options.

Social Compact: As part of ongoing efforts to educate students about and prevent the spread of COVID-19, students will be asked to affirmatively commit to a social compact outlining behaviors and actions that protect their health and the health of those around them. This pledge will be shared with students the week of July 6 and all are encouraged to sign on prior to the start of the fall semester.

Fall Student Engagement Activities: In preparation for the fall, teams in the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience have been actively exploring options for on-campus and virtual student activities, events and programs in accordance with public health guidelines. Students can expect to continue to engage in activities, events and programs offered by the Office of Student Activities, Orange After Dark, Registered Student Organizations, University Union, the cultural centers and more during the fall semester. As event information is confirmed, it will be posted to the University Events Calendar and Cuse Activities student organization portal.

Graduate Student Engagement: The Graduate School is hosting three Zoom panel discussions to hear graduate student input and ensure that questions are answered regarding academics, health and safety for fall 2020. One panel was held this morning. Additional sessions include:

• Monday, June 29, at 10 a.m.
• Monday, June 29, at 1 p.m.

We ask that you register for the session that is most convenient for you—registration for each session will be limited to allow for an interactive format. You will receive a Zoom invitation for your registered session prior to the meeting date. We will also post frequently asked questions from these meeting on the Fall 2020 Open web site. Please check this site frequently for the most recent information for graduate students.

For Faculty and Staff

Phase Two of Return to Campus Plan for Faculty and Staff Underway: Earlier this week, the University began to welcome Phase Two faculty and staff back to campus, which includes an additional 10 to 15 percent of our workforce as designated by deans and other senior leaders. All faculty and staff are encouraged to review the informational hub and FAQ compiled by the Office of Human Resources or download the Summer 2020 Return to Campus Guide for Faculty and Staff [PDF] to become familiar with new public health and safety requirements of working on campus this summer. Individuals slated for Phase Three will hear from their dean or senior leader with an expected return date, but we anticipate Phase Three to begin no earlier than Wednesday, July 8.

Interim Travel Guidelines: Syracuse University recently revised its travel policy for faculty and staff in alignment with how public health and government officials alter their advice and direction regarding the management of COVID-19 in this country and abroad. Most travel restrictions for faculty and staff remain in place as previously announced. For example, we continue to prohibit University-sponsored travel to any CDC Level-3 international destination, and most non-essential travel is not allowed. However, we have lifted most restrictions for travel deemed essential to an academic or University business purpose affecting faculty, researchers, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students. Essential travel is defined as necessary to preserve the safety of a research subject or the continuity and results of research activity, or essential to the academic or business operations of the University. Deans, department chairs or unit leaders should be consulted to determine the essential nature of the travel request.

Imperative Fall Course Preparation for Faculty: All faculty teaching this fall are highly encouraged to utilize the University’s suite of Fall Course Transition Services. Regardless of the type of course you are teaching, your course needs to be prepared to run in face-to-face, mixed delivery and full online formats. Complete the brief Fall Course Development Form to get started.

I hope that as you read through this communication you take note of the many resources available through the various links in the document. It is vital that you visit these sites frequently throughout the next several weeks, as we adapt our processes to the changing landscape created by an unpredictable and unprecedented virus that is not yet in check around the country. We will continue to keep you informed through updates to these resources.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

As the University prepares to return additional faculty and staff to campus throughout the summer, the Office of Human Resources has released its Summer 2020 Return to Campus Guide for Faculty and Staff. The guide, available here [PDF], highlights many of the new requirements that are in place to help keep the Syracuse University campus a safe and healthy place this summer, including:

• The need to wear face masks or face coverings while on campus, in the presence of others, and in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Hint: When in doubt if a mask is needed, wear one!
• The responsibility of all faculty and staff to monitor their health symptoms and complete a daily health screening questionnaire before reporting to work on campus. (Note that testing and health monitoring guidelines for students returning this August are still under development and will be informed by the initial report of the Public Health and Emergency Management Subcommittee.)
• Information about how to effectively socially distance in the workplace and the importance of cleaning and disinfecting shared surfaces and materials.
• Mental health and emotional well-being resources for faculty and staff that can support the transition back to the physical workplace.

In addition to reviewing the guide, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit hr.syr.edu/return for the latest information relevant to faculty and staff, including a list of frequently asked questions that continues to be updated and expanded.

More comprehensive information for new and returning students, and the protocols and expectations associated with resuming residential instruction, will be released throughout the summer and updates will continue to be shared by email and posted at Syracuse.edu/fall2020.

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. While slavery had officially ended nearly two and a half years prior, it was not until June 19 of 1865 that those enslaved in Texas were notified of their liberty.

As our country continues to experience anti-Black racism and the fight for justice and equity for Black people that is long overdue goes on, we would like our campus community to reflect and commit to being a part of the change.

This Juneteenth, Friday, June 19, we ask our students, faculty and staff to take the day off and dedicate your time to the moment at hand, as well as the moments that have led us to this time. Though we know that some employees are working because they are essential to the continuation of services, we urge our campus community to embrace Friday as a time for reflection, education and action.

This Friday we should also be reminded of the continued outcries for justice, especially those from within our own communities. Juneteenth calls upon us to amplify Black voices and take action to rectify the wrongs of the past and together create a better future.

We ask that you reflect personally, that you seek new knowledge and that you talk with your families, friends and neighbors. We urge you to have uncomfortable conversations to foster greater understanding of the lived experiences of Black people and what you can do to create lasting change.

While we pause this Juneteenth, in the coming months, our university community will come together to determine how we will mark this important day in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Keith A. Alford, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Andrew R. Gordon, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
John Liu, Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Families:

Since early April, the Public Health and Emergency Management Subcommittee of the Fall 2020 Open Working Group has been engaged in an effort to develop processes, protocols, policies and procedures appropriate to ensure that our campus is prepared to safely resume residential life in the fall. On May 28, while we awaited additional guidance and feedback from public officials, the University shared several preliminary recommendations stemming from the subcommittee’s ongoing work.

I am writing today to make you aware that the full, initial report of the Public Health and Emergency Management Subcommittee [PDF] is available for your review.

The report’s findings and recommendations are informed by the expertise and experiences of subcommittee members, and also by existing public health guidance and policy directives advanced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health and the Onondaga County Department of Health. At the same time, the subcommittee has recommended that this report remain in draft form and be updated and revised as COVID-19 science, public health guidance and local conditions evolve in the weeks and months to come.

To review the report’s findings and recommendations, please visit Syracuse.edu/fall2020. There you can download and print a fully accessible version of the document. Additionally, Syracuse.edu/fall2020 is now the home of all information related to our ongoing COVID-19 response, planning and preparedness as well as details and updates regarding our fall 2020 open. If you continue to enter Syracuse.edu/coronavirus, you will be directed to the updated webpage.

Finally, I would like to personally thank the members of the subcommittee for their extraordinary commitment to this effort, and also the many faculty and staff voices from across the campus community who helped to inform this report’s findings and recommendations.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Dear Faculty and Staff:

As part of our early response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Syracuse University took swift action to limit and prohibit travel as part of our robust strategy to safeguard the health and well-being of our campus community. We recognize and appreciate that the current travel limitations and prohibitions have created challenges for some members of our community, particularly for research-active faculty and graduate students whose research programs require field work and data collection during the summer months.

As such, as Central New York and other regions across the United States and around the world begin to ease COVID-19-related restrictions, effective immediately, Syracuse University will revise existing limitations and prohibitions on University-sponsored faculty and staff travel as follows:

Specific Country Prohibitions: No change. The University’s existing prohibition on University-sponsored travel to any CDC Level-3 international destination remains in place. We recognize that in some extraordinary circumstances, it may be highly problematic for some faculty to cancel or postpone travel to an otherwise prohibited international destination. For that reason, faculty may submit an appeal, in coordination with their dean, directly to the interim vice president for research. The VPR will make a recommendation to the provost, who is responsible for making the final determination and notifying both the traveler and the relevant dean. Any individual whose travel is approved under this policy is required to register that travel on the University travel registry system.

Questions regarding the risks associated with a particular destination or requests for assistance with registering travel should be directed to Seth Tucker, director of global safety and support, at satucker@syr.edu or 315.443.1968.

Non-Essential Travel: No change. The University’s existing prohibition on non-essential, University-sponsored travel remains in place. We continue to encourage faculty and staff to cancel or postpone any planned or proposed non-essential travel. Until further notice, travel to attend professional or educational conferences is defined as non-essential.

Travel Deemed Essential for an Academic or Business Purpose: Change. Effective immediately, we will ease existing restrictions on travel deemed essential to an academic or business purpose of the University.

For faculty, researchers, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students: Essential travel is defined as travel require to:

• preserve the safety of a research subject and cannot be postponed; or
• preserve the continuity and results of a research activity and cannot be postponed.

For faculty, researchers, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students, travel to attend professional or educational conferences is defined as non-essential. Faculty, researchers, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students with questions about whether specific proposed travel is essential, or those seeking approval to engage in essential travel, should confer first with their department chairs. Deans (or department chairs, if designated by the dean) will make a recommendation as to the essential nature of the travel request and forward that recommendation to the interim vice president for research. The VPR will make the final determination and notify both the traveler and the dean or department chair making the request. Any faculty member, researcher, postdoctoral scholar or graduate student whose essential travel is approved is required to register that travel on the University travel registry system.

For staff: Essential travel is defined as travel that, if not accomplished, will cause significant harm to the academic or business operations of the University.

Staff travel to attend professional or educational conferences is defined as non-essential. Staff with questions about whether specific proposed travel is essential, or those seeking approval to engage in essential travel, should confer with their supervisors. Deans or unit leaders will make a recommendation as to the essential nature of the travel request and forward that recommendation to the relevant division head or vice president, who will make the final determination and notify the notify both the traveler and the unit leader making the request. Any staff member whose essential travel is approved is required to register that travel on the University travel registry system.

Anyone who travels should review current CDC guidance for additional information, particularly as it relates to travel considerations, return policies and preventive measures you should take to protect yourself and those around you. Our revised policies will remain in effect until further notice, and the University will reconsider and adjust current travel limitations and prohibitions as appropriate, given new information and COVID-19-related guidance and directives from public-sector health authorities.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation