HR News

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-test.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

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:

Recently, Syracuse University provided the campus community with an update on the work of the Public Health and Emergency Management Subcommittee of the Fall 2020 Open Working Group. That subcommittee has been engaged with faculty and staff across campus and with outside experts to develop a comprehensive framework to ensure Syracuse University is fully equipped and prepared to safely resume campus operations. As we continue to refine and advance that framework, we want to share additional detail about the actions we will take and policies we will implement to safeguard the health and well-being of our campus community.

In this message, we focus on answering the most frequently and commonly asked health and safety questions. Specifically, we address issues and actions related to:

• Masks & Face Coverings
• COVID Testing, Screening and Surveillance
• Facilities Considerations & Revisions
• Health Promotion & Prevention
• Teaching & Learning

The actions and policies described below by no means represent the full breadth and scale of the public health and safety measures Syracuse University will implement in the weeks and months ahead. As we continue to receive new information, review new science, and receive public-sector feedback on our framework, the University will take additional action, formalize new policies and continue to communicate regularly with our community.

Masks & Face Coverings

Q: What is Syracuse University’s policy on masks and face coverings? Will everybody have to wear a mask at all times?

Syracuse University will require face masks or face coverings for all students, faculty, staff and visitors while on campus, in the presence of others, and in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. In some instances, there are legitimate medical reasons that an individual cannot wear a mask for an extended period. There also may be a limited number of unique situations where wearing a mask during certain activities is not possible, appropriate or even hazardous to those with certain preexisting conditions. Efforts are underway to develop appropriate accommodations in such instances.

Q: Will Syracuse University provide masks to all members of the campus community?

Yes. Syracuse University will provide all faculty, staff and students with an initial supply of reusable (washable) cloth masks, upon return to campus. These masks will be provided at no cost.

Q: Will visitors to campus be required to wear masks?

Yes. Any individual accessing our campus—including visitors and contractors—is required to wear a mask or face covering while in the presence of others and in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. In addition, the University plans to limit campus visitors during the fall semester. According to health experts, visitors to campus from outside Central New York pose a risk of virus transmission to the University community (given that those individuals would not be subject to the ongoing testing and monitoring procedures in place for the residential campus community and CNY residents). For this reason, visitors and guests from outside Central New York will generally be restricted from accessing residence halls and other campus facilities.

Q: Who is responsible for ensuring students, faculty and staff follow the University’s policy related to wearing masks or face coverings?

It is a shared responsibility. We must all do our part to protect ourselves and each other. During the COVID-19 health emergency, wearing a mask is not only an action designed to protect you from exposure to the virus, but it is also a visible sign that each member of our campus community is doing our part to safeguard the health and wellness of others.

COVID Testing, Screening and Surveillance

Q: In a prior message, it was indicated that all students will be tested for COVID-19 upon return to campus. How will those tests be performed?

All students will be tested when they return to campus and again two weeks after their return to campus. Syracuse University will use pooled saliva testing for this purpose, with subsequent rapid testing of all individuals in a pooled sample that indicates a positive result. Testing of symptomatic students will be performed by health professionals from the Barnes Center at The Arch (under the supervision of Syracuse University’s medical director) and in partnership with outside laboratories. More specific details about how these tests will be administered will be shared prior to our students’ return to campus.

Q: How will Syracuse University conduct ongoing monitoring of the student population for instances of COVID-19?

We will implement two primary approaches for ongoing monitoring, including random testing and a wastewater surveillance program developed by public health faculty from Falk College. The wastewater surveillance program allows us to monitor for the potential of asymptomatic cases in our residence halls, athletic facilities, etc. and subsequently initiate individual testing of residents in response to virus detected in the wastewater originating from a given complex.

Q: What if a student tests positive for COVID-19 disease? What will be the procedure to support that student and safeguard others on campus?

If a student tests positive, the University will deploy its response protocol, which prioritizes the health of the student as well as the safety and well-being of the community. The student will be immediately moved via a Syracuse University medical transport to isolation housing. These rooms will be physically separated from other residential student rooms, have a private bathroom, and be stocked with a thermometer, sanitizing wipes, tissues, soap, hand sanitizer and toiletries. Students who test positive will remain in isolation until a negative test is achieved. While isolated, the student will be assigned a case manager to support all academic, health, housing and dining needs. For those students who are ill or asymptomatically positive, to the degree reasonably feasible, these isolated students will be encouraged to continue academic activities remotely or be provided with academic accommodations due to illness.

Q: How will Syracuse University address the need for contact tracing, assuming that there will be positive COVID cases during the fall semester?

Working closely with the Onondaga County Department of Health, Syracuse University is prepared to hire and train our own contact tracing team. Acknowledging the personal nature of this task, the unique attributes of an academic environment, and also the broad diversity represented across our campus community, we believe that it’s important that the duties and responsibilities associated with contact tracing be performed by culturally competent individuals who themselves represent our community.

Facilities Considerations & Revisions

Q:  How is the University going to ensure that social distancing is possible in classrooms?

The University has convened several cross-functional working groups across campus to recommend guidelines and update protocols in accordance with guidance from health and government officials. Space reconfigurations, signage, directional limitations, hybrid course delivery options and other considerations to maintain and ensure social distancing are underway and will continue to be implemented throughout campus.

Right now, we are in the process of inventorying classroom spaces, determining projected class sizes and—based on that data—determining a framework for how classes are assigned to spaces. In all likelihood, large lecture classes will institute a rotated attendance policy to enable social distancing or leverage technology to decouple learning from any particular space. Smaller classes will be offered in larger rooms, and we are currently assessing the inventory of larger spaces that can be used for fall instruction.

Q: How will the University make changes to facilities and public spaces to enable public health practices and behaviors identified as reducing the risk associated with virus transmission?

The University is undertaking ongoing, multi-faceted efforts to configure facilities and spaces—to the maximum extent practical—to reduce the risk associated with virus transmission. This work is ongoing right now.

Examples of these changes include, but are not limited to: deploying new signage in all buildings to promote social distancing; placing appropriate wayfinding signage at building entrances to limit flow through constrained spaces; configuring work and public spaces to allow for least 6 feet between individuals; assessing the need for barriers in workspaces where people must face each other or are unable to be 6 feet apart; removing chairs and desks to ensure proper physical distancing in conference and waiting rooms. In addition, in the fall we plan to limit access to academic and student-focused facilities for outside visitors and ask building coordinators to develop a plan to coordinate arrival and departure times of faculty and staff to reduce congestion. Finally, we will also limit in-person meetings to not exceed 50 percent of a room’s capacity, assuming individuals can still maintain 6 feet of social distancing.

Q: Does the University have plans for enhanced cleaning and sanitation of common areas, residence halls and other high-traffic spaces?

Yes. Since the early days of the COVID-19 health emergency, the University has implemented a robust cleaning and sanitation process. This includes enhanced cleaning and sanitation of classrooms, laboratories, studios and performance venues, libraries, residence halls, dining halls, recreation spaces, gathering spaces and other high-traffic areas. The University will utilize disinfectants that have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as appropriate to eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 virus (cause of COVID-19). For information on cleaning and disinfecting efforts in work areas, please visit ehss.syr.edu/about/covid-19-information/work-area-cleaning-and-disinfecting/.

Q:  If I believe that a classroom or office requires modifications to ensure social distancing, what is the process to make a request for evaluation?

As described above, the University is currently working through plans to reconfigure facilities—to the maximum extent practical—to best support public health practices and behaviors identified as reducing the risk associated with virus transmission. Specific requests will be evaluated based on several criteria related to campus reopening plans and best available health guidance. You can learn about the space modification process and request an evaluation at bfas.syr.edu/facilities/service-requests/.

Health Promotion & Prevention

Q: What actions does the University plan to encourage and facilitate healthy behaviors among members of our campus community?

As students, faculty and staff return to campus, they will notice robust new signage promoting social distancing and other public health measures. For example, floor decals placed in campus buildings to remind people of the importance of social distancing. New signage aimed at promoting and protecting the health of our community will be placed in building entryways; outside elevators; and in dining centers, breakrooms, kitchen areas, meeting spaces and other locations frequented by students, faculty and staff. Our signage strategy will continue to ramp up throughout the summer as we look to welcome students in August.

Additionally, when students, faculty and staff return, they will also notice increased access to hand sanitizer stations; classrooms, gathering spaces and other areas will have reduced chairs, tables and desks; and in lecture halls, chairs will be taped off to ensure social distancing. These are just some of the immediate changes you will notice on campus, but by no means do they represent the full scope of efforts underway. 

Q:  How will students be informed and educated about steps and behaviors most appropriate to mitigate the likelihood of exposure to the virus?

Students will participate in an educational program prior to their return to campus focused on health and wellness issues and actions most appropriate during and beyond the COVID-19 health emergency. Further, as a condition of returning to campus, students will be required to affirmatively commit to a social compact statement (that is currently being finalized) that defines expectations related to behaviors and actions appropriate to protect their health and the health of those around them.

Q: How will students, faculty and staff who depend on public transportation safely access campus or other locations?

The University is establishing protocols for social distancing on all University-owned and University-sponsored means of group transportation—and we are coordinating with CENTRO. As an example, these new protocols include: establishing maximum passenger counts for the SU Trolley and other means of University-sponsored group transportation to allow for appropriate social distancing; requiring all operators and passengers to wear a mask on every vehicle provided or sponsored by the University (including the SU Trolley); installing hand sanitizer stations on such vehicles; and disinfecting vehicles on an enhanced schedule.

Q:  How is the University planning to enforce social distancing and health/safety protocols?

First, it is important for all members of our community to understand that enforcing social distancing standards and other measures of prevention is everyone’s responsibility. It should be a shared expectation that all students, faculty and staff will not only themselves adhere to the directives and policies in place to safeguard public health—but also remind others to do the same when necessary. For students specifically, the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience is currently taking steps to communicate expectations to students and families. As previously described, as a condition of returning to campus, students will be required to affirmatively commit to a social compact statement that sets expectations related to behaviors and actions appropriate to protect their health and the health of those around them. Students who are identified to have acted with disregard for their health and the health of those around them will be referred to the student judicial process for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.

Teaching & Learning

Q:  How is the University going to ensure that social distancing is possible in classrooms?

Based on the recommendations of the Public Health and Emergency Management Subcommittee, the University has convened several cross-functional working groups composed of faculty and Academic Affairs staff to establish guidelines and protocols appropriate to reduce density and facilitate social distancing in classrooms and other academic spaces. Work to reconfigure classrooms is already underway, as is an inventory of all classroom spaces and projected class/section enrollments. Based on this review, the University will determine a framework for assigning classes/sections to individual spaces. As a general rule, those efforts assume a 30-person limitation on class/section size, or 50 percent of the room’s stated capacity (given the ability to maintain 6 feet of social distancing). Large lecture classes will likely institute a rotated attendance policy to enable social distancing or leverage technology to decouple learning from any particular space. Smaller classes will be offered in larger rooms, and we are currently assessing the inventory of larger spaces that can be used for fall instruction. Like we did after WWII, the University is also exploring utilizing temporary modular classrooms as required to reduce density and facilitate social distancing.

Q: What about labs, studios and other hands-on or experiential learning programs?  Will they be canceled altogether?

No. We are in the process of assessing the needs and requirements of all departments and programs to determine how to best facilitate labs, studios and other hands-on or experiential learning programs. In some cases, it may simply mean finding much larger spaces to conduct these types of experiential courses. In other cases, it means we must “think differently” and identify creative ways to safely and meaningfully deliver classes like dance woodwind or vocal instruction or field work in the natural world.

Q: I am a faculty member; can I have plexiglass installed in my office to accommodate office hours?

This question represents a good opportunity to illustrate the “think differently” imperative inherent in resuming campus life in the face of the COVID-19 health emergency. While it is true that the University will be installing plexiglass barriers in some high-traffic service centers across campus, doing so in faculty offices is not contemplated at this time. It is important, however, to understand why. Specifically, it is because—as a rule—faculty should be discouraged from meeting with students in confined spaces. Instead, faculty should consider holding office hours outside of their office—for example on the Shaw Quad or in a classroom or conference room (where 6 feet of distance can be maintained)—or by leveraging a technology solution like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Q: If I am at increased risk for complications of COVID-19 or live with someone who is at risk, can I opt out of teaching or learning in person this fall?

Your health and safety are our chief priority; Syracuse University will not ask you to do anything that will jeopardize your well-being or the well-being of an at-risk family member. We have heard from many students, faculty and staff with similar circumstances and are in the process of finalizing guidelines related to this issue. The provost will share that policy with faculty shortly.

Q: The modified calendar calls for instruction on weekends. I have religious restrictions that prevent me from teaching/attending class at certain times.  

Based on feedback we have received, we are looking at weekend instruction only for Fridays before sundown and, potentially, Sunday afternoons.

Q: We are returning to in-person instruction, but will all classes and labs be held in-person?

We are all working together to deliver for our students—as practical and allowable given health guidance—a residential academic experience for the fall. This means, to the maximum extent possible, classes will meet in-person. That said, it is also likely that some large lecture classes will institute a rotated attendance policy to enable social distancing or leverage technology to decouple learning from any particular space. Smaller classes will be offered in larger rooms, and we are currently assessing the inventory of larger spaces that can be used for fall instruction.

Q:  If a student would prefer to take classes online and stay home, are they required to come to campus?

If a student prefers not to return to campus in the fall, for whatever reason, they have the option to continue academic progress towards a degree via an online semester. Faculty and many others are working to create online course offerings that mirror those classes that will be offered in a residential format during the fall semester. For that reason, if returning to campus in the fall is not a viable option for some of our students, the opportunity to participate remotely will be possible. Importantly however, if a student opts for an online semester and to remain in a location other than Syracuse, New York, for public health reasons, their access to campus will be limited (given that those individuals would not be part of the ongoing testing and monitoring procedures in place for the residential student population).

We are committed to identifying, creating and implementing health and safety policies and protocols that support a safe, healthy and academically meaningful campus experience in the fall. While that effort is well underway, much work remains. Therefore, we want to remind you again to please routinely visit Syracuse.edu/coronavirus for the latest updates.

Stay well, stay safe, and take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

John Liu
Interim Vice Chancellor and Prov

Earlier today, Syracuse University began welcoming back members of its campus community, an important milestone to safely bring back students, faculty and staff after the monthslong work-from-home effort during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As announced earlier this week by Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Andrew R. Gordon, Phase One faculty and staff arrived on campus this week as the first of four carefully planned phases to resume more normal operations.

“The Return to Campus Working Group for Faculty and Staff has collaborated with various teams and departments from across the University, too many to name, over the past several weeks to prepare to welcome folks back to campus in a safe and smart way,” Gordon says. “I am grateful to the many faculty and staff members who have assisted with these efforts. Many cross-functional teams continue the work of ensuring that campus is a safe and healthy place for all in anticipation of additional faculty and staff returning over the coming weeks, not to mention our students who will be back in August.”

Earlier this week, the Office of Human Resources also released comprehensive guidance on its website for faculty and staff returning to campus. This guidance encompasses topics like masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing requirements, expectations of faculty and staff in monitoring and reporting any COVID-19 symptoms, cleaning and sanitation protocols, and more. Some key highlights include:

• Face masks or coverings will be required on campus while in the presence of others and anywhere social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• A required daily health screening questionnaire, which faculty and staff must complete at home before reporting to work on campus.
• A new shared responsibility to clean and disinfect personal workspaces and surfaces in common areas to supplement the enhanced day-to-day efforts of our custodial staff.

Faculty and staff, including those who are not yet scheduled to return to campus, are advised to review the Return to Campus Information Hub for Faculty and Staff to become familiar with new requirements and expectations for on-campus work.

“It falls on all of us to follow the guidance and protocols established for faculty and staff to ensure the health of our community,” Gordon says. “I thank everyone for their shared commitment to balancing how we work, move and interact with the entire University community on campus with the necessary goal of maintaining the well-being of every campus member.”

Syracuse University will continue to provide frequent updates via email communications and on Syracuse.edu/coronavirus, which will be the most up-to-date resource as the University navigates the evolving impact of the pandemic. The campus community can expect continued messages from University leadership, including Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie, who for the last three months has led a policy team to respond to the pandemic and prepare for the return to campus.

Original expectations about your health and dependent care expenses for 2020 may have significantly changed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. As a result, you may want to change your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) elections for 2020. Effective immediately, eligible faculty and staff are allowed to change health and dependent care FSA elections for 2020 without having a qualifying family status change.

Allowable changes must be made on a prospective basis and include new elections as well as increases or decreases to existing FSA elections. If an election is made to reduce your health care FSA contribution, the reduced contribution must be no less than claims that have already been reimbursed or approved for reimbursement.

Additionally, beginning this year, the maximum amount of unused health care FSA contributions that can carry over to the next year has increased from $500 to $550, and will be adjusted annually for inflation.

If you wish to make a change to your 2020 FSA election, or have any questions, contact HR Shared Services at hrservice@syr.edu or 315.443.4042.