Coronavirus Updates and Guidance 3.18.20

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

As we confront the global coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis—as a community and as a country—Syracuse University continues to evolve current polices, practices and procedures, and take new action to provide enhanced support to our students and families, faculty and staff.

I am writing today to share new or updated information that affects many members of our community. To support navigating what is a significant amount of information, I will organize this and future messages around the following themes: 1) information relevant to all members of the campus community; 2) information specifically relevant to students and parents; and 3) information specifically relevant to faculty and staff.

For University Community:

Best Personal and Public Health Practices: All members of our Syracuse University community are reminded of the basic measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization that we can all take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Contact a health worker if you have symptoms; fever and a dry cough are most common.

Library Operations: As of yesterday (Tuesday, March 17), Syracuse University Libraries buildings are closed to all patrons until further notice. The Libraries’ staff will remain available to support students, faculty and staff as they transition to online learning and teaching. Libraries’ staff have access to the library buildings for essential services but are primarily working remotely. Learn more about online resources, services and support at SU News.

For Students and Parents

Barnes Center Services: As a reminder, students seeking health care and counseling services at the Barnes Center at The Arch are asked to first call 315.443.8000 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On-call services remain available after hours. Additionally, all counseling appointments will now be held over the phone. For more information about services and hours, visit the Barnes Center website.

Retrieving Belongings from University Housing: Yesterday in a message to students and parents, Amanda Nicholson, interim deputy senior vice president for enrollment and the student experience, provided details to students and their families concerning the following options for retrieving belongings still in University residence halls:

• you can register via the MySlice housing portal to come to campus and pick up your belongings by Sunday, March 22 at 9 p.m.;
• you can have your belongings packed and shipped/stored; or
• you can leave your belongings in your current residence hall room or South Campus apartment for pick up at a later date.

Policy on Room and Board: Many students and parents have inquired about University policy concerning refunds or credits related to room and board, given the transition to online instruction for the remainder of the spring semester. Be advised that we will provide guidance to students and parents on this issue soon. Our most immediate focus has been the health and welfare of the many students currently departing the campus for home and those students who—for a myriad of reasons—are not in a position to leave campus for the foreseeable future. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we continue to navigate this complex and constantly changing situation.

For Faculty and Staff

New Solution for Working Remotely: Information Technology Services (ITS) is working with partners across campus to ease the transition to teaching, studying and working online. For example, the new Remote Desktop Services (RDS) provides remote access to a Windows 10 operating system complete with University-licensed software applications. This service is intended for Syracuse University students, faculty and staff who have a stable broadband internet connection but do not have a pre-existing method for working remotely. You can learn about the new Remote Desktop Services, as well as other remote access solutions, on Answers.

Disbursement Processing: There have been rumors that the Syracuse University Disbursements Processing Department has temporarily suspended operations. This is not the case. The Disbursements Processing Department is operating throughout the University’s temporary move to remote work. The department continues to ensure that vendors are paid for goods and services procured by University faculty, staff and students. Weekly disbursement runs will continue. The department encourages all those seeking disbursements to submit them electronically by emailing disburse@syr.edu. However, in cases where there is no other alternative, hard copy disbursements will be accepted each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Comptroller’s Office at 640 Skytop Road.

Interim Sick Leave Policy: Faculty and staff who are directed by a health care professional to self-quarantine due to suspected COVID-19 exposure will not be required to use their personal sick leave during the self-quarantine period. We do this so that those who are directed to self-isolate or quarantine by a health care professional can do so without concern about their sick leave or pay. If you have questions about this policy, contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or hrservice@syr.edu.

Expanded Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Coverage: Syracuse University, in partnership with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, has expanded coverage for faculty and staff enrolled in its health plans to include telemedicine. Effective immediately, if a member’s health care provider, including a behavioral health provider, offers virtual (online) options for care, those services will be covered under the health plan. Effective April 1, members will also have access to MDLIVE, a national telehealth provider that provides patients with 24/7 access to a network of board-certified doctors, pediatricians and licensed therapists that can treat more than 50 non-emergency conditions, including providing behavioral health services, via a computer or mobile device.  See the Office of Human Resources’ frequently asked questions for additional information.

Carebridge Resources: The Human Resources website has been updated to include supplemental resources from Carebridge to assist our faculty and staff as we all navigate the unique challenges related to COVID-19. In particular, Carebridge is providing resources to support employees and leaders in reducing the risk for illness, tending to the needs of loved ones while remaining focused and productive with work responsibilities. Additionally, Carebridge is offering three webinars in the coming days that I encourage you to consider attending, including:

“Coping with Uncertainty”
Today (Wednesday, March 18)
2 to 3 p.m.
Register here to participate

“Coping with Uncertainty”
Tuesday, March 24
Noon to 1 p.m.
Register here to participate

“Motivating Through Change for Leaders”
Thursday, March 26
Noon to 1 p.m.
Register here to participate

We will continue to review and assess our practices and communicate any changes with you, as well as any additional action we take to guide our community during this challenging time. In the meantime, please continue to visit Syracuse.edu/coronavirus for the latest news, updates and guidance.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation