Chancellor Syverud Addresses Nov. 8 University Senate Meeting

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud updated the University Senate on a broad range of topics at its Wednesday, Nov. 8, meeting. He began his remarks by briefly reflecting on three recent University events: The installation of Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol; Remembrance Week; and the Board of Trustees meeting, at which the board approved the Archbold Gymnasium renovation.

Chancellor Syverud also addressed the University’s Economic and Community Impact Report and the ongoing effort to contain the spread of mumps.

Below are the Chancellor’s remarks as prepared for the University Senate meeting:

Welcome Remarks

Good afternoon. First, thank you to all who participated in three events that took place on our campus since we last met.

First, yesterday we celebrated the installation of the seventh dean of Hendricks Chapel, the Rev. Brian Konkol. It was an inspiring set of events, and I believe we can look forward to a revitalization of student and University participation in the ministries and programs the chapel sponsors.

Second, Remembrance Week occurred during the week of October 22, marking the 29th anniversary of the Pan Am 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, and the work of the Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars. It was a hopeful and healing set of events.

Next year will mark the 30^th anniversary of the tragedy.  Planning for commemoration will begin soon.

Third, our Board of Trustees met last week in Syracuse, including the full board and nine committee meetings. Our new dean, faculty and student representatives were in attendance: Joanna Masingila, Duncan Brown, Jack Wilson, James Franco and Chizobam Nwagwu.

The Board of Trustees approved the Archbold Gymnasium renovation. As part of the renovation, the new Barnes Center at the Arch will include a state-of-the-art, student-focused health and wellness complex. On Saturday, we will host Board Chairman Steve Barnes and his family on campus to celebrate their gift, which is making this transformation possible.

Work on the Arch will begin by January and conclude in the summer of 2019. Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala is working with student leaders to assure that all activities have good temporary arrangements during the construction, and we will be sharing those arrangements with the campus community after Thanksgiving.

We also expect that Gov. Cuomo will be on campus in the coming weeks to celebrate the site dedication of the National Veterans Resource Complex, also known as the NVRC.

 Like the Arch, construction on the NVRC will begin by January. The NVRC will open in January 2020.

Economic and Community Impact Report

Last month, the University released the findings of two studies that detail the University’s profound impact on the Central New York economy and communities.

I thank Vice Chancellor Michael Haynie and Vice President for Community Engagement Bea González for leading this effort.

To understand the University’s contribution to the region, it is important to regularly assess how our direct and indirect investments in the community are working.

These findings indicate that Syracuse University is, and will remain, deeply rooted in the City of Syracuse and the broader Central New York region. A few highlights:

• Syracuse University is the largest private employer in Central New York with more than 6,000 employees.
• The University’s day-to-day operations, research and spending by students and visitors generates more than $1.1 billion in added income to the region each year, the equivalent of supporting more than 15,000 jobs across Central New York.
• The University invests directly in public sector services, including $1.2 million for Centro to provide public transportation throughout the Connective Corridor, and $2.3 million in payments to public utilities and local government for services like traffic control.
• The University invests $51.1 million each year in our community, in regional access scholarships, programs and services, along with an estimated 260,000 hours of intellectual capital and engagement from volunteer students and University employees.
• This $51.1 million includes $19 million in programs that benefit both students and the broader community by providing career development and training opportunities for students while enhancing health, education and economic development in the region. Examples include the Gebbie Clinic, La Casita, the South Side Innovation Center and local programs of the IVMF.
• Also included in the $51.1 million is $5 million in annual direct funding to support the work of nonprofit organizations in Syracuse that strengthen arts, culture, education and other civic initiatives. This includes Syracuse Stage, Near West Side Initiative, Community Folk Art Center and On Point for College, among others.

Now that we have completed this thorough assessment, we will use this information to continue guiding our purposeful and impactful engagement in the community.

Health Situation Update

Now, a brief update on the ongoing mumps situation. Since our last Senate meeting, the University, in partnership with the Onondaga County Health Department, hosted several clinics to administer a third measles, mumps and rubella shot, also known as a booster. Demand was high—nearly 4,300 students received the booster. This week, Health Services is hosting four additional clinics to provide the booster to students still interested in receiving one.

In particular, the University’s areas of focus are isolation and sanitization. Isolating potentially infected students and aggressive measures to sanitize areas where those students may have come into contact are critical to contain the further spread of mumps.

As a reminder: you can find the most up-to-date information on the health.syr.edu website.

Conclusion

That concludes my update. Thank you for your continued partnership.