Virtual Orange Opportunities

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

With just under four weeks of classes left in our semester, many of us are adjusting to a new normal that involves a drastic loss of our traditional Orange community. April is a month of major milestones, social gatherings, celebrations and leave-takings for almost all of us as we complete another academic year. Like you, I acutely feel the loss of personal contact that has been required by our response to the public health emergency.

And yet. Orange people are the most innovative, creative and resilient people I have ever worked with. I am so proud of the efforts of many of us to create a virtual Orange community, and set of experiences, in these unique times. Many events and experiences, as well as many means of support to our community, are being created virtually and made available to all of us.

We have today added a virtual events category to the University Events Calendar, which will collate all the ways outside of regular classes to stay connected to the people and life of Syracuse University. This makes it easy to connect with your colleagues—to attend a wellness program, to join a poetry workshop, to compete in an eSports tournament, to attend all kinds of events, including those offered by departments and Hendricks Chapel. I urge you to make participation in these virtual events part of your own new normal.

We also are working hard each day to expand virtual services to our students. Virtual services are being offered by many units, including Career Services, International Student Services, Cultural Centers, the Center for Learning and Student Success and in our colleges and schools. I thank all the faculty, staff, students and alumni who are helping to power these services.

Finally, our Orange community has risen to help those in need in communities in Syracuse and around the world. Teams have connected virtually to set aside personal challenges and serve the public good. People and resources across the University have been mobilized to manufacture face shields for health care providers. One hundred were delivered yesterday to Loretto Health and Rehabilitation in Syracuse. So many of you have stepped to offer our partners on the Hill—the VA, Crouse and Upstate hospitals—help in many ways, including with facilities, supplies, personnel and even parking. And students and faculty are providing virtual services in their areas of expertise to communities every day.

This is not how we intended to celebrate our 150th year. But we are defining who we are as Orange in a virtual and virtuous way.

Sincerely,

Kent Syverud
Chancellor and President