Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:
The midpoint of the semester is fast approaching. Saturday was the first day of spring, bringing a sense of renewal and optimism. All of us need that, perhaps now more than ever. This has been an exceptionally challenging academic year. Beyond our campus, the personal losses and suffering have been especially painful. Through all of this, I have found comfort and hope from all of you. Since our return to campus in August of 2020, our Orange family has responded with grit, grace and greatness. That is why we are here today, and why I have great confidence in our future.
Planning for the Fall
Monday, Aug. 30, will be the first day of classes for the Fall 2021 semester. With wide distribution of vaccines and progress toward achieving herd immunity, we are planning for a fully in-person semester this fall. The University will remain vigilant and cautious as always, follow all the best public health guidance and continue to take care of those who remain at risk. We will do everything possible to support our international students in making their way to campus.
The fall semester will provide a robust academic and co-curricular in-person experience for our students, faculty and staff. It’s too soon to know exactly what conditions with COVID-19 will be like six months from now. But with improving conditions around the region and country, and continued optimism among federal, state and local officials, Syracuse University is planning for a return to more normal operations this fall.
Remaining Vigilant Today
Our enthusiasm is tempered by the reality of where we are today. The pandemic isn’t over. Like so many other universities, Syracuse has recently experienced a spike in positive COVID-19 cases. As a result, the Public Health Team has implemented new measures to mitigate the spread beyond what has already occurred. While our numbers remain manageable, and compared to other universities relatively low, we know how quickly things can change. Please remain vigilant, continue to follow the Stay Safe Pledge and adhere to all public health guidance.
Thank you for your continued cooperation, resilience and commitment to each other. Our community has shown what is possible in the face of adversity. Your actions every day remind me of what it means to be Orange.
Sincerely,
Chancellor Kent Syverud
Five online working sessions will be held between early October and mid-December for faculty members to obtain guidance on integrating the University’s Shared Competencies into their curriculum and to have support completing the course tagging process. The one-hour Zoom working…
The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) has announced that Heidi Hehnly, associate professor of biology, is the inaugural Renée Crown Professor in the Sciences and Mathematics and Karin Nisenbaum, assistant professor of philosophy, is the inaugural Renée Crown Professor…
Two final opportunities are available for faculty and staff to receive a free flu vaccine from Wegmans Pharmacy at convenient campus locations. Pharmacists will immunize with the quadrivalent flu vaccine to protect against four strains of influenza viruses, and there…
Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) has awarded two Faculty Fellows grants for the 2023-2024 academic year. LaVerne Gray, assistant professor in the School of Information Studies, and Julia White, associate professor in the Department of Teaching and…
Last year, a patchwork of states started passing laws mandating that college athletes were allowed to profit off their images. After asking Congress to pass a uniform set of rules (it didn’t), the NCAA threw up its hands and said…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
