Updated Mask Guidance

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Families:

A short time ago, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the New York State Department of Health will adopt the new mask guidance issued last week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Generally, the new guidance means individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks (indoors or outdoors) or maintain social distance. However, today’s announcement from New York State does leave in place masking and distancing requirements on public transportation, in schools and in some other communal settings.

We expect to receive implementation guidance from New York State very soon, that speaks specifically to higher education settings. In anticipation of that guidance, I am happy to share that effective Monday, May 24, Syracuse University plans to begin a phased implementation of an amended campus policy on masking and social distancing, that we expect to be generally consistent with the new CDC recommendations. Additional information related to our plans to ease masking and social distancing restrictions on campus will be shared in the coming days.

Importantly, given the anticipated influx of outside visitors to our campus this week and through the weekend, public health advisors believe it is prudent that our current on-campus masking and distancing policy remain in place through Commencement. We believe that this approach best supports a safe weekend of Commencement activities, where the focus is squarely on celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates.

Thank you for your continued cooperation, flexibility and commitment to the well-being of all those Orange.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation