Building Local
Syracuse University’s Building Local Program is an initiative designed to introduce local business enterprises—including those owned by women, minorities, veterans and others (XBEs)—to the kinds of goods and services used by the campus. The program also features the Hiring Local initiative in which the University collaborates with job readiness agencies and organizations in the local community to provide employment opportunities.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
Citizens Academy
The Citizens Academy is an interactive educational program that informs Onondaga County citizens how local governments are organized and how services are funded and delivered. It is a place to learn about citizen involvement through an integrated approach to economic vitality, social equity and a healthy environment. Citizens Academy was created and is administered by FOCUS Greater Syracuse and Syracuse University.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
Community Engagement Roundtable
The Community Engagement Roundtable is a group of Syracuse University faculty and staff engaged in community work that meets once a month to share ideas and work through challenges.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
CNY Works Summer Youth Employment Program
The CNY Works Summer Youth Employment Program is a partnership between Syracuse University and CNY Works, a local, nonprofit workforce agency. The initiative provides more than 30 area students, ages 16 to 21, with jobs on campus. The successful, six-week summer program places students in positions with the University’s schools and colleges and other departments and units. Through the program, students have the opportunity to gain work experience and build positive relationships with their managers and mentors.
Contact: Sharon Cole
Greek Life
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs works closely with recognized chapters to enhance the overall fraternity and sorority experience by upholding academic and community standards, organization rituals and values and University policies governing fraternity and sorority activities. The office’s goal is to ensure that the fraternity and sorority experience at Syracuse University provides a safe, enjoyable avenue for students to grow and develop during their college years.
Contact: Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
Informed Retired People
Informed Retired People is a civic engagement program for retired people in the community. The meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of each month during the academic year; coffee and tea are served from 11:30 a.m. to noon and a speaker is featured from noon to 1 p.m.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
Just Lunch
Just Lunch provides an opportunity for Syracuse University faculty to hear from local non profit organizations on how they may collaborate.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
Odd pLots
Odd pLots is a collaborative project of Syracuse University’s School of Architecture, the Syracuse Land Bank and the City of Syracuse. The initiative’s goal is to promote local entrepreneurs, encourage economic development and contribute to the public good through the presence of valued design. The project repurposes “leftover” plots of land, such as vacant corner lots and small abandoned lots, for economic development. Local entrepreneurs apply for microloans to begin their business ventures, and School of Architecture faculty work with students to design and create structures to accommodate the businesses or services of the local entrepreneurs. The project is focused on the economically depressed, yet culturally rich South Side of Syracuse neighborhood, but can serve as an example for other parts of the City of Syracuse.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
Shadow Day
Shadow Day brings Seymour Elementary School fifth-graders to campus to experience life as a college student. Seymour Elementary is located in the City of Syracuse’s Near Westside neighborhood, which is economically disadvantaged, yet located close to Syracuse University. The program introduces Seymour students to Syracuse University, showing them it’s “their” university and they can someday be a college student. The Seymour fifth-graders are grouped together with Syracuse University students, attend classes and have lunch on campus. After lunch, students tour the Carmelo K. Anthony Center and meet Syracuse University student-athletes.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
South Side Communication Center
The South Side Communication Center, located at 2231 S. Salina St., is home to various community-based programs and initiatives, including The Image Initiative, South Side Coalition, The Stand newspaper and Writing Our Lives. OCE partners with the School of Education to facilitate adult and youth literacy programs and Upstate Oasis to provide free computer literacy classes to the surrounding community.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
Syracuse University Office of Student Activities
The Office of Student Activities strives to provide opportunities for students to discover and engage their strengths, talents and passions through a fun and diverse environment. The office empowers students to put their learning into action on campus and in the community.
Contact: Student Activities
Thursday Morning Roundtable
Thursday Morning Roundtable is a civic engagement program hosted by Syracuse University. The weekly Thursday morning meetings, held during the academic year, feature a presentation about an issue or topic of general interest and offer coffee and networking opportunities. After each presentation, the speaker holds a question-and-answer session. Thursday Morning Roundtable typically kicks off the new season with a session with the City of Syracuse mayor or the Onondaga County executive. WCNY-FM, 91.3, broadcasts the programs on the following Sundays at 8 p.m.
Contact: Office of Community Engagement
United Way
The Office of Community Engagement serves as the administrative site for the Universitywide United Way campaign. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Syracuse University campaign may email the Office of Community Engagement.
Resources
Meeting Room Request
Groups or organizations with nonprofit status and an educational component in their mission may use the Warehouse community spaces, free of charge. For more information and to submit a request, visit our Meeting Room Request page.
Campus Filming Office
The Campus Filming Office coordinates all aspects of commercial filming and photography on the Syracuse University campus or University-owned property. For more information, visit the Campus Filming Office.
Syracuse University Guaranteed Mortgage Program
Provides eligible faculty and staff an alternative financing method to purchase a home in designated neighborhoods. For more information, visit the Guaranteed Mortgage Program website.