Important Information for Faculty and Staff
Academic and Research Continuation: Onondaga County's Health Commissioner has approved Syracuse University's continuation of academic and research operations in labs/studios—including undergraduate research—without any pause, effective Nov. 14, 2020. Students, staff and faculty are reminded to remain vigilant and take all precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Deadline Extended for Meredith Award Nominations: The University is extending the nomination deadline for the Meredith Awards to Monday, Nov. 23. The nomination process has been simplified this year. Learn more.
Flu Shots: Flu shots are expected for faculty and staff—unless you have a compelling religious or medical exemption. For faculty and staff that have received a flu vaccine at a location off campus, or have a medical or religious exemption, you are required to complete a brief attestation survey online. (This step is not necessary for faculty and staff who participated in an on-campus flu clinic at the stadium or Skybarn). Additional information is provided on the Wellness Initiative website.
Update Your Personal Contact Information in MySlice: It’s more important than ever to keep your address, phone number, email(s) and emergency contact updated in MySlice should COVID-19 contact tracing need to occur. View step-by-step instructions.
Daily Health Screening Questionnaire Requirement: To comply with New York State requirements, facutly and staff coming to campus for work or research must complete an online Daily Health Screening Questionnaire prior to arriving on campus each day. Within the questionnaire, instructions are provided as to how those working on campus should proceed if they, or any member of their household, has been directed to self-isolate or quarantine or they are experiencing symptoms. Students must also complete a daily health screening prior to accessing campus through the Barnes Center at The Arch.
Care@Work: The University offers an institutional membership in the caregiving website Care.com to benefits-eligible faculty and staff. It provides eligible employees with premium, unlimited access to Care.com to find child care providers, tutors, errand runners, senior caregivers, pet walkers and sitters, house cleaners and more through the world’s largest network of caregivers.
Carebridge Resources: The Human Resources website has been updated to include supplemental resources from Carebridge to assist our faculty and staff as we all navigate the unique challenges related to COVID-19. In particular, Carebridge is providing resources to support employees and leaders in reducing the risk for illness, tending to the needs of loved ones while remaining focused and productive with work responsibilities.
Expanded Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Coverage: Syracuse University, in partnership with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, has expanded coverage for faculty and staff enrolled in its health plans to include telemedicine. Effective immediately, if a member’s health care provider, including a behavioral health provider, offers virtual (online) options for care, those services will be covered under the health plan. Effective April 1, members have access to MDLIVE, a national telehealth provider that provides patients with 24/7 access to a network of board-certified doctors, pediatricians and licensed therapists that can treat more than 50 non-emergency conditions, including providing behavioral health services, via a computer or mobile device. See the Office of Human Resources’ frequently asked questions for additional information.
Questions on coverage can be directed to our dedicated phone representatives at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (800.493.0318 or TTY: 800.662.1220) and OptumRx (866.854.2945 or TTY: 711). Additional benefit provider contact information can be found on the HR Contact website. For general benefit questions, contact the HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or hrservice@syr.edu.
Interim Sick Leave Policy: Faculty and staff who are directed by a health care professional to self-quarantine due to suspected COVID-19 exposure will not be required to use their personal sick leave during the self-quarantine period. We do this so that those who are directed to self-isolate or quarantine by a health care professional can do so without concern about their sick leave or pay. If you have questions about this policy, contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or hrservice@syr.edu.
IT Security Awareness: The changes in work structure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have created more opportunities for hackers and phishers to access the personal data of our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Please be even more vigilant than usual in identifying phishing emails, scams and attempts to gain access to home-based systems. The ITS Information Security Department has some security guidelines to help you keep your home computer, personal data and the data of the University safe from hackers. If you have any questions or feel that you have been the victim of a scam or phishing attack, please contact the Information Security department at itsecurity@syr.edu.
Library Resources: Syracuse University Libraries has recently added two important online subscriptions: The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Access is available to all students, faculty and staff with a valid Syracuse University NetID and @syr.edu email address, from which you can establish an online account. Instructions and additional information are provided on news.syr.edu.
Teaching Support: For faculty in need of teaching support, including course design, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at CTLE@syr.edu.
United Way Support Opportunities: COVID-19 has created an unprecedented time of need in our local Central New York community. I have heard from many of you asking how you can support our community despite the social distancing requirements. There are many opportunities to give back, including Syracuse University’s annual United Way of Central New York campaign. Donations can be made at any time on MySlice. Given the current immediate need, United Way of Central New York has partnered with local organizations and governments to create a COVID-19 Community Support Fund, which is designed to rapidly deploy flexible resources to nonprofits whose operations support vulnerable populations stressed by the outbreak. Donations can be made online at www.cnycf.org/covid19. United Way of Central New York is also registering volunteers and coordinating opportunities via its initiative VolunteerCNY.
Wellness Resources and Opportunities: Faculty and staff are encouraged to remain aware of and engage in Wellness Initiative offerings as their schedules allow.
Resources for Faculty and Staff Coronavirus FAQs for Faculty and Staff
Latest Updates
COVID-19 Update: Non-Essential Travel, NYS Travel and Quarantine Advisory, CDC Holiday Guidance (Nov. 16)
Given the significant spike in COVID-19 cases around the country and right here in Central New York, we urge you to be cautious and consider public health guidance when making your holiday plans. Read full update
Libraries on Pause (Nov. 12)
In accordance with the University's pause, effective Thursday, Nov. 12, Bird Library will be open for faculty and staff use only, Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. The building will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. Services will continue on-site during open hours. Visit the Libraries webpage for more information.