March 24 marks the conclusion of , during which volunteers representing Syracuse University have completed more than 24,000 hours of community service, far exceeding our initial goal of 15,000 hours. Our volunteers will continue to devote themselves to service, shifting their efforts to help first responders in their neighborhoods and communities during their COVID-19 outbreak.

With more than 30 events postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, acknowledgement of the University’s sesquicentennial has shifted to an outpouring of spirit and solidarity on social media channels. Videos and images will be shared throughout the week. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are welcome to share their memories and pride online and use #SU150.

Around the City of Syracuse, several local organizations have coordinated to illuminate more than 20 buildings in Orange lights, recognizing and supporting the University’s contributions to the city.

Since 1870, Syracuse University has upheld the idea that “brains and heart shall have a fair chance” at earning a college degree. This institution has been a pioneer in recognizing women’s achievements, the academic validity of the fine arts, the emergence of information studies and the importance of educational opportunities that serve veterans. Our founding values are embedded inĚýĚýof educational innovation, expansion, discovery and change.

Syracuse University will use this legacy of academic excellence, innovation and inclusion as the spark that ignites the imagination and creates a future filled with discovery and impact.

As we mark our first century and a half, we look back at our fearless firsts that changed the Syracuse community, our region and the world.ĚýNow we stand together, hopeful as we continue to unite as a global community.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, the campus community is welcome to join in a 150 Days of Service community service kick-off event at Walnut Park, 700 Harrison St., 4-5:30 p.m. There will be a brief program and City of Syracuse Resolution reading at 4:30 p.m. Service projects to help area nonprofit organizations include the following:

• Decorating socks for the homeless
• Creating cut and tie blankets for hospitalized children
• Designing key chains for first-time homeowners
• Making toys for local rescue dogs

“The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well at Syracuse. We know that our community spends a significant amount of time with agencies and organizations they feel passionate about,” says Bea González, vice president for community engagement. “When volunteers capture and input their hours, we’ll now have a better understanding of just how large an impact we make to improve the lives of others through service.”

This event is in collaboration with Fraternity and Sorority Affairs’ annual event, Greek or Treat. Greek or Treat invites local agencies to bring the youth they serve to enjoy an evening of fun activities and safe trick-or-treating.

Capturing Volunteer Hours

To make an impact and help Syracuse University reach 15,000 hours of community service by March 24, 2020, visit the landing page to learn about volunteer opportunities, log and track your hours. Make sure to use #SU150 to share your service on social media.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Community Engagement Coordinator Emily Winecki at 315.443.4137.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York state, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

During this construction:

• the road will remain open, but traffic patterns will be slowed from 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. to ensure safety;

• street parking will be restricted; and
• emergency vehicles will continue to have full access to all of Euclid Avenue.

In addition, roadway enhancements are underway at Westcott Street and will progress west toward Comstock Avenue through Aug. 10.

All improvements will be completed before the start of the fall semester. After construction is completed, dedicated bicycle lanes will seamlessly connect Westcott Street to Comstock Avenue. Vehicular and pedestrian safety will be improved through streetway enhancements and repaving.

Additional Roadway Enhancements

Two other City of Syracuse municipal projects will occur this summer and will have an effect on roadways near campus. These projects are:

• milling and resurfacing of Waverly Avenue between Irving Avenue and Comstock Avenue, and milling and resurfacing of Comstock Avenue, between Waverly Avenue and Euclid Avenue; details regarding this project will be announced by the City of Syracuse in the next few weeks; and
• installation of stormwater detention infrastructure in Comstock Avenue, between Euclid Avenue and Colvin Street, as part of Onondaga County’s Green Infrastructure project; this project started after Commencement and will be completed prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

A full listing of summer construction projects is available and will be listed by building on the Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) . Please refer to this website periodically to see what is occurring across campus and feel free to reach out to the CPDC manager assigned with questions.

For construction-related questions, comments or suggestions, email cpdc@syr.edu. For parking concerns, call Parking and Transit Services at 315.443.4652.

For questions pertaining to accessibility, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services at 315.443.4018, ADA@syr.edu or equalopp@syr.edu.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

“Reflecting on our past and defining our future is what celebrating our sesquicentennial is all about,” says Chancellor Syverud. “Since our founding, Syracuse University has been a pioneer in academia, transforming lives and leading change in so many different ways. That rich history and our bold, forward-looking spirit will chart our course long into the future. I am grateful for the steering committee’s enthusiasm and progress and am confident our sesquicentennial celebration will capture the essence of what it means to be Orange.”

Sesquicentennial events will celebrate Syracuse University’s storied past and present, while highlighting the University’s future built upon innovation and collaboration. Anniversary activities will bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and supporters across the globe in four areas of focus:

• Student life;
• Academics and research;
• Arts and culture; and
• Local, national and global community engagement.

The 150th celebration officially begins in July 2019, building momentum throughout the academic year toward the official founding anniversary on March 24, 2020. The celebration will continue through June 2020.

In the short term, the steering committee will reach out to engage the University community and establish volunteer groups, will continue to identify existing programs and events to be integrated into the celebration, and will provide ongoing updates on the framework to execute the sesquicentennial plan.

“As the appointed co-chairs of the 150th steering committee, we are grateful to the committee for its work over the past few months,” says Bea González, steering committee co-chair and vice president of community engagement. “We are most excited to include the campus community in the planning efforts.”

“We have much to celebrate and honor at Syracuse University as we reflect on the past 150 years—and look ahead to the next 50, 100, 150 and beyond as we continue to develop our master plan for the year-long celebration,” says Sue Ballard, steering committee co-chair and vice president of alumni engagement.

Students, faculty and staff interested in learning more about the steering committee and its upcoming activities can contact co-chairs Bea González at bgonzale@syr.edu or Sue Ballard at sjballar@syr.edu.

Further details and requests for volunteers will continue throughout the fall semester.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

From left: YWCA Syracuse Board Chair Ellen Hemmerlein, the Rev. Brian Konkol, Professor Peppie Calvar, YWCA Executive Director Fanny Villarreal, and James Duah-Agyeman at the 2018 Day of Commitment event.

The Day of Commitment brought together more than 150 community members to participate in a variety of workshops for diversity training and celebrate the accomplishments of the distinguished group. The workshops focused on addressing the barriers to progress and creating solutions to drive community change. Listening and understanding were key themes of event.

, assistant professor and assistant director of choral activities in the and , director of theĚý, were among nine area residents honored with the award. To be chosen, recipients must have demonstrated they are individuals who embrace diversity; support opportunities for women’s growth and leadership; embody the spirit of peace, justice, freedom and dignity; and work diligently toward the elimination of racism.

“As leaders invited into the ongoing process of bringing order out of chaos, perhaps the most important element in the life of faithful citizenship is the ability to listen. For in listening, we receive the transformative power of vision and voice, and in doing so, the conflicts between humankind are crafted into something new,” Konkol said during his remarks. “For if the arc of history reveals anything, it shows that real conversation requires listening. As diverse people seeking to lead in the midst of conflicting times, real conversation requires listening. How simple, and yet how incredibly difficult. Real conversation requires listening, yet listening seems to be missing in our world today.”

For more information about the 2018 Day of Commitment and other programs visit the YWCA of Syracuse

The exhibit features more than 75 pieces of art andĚýis open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Employees are encouraged to view all entries and vote for pieces that may be displayed at the Everson Museum of Art in October, and also share favorite artwork via social media using #SUOMOT18.

Now in its 45th year, On My Own Time is a collaboration of CNY Arts and the Everson Museum of Art.

Questions? Contact Lucille Murphy at 315.443.4042 orĚýlumurphy@syr.edu.

University faculty and staff members who have entered this year’s exhibition, along with their works, are:

Philip Arnold—”Taxi”
Jacob Bendix—”‘Cuse February”
James Bradley—”Armillary Sundial with Celtic Knot”
Richard Breyer—”Ms. CF, Mr. G”
Christine Brophy—”Heron in B & W”
Robert Burkhart—”Paint to Live—Paint to Survive,” “No Dark Things,” “It was a pleasure”
Christian Day—”The Last Day of the Year,” “The Farm from Stevens Road in September”
Christopher DeCorse—”Whistling”
Linda Deon—”Under the Umbrella,” “Serenity,” “Gone for the Day”
James DeWitt—”Full Grain Buffalo Hide Bag,” “Cross Shoulder Purse”
Jessica Dorman—”Freedom,” “Maelstrom,” “Bravery”
Walter Freeman—”Chiricahua Sunset,” “Waxwing’s Lunch,” “Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk”
Samuel Gorovitz—”Syracuse Street Scene”
Kirstin Guanciale—”Dichotomy,” “Mystic,” “Greek Tragedy”
Deana Hansen-Danis—”Lotus,” “Bamboo”
Robert Heaphy—copper relief 1, copper relief 2
Tanya Horacek—”Fall Aspens”
Mary Kasprzyk—”Sunrise 3″
Joanne Lenweaver—”Half Calf”
Zoe Meighan—”Humping” “Housedude”
Helen Neville—”Spring I,” “Spring II,” “Spring III”
John Olson—”Lake Louise,” “Under the Bean,” “Remembrance”
Christine Palmer—”Enveloped in Love”
Kelley Parker—”Standing Tall,” “White Beauty in the Field,” “In the Brush”
Erin Poole—”American Girl,” “American Boy,” “American Kids”
Yudaisy Salomon Sargenton—”Snapshots of a Disappearing World”
Scott Samson—”Nashville 1:15PM (8/21/2017), Nashville – 7 minutes later, Inspired by Hockney”
Ronna Schindler—”Moon Jelly,” “Life Force,” “Beginnings”
Joseph Stoll—”April Ice,” “Sole Survivors,” “Hostas”
Lori Szkotak—”Classy Mi Ditmar,” “Yahtzee King Floyd,” “Ninja Brother Rob”
Shaun Wade—”Summer Morning,” “Day At The Zoo”
Susan Wadley—”Aging, India 1967-2016,” “Fantasy in Pink”
Fred Wellner—”Happy Monday”
Laura Wellner—”Drinking from the Fishbowl,” “Where did the Time Go?”
John Western—”Lake Ontario: A Final Autumn Trip”
Jennifer Zalewski—” Andean Guan,” “Mt. Totumas Bromeliad”

Many of the artists volunteered their time and skills in putting the exhibition together. Other volunteers include:

Jamie Base
Roxanna Carpenter
Susan Dean
Denise Dowdall
Sidney Duncan
Emma Geiler
Julie Hall
Peter Irvine
Emily Minnoe
Lucille Murphy
Mikayla Ploof
Garrett Prindle
Karyn Radcliffe
Anneliese Renaud
Ronna Schindler
John Seaver
Emily Stokes-Rees
Brian Wetherby
Angela Wilde
Brittany Grimes Zaehringer.

The timekeeping process change brings more efficiency and reliability to the way employees track their time, whether they are hourly employees tracking time, or salaried employees reporting vacation. This replaces a decades-old system that often involved antiquated paper punch cards, paper timesheets and manual data entry with technology to swipe ID cards or online entry including mobile devices, ensuring time is accurately recorded in human resources and payroll systems.

Many core human resources transactions, including approvals, position requests, hiring and mid-year compensation changes will be simplified. The system replaces the iJAN (Job Action Notice) and Appointments tools with simpler online forms designed for each transaction. Security for viewing data and approving transactions can be tailored for each school, college or administrative unit to ensure reliability and confidentiality of the data.

The streamlined system is mobile-friendly and provides flexibility for managers and employees.

Additional details on the initiative, including training and reference materials to prepare student employees, faculty and staff for the change, will be released prior to the July 30 launch, and additional support will be in place as the 2018-19 academic year gets underway.

If you have specific questions about this initiative, contact hrservice@syr.edu or call 315.443.4042.

One exception is Huntington Beard Crouse Hall, which is served by a stand-alone one-pipe system. Building occupants will be notified when the chilled water switchover of this building will take place.

Members of the campus community who have questions regarding this work or campus chilled water, please contact the 24-hour Energy Management Office at 315.443.1535 or energy@syr.edu.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and anĚýundeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, andĚý, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

Any full- or part-time Syracuse University faculty, staff or instructor is eligible to submit up to three pieces of artwork in the categories of painting, ceramics, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, photography, collage/assemblage, fiber art, glasswork, computer art, metalwork and mixed media. Criteria for submission are listed on the , which is due by April 23. Submissions are due April 26 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. atĚýthe Strates Lounge on the lower floor of Hendricks Chapel.

On My Own Time at Syracuse University opens with an in-house exhibition on April 30 in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel. It will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m. through May 16.

A panel of professional artists assembled by will serve as judges. Artwork selected by the panel will be featured in a public exhibit at the Everson Museum this fall. Visitors to the on-campus exhibition will be able to vote for a “Best of Show” piece. The winner of this and other categories will be announced at a closing reception for the University community, artists and their family members, and volunteers on May 16 at 4:30 p.m. in the Noble Room.

Volunteers Needed

If you want to help with the show,Ěývolunteers are neededĚýto check in art on April 26, set up the show on April 27 and other duties on May 16.

For questions about On My Own Time, please call Lucille Murphy, human resources shared services representative at 315.443.4042 or emailĚýlumurphy@syr.edu.

In April 2018, the On My Own Time exhibition will commemorate 45 years of celebrating the arts in the Syracuse community and continuing to recognize the artistic works of faculty and staff.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and anĚýundeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, andĚý, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud announced the opening of the in February. Professor Emeritus Samuel Clemence is leading the office in an interim capacity until a search committee identifies a permanent ombuds later this semester. The office is located at 111 Waverly Ave., Suite 215, and is open during standard business hours. Appointments are not needed but are highly recommended to ensure adequate time to meet. Employees and graduate students may also contact the office via email or telephone at 315.443.1087.

Interested in learning more about the role of a University Ombuds on our campus? Here’s an overview of what you need to know:

The Hall of Languages lit up in red

The Hall of Languages and Hendricks Chapel will be aglow in red lights on the evenings of Thursday, Feb. 1, and Friday, Feb. 2, as part of the campus’s efforts to raise awareness for women’s health. Friday marks the 14th anniversary of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign, and is also National Wear Red Day.

National Wear Red Day—the first Friday in February—brings attention to cardiovascular disease in women by encouraging everyone to wear red and take positive action to live longer, healthier lives. The red dress has since become the iconic symbol of the battle against heart disease in women. Some form of cardiovascular disease affects more than one in every three adult Americans.

To learn more about wellness offerings and opportunities please visit .

With a new law taking effect in 2018, Syracuse University is working to stay ahead of changes and ensure employees know and understand their benefits. Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, new benefits are available with the passage of the New York Paid Family Leave (NYPFL) law, providing paid leave for eligible staff members to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition or prepare for a family member’s call to active military service. Relevant information has been posted on the Human Resources including a comprehensive about how Syracuse University is prepared to implement the new benefits.

Summary of the New Paid Family Leave Benefit:

Staff and student employees, including graduate assistants, working in New York State are eligible if they meet the following requirements:

• If a regular work schedule is 20 or more hours per week, an employee is eligible after 26 consecutive weeks of employment.
• If a regular work schedule is less than 20 hours per week, an employee is eligible after working 175 days.
• New York’s legislation establishing Paid Family Leave does not apply to those working in a teaching capacity. Faculty continue to be eligible for and paid , and may request administrative leave through their departments, as appropriate.“Syracuse University provides several kinds of leave to assist faculty, non-academic staff and other eligible employees in balancing the demands of the workplace with their personal needs,” says Andrew R. Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Our human resources team is prepared and ready to assist employees who may have questions to help them maximize their available benefits.”Under the new law employees are provided several benefits, including:
  • wage replacement for eight weeks of leave at 50 percent of pay (up to 50 percent of the state’s average weekly wage), increasing to 12 weeks and 67 percent pay in 2021;
  • job protection upon return from Paid Family Leave; and
  • continuation of health insurance while out on Paid Family Leave.

  New York State specified that the Paid Family Leave Program is employee-funded, and that employers shall collect an employee contribution through a payroll deduction determined annually by the New York State Department of Financial Services. In 2018, the rate will be 0.126 percent of an employee’s average weekly wage, capped at $1.65 per week.

  Resources and Training

  Several upcoming are available. The state continues to clarify the regulations. Human Resources will continue to update the website as further information becomes available. Additional information can be found on the New York State Paid Family Leave .

  Timeline Moving Forward

  New York’s timeline calls for a phased rollout over four years, with the benefit level starting at eight weeks, 50 percent pay in 2018 and reaching 12 weeks, 67 percent pay in 2021. Employees do not need to take any action to enroll in this coverage and the benefits will be available beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

  Questions about Paid Family Leave

• Questions can be directed to an employee’s supervisor, a or the HR leave administrator at 315.443.4042.

Working directly with Chief Human Resources Officer Andrew R. Gordon throughout the academic year, the staff advisory group will examine and form recommendations on staff-related issues identified in the Climate Assessment . Some of the issues that may be addressed include staff morale, staff retention, career pathways and training opportunities, as well as avenues for addressing confidential matters.

“This is a great opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on a range of staff centric interests,” says Gordon. “The University has terrific staff, who along with faculty and students, provide the heart and soul of our great University. The work of this advisory group will provide the recommendations for continuous improvement of our campus environment.”

Nominations and interest should be addressed to staffclimate@syr.edu no later than Nov. 6. Members will be notified and announced shortly after the close of nominations.

A recordedĚý,Ěý, benefitĚýĚýand other news and informationĚýare available on the Open Enrollment website—.

Computer kiosks are available in the first floor lobby of the Skytop Office Building, 640 Skytop Road, during normal business hours to provide additional computer access for online enrollment.

If you have any questions about Open Enrollment or other benefits, please contact the HR Service Center at 315.443.4042.

As previously announced, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been selected to administer the medical plans for Syracuse University, effective Jan. 1, 2018. As an Upstate New York-based provider with offices in DeWitt, Excellus was selected as part of a comprehensive benefits review process to ensure employees and retirees have access to an excellent set of options from the highest-quality plans.

In an Oct. 2 email to the campus community, Andrew R. Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer, shared information and updates about the Syracuse University benefits package for 2018. Some important highlights include the following:

• There will be no increase in employee per-paycheck contributions for any University benefit plans for 2018.
• Members enrolled in SUBlue and SUOrange will not be required to obtain referrals to see in-network providers.
• Copays for certain medical services will increase by $10. This is the first such increase in four years. An annual in-network deductible will be applied to SUBlue and SUOrange.
• All copays and deductibles are listed on the University’s website, including detailed information provided in our Frequently Asked Questions resource guide.
• There will be no changes to existing deductibles or coinsurance for SUPro. SUPro has no referral requirement.
• OptumRx will continue to provide prescription drug coverage.
• The University’s dental and vision plans will have no copayment, coinsurance or contribution increases. In these plans, 2018 is the second year of a two-year commitment, so the only change participants can make is to enroll or remove dependents from the plan, unless they experience a qualifying life event.

Employee contributions for dependent life, supplemental life and AD&D, and voluntary long-term disability insurance will have no rate increases or plan changes. Free will preparation services are included when employees enroll in supplemental life insurance.

Information sessions and office hours are available during Open Enrollment and can be found . In addition, on-campus office hours will be held twice per week this fall and into 2018 by an experienced representative from Excellus to assist members with any personal transition questions. All of the relevant information will be posted online at as it becomes available.

Employees who have any immediate questions about Syracuse University benefits can contact the HR Service Center by phone at 315.443.4042 or by email at hrservice@syr.edu.

The first 500 faculty and staff with an SU ID to visit the pre-game Human Resources tent on the Quad will receive a game day gift and a $5 concession coupon.

Prior to the game, a drawing will be held to invite employees to enjoy the game with their guests in a private suite at the Dome. Another drawing will be held to invite up to 20 employees and their guests to the turf at Legends Field before the game.

In addition to welcoming alumni back to campus for weekend, the game day theme is “Medical Appreciation Day,” which will include a celebration of all medical professionals throughout the day.

Tickets

The Syracuse University employee ticket price is $5 and employees are invited to purchase up to 10 tickets at that price with an SU ID. Employees may purchase tickets online through a , in-person at the Dome Box Office or over the phone by calling 315.443.2121 (press 2). Tickets can be purchased until the day of the event. The first 1,000 tickets purchased will be on the lower level of the Dome.

Parking

A University parking permit will be honored for free game day parking at the Skytop parking lot. One complimentary Skytop parking pass for faculty and staff (for those without a University permit) will be available Sept. 13-15 at the Office of Human Resources with proof of an Employee Appreciation game ticket and SU ID.

Employees can share game day photos on social media for a chance to appear on the Dome videoboard using #CuseGameDay. For questions about Employee Appreciation Day, please call the HR Service Center at 315.443.4042 or email hrservice@syr.edu. For questions about football tickets, please call the Carrier Dome Box Office at 315.443.2121.

Carebridge Senior Vice President Mary Dougherty-Hunt will welcome faculty and staff in 500ĚýHall of Languages on Sept. 7 for a variety of services and support that includes:

• Supervisor Resource Sessions, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.

This session will ensure supervisors are fully aware of the supervisor resources and tools available through Carebridge, as well as how to effectively communicate this benefit to their staff.

• General Orientation of the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, 11-11:45 a.m.

This presentation will provide an overview of the confidential resources and services provided through Carebridge that support the emotional well-being, work-life balance and personal resilience of eligible members of the campus community. No registration required.

• Meet and Greet, 12:15-1 p.m.Ěý

Stop by for a casual conversation; bring your questions about the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program or pick up educational materials at the promotional table.ĚýNo registration required.

Benefits-eligible members of the University community are invited to attend one or more of these upcoming sessions to learn more about the integrated, accessible, confidential support services available through Carebridge.

The full suite of Carebridge’s comprehensive services, including a broad network of independent, licensed counselors available 24 hours a day,Ěýseven days a week, 365 days a year; online and telephonic support in a variety of work-life areas; as well as online resources at Ěý(the University’s access code is: WY6CE); Ěýare available to all those eligible to participate in the University’s medical plan, including benefits-eligible faculty and staff, graduate assistants and retirees, as well as their dependents.

For your convenience, Carebridge will offer a similar day of programming including Supervisor Resource Sessions, General Orientations and an opportunity for Meet and Greet on Oct. 17. ĚýFor complete details visit .

provides participants in a MetLife Group Life Plan access to attorney services to complete the entire process of creating and updating a will.

Some highlights include:

• full-service options to prepare and update wills, including complex wills and codicils, living wills and powers of attorney, for both you and your spouse/domestic partner;
• Hyatt’s award-winning Client Service Center to assist in locating an attorney;
• face-to-face and telephone consultations with one of Hyatt Legal Plans’ 14,000 participating plan attorneys; and
• unlimited access to update a will for as long as you continue to participate in the MetLife Group Life Plan.

For details, call Hyatt Legal Plans at 1.800.821.6400. The Syracuse University group number is 104161.

Employees who choose to use an attorney who does not participate in the Hyatt Legal Plans’ network, may receive for covered services according to a set fee schedule. The information is available for review through the Human Resources :

For more information on this or other benefits, contact the Human Resources Service Center at hrservice@syr.edu or 315.443.4042.

All members can register for access to the new portal and tools at ĚýMembers who previously registered for access to the secure online member portal will need to re-register to get a new Optum ID.

Some of the enhancements include:

• My Medicine Cabinet displays at-a-glance actions a member needs to take for all their medications;
• Order Status allows members to track a home delivery order status, view estimated delivery dates and set notifications when an order is on hold;
• the Proactive Savings Messaging advocates for members by providing proactive ways to save; and
• there is the ability to request a new prescription at-home delivery or to transfer retail prescriptions to home delivery.

In addition, members can more thoroughly compare drug prices among five pharmacies with the drug-pricing tool and household access gives members the ability to manage prescriptions on behalf of family members.

OptumRx is continuing to add new features to the member portal throughout 2017 and 2018, including more integration of specialty prescriptions filled through BriovaRx.

Please contact OptumRx customer service at 866.854.2945 if you have questions about this new online experience and share your feedback with the HR Service Center at 315.443.4042 or email hrservice@syr.edu.

Community members are invited to attend one or more of the following information sessions:

Wednesday, June 21, in 132 Lyman Hall

Wednesday, July 12, in Shemin Auditorium in the Shafer Art Bulding

Wednesday, Aug. 9, in 001 Life Sciences Building

All sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m.

American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Real Time (CART) interpretation will be available for each event. If you have requests for accessibility and accommodations, please contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (EOIRS) office at 315.443.4018.

To learn more about summer construction, individual projects and project timelines, please visitĚý.

John Yinger’s “Koaville” birdhouses

“One day I saw the Koa wood in my workshop and realized that it would make a nice birdhouse, so I cut it in half and made one,” says Yinger, who now is a of public administration and economics in the Maxwell School. “Then I realized that the other half would make a nice birdhouse too, so I made another one.ĚýAfter completing the second one, I realized that the two birdhouses complemented each other, so I put them together.”

Yinger carefully added whimsical touches to each, including a skylight and a chimney.ĚýHe made roofs from cherry bead board and small pieces of several other types of wood, including redwood and oak.

All this attention to detail paid off for that simple piece of Koa wood from more than 50 years ago when Yinger’s creation, “Koaville,” won the popular vote for the 2017 On My Own Time exhibition out of more than 75 pieces of art.

Yinger says he will eventually donate his award-winning birdhouse to the CNY Fair Housing bird house auction. “But I think I will enjoy it at home for a couple more years,” he says.

First-Time Entry

Amanda Barbuto’s photograph, “Nakuaqqun,” capturing the love a mother feels for her baby

When Amanda Barbuto started taking photographs last year she didn’t intend to display her work in public, but felt the On My Own Time exhibition was a good way to put her work “out there” for others to see.

“I wanted to capture the love a mother feels when she looks at her baby. It reminds me that anything is possible, “says Barbuto, a senior compensation specialist. “To some it is just a photograph, but there is so much more meaning behind it. I’m glad I shared my photography and I’d definitely do it again.”

Her photograph, “Nakuaqqun,” means love in Inupiaq Eskimo.

Ěý

Everson Museum Fall Display

This year, the On My Own Time exhibition featured artwork from nearly 40 faculty and staff members ranging from paintings, ceramics, drawings, sculptures, photography, collage/assemblage, fiber art, glasswork, computer art, metalwork and mixed media. Members of the University community voted from April 28-May 17 for a favorite piece of art and a panel of professional artists assembled by served as judges for the works to be featured at the Everson Museum.

The On My Own Time winners

The selected artwork that will be featured in a public exhibition at the Everson Museum this fall includes:

Richard Breyer–“Mozart in Color”

Fred Wellner–“The Clear-Eyed One”

Philip Arnold–“In Case of Emergency–Break Glass”

Joseph Stoll–“Spring Break”

Peter Irvine–“For They Shall See”

Stephanie Parks–“A Good Egg”

Ronna Schindler–“Camouflage”

Julie Hall–“Balancing Bird II”

Laura Wellner–“”Going wit the Flow”

Scott Samson–“Stepladder Mountains”

Popular Vote: Johnny Yinger, “Koaville”

Artwork that will be included in the CNY Arts Catalog: Joseph Stoll, “Spring Break”; and Julie Hall, “Balancing Bird II”ĚýĚýĚý

In April 2018, the On My Own Time exhibition will commemorate 45 years of celebrating the arts in the Syracuse community and continuing to recognize the artistic works of faculty and staff.

ĚýIn addition to understanding the health care and plans currently offered to employees, the council explored potential enhancements and refinements to the plans, as well benchmarking studies to help the University remain competitive. With the March 2017 acquisition by United Healthcare of the current plan administrator POMCO, the committee explored and provided input on the request for proposal process to find the University’s next benefit administrator.

“The strength of the committee comes from its broad representation of individuals from across the University that are affected by the benefits,” says Maxwell School Professor of Practice Thomas Dennison. “The team shared clear information and listened to the feedback from the group. The council provided a good sounding board for the definition of a solid set of affordable, competitive benefits for the University.”

The council members, which include faculty, staff and students, are:

• Stephen Block, assistant dean for administration, iSchool
• Nina Brown, assistant professor, Newhouse School
• Fiona Chew, professor, Newhouse School
• Thomas Dennison, professor of practice, Maxwell School
• Andrew R. Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer (chair)
• Rajesh Kumar, president, graduate student organization
• Eileen Lantier, senior associate dean and associate professor, Falk College
• Rebecca Mitchell, reconciliation audit coordinator
• Chuck Morris, department chair and professor, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Brian O’Connor, supervisor, Physical Plant
• Craig Powers, machine repair technician, Physical Plant
• Melissa Rashford, administrative specialist for enrollment management
• Yudaisy Salomon Sargenton, administrative secretary, College of Arts & Sciences
• Derek Seward, associate professor, School of Educatio
• Amy Sloane-Garris, executive director of graduate programs

“This was an excellent opportunity to listen and build understanding around the complex benefits arena. Our council better understands the priorities of our employee population related to benefits and costs,” says Ann Verillo, director of benefits strategy. “Our discussions provided insights about our comprehensive benefits package, marketplace changes and trends to consider.” The council will continue to meet during the summer to further discuss the University’s benefits offerings.

Syracuse University faculty and staff are invited to view and enjoy their colleagues’ creative works of paintings, photos, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and other creations in the On My Own Time exhibition in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel.

The exhibit features more than 75 pieces of art andĚýis open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Employees are encouraged to view all entries and vote for pieces that may be displayed at the Everson Museum of Art in October, and also share favorite artwork via social media using #SUOMOT17.

Now in its 44th year, On My Own Time is a collaboration of CNY Arts (formerly the Cultural Resources Council) and the Everson Museum of Art.

Questions? Contact Lucille Murphy at 315.443.4042 or lumurphy@syr.edu.

Any full- or part-time Syracuse University faculty, staff or instructor is eligible to submit up to three pieces of artwork in the categories of painting, ceramics, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, photography, collage/assemblage, fiber art, glasswork, computer art, metalwork and mixed media. Criteria for submission are listed on the , which is due by April 24. Submissions are due April 27 atĚýthe Strates Lounge on the lower floor of Hendricks ChapelĚýbetween 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

On My Own Time at Syracuse University opens with an in-house exhibition on April 28 in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel. It will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 17.

A panel of professional artists assembled by will serve as judges. Artwork selected by the panel will be featured in a public exhibition at the Everson Museum this fall. Visitors to the on-campus exhibition will be able to vote for a “Best of Show” piece. The winner of this and other categories will be announced at a closing reception on May 17.

Volunteers Needed

If you want to help with the show,Ěý are neededĚýto check in art on April 27, set up the show on April 28, and other duties on May 17.

For questions about On My Own Time, call Lucille Murphy, human resources shared services representative, at 315.443.4042 or emailĚýlumurphy@syr.edu.

Now in its 44^th year, On My Own Time (OMOT) brings visibility to employees’ artistic and creative skills through a community arts program to bring visibility to the creative skills of people employed in local businesses and organizations and the Everson Museum of Art.

The clinic will be held Tuesday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 303 Newhouse 1, Miron Special Events Room.

You must present your valid SU ID at the clinic to receive the vaccine. Temporary employees may show an alternate picture ID. No appointments are necessary.

If you have questions about the Jan. 31 flu clinic for faculty, staff and students, please contact the University Wellness Initiative at 315.443.5472 or wellness@syr.edu.

For other flu vaccine options please visit

“The University is committed to the total well-being of faculty, staff and other members of our global community,” says Andrew R. Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Expanding the program benefits to include our colleagues in Europe helps everyone feel valued, supported and connected to each other.”

The alliance with Chestnut Global Partners, which is associated with Carebridge, enables the University to offer world-class support services suited to the evolving needs of a global institution.

In addition to independent, confidential, local counseling, Carebridge/Chestnut Global Partners offers:

• six confidential, free face-to-face or phone counseling sessions;
• online and telephone support in a variety of work-life areas such as child and elder care, personal finance, parenting and smoking cessation, among others; and
• on-site crisis intervention, counseling and support in the event of an emergency.

“The extension of these services to faculty and staff in Europe shows that the University recognizes and values the important role that these individuals play in the education of Syracuse students and in the international reputation of the University,” says Raymond Bach, director of Syracuse University Strasbourg.

European employees who have questions regarding the program benefits offered with Chestnut Global Partners can contact representatives directly at syr@chestnut.org or contact Gail Grozalis, executive director of wellness for faculty and staff, at 315.443.4193.

Employees who work in the United States and have questions regarding Carebridge can learn more on the website or the Carebridge website at using access code is WY6CE.

Survey participants were invited to submit their names for chances at a random wellness drawing. The winners of the survey prizes are:

• Vicki Smith, director of student support services, —, gift bag
• Pete Moore, associate director of athletic communications, —, gift bag
• Rebecca Shaffer Mannion, part time instructor, , introductory personal training program through

For more information or to share feedback on current wellness offerings, contact Gail Grozalis, executive director of wellness programs, atĚý315.443.4193.

For a text version of the above infographic go here.

Honorees at the YWCA “Spirit of American Women” event were, from left: Ana Brickner, Mahella Soavello, Candace Williams, Kimberly Boynton, Liz Liddy and Tatiana Williams.

“Liz and Tatiana have forged new pathways for women through their commitment to STEM education and community service,” says Fanny Villarreal, executive director of the YWCA. “They are strong women who are not afraid to tackle real-world issues and work to solve problems of inequality that still exist in today’s society. We are fortunate to have them in our community.”

Liddy, who received the STEM Enrichment Award, founded and led a software startup company, TextWise, and as CEO grew it to 50 employees, winning the prestigious national Tibbetts Award from U.S. Small Business Administration. She was the founding director of the iSchool’s Center for Natural Language Processing, which advanced the development of human-like language understanding software capabilities for government, commercial, and consumer applications. The holder of eight software patents, Liddy has led 70 research projects, authored more than 110 research papers and given hundreds of conference presentations on her work. Liddy was also the founding faculty advisor of Women in Information Technology (WIT), a student group that supports and mentors female IT students.

Williams, who received the Volunteer of Excellence & Service Award, served as a class marshall at her 2016 Commencement, has dedicated much of her time to community service. She founded a nonprofit volunteer organization called Making a Difference for You (MAD4U) that supports teen moms, and also designed an interactive learning program on argumentation, debate and trial skills for youth in the City of Syracuse. Williams has also earned the Princeton Prize in Race Relations from Princeton University for her volunteer activity.

The Syracuse University employee ticket price is $5 and employees are invited to purchase up to eight tickets at that price with an SU ID. Employees may purchase tickets online through a MyCuse Account using the link , in person at the Dome Box Office or over the phone by calling 315.443.2121 (press 2). The deadline to purchase tickets at the discounted price is Wednesday, Nov. 9. The first 1,000 tickets purchased will be on the lower level of the Dome.

Employees and their guests are invited to the Shaw Quadrangle prior to the game to enjoy the Pride of the Orange Marching Band performance, bounce houses and food and beverage concessions. An Employee Appreciation game day gift and a $5 concessions coupon will be available to the first 1,000 employees who visit the Human Resources tent with an SU ID.

The game day theme is Military Appreciation Day, which will include a celebration of all active and veteran military members throughout the day. Employees can share game day photos on social media for a chance to appear on the Dome videoboard using #Orangenation and #NCSTvsCuse.

Prior to the game, a drawing will be held to invite employees to enjoy the game with guests in a private suite at the Dome.

For questions about Employee Appreciation Day, please call Human Resources Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or email hrservic@syr.edu. For questions about football tickets, please call the Carrier Dome Box Office at 315.443.2121.

Open Enrollment, the annual period when University faculty, staff and other eligible individuals make their benefit choices for the coming year, begins today and continues through Friday, Nov. 11. ĚýThis is the only time of year when you may elect or change your coverage for many benefits, unless you experience a .

A summary , , benefit and other news and information is available on the new Open Enrollment website——just launched by the Office of Human Resources.

Open Enrollment will be conducted online through beginning today. Computer kiosks are available during normal business hours outside the Office of Human Resources in Skytop Office Building to provide additional computer access for online enrollment.

If you have any questions about Open Enrollment or benefits, please contact Human Resources Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or hrservic@syr.edu.

The three policies are designed to accomplish the following:

• adopt a definition of harassment that carefully balances the interests of free speech and expression and the need to provide a safe and respectful campus environment;
• clarify the limited circumstances in which the University may access individual user data on its computer network;
• clarify the rules regarding proper transmission of copyrighted data; and
• consolidate three existing campus posting policies to balance campus infrastructure and enhancements with the free exchange of ideas.

Abby Perer

The University policy process, born from Fast Forward Syracuse, provides for a centralized policy-making process at the University that is intended to improve clarity, consistency and transparency.

The policy website has been updated to include a description of the new policy process, including a standard for developing and submitting requests for new or revised policies. Abby Perer, associate general counsel for litigation and compliance, serves as the University’s policy administrator under the new policy process.

“The Operational Excellence team designed an inclusive process that provides a framework for implementing and maintaining effective University policies,” says Perer. “University policies exist to support a living, learning and working environment that is not only legally compliant, but also safe, respectful and supportive. These goals can only be achieved when members of the University community have a voice in the creation of policies and have insight into their framework and purpose.”

The members of the Policy Advisory Committee include:

• Ellen Hemmerlein, associate general counsel, Office of University Counsel
• Stephen Colicci, director, Office of Audit and Management Advisory Services
• Kristen Jones-Kolod, executive director, Student Affairs
• Abby Perer, associate general counsel, Office of University Counsel
• Can Isik, professor and senior associate dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Sheila Johnson-Willis, interim chief, Equal Opportunity and Title IX officer
• Sarah Scalese, associate vice president, Public Affairs
• Eric Evangelista, president, Student Association
• Rajesh Kumar, president, Graduate Student Organization

Questions or feedback on existing University policies or how to develop a new policy can be directed to Perer at 315.443.8979 or supolicy@syr.edu.

“Syracuse University is home to nearly 5,000 faculty and staff, all of whom play a critical role in providing an exceptional educational experience to the University’s more than 21,000 students,” says Andrew R. Gordon, chief human resources officer and senior vice president. “Our employees help drive student success and the success of the University. Ensuring they are compensated fairly and appropriately for their work is our priority.”

The new is dedicated to providing pertinent FLSA information, as well as the answers to frequently asked questions. Additionally, experienced senior human resource staff are in the process of scheduling a number of meetings with staff and supervisors to discuss what the FLSA regulations mean for their current positions.

In late May, were releasedĚýthat employers, including academic institutions like Syracuse University, must follow in order to comply with FLSA. As part of the new FLSA regulations, some employees may be reclassified from exempt (not eligible for overtime) to non-exempt (eligible for overtime) status based on federal provisions for job classifications. The new regulations take effect Dec. 1.

Under the revised law, eligibility for overtime pay is determined by federal guidelines and certain tests of job duties and pay. This change provided human resources with an opportunity to review, evaluate and identify outdated job classifications, and modernize descriptions and duties associated with specific positions. This rule does not apply to faculty or adjunct faculty.

The University is also creating a new payroll category, which will allow those employees who are reclassified as non-exempt due to the FLSA changes to remain salaried and continue to be paid semi-monthly. This means these employees will not experience a disruption in the timing of their paychecks but will still be eligible for overtime pay when they work more hours.

As previously announced, the University has proactively decided to extend current benefit status for exempt employees who will be reclassified as non-exempt as a result of the changes to the FLSA. This means any staff member who is reclassified as a non-exempt employee under this review will retain the vacation, sick time, disability benefits and parking lot status associated with the exempt classification even if they transfer to another non-exempt position in the future.

Additional information will be forthcoming as the analysis of positions progresses. Employees who have immediate questions about the new regulations or their current benefits are encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resources at 315.443.4042 or via email at hrservic@syr.edu.

While the federal government’s regulatory changes do not take effect until December 1, 2016, the Office of Human Resources has been in ongoing communications with University leaders about the new rule and how it will affect current staff members. This rule does not apply to faculty or adjunct faculty. As part of the new regulations, some employees will be reclassified from exempt (salaried and not eligible for overtime) to non-exempt (eligible for overtime) status based on federal provisions for job classifications.

As the regulation examinations are underway, the University has proactively decided to extend current benefit status for exempt employees who will be reclassified as non-exempt. This means any staff member who is reclassified as a non-exempt employee will retain the vacation, sick time, disability benefits and parking lot status associated with the exempt classification. Moving forward, new employees will be eligible for benefits associated with the position for which they are hired, or reclassified if they move into a different position.

“While this move is not required by the law, this action demonstrates an exceptional commitment to our employees and affords benefit consistency to any transitioning staff,” says Andrew R. Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Our Human Resources team is thoroughly analyzing the Department of Labor’s new job classifications to determine staff members who may now be allowed to receive overtime pay.”

Gordon says that the Human Resources team is continuing to meet with University leadership, including deans, directors and department heads, to interpret the FLSA changes and ensure the University is compliant with all federal regulations.ĚýEmployees who are affected by the new law will be personally notified this fall in advance of the December 1 effective date.

Additional information will be forthcoming as the analysis of positions progresses. Employees who have immediate questions about the new regulations or their current benefits are encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resources at 315.443.4042 or via email at hrservic@syr.edu.

To see highlights of this new change, view this infographic.

The announcement comes after careful consideration of the important and related roles that the offices and functions within Enrollment Management and Student Affairs share to create a highly distinctive student experience at Syracuse University.

The search committee will identify a dynamic, strategic leader to oversee a combined unit with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. The successful candidate will report to the Chancellor and lead the offices and functions within the Enrollment Management and Student Affairs organizations to ensure an integrated engagement strategy for the student experience at Syracuse University.

“By combining these two areas, we seek to ensure that there is a seamless, high-quality experience for our students from the first introduction to Syracuse University through Commencement,” says Chancellor Syverud. “I am appointing a search committee to conduct an expedited, recruitment-focused search over the next couple of months with the assistance of the national search firm Witt Kieffer.”

The committee includes students, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees representatives.

The search committee members are:

• Michele Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost (chair)
• Colleen Bench, associate vice president for student affairs
• Eric Evangelista ’17, Student Association president
• Maurice Harris, dean of admissions
• Judith C. Mower, University Trustee and Chair of Student Affairs Committee
• Amanda Nicholson, associate dean of undergraduate programs, Whitman School

“In sharing this new direction with the leadership of the Enrollment Management and Student Affairs units, I was very pleased with the enthusiasm they expressed over the opportunity this merger presents for providing for greater synergies and partnerships to serve our students,” says Wheatly.

During the search period, each of these units will continue to operate under current leadership.

There will be opportunities for students to ask questions, offer their perspectives and take a survey on potential campus enhancements. Examples of potential fixtures and seating for the University Place Promenade will also be on display at the events for evaluation and input.

The following are the dates and times for the sessions:

Thursday, April 21Ěý

• 2-3:30 p.m.,Ěý Newhouse 1, Room 303
• 6-7:30 p.m., Newhouse 1, Room 303

Friday, April 22

• 2-3:30 p.m., Newhouse 3, Room 141
• 6 -7:30 p.m., Newhouse 3, Room 141

The same information will be shared at each event. CART and ASL will be provided. Individuals with accessibility requests should contact fastforwardsyracuse@syr.edu 48 hours prior to the event.

The Campus Framework plan works in coordination with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan to shape, guide and manage the Syracuse University campus environment and its physical form in support of the University’s mission.

Based on feedback from the University community the following overarching goals for the Campus Framework were identified:

• Support Academic Excellence: Strengthen the global legacy of learning and investigation by creating 21st century academic and research environments across the University.
• Enrich All Aspects of Student Life: Foster student success through a holistic residential experience, engaging student life centers, a comprehensive academic and administrative support network, and a diverse array of health and wellness offerings.
• Create a Vibrant Campus Setting: Continue to enrich the environment with high-quality place-making, buildings and landscapes, distinguished by design excellence.

Additional opportunities for community feedback will be made available throughout the summer.

At the update session, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to hear about the latest status of the Campus Framework and key projects expected to be included in the first phase of the plan. Taking part in the event will be Michael Speaks, dean of the School of Architecture; Dennis Pieprz, principal at Sasaki Associates; members of the Campus Framework Advisory Group; and other University leaders.

Since the beginning of the academic year, Chancellor Kent Syverud, as part of University Senate meetings, has been providing frequent updates about Fast Forward Syracuse, including the Campus Framework. In his most recent update in January, the Chancellor indicated it has been evolving to include some new developments, and that more detailed communication about the Campus Framework would occur later this semester.

Part of , the Campus Framework works in coordination with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan to shape, guide and manage the campus environment and its physical form; identify the relationship between principles and policies, and the issues and places that constitute the campus; determine issues and goals for selection and development of campus building sites; and establish architectural, landscape, parking, utilities, signage, code, zoning and other criteria for developing sites.

The Advisory Group, comprised of faculty, staff and students, has collaborated with , the University’s design partner, to analyze the viability of all current campus structures. The group was also charged with exploring ways to make the Syracuse campus—both inside and outside of the classroom—a better place to live, study and work.

Since the Advisory Group was created in 2014, thousands in the University community have contributed their ideas and insights about the Syracuse University campus through the MyCampus survey, campus meetings and open house events.

Earlier in the process and based on feedback from the University community and as a result of vigorous conversations with key stakeholders, the Advisory Group developed the following overarching goals for the Campus Framework:

Support Academic Excellence: Strengthen the global legacy of learning and investigation by creating 21st century academic and research environments across the University.

Enrich All Aspects of Student Life: Foster student success through a holistic residential experience, engaging student life centers, a comprehensive academic and administrative support network, and a diverse array of health and wellness offerings.

Create a Vibrant Campus Setting: Continue to enrich the environment with high-quality place-making, buildings and landscapes, distinguished by design excellence.

As a long-term plan meant to guide future campus development, the Campus Framework plan is designed to be flexible, incremental and implemented in phases. The phasing plans will be iterative and evolving, and may change in order to accommodate future priorities.

American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Real Time (CART) interpretation will be available for this event. If you have requests for accessibility and accommodations, please contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (EOIRS) office at 315-443-4018.

For more information about the Campus Framework, visit .

The University is partnering with Grainger as a single-source provider for cleaning and industrial supplies.

After a benchmarking and comprehensive request for proposal process, beginning this month the University will partner with as a single-source provider for cleaning and industrial supplies used by Physical Plant and FixIt. Using the existing eProcurement system, supplies and products will now be ordered on demand and be delivered directly to locations around campus, reducing inventory and eliminating the need for a multi-step delivery and sorting process that is less efficient.

There are multiple benefits to the University for adopting this new system, including the consolidation of supplies and products, decreased inventory space, fewer delivery vehicles on campus and reduced landfill waste. This program will also result in a more comprehensive spending analytics from Grainger and a better understanding of product volume, replacement needs and adjusting products that are more frequently used on a “hot list.”

“By adopting a total inventory solutions approach, we’ll be able to enhance Physical Plant and FixIt service, improve delivery times and reduce waste on campus,” says Pete Sala, vice president and chief campus facilities officer. “Grainger’s best-in-class strategies will help us consolidate our supply list, improve ordering processes to keep our facilities up and running, and enhance our ability to manage costs.”

New Hand Dryers Reduce Waste and Save Money

Electric hand dryers will be installed in campus bathrooms beginning this semester to replace paper towel dispensers, thereby reducing environmental waste. According to an Operational Excellence Initiative Team analysis, the estimated annual savings is approximately $120 for each towel dispenser that gets replaced. With nearly 1,100 hand dryers on campus, this savings is expected to reach nearly $130,000.

Ray Kowalski

“The hand dryers selected by our committee help achieve LEED certification in new and remodeled buildings,” says Ray Kowalski, team leader and facilities manager. “Our estimates show that converting to hand dryers will save approximately 50 tons of paper towels each year. This is a win for the University.”

Members of the facilities and supplies initiative team include:

• Sarah Azria, senior budget analyst and team leader
• Ray Kowalski, facilities manager and team leader
• Andrea Nedoshytko, budget analyst
• JD Tessier, Housing
• Laura Lawson, purchasing specialist
• Rick McCormack, Food Services, purchasing specialist
• Tom Benzel, business manager

For more information, contact Director of Purchasing Doug Freeman at 315-443-2038 or dfreema@syr.edu.

The University is taking actions to address concerns raised by faculty, staff and students related to the Travel Policy that recently took effect.

The reconvened has reviewed the Travel and Entertainment Policy and the University’s relationship with BTI and . In addition, the team reviewed the December 2015 survey results and is developing recommendations based on best practices and input from the campus community. During this time of review, and up until its recommendations and any agreed-upon policy changes, the following refinements are effective immediately:

• University travelers will receive a 2-percent discount on all domestic and international Delta Airlines airfares. This volume discount is a preliminary offering as a result of the successful strategic alignment achieved for partnering with a travel service. All airfare usage will be monitored and analyzed through next spring, when additional discounts will be negotiated.
• Travelers may purchase lower-cost airfare on travel websites other than Concur if documentation is provided that verifies lower cost for the exact same flight (i.e., same departure time and location, same arrival time and location, same flight number and same airline).Ěý Documentation from both websites must accompany the travel voucher or credit card reconciliation to support the processing of the expenditure.
• Travelers may reserve lower-cost hotels and car rentals on websites other than Concur if documentation is provided that verifies lower cost for the same type of room and car class (i.e., same dates and locations).Ěý Documentation from both sites must accompany the travel voucher or credit card reconciliation to support the processing of the expenditure.
• Non-refundable airfare will be available through the use of Concur or BTI-assisted travel booking.

“The travel policy team now includes more faculty members and has assigned tasks to subgroups to review the travel survey, the policy and our relationships with BTI and Concur. The insights provided by faculty, students and staff have been very useful,” says Alan Middleton, professor of physics and faculty sponsor of Operational Excellence Travel Initiative Team. “The team welcomes feedback, will provide information about survey results and progress, and will provide further recommendations by the middle of the semester.”

In order to ensure that faculty and staff have sufficient training on how to use the services, additional Concur training sessions have been added through June 2016. The sessions available include:

Wednesday, Jan. 20ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 10–11:30 a.m.ĚýĚýĚý ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 010 Crouse Hinds Hall Auditorium

Wednesday, Feb. 24ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 3:45–5:15 p.m.ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý Maxwell Auditorium

Wednesday, March 9ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 1:30–3:00 p.m.ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 010 Crouse Hinds Hall Auditorium

Wednesday, April 20ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 3:45–5:15 p.m.ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý Maxwell Auditorium

Wednesday, May 18ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 10–11:30 a.m.ĚýĚýĚý ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 010 Crouse Hinds Hall Auditorium

Wednesday, June 15ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 10–11:30 a.m.ĚýĚýĚýĚý ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý 010 Crouse Hinds Hall Auditorium

Attendance at the sessions is voluntary. Pre-registration to attend an information or training session is recommended. To for an information or training session, please complete the

Your assistance in implementing this policy is appreciated.Ěý For more information, the travel policy can be accessed on line at

Questions or feedback regarding the travel policy can be directed to Doug Freeman at 315-443-2038 or dhfreema@syr.edu.

This is also when those eligible for health care or dependent care flexible spending accounts must designate their contributions for the coming year. To review or update benefits, visit and click on the Open Enrollment logo. ĚýIf you have any questions about benefits or the Open Enrollment process, please contact the Human Resources Service Center at 315.443.4042 or hrservic@syr.edu. Detailed benefit information is also available on the .

The new named AT&T the preferred cellular provider and seeks to increase data and plan flexibility, while reducing University costs.

Since July, have identified faculty and staff members whose roles with the University require them to have a University-provided cellular smartphone and/or cellular-embedded tablets or laptops. Consolidating vendors should help the University realize an annual savings of approximately $250,000 and allow for more effective management of data plans.

“We’ve had a good response to the program since the July implementation,” says Al Weinberger, senior director of technical systems and services for the Division of Advancement and External Affairs and a telecom initiative team member. “Moving people toward policy compliance will help manage the mobile device costs dramatically.”

Mobile Devices

Recent campus-wide stakeholder surveys revealed a nearly even split between current cellular providers Verizon and AT&T, resulting in a significant amount of overlap and unused minutes every month. As part of this new policy, the University transitioned to AT&T as the single vendor unless a specific business case can be made for an individual user to use a different carrier. AT&T was selected by the team because of its plan flexibility and greater cost savings potential.

The Telecom Initiative team also created a cellular measuring rubric and usage guideline, which can be found within the policy, to help identify which positions should qualify for a University-provided cellular smartphone and/or a cellular-embedded laptop or tablet. The scoring rubric () has been used by college and department leaders to evaluate their unit’s overall current cellular device costs and whether modifications are necessary.

Sept. 30 is the deadline for the following Telecommunications actions:

• Transition University-provided cell phone number and device to a personally funded cellular plan (for individuals who do not qualify for a University-provided device).
• Transition qualifying cellular users to AT&T through a faculty or staff member’s IT department.
• Eliminate redundant cellular service devices (Utilize one assigned device per person that has cellular service enabled. If a user has a tablet and smart phone, the tablet will utilize the smartphone for Internet connectivity).

For additional information or clarification, or to submit a completed scoring rubric, please contact Al Weinberger at 443-5168.

With the July 23 announcement that the development phase of the Academic Strategic Plan: Trajectory to Excellence is complete, the University will begin to address its institutional priorities and move the University closer to achieving its vision and mission. The plan outlines a structure for institution-wide decision-making while charting a course forward.

Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Liz Liddy, right, chats with staff members during the Day of Conversation earlier this year.

In January, Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Liz Liddy Professor Shiu-Kai Chin as a Provost Faculty Fellow charged with guiding the implementation and developing the Academic Strategic Plan Implementation Oversight Committee. The supported by working groups made up of faculty, staff and students, will focus on several overarching tasks:

• developing specific objectives that result in actions to meet the identified goals within each theme;
• determining criteria for achieving goals and objectives;
• collecting evidence of our effectiveness and progress toward achieving those goals and objectives; and
• continuously assessing goals and recommendations in order to meet emerging challenges and opportunities.

As these tasks are developed, all Academic Strategic Planning processes will be aligned with Middle States Self-Study requirements—an ongoing process that ensures academic quality and accountability for higher education institutions.

Campus Framework

Staff members attend a Sasaki open house.

returned to campus during the summer to continue conversations with campus constituents and local community members.

After listening to input and sharing preliminary ideas with stakeholders, Sasaki Associates will produce its final report this fall.

The Campus Framework provides a roadmap for the future and works in coordination with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan to guide the transformation of Syracuse University’s campus environment in support of the University’s mission.

Operational Excellence

Cross-functional teams, including faculty, staff and students, continue to re-think how the University buys goods and services to fully leverage the purchasing power of “One University” while being good stewards of students’ tuition.

Based on preliminary metrics and results, the campus community has responded positively to new policies. The support and recognition of these new policies and initiatives will help the University operate more efficiently and continue to develop smarter spending practices.

The latest team-led initiative to release its policy recommendation is from the Travel and Entertainment initiative group. In an effort to offer improved service and clear guidelines for all University-funded, sponsored research or grant-funded travel, Syracuse University is implementing a revised travel and entertainment effective Sept. 1. Hundreds of faculty and staff have attended information and training sessions during the summer and additional sessions are planned.

The new policy names , a Syracuse-based independent travel management company, as the University travel management partner for airline tickets, hotels, and car rentals. In addition, the University will implement an online travel portal available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, for domestic and international travel. The new policy applies to faculty, staff and students who travel in official University capacities, both domestic and international, and need to be reimbursed for their expenses.

The new Telecommunications and Mobile Device launched July 1 and is designed to help supervisors identify faculty and staff members whose roles with the University require them to have a University-provided cellular smartphone and/or a cellular-embedded tablets or laptops. The new names AT&T as the preferred cellular provider and seeks to increase data security and plan flexibility, while reducing costs. Consolidating vendors should help the University realize an estimated annual savings of approximately $250,000 and allow for more effective management of data plans.

The Office Supplies Initiative, launched March 1, has identified a preferred vendor, W.B. Mason, for all purchases through the Purchasing Office’s online market place, eProcurement. Purchases of office paper must be made through the Office of Materials Distribution, the University’s central warehouse department. Since its launch, measures have been instituted to track savings and ensure service continues to meet quality standards. Projected savings for this initiative are approximately $128,000 in FY16.

A for purchasing new printers and copiers also went into effect March 1 to lower costs, and promote security and sustainability. The Purchasing Office has encouraged faculty and staff members to partner with their IT departments to make appropriate equipment selections that is estimated to result in a projected savings of $134,000 in FY16.

What’s Ahead

As the Academic Strategic Plan moves ahead with its implementation phase, Oversight Committee members—a mix of faculty, staff and students—has convened to begin the next phase of action and develop specific objectives. Sasaki Associates will issue a final report this fall. New policies and processes that will achieve cost savings and improve efficiencies on campus are the focus of the Operational Excellence program. The Travel and Entertainment Policy will continue information and training sessions to prepare for the Sept. 1 launch. Initiatives for facilities supplies and lab supplies have made significant progress over the past few months. Expect to hear more as these initiatives finalize analysis and business cases during the fall semester.

For more information on the Fast Forward Syracuse program visit .

Representatives who will be available to talk about policies are:

Printers and Copiers: Susan Joyner, senior purchasing specialist (20 minutes)

Office Supplies: Karla Salmonsen, purchasing specialist (20 minutes)

Telecommunications: Al Weinberger, senior director of technical systems and services for Advancement and External Affairs (20 minutes)

Questions are welcome during this session. Faculty or staff members should discuss immediate questions with their supervisor about the policies or visit the Syracuse University policy .

The new policy applies to faculty, staff and students who travel in official University capacities, both domestic and international, and need to be reimbursed for their expenses.

The Concur online system is now and ready for travelers to self-register. Individuals who travel for the University must create a travel profile with Concur by Sept.1 in order to book travel. Travel arrangers also need to self-register and complete their travel profile in order for a traveler to authorize them to book travel on their behalf.

There are five easy steps to get set up in Concur:

• Visit the user registration in Concur and enter your contact information.
• Receive a welcome email from Concur with your login name.Ěý A second email will follow with a Password Reset Request.
• Complete a traveler profile with all required information, including emergency contact information, frequent flyer or rewards program information and travel preferences.
• Save the profile you’ve created. This information will also synch into the BTI agent reservation system.
• Start booking travel arrangements. Individuals may use Concur to book travel prior to Sept. 1.

Additional information and training sessions were added to include Sponsored Travel-specific information. The sessions available include:

Attendance at all of the sessions is not required. Pre-registration to attend an information or training session is recommended. To for an information or training session, please complete the .

To request accommodations/ASL/CART, call 315-443-2281 or email at purchase@syr.edu at least 72 hours in advance of information or training sessions.

Questions about this specific policy can be directed to Douglas Freeman at 315-443-2038 or dhfreema@syr.edu.

For more information, the travel policy can be read and includes frequently asked questions, resources for individuals to learn more, and a list of non-reimbursable expenses.

Human Resources hosts on campus office hours for personalized discussions about retirement readiness and VSIP benefits.

“The session was extremely informative, answering many questions, giving us deadlines, providing resources both online and in person,” says Laurie L. Deyo, graduate admissions coordinator/adjunct faculty in the School of Education. “I walked away with a sense of relief, not that every question was yet answered, but knowing there are professionals who understand our concerns, have the information we need and are so incredibly willing to help guide us during this time of decision making.”

In an ongoing effort, Human Resources, with support from and others, continues to offer campus to ensure that eligible staff have access to the information necessary to make their decision about electing the VSIP benefits before the Wednesday, Aug. 5, deadline.

The office hours are not mandatory but are designed to give staff eligible for the VSIP an opportunity to discuss their individual circumstances and personal financial situations, one on one, with representatives from HR and TIAA-CREF. The three-hour blocks of open time are also staffed by human resource professionals who can provide complimentary career coaching, résumé and cover letter advice, help with creating and managing your online presence via and other social media networks, as well as and other for individuals exploring new professional opportunities. Private consultations can also be arranged.

Human Resources encourages anyone nearing retirement and those eligible for the VSIP to take advantage of the variety of resources available on campus throughout the month of July.

For more about retirement readiness or VSIP benefits, contact the HR Service Center at hrservic@syr.edu or 315-443-4042.

Based in Brockton, Mass., and founded in 1898, W.B. Mason is the largest independent office supplier in the United States, with over 45 locations across the country, including Syracuse. Under the new agreement, most items will be discounted 40-60 percent off list prices.

“The local account management, customer service and distribution will enable W.B. Mason to service Syracuse University quickly, efficiently and with personalized support,” says Anne Flaherty, assistant director of purchasing and real estate for the University. “We’ve been working to make the transition as seamless as possible for Syracuse users.”

Key Points in the Transition to W.B. Mason

• On July 1, W.B. Mason will replace Staples on E-PRO, which has been the preferred method for purchasing office supplies. Staples will no longer be recognized as a preferred supplier for the University.
• University chart-strings will remain the same for existing users.
• Next-day delivery service will remain in place.
• The current $40 minimum order will be eliminated.
• There is a dedicated customer support team for University users.

For additional information, contact Karla Salmonsen in the University Purchasing Office at 315-443-4074 or via email at kjsalmon@syr.edu.

The new policy names , a Syracuse-based independent travel management company, as the University travel management partner for airline tickets, hotels and car rentals. In addition, the University will adopt Concur, an online travel portal that’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for domestic and international travel. The new policy applies to faculty, staff and students who travel in official University capacities, both domestic and international, and need to be reimbursed for their expenses.

Based on historical travel expenses of the University, it is expected this new policy will realize savings of $2 million annually. Once the policy is in effect, measurements will be incorporated into the initiative to ensure the University is achieving the most competitive rates for its travelers.

According to several benchmarking efforts led by the Fast Forward Syracuse travel and entertainment , a number of large, private, research institutions have instituted a mandated travel policy to improve efficiencies and are utilizing Concur as their software tool for online travel booking. By partnering with BTI and implementing Concur to facilitate flexible online booking, University travelers will have access to a 24-hour-a-day travel assistance, achieve immediate cost savings and reduce administrative burden. In addition, the policy allows for accurate volume data collection for the University to obtain further discounted airline rates for the future. Previously, there was no formal, standardized location to offer assistance to University departments and travelers.

“A revised travel policy will offer concise, one-stop travel assistance that allows the University to achieve greater negotiated rates with preferred vendors,” says Douglas Freeman, director of purchasing and real estate and initiative team manager. “The addition of per diem options, which are daily allowances for expenses, will create more efficiencies and flexibility for travelers.”

In order to communicate the revised policy and new procedures to the campus community, multiple training and information sessions will be held over the next three months to prepare travelers and system users for the changes:

Attendance at all of the sessions is not required. The same information will be provided in each BTI/Concur session. Pre-registration to attend an information or training session is recommended. To for an information or training session, please complete the .

To request accommodations/ASL/CART, at least 72 hours in advance of information or training sessions, call 315-443-2281 or email at purchase@syr.edu.

Questions about this specific policy can be directed to Douglas Freeman at 315-443-2038 or dhfreema@syr.edu.

For more information, the travel policy can be read and includes frequently asked questions, resources for individuals to learn more, and a list of non-reimbursable expenses.

The new policy seeks to increase data security and plan flexibility, while reducing costs.

On the recommendation of the Telecommunications , the University will adopt a new Telecommunications and Mobile Devices Policy on July 1.

The new names AT&T the preferred cellular provider and seeks to increase data security and plan flexibility, while reducing costs.

The development of a campus-wide policy will result in effective and consistent distribution and use of cell phones, cellular-embedded tablets and laptops. The new policy will help supervisors identify faculty and staff members whose roles with the University require them to have a University-provided cellular smartphone and/or a cellular-embedded tablets or laptops. Consolidating vendors should help the University realize an annual savings of approximately $250,000 and allow for more effective management of data plans.

“Through our information gathering with faculty and staff over the past several months, the Telecom Initiative Team discovered a substantial savings opportunity,” says Al Weinberger, senior director of technical systems and services for the Division of Advancement and External Affairs and a telecom initiative team member. “This is a good policy for the University to implement and another way for faculty and staff to be good stewards of students’ tuition dollars.”

Mobile Devices

Campus-wide stakeholder surveys revealed a nearly even split between current cellular providers Verizon and AT&T, resulting in a significant amount of overlap and unused minutes every month. As part of this new policy, the University will transition to AT&T as the single vendor unless a specific business case can be made for an individual user to use a different carrier. AT&T was selected by the team because of its plan flexibility and greater cost savings potential.

The Telecom Initiative team also created a cellular measuring rubric and usage guideline, which can be found within the policy, to help identify which positions should qualify for a University-provided cellular smartphone and/or a cellular-embedded laptop or tablet. Beginning in June, the scoring rubric will be used by college and department leaders to evaluate their unit’s overall current cellular device costs and whether modifications are necessary.

Landlines

The Initiative Team also spent six months analyzing and investigating opportunities for cost savings in the use of landlines. The team discovered many faculty and staff members no longer rely on a traditional landline for communication. As a result, the University is initiating a voluntary effort to reduce the number of underutilized landline handsets that currently exist. Individuals who have a University-provided cellular device will be asked to fully assess their actual use of their landline and discontinue it if possible.

An information session will be held on Wednesday, June 3, in the Hall of Languages, Room 500, from noon- 1 p.m. for faculty and staff members to learn more about this new policy. Faculty or staff members should discuss immediate questions with their supervisor or visit the policy .

Next Steps

June 3: Faculty/Staff Information Session, Hall of Languages, Room 500, noon- 1 p.m. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available.

Now – July 1: Department leaders will use the scoring rubric to evaluate their unit’s overall current cellular device costs and whether modifications are necessary.

July 1 – Sept. 30: Users who will transition off a University-provided cell phone will have a grace period to transfer the number and device to a personally funded cellular plan.

July 1 – Sept. 30: Transition qualifying cellular users to AT&T through a faculty or staff member’s IT department.

July 1 – Sept. 30: Within the pool of employees with approved University-sponsored cellular devices, supervisors will evaluate (with input from budget managers, directors, etc.) the requirement of a landline. Where there is no requirement, supervisors can/may voluntarily discontinue landline service.

July 1 – Sept. 30: Eliminate redundant cellular service devices (Utilize one assigned device per person that has cellular service enabled. If a user has a tablet and smart phone, the tablet will utilize the smartphone for Internet connectivity).

Ongoing: Continue to utilize cellular rubric for new and transferring employees. Measure and manage talk minutes, data usage and text usage to achieve cost savings and improve efficiencies.

This event is part of the continuing campus conversations with students, faculty and staff to learn more about the Academic Strategic Plan and share feedback on its progress. The event is co-sponsored by the University Senate and Fast Forward Syracuse. From research to discovery to preliminary ideas—the Academic Strategic Plan will define the University’s vision and strategic direction, detail the University’s priorities and identify specific actions that build on the University’s strengths.

All three discussions will include remarks by Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Liz Liddy and the seven working groups and will offer an opportunity for those attending to join the conversation.

from on .

The Academic Strategic Plan is one of the components of

Fast Forward Syracuse is a multi-year process with several planning and implementation goals:

1. creation of a Strategic Plan to lay out a common vision for Syracuse and clear investment in priority areas
2. development of a Campus Master Plan to address the University’s infrastructure needs to support a dynamic academic environment
3. implementation of the Operational Excellence Program to ensure the financial health of the University and help us operate more efficiently and effectively

Chancellor Kent Syverud is adding more than 20 seats on Fast Forward Syracuse work teams to provide additional undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to participate in the University-wide initiative. All three Fast Forward Syracuse components—the Strategic Plan, Campus Master Plan and Operational Excellence—will have additional space for student participants. Consideration will be given first to students who have previously submitted their contact information and expressed an interest in joining a work team. Students who are interested should email a resume or statement of interest to fastforwardsyracuse@syr.edu by Dec. 10.

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Strategic Plan

With the help of the campus community, teams are working on a shared vision for the University and identifying clear academic priorities needed to achieve that vision. The Strategic Plan prioritizes the University as a whole—rather than focusing on specific schools, colleges, departments and support units, and it is intended to serve as a vehicle by which the University becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

An integral part of the Strategic Plan is the development of the University’s Vision and Mission statements. In order to address recent concerns, the team has extended the one-month period to invite feedback from the campus community on the University’s proposed Vision and Mission statements. The new feedback period follows to the campus community in September and October that included campus-wide emails, consultation with student government bodies and two open fora.

To read the latest iterations of the proposed Vision and Mission statements, as revised by the Strategic Plan Steering Committee in October, please . Comments are welcome and encouraged until Dec. 13.

The Strategic Plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees for its consideration and approval in May 2015, after which it will become a “living plan” with routine assessment of progress toward key objectives and regular revision to account for changes in our environment.

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Campus Master Plan

The goal of the Campus Master Plan is to create a strategic framework and to equip the University with the building blocks it needs to agilely respond to changing circumstances. This plan identifies projects that launch the University toward its long-term vision in a realistic and meaningful way. It also reinforces an effective planning process, driven by principles and data, that integrates multiple variables so that new campus scenarios can emerge as needed. Successful planning and implementation include ideas about learning and research; place and environment; people and collaboration.Ěý They combine academic, financial and physical considerations to create urban design ideas that represent high-value capital investment opportunities that excite broad and diverse stakeholder groups.Ěý Further, the goal must be to ensure that mission drives the physical environment.

As previously announced, Syracuse University has partnered with to assist with campus planning and identify guidelines to better support the University’s academic and research mission. In October, more than 3,000 students, faculty and staff participated in an interactive mapping survey to help Sasaki Associates understand the nature of campus today and how it should develop and thrive for future use. Respondents cited a general sentiment of satisfaction with dining and on-campus housing options. Personal safety, parking and shuttle system were clear sources of concern. Survey results were shared with the community at campus meetings on Oct. 28. To watch the presentation and learn more about the MyCampus survey findings, .

Operational Excellence

Under Operational Excellence, the University is evaluating opportunities to deliver better levels of service to students, faculty and staff to improve the overall effectiveness of the University, and be good stewards of our students’ tuition dollars. The program embodies Chancellor Syverud’s belief that tuition should not fund administrative costs that do not provide direct value to students.

The Program Management Office (PMO) serves as the umbrella office coordinating and supporting the work of teams from across the campus that are focusing on achieving cost savings in such already-identified areas as procurement, business processes, development, office supplies, travel and human resources. The PMO has the responsibility to coordinate, track and monitor the implementation of administrative cost savings that will be reinvested in University priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan.

Now Fast Forward Syracuse work teams are zeroing in on the most promising areas to achieve immediate cost savings for the University. They are starting to design the actual process changes required to realize savings. The work on two of the 14 initiative teams is furthest along and cost savings to the University will begin to be realized in FY15. Additional communications will be announced shortly.

Printers and Copiers: With an installed base of about 2,000 printers and 400 copiers, the University will benefit from creating a campus purchasing policy, improving network security and standardizing the purchasing process. Specifically, the Printers and Copiers work team recommends standardizing printers and renegotiating contracts with preferred suppliers to enable the University to get the most from its spending. Using information to make better-informed decisions will provide long-term advantages and enable more sustainable use of printing devices and mobile print options down the road. Additional details will be forthcoming.

Office Supplies: The Office Supply work team is examining how the University can reduce office supply expenses, while maintaining choice and service levels. After listening to feedback from focus groups and benchmarking with peer universities, the team recommends faculty and staff take advantage of specially negotiated discounts available through its online market place. This process allows the Purchasing Department to more efficiently manage commonly used items and saves employees’ time spent comparison shopping. Additional details and instructions will be announced shortly.

These are just two examples of how teams are working to realize cost savings for the entire campus and help streamline operations so that we can allocate resources to better serve students.

The University is entering an important phase of its administrative reorganization and has focused on administrative structures and areas identified in the Innovation and Opportunities Assessment; it is not focused on academic programming, faculty affairs or classroom activities.

As mentioned above, teams are working first to streamline operations and reduce non-personnel costs (for example, the goods and services the University buys) because it’s the most direct way to manage costs without impacting personnel. Teams are also reviewing our administrative structures and looking for ways of reorganizing and being more efficient.

Since last summer, University leaders and administrative officers have been asked to reimagine their organizations based on best practices, peer institution reviews and changing needs. These teams are giving thoughtful analysis and insights into designing changes to better serve our students, manage our costs and focus on our priorities. Through this process, the University is being extremely careful not to make changes that in any way reduce levels of service to students. No specific savings percentages will be applied across the University. Any changes made will be based on the current, unique situation of each college or administrative unit.

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What’s Ahead

The Program Management team is set to launch a refreshed Fast Forward Syracuse web site and continue to partner with campus communications channels to invite collaboration, insights and communicate progress. Further information about Strategic Plan priorities and work team progress will be shared. Sasaki Associates will return to campus and conduct focus groups and continue to learn about the University and its campus needs. Additional details about the Office Supplies and Printers and Copiers initiatives will be announced with further details about process updates and policy changes.

Every effort will be made to ensure there are ongoing opportunities for the University community to be engaged in a shared dialogue. In the coming months, faculty, staff and students may notice an increased volume of surveys soliciting input. Your participation is optional and voluntary, but encouraged to help teams focus their efforts and help the University operate more effectively and efficiently. To submit an idea, inquire about joining a work team, review the Vision or Mission statements, or read the latest updates, visit .

The same information and survey results will be shared at each meeting.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 from noon-1 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel

OR

Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 4-5 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel

Please choose the meeting time that best accommodates your schedule. Thank you for your time and interest in the Campus Master Plan, one of the components of

Components of Sasaki’s work include identification of how the physical environment can support student and residential life; a study of existing space use to inform capital prioritization; management of University assets and real estate, including growth, contraction and deferred maintenance; a series of physical planning scenarios; a mobility study of paths and pedestrian movement; an energy and infrastructure study; design guidance for the physical environment; and aspects of campus safety, security and emergency planning.

Beginning this week, Sasaki Associates plans a number of interviews with the University community, including open discussions, targeted meetings intended to explore how Syracuse’s mission can drive the physical environment and general observations about the campus, and voluntary surveys to understand where collaborations exist across campus that might inform space planning, the nature of campus today and how it should develop in the future.ĚýThe firm will also be gathering information from the University, including space utilization data, campus maps and facilities analyses. Additional opportunities will be provided to the campus community to meet with the firm during the campus master planning process.

Fast Forward Syracuse is a University-wide strategic, transformative and collaborative initiative that allows the University community to build on its widely recognized strengths, improve in such key areas as the undergraduate experience and research, embrace change and prioritize students as the primary focus of everything the University does.

To learn more about Fast Forward Syracuse, visit .

Monday, Oct. 6, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 010 Crouse-Hinds Hall

Attendees are invited to share their input/statements.

The Strategic Plan working groups are:

1. Undergraduate excellence: Providing a world-class undergraduate experience inside and outside the classroom and achieving strong outcomes.
2. Strategically focused research and doctoral programs: Targeted investment to achieve excellence and impact in areas of great opportunity.
3. Leadership in veterans and military affairs: Building on history and opportunity to achieve national leadership in research, teaching and support.
4. Enhancing internationalization: Leveraging internationalization on campus and in the world, in teaching and in research to create a stronger, more relevant University.
5. Change: innovation and institutional renewal: Establishing the culture, structures and mechanisms to ensure that Syracuse University undergoes productive change.
6. Student- and faculty-centered operations: Ensuring that University units and operations prioritize the student experience and faculty productivity.
7. Professional program excellence: Providing distinctive professional programs, including master’s programs, online programs, executive education, certificate programs and other
   initiatives that prepare students and professionals to become leaders.

Fast Forward Syracuse is a University-wide initiative to provide the key strategic direction and framework for propelling the University forward, fostering academic and operational excellence, and meeting the challenges ahead.

More than 500 people attended a Town Hall meeting with Chancellor Kent Syverud and 15 members of the Fast Forward Syracuse Committees on Sept. 22. Many questions were asked by faculty, staff and students to learn more about the University-wide initiative. A video of the Town Hall can be viewed

What’s happening?

Strategic Plan

With the help of the campus community, teams are working on a shared vision for the University and identifying clear academic priorities needed to achieve that vision. The Strategic Plan prioritizes the University as a whole—rather than focusing on specific schools, colleges, departments and support units—and it is intended to serve as a vehicle by which the University becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Engagement at every level is crucial to the development of the Strategic Plan. In the , seven Strategic Plan working groups were announced to the campus community. The Steering Committee has finalized the team members from a broad representation of faculty, staff and students and identified the responsibilities of each group.

The full membership of the Working Groups and their charges can be read

The has also released draft vision and mission statements that reflect the University’s history and strengths as an institution, as well as its ambition. The University vision and mission statement drafts are open to all for comment and input on the of the Fast Forward Syracuse web site through Oct. 1. They will be finalized and submitted to the Chancellor and Board of Trustees for approval at their November meeting. It is necessary to complete this part of the strategic planning process first so that the Working Groups and the Steering Committee can use the vision and mission as jumping off points for their work. The Working Groups are reaching out broadly across the campus community to gather additional, more specific information relevant to their charges.

Two Open Fora are scheduled to fuel discussion and provide the University community with the opportunity to share ideas about possible directions to pursue. Members of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee will attend and listen carefully to ideas that are shared.

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 4-5:30 p.m., Maxwell Auditorium

Monday, Oct. 6, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 010 Crouse-Hinds Hall

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Campus Master Plan

The is evaluating how to revitalize the campus physical environment to better support the University’s academic and research mission. Elements of this plan include a series of physical planning scenarios, a mobility study of paths and pedestrian movement, an energy and infrastructure study and aspects of our campus safety and emergency planning. Three architectural planning firms presented to the Advisory Group and a final selection of the firm will be made in October.

Following the selection of the firm, next steps include meetings to provide campus constituents the opportunity to provide input, comments and concerns about how the University’s physical spaces meet the needs of the University community.Ěý The firm will also be gathering large amounts of information from the University, including space utilization data, campus maps and facilities analyses.

Operational Excellence

One of the goals of Operational Excellence is to thoughtfully analyze and improve core activities and processes to help the University operate more effectively and efficiently. Since the Summer Progress Update, teams of Syracuse employees have begun to design changes that will better serve students, faculty, and staff and drive savings for reinvestment in University priorities that will be outlined in the Strategic Plan.

ĚýĚýĚý A team is working to pool our purchases of office supplies to get better prices.

ĚýĚýĚý A team is designing smarter travel policies and proceduresĚýthat will save money and make travel planning and reconciliationĚýeasier for all travelers​

ĚýĚýĚý A team is optimizing our printer and copier purchasing to leverage our size with vendors

ĚýĚýĚý A team is designing a new policy process that will better inform and empower employees

ĚýĚýĚý A team is evaluating our bookstore’s ability to better meet student and the University’s needs

ĚýĚýĚý A team is designing a new way to track and manage our outreach to alumni and donors

ĚýĚýĚý A team is working to reduce the burden associated with sponsored research administration

ĚýĚýĚý A team is looking at speeding up common human resources processes

ĚýĚýĚý Several pilot teams are redesigning their organizations to be more effective and efficient

More than 80 faculty, staff and students are involved on initiative teams and have reached out across campus to ensure that multiple perspectives are being considered on these initiatives. Team members will be posted on the web site shortly. Members of the campus community—more than 200 individuals―have provided input on potential solutions. Incorporating ideas from the people who actually perform core business practices will help outcomes improve effectiveness and create authentic change.

What’s ahead?

The University community is invited to attend Strategic Plan Open Fora meetings—Sept. 30 and Oct. 6―to invite discussion and provide an opportunity to share ideas about the Strategic Plan, one of the components of Fast Forward Syracuse.

Work is also underway to refine the Fast Forward Syracuse web site to provide more content, working team participants and information to the campus community.Ěý In the coming months, faculty, staff and students may notice an increased volume of surveys soliciting input.Ěý Your participation is optional and voluntary, but encouraged to help teams focus their efforts and help the University operate more effectively and efficiently.

The Program Management team will provide updates about Fast Forward Syracuse to invite collaboration, insights, and communicate progress. To submit an idea, review the Vision or Mission statement, or read the latest updates, visit .

The college also welcomed its third incoming class of foreign-educated lawyers and legal scholars to its Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Law program. The LL.M. program will enroll 20 students in the fall semester and two students in the spring semester, representing the legal education systems of Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada, China, Argentina, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Togo, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Uzbekistan.

The J.D. class of 2017 outside Hendricks Chapel

“We are excited to welcome this year’s J.D. and LL.M. students to our new home, Dineen Hall. They represent one of our strongest credentialed and most accomplished classes in recent history and they will benefit from what is available to them in our state-of-the-art facility,” says Nikki Laubenstein, director of admissions for the College of Law.

Following a formal opening convocation ceremony at Hendricks Chapel, orientation session topics included faculty panel discussions, sessions on professional development and building professional networks, wellness programming, managing finances and small group meetings with distinguished alumni who return to campus to discuss legal career paths.ĚýA question and answer session for family members with Senior Assistant Dean for Student Life Tomás Gonzalez was again part of this year’s program.

Law students conclude orientation with a community service project at the Matthew 25 Farm in Tully, and assist in the harvest and preparation for food distribution to local food banks.

Entering J.D. students come from 28 states and the LL.M. class represents students from 14 countries. The average student age is 24 and the range in age spans 30 years. Females represent 38 percent of the first-year J.D. class, while students of color account for 19 percent.ĚýClose to 50 percent of the students are non-New York State residents representing 114 undergraduate colleges and universities; 10 percent have advanced degrees.

This update details progress since the June 24 announcement and launch of Fast Forward Syracuse and its three interrelated components: a Strategic Plan, a Campus Master Plan and an Operational Excellence Program.

In recent weeks, faculty, staff and students, as well as other key stakeholders, have all provided critical input to advance this initiative. As the higher education landscape becomes more competitive, the University must anticipate and respond to the changing needs of our students, faculty and staff. As we look ahead, together we can set the University on a financially sustainable path toward academic and research excellence and provide a road map to guide future investments.

Continued opportunities for campus community members to engage and provide feedback will coincide with the start of the new academic year. Among the many options for collaboration and discussion will be an initial Fast Forward Syracuse Town Hall meeting led by Chancellor Kent Syverud in September.

What’s happening?

Fast Forward Syracuse: Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan will set a framework for the University over the next decade to advance its quality, excellence, reputation and relevance. It will define the University’s goals and strategic direction, detail the University’s priorities and identify specific actions to pursue and investments that should be made. While it will be an all-University plan, its focus will be on teaching/learning and research/discovery—with the undergraduate and graduate student experience at its core.

The strategic planning process itself will be broadly participatory, providing members of the University community—inclusive of volunteer leadership, alumni, faculty, staff and students—an opportunity to be heard about the future direction of the University. The plan will prioritize the University as a whole—rather than focusing on the various schools, colleges, departments and support units—and it will serve as a vehicle by which the University, ultimately, can be greater than the sum of its parts.

The steering committee will be facilitated by Vice Chancellor Eric Spina with additional representatives from the campus community. They will engage with Chancellor Syverud and a small group of Trustees comprising the Board of Trustees Governing Council to ensure that the ultimate outcome is consistent with expectations for a plan that is bold, responsive to the dynamic higher education environment, sets clear priorities and aims for distinctive excellence for the University. The Strategic Plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees for their consideration and approval in May 2015, after which it will become a “living plan” with routine assessment of progress toward key objectives, and regular revision to account for changes in our environment.

The following individuals are members of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee:

• Jean-Francois Bedard, associate professor, School of Architecture
• Mehrzad Boroujerdi, professor, Maxwell School
• Lorraine Branham, professor and dean, Newhouse School
• Lisa Dolak, Angela S. Cooney Professor, College of Law
• Charles Driscoll, University Professor, Engineering & Computer Science
• Boris Gresely ’15, undergraduate student; president, Student Association
• Daryl Gross, director of athletics
• Marcelle Haddix, associate professor, School of Education
• Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for Veterans and Military Affairs
• Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, senior vice President and dean of Student Affairs
• Ken Kavajecz, professor and dean, Whitman School
• Ian MacInnes, associate professor, iSchool
• Cristina Marchetti, William R. Kenan Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
• Louis Marcoccia, executive vice president and chief financial officer
• Katie McDonald, associate professor, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics/BBI
• Patrick Neary, graduate student; president, Graduate Student Organization
• Chris Sedore, senior vice president for Enrollment Management
• Eric Spina, vice chancellor and provost
• Andria Costello Staniec, Associate Provost for Academic Programs
• Amanda Eubanks Winkler, associate professor, art & music history; chair, Humanities Council
• Ralph Zito, professor and chair, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Jeff Kaplan, senior advisor to the Chancellor, ex officio

Staff members to the committee will include:

• Libby Barlow, assistant vice president for Institutional Research and Assessment
• Carol Boll, writer/researcher, Public Affairs
• Andy Clark, senior associate vice president, Operational Excellence Program Office
• Jerry Edmonds, director, Project Advance
• Jaclyn D. Grosso, executive director, Operational Excellence Program Office
• Sara Wason, executive director, Foundation Relations

The Steering Committee will soon charge seven working groups to develop recommendations and strategies for the key areas identified below. The working groups will rely on input from all University constituents, as well as their own experiences and information about the broader higher education environment.

The working groups are:

1. Undergraduate excellence: Providing a world-class undergraduate experience inside and outside the classroom and achieving strong outcomes.
2. Strategically focused research and doctoral programs: Targeted investment to achieve excellence and impact in areas of great opportunity.
3. Leadership in veterans and military affairs: Building on history and opportunity to achieve national leadership in research, teaching and support.
4. Enhancing internationalization: Leveraging internationalization on campus and in the world, in teaching and in research to create a stronger, more relevant University.
5. Change: innovation and institutional renewal: Establishing the culture, structures and mechanisms to ensure that Syracuse University undergoes productive change.
6. Student- and faculty-centered operations: Ensuring that University units and operations prioritize the student experience and faculty productivity.
7. Professional program excellence: Providing distinctive professional programs, including master’s programs, online programs, executive education, certificate programs and other initiatives that prepare students and professionals to become leaders.

The charges to these working groups and their members will be released next week. Additional opportunities for the campus community to provide input will be announced shortly.

Fast Forward Syracuse: Campus Master Plan

In July, the Campus Master Plan Advisory Group met with Chancellor Syverud to discuss the physical environment and explore how it can best support the University’s academic and research mission, residential life and overall infrastructure.

The Campus Master Plan Advisory Group is composed of the following members:

• Chancellor Kent Syverud
• Julia Czerniak, professor, School of Architecture
• Steven L. Einhorn, Board of Trustees (Advisory Group Chair)
• Winston C. Fisher, Board of Trustees
• Melanie Gray, Board of Trustees
• Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, senior vice president for Student Affairs
• Sam Leitermann, G’14, internal vice president, Graduate Student Organization
• Daniela Lopez ’15, vice president of the Student Association
• Louis Marcoccia, executive vice president and chief financial officer
• Cathryn Newton, dean emerita and professor, College of Arts and Sciences
• Corinne Smith, professor, School of Education
• Michael Speaks, dean and professor, School of Architecture
• Andria Costello Staniec, associate provost for Academic Programs
• Eddie Zaremba, G’13 Whitman School, co-president of the Disability Student Union

In addition, two staff members to the Advisory Group have been identified:

• Eric Beattie, director, Campus Planning, Design, and Construction
• Nicci Brown, vice president, Communications and Chief Marketing Officer

To assist with some of the elements and planning scenarios, the University identified 13 architectural planning firms to submit a Request for Quote (RFQ). Based on the responses from the national firms, three were invited to campus on July 30 to review current pedestrian walkways and vehicle interfaces, campus safety and lighting, and the overall campus environment.

The Campus Master Plan Advisory Group will reconvene at the end of August to hear presentations by the three firms and their planning recommendations for next steps.

There will be numerous opportunities for campus community members to learn more and provide feedback about the planning recommendations.

Fast Forward Syracuse: Operational Excellence

Work on the Operational Excellence program officially began in July to evaluate the University’s approach to organizational design, purchasing practices and common business processes. The goals of the program are to enhance the University’s overall effectiveness; to make Syracuse a better place to learn and work; and to achieve a $5 million recurring annual savings over a multi-year period—funds that will be utilized to invest in the priorities identified in the Strategic Planning process. Initially, the program will focus on administrative structures and areas identified in the Innovation and Opportunities Assessment; it is not focused on academic programming, faculty affairs or classroom activities.

Led by Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and President Jeff Kaplan, the program is guided by the and managed by the Program Management Office (PMO), which Kaplan oversees and which will serve as the hub of all activity related to Fast Forward Syracuse.

Eight initial teams, representing faculty and staff in both the schools and colleges and the central administration, have formed and are working to design enhancements in important areas of campus operations. As part of this work, the University is reviewing its administrative organization structures across campus to increase effectiveness and reduce complexity.

Highlights from this summer’s work include:

• Three cross-functional teams of faculty and staff are now working to change the way the University buys goods and services to better leverage its collective buying power. The initial focus is on designing policies to ensure the best possible value when purchasing printers, copiers, office supplies and travel services.
• Three cross-department teams are working to enhance, automate, and streamline some of the most critical processes: sponsored research, coordination of alumni relations and fundraising activities, and our core human resources processes.
• Several departments have begun organizational reviews, which will continue through the rest of the calendar year. The leaders of each unit at the University (for example, a dean or head of a central administrative department) will lead the review of their unit with support from the Program Management Office. This review will consider the structure of non-faculty support functions; review of faculty organizational structures will occur after and be informed by the strategic planning process.
• Finally, three University staff members will assume new roles this week as they help fully launch the PMO for Fast Forward Syracuse.
  • Andrew Clark has been named senior associate vice president and operational excellence program manager. In his new role, Clark will be responsible for guiding the day-to-day activities of the Operational Excellence Program.
  • Jaclyn Donati Grosso has been named executive director for communications and public relations for Fast Forward Syracuse. Grosso will set and guide the strategy for all communications related to the initiative and will inform and educate the University community about the initiative.
  • Beverly Everding is the executive assistant for the Program Management Office. Everding will support the day-to-day administrative functions and serve as the principal point of contact for the University community.

The Program Management Office is responsible for gathering ideas and input from across campus; providing support to individuals, schools and departments undergoing or desiring change; and reporting to the Executive Committee, Chancellor and Trustees on the progress of the initiative.

What’s ahead?

Since launching Fast Forward Syracuse, many faculty, staff and student ideas and suggestions have been submitted to the website and are being considered for implementation.

Faculty, staff and students have also joined working teams. These teams—made up of a broad spectrum of carefully considered faculty, staff and student volunteers—will design the solutions and the plans to implement them. Although specifics of the program will unfold more fully this fall and into the next year, the University community can first expect changes in operational areas, including facilities planning, human resource processes, purchasing processes, fundraising processes and organization design.

Moving forward, every effort will be made to ensure there are ongoing opportunities for the University community to be engaged in a shared dialogue. Further information about Strategic Plan priorities and work team participation will be shared. The Campus Master Plan Advisory Group will also communicate objectives and recommendations for the overall campus environment. The Program Management team will provide updates about Fast Forward Syracuse to invite collaboration, insights and communicate progress. The participation of faculty and staff—from idea submission on the Fast Forward Syracuse website to participation on working teams—is highly encouraged. To submit an idea, volunteer for a work team or read the latest updates, visit .

Matthew Holmes

Holmes was raised in a small town in northern Wisconsin. He received a bachelor of arts in political science from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. While at Carthage, Holmes developed an interest in law school and trial advocacy as a member of the Mock Trial team, where he won multiple top-attorney and best-advocate awards.

Upon graduating from Carthage, Holmes decided to attend Syracuse University because he learned that the College of Law’s trial advocacy program was one of the best in the nation. During his second year at Syracuse, Holmes was one of the first second-year students selected to be an arguing member on Syracuse’s national trial team.

In the fall, he competed in the prestigious Tournament of Champions trial competition in Birmingham, Ala. In the spring he first competed in the regional National Trial Competition located in White Plains, N.Y. Holmes’ team was ranked second throughout the entire competition until they narrowly lost in the final round. After this competition, Holmes competed in the Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC)Ěýhosted by AAJ. His team won the regional competition in Boston and advanced all the way to the final round of the national competition in Santa Monica, Calif.

During his final year of law school at Syracuse, Holmes will continue to be an active member of the trial team and Syracuse’s Moot Court Honor Society, and will participate in the school’s criminal defense clinic, where he will be able to represent individuals in Syracuse Criminal Court. After law school, Holmes plans on living and working in Rochester, Buffalo or Syracuse, where he wants to represent victims of negligence.

Lisa Dolak

Lisa A. Dolak L’88, Angela S. Cooney Professor of Law at the Syracuse University , will present two free webcasts on patent issues for the New York State Science and Technology Law Center (NYS STLC) examining new patent rulings from the Supreme Court and highlighting lessons from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Dolak will present “Six New Rulings from the Supreme Court! The Year in Review (and a Peek into the Future)” from noon-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9. The Supreme Court issued several important rulings during its 2013-14 term regarding patentability standards, proving infringement and attorney fee awards. Dolak will review these new decisions and highlight their implications for patent applicants, owners and challengers. She will also preview important patent cases that are currently pending before the court.

She will also present “PTAB Contested Proceedings: Tips, Traps and Pitfalls for the Patent Owner and Petitioner” from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6. The USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board has rapidly become a critically important forum for patent adjudications. Patent challengers are drawn to the PTAB by the speed, lower cost and procedural advantages offered by the new contested proceedings, meaning patent owners must be prepared to defend their valuable rights. Congress and the USPTO provided the statutes and rules, respectively, that constitute the framework for these proceedings, but the decisions of the PTAB are offering key lessons to patent challengers and owners. Dolak will highlight those important lessons in this webcast.

Dolak teaches courses on patent law, civil procedure and the federal courts at the College of Law. Her current research projects focus on the effects of the evolving inequitable conduct doctrine on the practice of patent law, the limits of federal jurisdiction over state law claims raising patent law issues and a reconsidered theory of subject matter conflicts. During a sabbatical leave, she served as law clerk to the Hon. Paul R. Michel, judge (ret.), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and served from 2005-2013 as a member of the Federal Circuit’s Advisory Council.

Located at Syracuse University College of Law, the NYS STLC is a grant-funded program that provides research, education and information on issues relating to technology commercialization to New York State businesses, entrepreneurs, universities and research centers.

Both webcasts are free and provide opportunities for live questions and answers. Continuing legal education (CLE) credits are available for the webcasts through the Onondaga County Bar Association (OCBA); separate registration and a fee for CLE credits is required through the .

To register or for more information, email nysstlc@law.syr.edu or visit the website at .

Jennifer Camillo, a third-year law student, has earned a spot at the Baylor Law School 2014 Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition taking place June 4-8 in Waco, Texas.

The trial teams from the College of Law recently concluded one of their most impressive seasons—and it’s not quite over yet.

Jennifer Camillo, a third-year law student, has earned a spot at the Baylor Law School 2014 Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition taking place June 4-8 in Waco, Texas. The invitation-only mock trial tournament takes the best trial advocates from 16 of the top advocacy schools in the nation and has them go head-to-head for the honor of being named National Top Gun. The first-place winner receives $10,000.

Founded in 2010, Baylor Law’s Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition creates a challenging atmosphere for competitors. Unlike other mock trial competitions, participants do not receive the case file until they arrive in Waco—just 24 hours before the first round of trials begin.

The law schools invited to the 2014 Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition are:

• Chicago-Kent College of Law
• Duquesne University School of Law
• Faulkner University, Jones School of Law
• Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law
• Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
• Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center
• Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
• South Texas College of Law
• Stetson University College of Law
• Syracuse University College of Law
• Temple University, Beasley School of Law
• University of Akron School of Law
• University of California, Berkeley School of Law
• University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
• Washington University School of Law
• Yale Law School

Baylor Law, as the organizing institution, does not field a team.

Along with Baylor Law School, the 2014 Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition is sponsored by the Texas-based law firm of Naman Howell Smith & Lee.

Richard D. Hole

Richard D. Hole L’75 has been named to the College of Law Board of Advisors. Hole is a member of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC and chairman of Bond’s Management Committee, a position he has held since 2008.

Prior to that, Hole chaired the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group for over 10 years and served in several other management positions at the firm. Bond has 220 lawyers and maintains nine offices in New York, with additional offices in Naples, Fla., and Overland Park, Kansas.

“I am honored to join the Board of Advisors, especially at such an exciting time for our College of Law. With the fall opening of Dineen Hall, the College of Law is poised to take a quantum leap forward in the training of future generations of lawyers,” Hole says. “I look forward to participating in the work of the college and helping to advance its mission.”

Hole has a general business law background, with a focus on employee benefits and health care law. He has served as counsel and advisor to numerous companies and organizations and their boards and committees. Hole also has maintained an active presence in his community. He currently serves on the boards of the United Way of Central New York, the Central New York Community Foundation, the Seward House Museum, CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity and the Volunteer Lawyers Project.Ěý For many years, he has served as general counsel of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York.

Hole earned a juris doctor degree, cum laude, from the College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College.