Dear Orange Friends:
The COVID-19 virus does not discriminate by national origin. It is a danger to us all. It is not a Chinese virus or an Iranian virus or an Italian virus or an American virus. It is a deadly virus.
2019-20
A Message from Chancellor Kent Syverud
Dear Orange Friends,
As we mark the 150th anniversary of Syracuse University’s founding, we find ourselves facing unprecedented challenges in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to share some thoughts with you during this extraordinary time in our history.
Message from the Chancellor: Coronavirus
Dear Orange Friends and Community:
A global coronavirus pandemic now has us facing a declared public health emergency in our county, state, nation and in many parts of our world. Syracuse University and our community are adapting to this situation, which significantly changes by the day. I encourage each member of our community to do what is needed to protect your own health and the health and safety of our community. To aid in this effort, we are regularly updating Syracuse University guidance and decisions at Syracuse.edu/coronavirus. Visit often for new information and updates.
Community Service Challenge
Dear Orange Friends,
As we kicked off the academic year and the observation of the University’s 150th anniversary, we committed to a goal of asking our students, faculty and staff to donate 15,000 hours of service to our community. I am proud to say that that goal was met and surpassed during the fall semester. Now, we want to double our impact by logging an additional 15,000 hours this semester.
Embracing Our International Students
Dear Orange Friends,
This week, my wife, Ruth, and I welcomed a special group of international students into our home for dinner. These students are from countries affected by the federal government’s travel ban. Ruth invited a lot of additional students at the last minute, because of news reports that the administration may extend the policy as soon as next week to additional countries that may include: Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. We have students from all of these countries except Sudan.
Discover Your Passion With a Little Help Along the Way
Dear Orange Friends,
We are proud and grateful here at the University to have been part of the recent launch of the ACC Network, which has debuted in more than 35 million homes this fall. All of our athletic teams have received significant national exposure through the network, and our students in several schools and colleges have been getting daily hands-on experience in producing content, including live broadcasts.
Disrupting the Future of Medical Technology
Dear Orange Friends,
Syracuse University students and faculty are working across disciplines on path-breaking biotechnology research. This includes medical devices that aren’t limited by the possibility of infection. It includes new treatments that specifically target disease, so that broad-spectrum antibiotics and chemotherapy are a thing of the past. And it includes heart valves or replacement joints that can dynamically adapt their structure to a body’s needs.
The Clock and Kissing Bench
Dear Orange Friends:
Lots of people visiting campus this summer have commented that, despite all the construction going on, the place has never looked better. This is because of the incredible good work of a great team in Campus Facilities, Administration and Services. The place looks good in part because the team has been paying attention to the details, such as restoring Lincoln’s statue in front of the Maxwell School, the Hendricks Chapel steps and the cupolas atop Crouse College.
Independence Day
Dear Orange Friends,
Recently, I wrote this opinion essay for U.S. News & World Report about veterans in higher education. I hope you will enjoy reading it.