The University’s most famous bench needs a touch-up.
The granite Kissing Bench, located outside the Hall of Languages and donated as a senior class gift by the Class of 1912, is undergoing some minor repairs beginning on Monday and lasting for approximately three weeks.
The area around the bench, on the west side of the Hall of Languages, will be fenced off and the bench will be inaccessible while the repairs are ongoing.
The University continues to strengthen its commitment to the safety of minors (children under the age of 18 who are not matriculated University students) who are invited to campus or participating in programs operated, controlled or sponsored by the University.
The Office of Institutional Risk Management is issuing a reminder to all campus departments regarding the University’s official safety of minors policy. As the summer months tend to be filled with youth programming on campus, this is a key time for departments to ensure they are adhering to the policy’s registration and reporting requirements.
Read the full story at Syracuse University News.
Beginning Tuesday, March 31, and continuing through Friday, April 3, Syracuse University will host a multi-agency hazardous materials drill on South Campus. Several agencies, including the New York State National Guard Civil Support Team 2, the Syracuse Fire Department HazMat Team, Onondaga County Emergency Management and the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety will take part in the exercise, which is meant to showcase hazardous material response techniques used by military and civilian emergency response professionals.
Read the full story at Syracuse University News.
The future of sustainable multifamily housing in cold climates may be residing in two retrofitted student apartment buildings on Syracuse University’s South Campus. The buildings—part of the ambitious Sustainable South Campus project—now serve as real-world testbeds for state-of-the-art energy efficiency technology.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Building Construction (ABC) Initiative and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the project combines prefabricated insulated wall panels, high-performance windows and doors, real-time monitoring and next-gen HVAC systems to significantly cut energy use while improving indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
Read the full story at Syracuse University News.
As the calendar steadily marches through January, Syracuse is living up to its reputation for snowfall—and lots of it. According to WSYR NewsChannel 9, more than 93 inches of snow has fallen in the Syracuse area this season as of Jan. 19.
Enter the University’s winter warriors: the Facilities Services grounds team, who work around the clock to keep campus walkable and drivable during snowstorms.
Read the full story at Syracuse University News.
Syracuse University (SU) contributed $1.8 billion to the Central New York economy and supported 35,132 jobs across the five-county region in fiscal year 2023-24.
That’s according to an economic-impact study that SU commissioned. The study, conducted by Lightcast, found that the university’s economic impact increased by nearly 64 percent from the $1.1 billion reported in 2017.
Read the full story in the CNY Business Journal.
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the standard mileage rate for 2026. Syracuse University employees may use this rate to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business purposes.
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the standard mileage rate is set at 72.5 cents per mile for business miles driven (up 2.5 cents from the 2025 rate of 70 cents per mile).
The rates apply to electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, as well as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.
Employees with questions can reach out to the Comptroller’s Office at 314.443.3765.
Effective January 20, 2026, the Cash Operations office will be relocating from 125 Bowne Hall to the Treasurer’s Office, which is located on South Campus at 621 Skytop Road, Suite 120. The campus community should send any departmental deposits to this address. If you have any questions, please contact tkelly01@syr.edu.
In continuation of the University’s commitment to providing comprehensive benefits and in appreciation of the contributions of faculty and staff, the University will operate under its holiday schedule and Orange Appreciation Days format for the winter break period from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Read more at Syracuse University News.
The first snowfall on campus can be magical, painting the Hall of Languages in picturesque white and turning the Quad into a scene from a snow globe. Sure, you’ll need proper footwear when navigating between buildings, but that’s all part of the authentic Syracuse experience.
With the right gear and mindset, you’ll discover why so many students come to love winter on the Hill.
Read the full story at Syracuse University News.
