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.

Did you know the University is home to honeybee hives on South Campus?

The hives and honey produced are overseen by the Sustainability Management department. Honeybees were brought to campus in 2020 after associate teaching professors Lisa Olsen-Gugerty and Mary Kiernan in Falk College were awarded a grant. Since then, the University has been a Bee Campus USA affiliate, helping to promote the benefits of pollinators and native plants.

In the past year, the number of hives has grown from six to 10. Honey is typically harvested twice a year—once in the summer and once in the fall. During the winter months, beekeepers work to ensure the honeybees survive by providing food, water and preventing pests.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Brett Padgett announced the hiring of Joseph Hernon G’18 as Syracuse University’s Associate Vice President for Emergency and Environmental Risk Services. He began his tenure on September 16.

Hernon is well-known to many at the University, having previously served as director of emergency management and business continuity from 2016-2021. During that time, he spearheaded the University’s response to two major infectious disease outbreaks – the 2018 mumps outbreak and the COVD-19 pandemic.  

He will lead a new department in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The Emergency and Environmental Risk Services unit will unify several safety and risk functions at the University, including Environmental Health and Safety Services, Fire and Life Safety Services, Global Safety and Support, and Syracuse University Ambulance.

Hernon, a military veteran and member of the New York State Air National Guard, has years of emergency management experience, including over 20 years in emergency management as a senior non-commissioned officer for the 174th Attack Wing of the New York State Air National Guard.

Hernon was most recently the Associate Vice President for Campus Safety, Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety at Colgate University. Prior to joining Syracuse in 2016, he was the deputy director of emergency services for Oneida County. Hernon is also a Department of Defense certified hazmat technician, who has served in active duty deployments to Afghanistan, Djibouti, Kuwait, and Iraq.

Hernon holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice studies from Cazenovia College and a certificate of advanced study in security from the Institute of National Security and Counterterrorism at Syracuse University.