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.

Jimmy Taylor Jr. has pretty much been a part of the University community his whole life.

Growing up in South Onondaga, he was a regular presence on campus, thanks to his father, James Taylor Sr., who spent 35 years at the University working as a mason. From an early age, Jimmy cheered at games and visited campus with his dad, remembering one time watching his father skillfully lay tile in the former Vincent Apartments.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I hope the semester is going well for you as we move into fall.

I would like to provide an update on four major construction projects that will transform our campus over the next few years as the University continues to advance its comprehensive housing strategy. The projects will involve some sidewalk closures and traffic detours, though every effort will be made to minimize disruption to campus community members.

The projects will also increase the amount of large truck traffic on campus. The team at Campus, Planning, Design and Construction is working closely with each of the project contractors to direct much of the heavy truck traffic away from the heart of campus, but we urge all campus community members to remain alert and pay attention to all posted signage, flaggers and fencing in place for your safety.

544 University Place: Throughout the summer, major sitework was completed along Ostrom Avenue at the site of the new residence hall, and large portions of the building foundation have been put in place. Vertical construction will start this month.

Sidewalks in the area remain closed and pedestrian detours remain in place along Ostrom Avenue.

Waverly Avenue Residence Hall and Dining Center and Comstock Avenue Residence Hall: The demolition of the former Kimmel and Marion residence halls was completed last semester. Demolition of Comstock Avenue Garage has begun. As previously announced, this will clear the way for the construction of two new residence halls and a new dining center.

As the demolition of the garage and construction of the two buildings begins, campus community members will experience additional pedestrian detours in the area. In addition, the block of Comstock Avenue in front of Comstock Avenue Garage will close fully during construction, necessitating a detour onto Ostrom Avenue and Marshall Street.

University Avenue Hotel: Construction will begin later this month on the University’s new full-service hotel. Located on the former University Avenue North and South parking lots, pedestrians and drivers can expect to see construction fencing in place within the next few weeks.

The planned hotel, announced as part of the Graduate by Hilton portfolio, will feature approximately 200 rooms; on-site parking; a full-service, three-meal restaurant and event space. A rooftop bar and lounge will offer stunning views of campus, creating a space for both hotel guests and members of the Central New York community to gather.

If you have any construction-related questions, comments or suggestions, please email cpdc@syr.edu. For parking concerns, call Parking and Transportation Services at 315.443.4652.

Thank you,

Pete Sala
Vice President and Chief Campus Facilities Officer

The Syracuse University football team’s 2025 home schedule includes two Friday night games while classes are in session: Sept. 12 vs. Colgate and Oct. 31 vs. North Carolina.

Beginning at 3:30 p.m. on those dates, faculty, staff and students who need to park on campus to attend or teach a class will be allowed to park in University Avenue Garage with their existing parking permits. All Quad and West Campus lots will be restricted beginning at 4 p.m. If you are working regular University business hours, your permit will be valid until you leave for the day.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

At Syracuse University, the campus doesn’t just look like a park … it’s maintained like one, thanks to a dedicated team of over 50 professionals led by Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala. From daily flower care, landscaping and tree maintenance, to mowing over 650 acres, their work is a year-round labor of love. The team’s attention to detail ensures that by spring, the campus blooms, welcoming students and visitors with vibrant color and pristine landscapes.

Watch the video at Syracuse University News.

Syracuse University has signed The Coca-Cola Company as the official non-alcoholic beverage partner of the University and Syracuse University Athletics.

The agreement, which took effect on July 1, comes after a competitive year-long strategic evaluation process, led by a working group made up of representatives from Athletics, Auxiliary Services, Student Experience, the Office of Sustainability Management, the Office of the General Counsel, and Procurement and Supplier Payment.

Read the full story on Syracuse University News.

Cash Operations has set a deadline of 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025, to receive deposits at the Bowne Cash Operations office for credit in fiscal year 2025.

Deposits should be made as early in the day as possible on Monday, June 30.

Deposits received after June 30 will be processed as July (fiscal year 2026) business.

The exception is for monies received on or before June 30 but not processed due to internal mail delays. Those deposits can be credited to fiscal year 2025 by indicating “JUNE BUSINESS” on the deposit slip in red ink.

Cash Operations can only accept deposits for June business (fiscal year 2025) until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Questions or concerns may be directed to Tina Kelly at tkelly01@syr.edu.

Senior Vice President and Chief Campus Facilities Officer Pete Sala provided the following update to campus regarding construction projects continuing or beginning on campus over the summer 2025 semester:

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

As the summer semester begins, I want to provide a quick status update on the construction projects underway or soon to begin on campus this summer. Some of the most exciting work completed by the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction involves moving forward with two of the University’s major strategic initiatives. 

There will be quite a bit of construction this summer as part of the execution of the comprehensive housing strategy. These include:

• Orange Hall Phase Two Renovation: Completion of student room renovations on the lower floors and construction of floor lounges on all floors. 
• 544 University Place: At the site of the new residence hall along Ostrom Avenue, clearing of the site has begun, and site work, utility work and foundation construction will take place this summer.  
• Comstock Avenue Residence Hall: Demolition of the Comstock Avenue Garage will take place early this summer, to clear the site for construction to commence later in the summer.
• Waverly Avenue Residence Hall and Dining Center: Demolition of Kimmel and Marion halls has been completed, and the site is clear for construction to commence later in the summer. 

Multiple projects related to the expansion of the College of Engineering and Computer Science will take place over the summer:

• 100 Sims Drive: Transformation of the former Biological Research Laboratory Building into the new home of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences.
• Center for Science and Technology (CST):
  • Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (CASM): In August, construction will be complete on an interdisciplinary center that will bring together expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, manufacturing processes, optimization and robotics to advance the science of semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Active Learning Classroom and Graduate Student Spaces: In early fall, construction will be complete of a new active learning classroom on the second floor adjacent to the newly opened Campos Student Center. The classroom will feature new technology upgrades to facilitate a more active and collaborative learning environment. Included in the project will be new graduate student spaces and a renovated conference area.
• Link Hall: Three areas of work to support mechanical engineering laboratories, dry laboratories and Ph.D. and graduate student workspace are all underway.
• Utility work this summer is focused on electrical infrastructure, preparation for the I-81 project and scheduled steam distribution system maintenance. These projects will have minimal impacts on campus operations, and detailed communications with those affected are taking place now.
  • Electrical Consolidation – Carnegie Library/Bowne Hall Parking Lot 
  • Electrical Consolidation – Dineen/Irving Avenue Garage 
  • Electrical Consolidation – JMA Wireless Dome 
  • Electrical Consolidation – MS-1 Substation 
  • Electrical Consolidation – BBB Complex 
  • Electrical Consolication – Sadler Hall/Lawrinson Hall 
  • Electrical Consolidation – H.B. Crouse Hall 
  • I-81 Relocations on Almond Street – Steam, Condensate, Chilled Water and ITS duct bank 
  • Steam Maintenance – Irving Avenue and University Place – Irving Avenue Hill Lot
  • Steam Maintenance – Raynor Lot (West Side of Stadium Place) 
  • Steam Maintenance – Quad Lot (Minor Vault Repairs) 

Several other major projects will be taking place throughout the summer. These include: 

• Catholic Center Chapel Addition: The building is framed and in the process of being fit out with mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. It is scheduled for completion this fall. 
• Physics Building – Quantum Technology Center and STEM Renewal: Construction continues at the Physics Building in support of the Quantum Technology Center. Like the work in Link Hall, this project is replacing major building mechanical systems and providing code improvements necessary for the building to meet the needs of modern research. Work will continue through the fall and be followed by laboratory fit-ups for this critical area of research. 
• Watson Hall: The building’s southern roof and Waverly Avenue entry roofs will be replaced this summer; impacts to the adjacent occupants are being communicated.  

If you have any construction-related questions, comments or suggestions, please email cpdc@syr.edu. For parking concerns, call Parking and Transportation Services at 315.443.4652.

If you have questions pertaining to accessibility, please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 315.443.6162 or ada@syr.edu.

Thank you,

Pete Sala
Vice President and Chief Campus Facilities Officer

Syracuse University today announced a major investment in student financial support as part of its 2025-26 budget, allocating more than $391 million to financial aid, scholarships, grants and related assistance. This represents a 7% increase over last year and reflects the University’s deepening commitment to expanding educational access and opportunity.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Over 30 bins of items were donated by students to ’Cuse Collections, an event hosted by Sustainability Management that provides the items to local community groups.

Containers were placed on North Campus and South Campus to provide Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students with easy access to donate items as they were moving out.

Read the full story on Syracuse University News.