News

Comptroller Urges All Employees to Take Advantage of Direct Deposit Option

Syracuse University’s Payroll Office pays nearly 12,000 employees every month. Even though the majority of the University’s employees take advantage of direct deposit, nearly 10 percent still receive paper checks on payday. In addition to helping the University meet its sustainability goals by eliminating the need for paper, direct deposit removes the need to physically travel to your office mailbox and then to the bank to deposit paychecks, says Jean Gallipeau, University comptroller.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Scott Reynolds ‘Can’t Stand to See Kids Walk through Snow to Get on a Bus’

Very early on winter mornings, Scott Reynolds navigates a payloader along the streets and through parking lots on the Syracuse University campus. Following a snowfall, Reynolds and his 60 colleagues on the Facilities Services grounds team work to clear the campus of snow as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Reynolds works the 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. shift, before campus stirs to life each morning, but teams work around the clock during the winter to keep the University’s four miles of streets, 26 miles of sidewalks and countless stairs, exits, entryways and curb cuts clean and accessible.

Read Scott’s full profile at Syracuse University News.

Syracuse University Bookstore Ready to Go Green, End Use of Plastic Bags

On March 1, New York State will join the growing number of states and local municipalities across the country in the movement to ban the use of plastic bags.

At the Syracuse University Bookstore, Director Roger Hailstork and his staff are prepared for the change and are ready to do their part in the effort to phase out 23 billion-plus plastic bags New York State residents use annually.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Building Local Fair Leads to New Partnerships With Local Businesses

Last May, the Office of Community Engagement and the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services hosted Syracuse University’s first-ever Building Local procurement fair.

The connections made at that fair have begun to bear fruit on both sides. Laura Cueva, the owner of Interior Innovations, attended the Building Local fair. Her contract furniture and interior architectural solutions firm is located on East Genesee Street, not far from the University. At the fair, she had met with representatives from the University’s Purchasing Department to outline the capabilities of her firm and discuss potential opportunities for doing business with the University and its business units.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Syracuse University Selects Partners Capital as New Outsourced Chief Investment Officer

On Jan. 1, 2020, Partners Capital became the new outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) for Syracuse University. The Investment and Endowment Committee (IEC) of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees selected Partners to manage the University’s endowment fund after a months-long search, performed as a component of a routine review. The process included an appraisal of the University’s previous OCIO, Pavilion, and the search included several other high-performing investment firms.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Ernie Davis Dining Center Celebrates 10 Years, 6.5 million Meals Served

The staff at Ernie Davis Dining Center have come a long way. Wednesday, Jan. 15 marked 10 years of operation for the campus’s busiest dining center, and many of the staff on duty for the dinner celebration have been there since day one.

The staff celebrated Wednesday night with special t-shirts marking the occasion, with those that had been there from the beginning sporting the additional phrase “Original Team Member.” A special carved rib roast was on the menu, prepared and served by many of the same people who had cooked and served the very first meals at the center back in January 2010. Staff and students also enjoyed cake and milkshakes as part of the celebration. Even Otto the Orange stopped by to pose for pictures and to take a look at a photo retrospective set up along the center’s glass walls.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Parking Fees Revert to Before-tax Deduction

Recently, Congress repealed section 512(a)(7) of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As a result of the repeal, Syracuse University employee withholdings for parking fees will be withheld before-tax beginning on January 1, 2020 for calendar year 2020.

Congress retroactively repealed the law, which means employees who had parking fees deducted from their pay during calendar year 2019 will have their W-2 form adjusted in accordance with the repeal of the tax law.

For Syracuse University-specific questions, contact the Payroll Office at 315.443.4042 or email payroll@syr.edu.

Hospitality Advisor for Yankees, Rams, Cowboys Will Look to Improve Fan Experience at the Dome

In an ongoing effort to provide an enhanced fan experience at the Dome, Auxiliary Services engaged Michael Bekolay of Venue Hospitality Solutions to provide feedback on the facility’s food service operations and capabilities. He began his work on campus in November when he took in a home football game and examined all aspects of the concessions infrastructure. He’ll soon attend basketball games to assess how facility operations adjust to a smaller crowd and a different layout. Bekolay will also gather feedback from the Athletics department, and most importantly, from fans and visitors to the Dome.

“It’s exciting to bring someone with Michael’s background to campus,” said Jennifer Uryniak, interim director of Auxiliary Services. “We want our game-day experience to be second to none, so we look forward to hearing his recommendations as we move forward on our planned renovations.”

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

’Cuse Trolleys Make Their Campus Debut, Expand Shuttle Routes

Four trolleys purchased by the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services (BFAS) have begun crisscrossing the Syracuse University campus, providing expanded shuttle coverage to the campus community.

The trolleys, which can accommodate 22 people, were selected for their reliability, size and modern accessibility features, including air-suspension for kneeling, ramps and low floors.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Syracuse Athletics ‘Tough4T’ Shirts On Sale Now

All Syracuse University basketball fans now have the opportunity to wear the Orange men’s and women’s Tough4T warm-up shirts made in support of point guard Tiana Mangakahia, who was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in June. The shirts are available for purchase at the Syracuse University Bookstore. The warm-up shirts were put on the market in support of Mangakahia and in response to fan inquiries to purchase the shirts. The athletics department worked with Nike, the official apparel partner, to make the shirts available. Pursuant to NCAA guidelines proceeds will support Tiana and her family during this time of need. The University has waived standard royalty from the sale of the shirts.

Read the full story at cuse.com.