News

‘Go Local’ Vendor Fair Held at Drumlins Country Club

The University is hosting a Vendor Fair today as part of its “Go Local” economic initiative. The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Drumlins Country Club ballroom.

Local business owners can meet with University purchasing managers to identify opportunities to see how their goods and services can supply the needs of the University.

Go Local is the University’s commitment to leverage the economic power of the institution to improve regional economic inclusion through four key areas: building, hiring, buying and community connections. The initiative seeks to broaden participation of local, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses in construction and service contracting opportunities; expand hiring of local residents, with a focus on neighborhoods in need of job opportunities; and increase economic growth and employment in Syracuse through the University’s purchasing activities.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Energy Savings Realized Upon Completion of CST Project

Improvements were made to the mechanical systems at the Center for Science and Technology (CST) in 2021 and 2022. The multi-phase plan started in 2019 and is now complete. The project involved adding an energy recovery loop to the laboratory exhaust and reconfiguring the chillers to operate in heat recovery mode. These upgrades have resulted in a 25% reduction in steam use in 2023 and an annual emissions reduction of over 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e).

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Chancellor Syverud Announces First Phase of University’s New Strategic Housing Plan

Chancellor Kent Syverud today announced details of the first phase of the University’s new strategic housing plan. This strategy follows approval from the Board of Trustees. Today’s announcement of the strategic housing plan follows the completion of a comprehensive, three-year housing review, which, among other things, found that undergraduate students wanted more options for living in University housing on North Campus that provides seamless access to various campus facilities and amenities.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Campus Facilities, Administration and Services Completes Upgrade to Streamlined, Modern Management Systems

Campus Facilities, Administration and Services (CFAS) has completed an extensive overhaul to its facilities maintenance and space management systems. The effort to modernize two of its key systems involved every aspect of the CFAS unit and seeks to implement a best-in-class approach to work order management, preventative maintenance requests and space management at the University.

Beginning on Feb. 29, both new systems will go live. Facilities maintenance and requests for service will be handled through IBM Maximo and will be accessible for campus community members via the Facilities Services website and through the Facility Maintenance Services tile on MySlice. The system streamlines the process of requesting repairs and maintenance on campus by replacing a series of patchwork forms and behind-the-scenes labor.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Updates to Online Approvals in the MySlice Travel and Expense Center

Beginning this week, the University will migrate travel and expense approvals online through the travel and expense portal on MySlice. Paper-based approvals will be entirely phased out by the end of fiscal year 2024, along with paper-based submittal of expense reimbursement reports.

The Comptroller’s Office began the roll out of the online travel and expense portal during calendar year 2022, following campuswide training efforts. The transition to a fully online approval system is the next step in the office’s progression away from manual paper-based processes.

The Comptroller’s Office asks that departments with unique needs reach out directly to discuss accommodations, if needed.

Mark Your Calendars for National Carrot Cake Day

Carrot cake lovers rejoice! Saturday, Feb. 3, is National Carrot Cake Day.

For those who have attended events at the University, you may have tried one of the Syracuse University Bakery’s specialties, their delicious carrot cake, which is loved by many and famous at the University.

How popular is it? In the past year the Bakery has made 200 of the 9-inch round versions of the cake, their most popular, and this doesn’t include their other various sizes, including a sheet cake and cupcakes.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon With Lunar New Year Events on Campus

While many people here in the U.S. celebrated the start of a new year when the Gregorian calendar flipped from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, as many as 2 billion people from Asian cultures around the globe joyfully observe the Lunar New Year—sometimes also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival.

On Feb. 10, we will bid farewell to the Year of the Rabbit and usher in the Year of the Dragon, which according to the Chinese Zodiac represents nobility, confidence and strength. Lunar New Year celebrations last up to 16 days and can include such various customs as gathering with family, preparing traditional foods, artistic performances and the gifting of red envelopes to pass on good fortune and blessings to the younger generations.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Minnowbrook Conference Center Welcomes General Manager Melissa Vaughn

Vaughn Begins Tenure, University Announces Partnership with Metz Culinary Management and Environmental Services

Syracuse University’s Minnowbrook Conference Center is happy to announce Melissa Vaughn as its new General Manager. Melissa joined the Minnowbrook team in January, and is looking forward to welcoming the Syracuse University community (and beyond!) back to Minnowbrook.

Melissa brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and food service industry, most recently as the food and beverage manager at The Lodge at Schroon Lake. Previously, she held leadership positions at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry and Adirondack Brewery in Lake George, NY. Melissa has been an Adirondack Park resident for nearly 30 years. Her combination of experience and local knowledge made Melissa an ideal fit for Minnowbrook and Syracuse University.

This change in leadership accompanies Minnowbrook’s partnership with Metz Culinary Management and Environmental Services which aims to bring a best-in-class culinary and hospitality experience to Minnowbrook guests, the local Adirondack community, and the University community.

Already, Metz has provided Minnowbrook staff with innovative culinary training and has helped to make on-site cleaning products more environmentally friendly. On the employment side, Metz has a wide talent network with the power to recruit in such a remote and low-populated area.

Metz is “a family-driven company that delivers restaurant-inspired hospitality to everyone they serve.” With partners in healthcare, education, and corporate business, Metz has the experience to bring a new level of improvement and innovation to Minnowbrook.

In the months ahead, the Minnowbrook reservation system will be updated, and the booking process will be streamlined. Melissa and the entire team look forward to introducing additional innovations to improve the experience for Minnowbrook’s patrons and guests.

Internal Revenue Service Announces Standard Mileage Rate for 2024

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rate for 2024. University employees may use this rate to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business purposes.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the standard mileage rate is set at 67 cents per mile for business miles driven (up 1.5 cents from the 2023 rate of .655 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 315.443.3765.