Milton Hall is the former apartment complex known as The Marshall at 727 South Crouse Ave., a fully modernized space primarily home to second-year students, featuring full kitchens and private bathrooms. The 287-bed building was renamed Milton Hall in acknowledgement of a transformational estate gift bequeathed to the University from Laura and Jack Milton. The Miltons graduated from ���ϲ����� in 1951 and were longtime supporters of the University, fostering numerous educational opportunities, events and lectures, and contributing to the construction of several campus facilities, including the Life Sciences Complex.

The strategic housing plan, announced by Chancellor Kent Syverud this past spring, aligns with the goals and aspirations identified in the overarching . The plan also includes the construction of the University’s first new residence hall in 15 years, which will be located at 700 Ostrom Ave. at the corner of Comstock and Waverly avenues.

“As part of our Campus Framework, a 20-year roadmap designed to align our physical presence with our vision and mission, ���ϲ����� is continuously assessing our footprint and considering ways to enhance and strengthen the living, learning and working environment for all members of our community,” says Brett Padgett, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “This includes renovating and repurposing existing space, procuring new space and working with community partners to identify opportunities for collaboration. The Sheraton presented an ideal opportunity to reimagine how our current space is leveraged and repurpose it to put it toward its best and highest use.”

The Sheraton will close following Commencement 2024, at which point conversion of the property will begin. The new residence hall is anticipated to open in fall 2024.

This decision 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 provide seamless access to various campus facilities and amenities.

“Today’s students are looking for a college experience that includes challenging academic programs, diverse extracurricular opportunities and comfortable, modern housing,” says Allen Groves, senior vice president and chief student experience officer. “Over the last several years, ���ϲ����� has transformed and enhanced student-centric facilities, including the Schine Student Center and the Barnes Center at The Arch, located at the heart of our campus and central to our students’ experience. By converting the Sheraton into a residence hall, we are creating new housing opportunities that make it easier for our students, especially our first-year and transfer students, to acclimate to life at ���ϲ�����, find their community and develop a sense of belonging.”

The Sheraton currently employs approximately 85 full-time individuals who hold a variety of hospitality-related positions. All Sheraton employees will be offered positions at the University, many of which will be union roles, and will transition to those new opportunities once the Sheraton has closed following Commencement.

“The Sheraton team has played an enormously important role in our campus community for many years,” says John Papazoglou, senior vice president and chief operations officer. “We appreciate their hard work and continued service, and look forward to working directly with these team members on helping them transition to new opportunities at the University.”

Sheraton representatives will contact guests and groups with reservations scheduled after Commencement to discuss alternate arrangements for accommodations.

Architectural rendering of the interior of the JMA Wireless Dome, illustrative of a future basketball game, as anticipated enhancements continue

“There is no doubting the enormous impact the JMA Wireless Dome Transformation Project is having on ���ϲ����� Athletics, the five teams that call this building home and the fans who enjoy visiting and cheering on the Orange,” says John Wildhack ’80, director of athletics. “There is a lot of exciting work ahead and still many details to confirm, but ���ϲ����� Athletics remains focused on providing an unmatched experience to our season ticket holders, donors and fans. As we continue to work through the revised seating map, we are committed to providing timely and transparent communication to our loyal supporters to ensure they continue to enjoy the level of service they have come to expect from the JMA Dome.”

Architectural rendering of the football field in the transformed JMA Wireless Dome

Today’s announcement represents the latest milestone in a multimillion-dollar, multiyear effort, which began in 2018, to reimagine the stadium experience. Since work commenced, the University has installed a new fixed roof, the largest center-hung video scoreboard in college sports and air conditioning. It has also invested significantly in accessibility updates, lighting and sound enhancements, and the concession experience.

“Our ongoing investments to create a state-of-the-art experience have been a pivotal component of the Campus Framework and demonstrates our commitment to aligning ���ϲ�����’s mission and vision with its physical spaces,” says Pete Sala, vice president, chief campus facilities officer and managing director of the JMA Dome. “I am thrilled to see this transformative project continue to deliver on this promise, and excited for what these enhancements will mean for current and future generations of Orange students, student-athletes, fans and visitors.”

Of course, one of the JMA Dome’s most consequential changes, beyond its physical appearance, is its name. Earlier this year, ���ϲ����� and JMA Wireless, announced a 10-year naming rights partnership, marking a historic collaboration that will elevate the digital infrastructure and provide fans and other users with the most advanced 5G wireless network. When complete, the JMA Dome will be one of the most technologically advanced and digitally connected stadiums of its kind. The University and JMA Wireless previously announced they expect this work to be done ahead of the start of the 2023 football season.

Upgraded chairback seating will be a key component of the second phase of transformation inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

As the transformation continues, ���ϲ����� is already looking to the future, with specific enhancements in mind. In particular, fans can expect to experience the introduction of new premium offerings, in-venue hospitality spaces, including the Kuhn Game Day Lounge presented by Hidden Level, and the eventual construction of Miron Victory Court, the latter of which will expand and redefine the JMA Dome’s footprint, connect it to the Barnes Center at The Arch and ultimately create a seamless navigational experience.

Phase two renovations and construction will begin in spring 2023 following Commencement and will be completed ahead of the 2024 football season. The University and ���ϲ����� Athletics will continue to provide updated information regarding the timeline of the renovation, seating and capacity changes, new ticket offerings and pricing as these plans are finalized.

For the most up-to-date information on the JMA Wireless Dome Transformation Project, visit . Alumni, fans and friends can visit the website to track construction progress, access seating and pricing updates, and sign up to receive notifications about the project.

About ���ϲ����� Athletics

���ϲ����� Athletics is in an era of growth and is committed to upgrading and improving its athletic facilities across campus with the goal of elevating both the student-athlete experience and the ���ϲ����� fan experience. These projects will have an immediate and lasting impact on the ���ϲ����� community, all 20 sports teams and 600-plus student-athletes.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

“Members of the Refresh Committee will reflect on both the accomplishments of the last several years and the lessons learned,” says Chancellor Syverud.�� “With that knowledge, the committee will offer recommendations on how the Campus Framework might be refreshed and revised to align with the current and future needs of our students and faculty in areas such as housing, academics and the entire student experience.”

Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, will chair the Refresh Committee. Other members include:

• Cerri A. Banks, vice president of student success and deputy to the senior vice president of the student experience
• Steve Bennett, senior vice president for international programs, academic operations and chief of staff, Academic Affairs
• Julia Czerniak, associate dean and professor, School of Architecture
• Steven Einhorn, Board of Trustees
• Allen Groves, senior vice president and chief student experience officer
• Kris Klinger, senior associate vice president, Auxiliary Services
• Michael Speaks, dean and professor, School of Architecture

Sasaki Associates will continue its work as a consultant on the project and serve as a partner to the new committee as its members consider future priorities to support academic excellence, the research enterprise, the student experience and student housing.

Since the Campus Framework was first implemented, the University has executed on nearly $300 million in capital projects. Several mission critical construction projects have been completed, including the transformations of the stadium, Barnes Center at The Arch and, most recently, the Schine Student Center, the building and opening of the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, and the creation of the Einhorn Family Walk. The University also made significant investments in classroom technology, completed accessibility enhancements throughout campus and upgraded several residence halls.

To review the full Campus Framework, visit��.

With just a couple weeks to go until the end of the calendar year, we are writing today to share two important changes coming to campus in 2022.

For the last several months, our teams have been meeting regularly to discuss how, together, we can advance certain components of the , a living, breathing roadmap for the University’s physical future. We are pleased to announce today that in 2022, we will take two significant steps in our ongoing efforts to foster a vibrant campus setting that is welcoming to all. They include the following:

1. Transforming the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center into an inviting space that welcomes campus community members and visitors alike, and
2. Identifying the appropriate space and creating a world-class faculty center, in close partnership with faculty.

Reimagining Goldstein

Every year, ���ϲ����� welcomes thousands of visitors to campus, including 25,000 prospective students and their families interested in joining the Orange family. Located at the gateway of our campus, the Goldstein building will now serve as our visitors’ first impression of all ���ϲ����� has to offer. The Office of Admissions will reside in this space and use it to greet and introduce prospective students to the University. The Division of Advancement and External Affairs, schools, colleges and other units will also continue to leverage this facility for major events, including Orange Central, Family Weekend, Coming Back Together and Commencement, just to name a handful. The second floor of the building will continue to be used year-round as an event space.

While the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center has served us well, every year the space becomes less and less utilized. Reimagining this space will better support our community members—current and future—and create an inviting space for all who enter through its doors. The first phase of our efforts to transform this space will commence Monday, Dec. 20, and will be completed by Jan. 18, 2022.

New Faculty Center ��

As work begins on Goldstein, Academic Affairs, Auxiliary Services and Facilities team members will meet with faculty to solicit input about what they’d like to have in a faculty center, including as it relates to the physical space, amenities, technological needs and so forth. Our goal is to create a state-of-the-art faculty center that fosters a comfortable, collegial and collaborative environment that meets the current and future needs of our diverse faculty cohort.

While we work with our faculty community to conceptualize and construct the permanent space, we will open a temporary faculty center at an interim location. We are exploring and assessing options as we speak and plan to communicate that temporary location before the start of the spring semester.

To our faculty colleagues, if you have immediate ideas you’d like to share, please email provost@syr.edu.

This is an exciting opportunity for our community as we continue to reimagine how the physicality of our campus aligns with goals specific to the student experience, academic excellence and fostering an environment that is welcoming to all.

We look forward to working with the many stakeholders to bring these two equally important concepts to life.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Vice Chancellor and Provost

Pete Sala
Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer

John Wildhack, director of athletics; ���ϲ����� Mayor Ben Walsh; Chancellor Kent Syverud; Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science; and Pete Sala, chief facilities officer, toured the renovated Stadium Thursday.

The first phase of ���ϲ�����’s multi-year, $118 million stadium project, unveiled in 2018, was completed this week. This marks a new era for ���ϲ�����, the Department of Athletics and the many students, faculty, staff and community members who have come to consider “the Loud House” the home of their sports world. Today’s announcement also represents a major milestone for the Campus Framework, a 20-year roadmap designed to align the University’s vision and mission with its physical space and infrastructure.

Chancellor Kent Syverud uses a remote control to raise the new scoreboard in the Stadium for Saturday’s game.

“This is an exciting day for ���ϲ�����, the City of ���ϲ����� and the broader Central New York community,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “From graduations to great moments in sports, some of the most memorable times in our lives and on our campus have taken place under the roof of our stadium. The completion of this phase of the project will transform the Stadium experience for our community and our fans. Once this project is complete, ���ϲ����� will be the home of this spectacular stadium that will continue to be a centerpiece of our community for years to come. I am grateful for the many individuals, all of whom worked tirelessly to bring this phase of the project to fruition, on time and on budget. Generations of students, faculty, staff and visitors will enjoy the Stadium thanks to the hard work of so many.”

The ongoing effort to transform the Stadium will continue into 2022. But student-athletes will experience the significant work completed to date when they take the field for ���ϲ����� football’s home opener against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 26.

“The completion of this work brings to life a strategic vision that prioritizes our students, faculty and staff—academically, personally and professionally—and elevates the experience for our student-athletes, visiting teams, performers, fans and community members,” says Amir Rahnamay-Azar, senior vice president for business, finance and administrative services (BFAS) and chief financial officer. “The transformation will continue in the coming months and years, dramatically enhancing its role in our campus community and in the City of ���ϲ�����.”

The turf is ready for ���ϲ����� football’s home opener against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 26.

“Our team and contractors have been working around the clock for months to complete this work in time for the first home football game of what is sure to be a unique season,” says Pete Sala, vice president and chief campus facilities officer in BFAS. “The new roof and other upgrades are just incredible. We look forward to not only welcoming back fans for athletic competitions once we get the green light, but also being able to open up the enormous amount of space offered by the Stadium to students learning and living on campus this semester.”

Work that concluded this week includes the installation of a new fixed roof; air conditioning upgrades; extensive accessibility improvements; and a center-hung scoreboard, new sound and lighting.

“Our student-athletes, coaches and staff—both current and future—will benefit tremendously from the enhancements, improvements and upgrades that have been made,” says Director of Athletics John Wildhack ’80. “As an alumnus, as a fan and as director of athletics, I have never been more anxious to step foot on the turf for a game than I am right now. Saturday’s home football game against Georgia Tech can’t come soon enough! I extend my deep appreciation to everyone who has contributed to this project’s success.”

Goodbye, Air-Pressurized Roof; Hello, Air Conditioning

Two big changes will be instantly recognizable upon entering the Stadium.

The new steel and fabric roof no longer requires air pressure to remain inflated.

First, the roof will no longer require air pressure to stay inflated—so the loud “whoosh” and rush of air experienced when entering and exiting the building will be a thing of the past. “For the first time in 40 years, we’ll be able to pin the doors open and allow people to walk right in without having to worry about pressure being released from the building,” says Sala.

Over the past several weeks, more than 35 fabric panels were installed as the final steps in the roof project, accounting for nearly three acres of fabric. Final testing was also conducted to ensure that the roof is water-tight and can accommodate the heavy snowfall of Central New York winters.

Second, work has continued to pump air conditioning into more areas of the Stadium, with facilitywide air conditioning on target to be installed by May 2021. The recent enhancements included adding air conditioning to the press box and in more suites, locker rooms and mechanical rooms than ever before.

A More Accessible Experience

One of the most critical components of the transformation is a continued investment in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related accessibility upgrades. Push-button door openers, ADA-compliant restrooms and concession counters, and closed captioning for the scoreboard have been put in place to meet the needs of our diverse campus community, loyal fans and the public. Additional enhancements will be made in the coming months.

“When we take on a new construction project at ���ϲ�����, we want to make sure we do it right,” Sala says. “We used this opportunity to engage with an accessibility consultant and make a significant investment in improvements. We want everyone to be able to enjoy their time at a game, concert or any other event, without any barriers.”

Enhanced Audiovisual Components

The Stadium scoreboard is the largest in college sports, with each panel measuring 20 feet high by 62.5 feet wide. A pixel pitch of 10 millimeters makes the scoreboard easy on the eyes, regardless of where one is seated.

Fans will enjoy state-of-the-art upgrades to the building’s sound and lighting systems, as well as the new center-hung scoreboard that can be easily viewed from virtually anywhere in the venue. The new scoreboard, the first of its size in collegiate sports, features four panels that are each 20 feet high by 62.5 feet wide and a 6-foot ribbon board that wraps around the bottom.

“The Stadium is the most unique venue in all of college sports as home to five different sports, including two women’s sports,” says Wildhack. “The new scoreboard, sound and lighting systems will transform the experience for all Stadium events for years to come.”

Finishing touches over the past weeks have included raising the scoreboard to height, installing updated video boards, testing out lighting and color changes, and blasting sound through new speakers to ensure all components are game-day ready.

A Space for Students During the Unique Fall 2020 Semester

The completed enhancements will offer up additional on-campus space for students to use for non-athletics-related reasons. With this phase of work now complete, the Stadium will soon re-open and can be utilized for recreational and academic uses. “I can’t emphasize enough how important this building is to our students and to our entire community,” Sala says. “I’m glad the day is here that we can once again begin to welcome people back into the Stadium and give them the experience they deserve.”

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

About the Campus Framework

The effort to replace the Carrier Dome, which was originally constructed in 1980, is part of the University’s Campus Framework. The Campus Framework, which launched in 2016, works in coordination with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan to shape, guide and manage the ���ϲ����� campus environment and its physical form in support of the University’s mission. It seeks to foster an inclusive range of strategies to address the student experience, integrate accessibility and mobility, and improve the academic and research environments. Visit����to learn more about the University’s Campus Framework.

Ernie Davis Hall, with Booth Hall and Dellplain Hall seen in the background.

Guided by student input, throughout the 2019-20 academic year, ���ϲ����� will conduct a holistic review of its student housing to better understand residential options and determine future needs in support of enriching the student experience. Representatives from the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services (BFAS) and the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience (ESE) will assess the University’s existing housing portfolio to gauge how its residential spaces align with the University’s vision, mission and priorities. Academic Affairs will also be engaged in the review.

Amir Rahnamay-Azar, senior vice president for business, finance and administrative services and chief financial officer, says examining existing housing options and determining future needs is a critical component of the University’s focus on the student experience as outlined in the Academic Strategic Plan and Campus Framework. Among its goals, the Campus Framework seeks to enrich student life, including through the creation of a holistic residential experience. One initiative highlighted in the framework is the relocation and expansion of undergraduate housing from South Campus to North Campus.

“A successful student experience integrates all aspects of student life, including social, communal and intellectual pursuits,” says Rahnamay-Azar. “We are undertaking this review to see where we can improve our residence life facilities and better support the student experience.”

The University operates 18 residence halls on North Campus, along with the Skyhall complex on South Campus. Nearly 5,900 students reside in the halls, which range in size from the 40-person Oren Lyons Hall to the sprawling Brewster, Boland, Brockway complex, which houses 730 students. Among the existing halls, Washington Arms was the first to be occupied in 1946, and Ernie Davis Hall was most recently inaugurated in 2009.

“Our housing facilities, and the programs and staff within them, have an incredible impact on the student experience. The living and learning environment in the residence halls provides students with a sense of place and opportunities to build community, important factors to students’ success in and out of the classroom,” says Dolan Evanovich, senior vice president for enrollment and the student experience.

The review will include an evaluation of the quantity, quality and assortment of student housing options, as well as their relative fit for meeting the goals of student retention and success. Reviewers will also assess the number of beds, variety of room types and available amenities. Additionally, the University will focus on programing and services that are, or could be, offered within its residence halls. The analysis will allow for a well-rounded understanding of the benefits of a variety of housing-related options, including new construction by the University and/or further renovation to existing facilities. Once the review is concluded, BFAS and ESE leaders will update the campus community on their findings, which will include recommendations for future actions.

In preparation for the building’s closure, University offices and services previously housed in Schine will relocate. The full list of offices and services and their new locations was announced in March. As a reminder, the list of offices and services moving include the following:

• Career Services
• Disability Cultural Center
• Learning Communities
• Office of First-Year and Transfer Programs
• Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
• Office of Multicultural Affairs
• Office of Parent and Family Services
• Office of Student Activities
• Schine Box Office
• Student Centers and Programming Services
• The Shaw Center for Public and Community Service

The ���ϲ����� Bookstore and Goldstein Auditorium will remain open throughout the renovation. The bookstore’s summer hours will go into effect Monday, May 13, and operate Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Access to the bookstore will be through the Einhorn Family Walk entrance. Goldstein Auditorium will resume hosting events in the fall. Access to the auditorium will be through the east entrance in between Schine and Bird Library.

As announced in November, the Schine Student Center will undergo a significant makeover as a key component of the Campus Framework, a 20-year roadmap meant to guide future campus planning and development. The redesigned space will feature enhanced accessibility, centralized spaces for students to gather and much more.

Updates with additional information will follow throughout the course of the renovation.

The entire north end of the site (between the Barnes Center at The Arch and the Physics Building), as well as the entire Carnegie Lot area (between the Barnes Center at The Arch and Carnegie Library), will be closed to all pedestrian traffic for the duration of the summer. This will allow the pedestrian area between the Barnes Center at The Arch and the Physics Building to be transformed. New entries to both buildings will be constructed, eliminating stairs and greatly improving accessibility.

Pedestrian access to the Physics Building will be maintained at the southeast corner of the building from the Quad. Access to Carnegie Library will be maintained at the southwest corner of the building from Sims Drive.

The east and south sides of the building will remain fenced to allow for the remainder of the interior work, façade installation and site hardscape/landscape. At the south end of the site, a steam distribution project will also commence on May 13 and continue through the summer. Pedestrian access routes will be maintained through these areas. A closure of Forestry Drive for all vehicular traffic will be required in July for approximately two weeks. This closure will be communicated to the campus community when the specific dates are identified.

The west side of the building (between the Barnes Center at The Arch and the Dome) will remain closed for the remainder of the project and will then become part of the Dome roof installation site.

Vehicles and pedestrians should use caution and follow signage while this work is underway.�� Visit the Campus Planning, Design and Construction Site Impact/Road Closure webpage at for future updates.

Facilities Services and the project teams appreciate the campus community’s patience while this construction is completed.

The campus community is invited to the renovation reveal and celebration of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center on Tuesday, April 9. The event also celebrates the legacy and philanthropy of Renée Schine Crown ’50, H’84 and Lester Crown. In the 1980s, Renée led the initiative to establish the student center and provided the primary gift, honoring her parents Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine for whom the building is named. The Crowns have been an active part of reimagining the Schine Student Center now to further enhance the student experience well into the future.

“Renée and Lester are among the most selfless and generous supporters of ���ϲ�����, and we are grateful for the many ways their support has benefited the Orange community,” says Matt Ter Molen, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. “It’s impossible to travel our campus and not feel the enormous impact their philanthropic support has had on our community, and most especially on our students. We look forward to welcoming them to campus next week to commemorate the start of a project that will transform the student experience for future generations of ���ϲ����� students.”

As the hub of student life, the Schine Student Center will be transformed to fulfill its original mission as the “living room” of campus—a place for students to eat, gather, study and lounge. The renovation is scheduled to commence in May shortly following the conclusion of the spring semester.

During the reveal, the Crowns will unveil the latest renderings for the planned renovation. The ceremony will include remarks from Chancellor Kent Syverud, Senior Vice President for Enrollment and the Student Experience Dolan Evanovich and Student Association President Ghufran Salih ’20. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. in the atrium of Schine Student Center. Light refreshments will also be served. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. For additional accommodation requests, please contact Candace Hayden at specialevents@syr.edu or by calling 315.443.0244.

After gathering feedback from more than 1,600 campus community members, most of whom were students, throughout the last nearly two years, the renovation prioritizes the following:

• Enhanced accessibility, including the installation of accessible pathways using universal design;
• An upgraded dining experience with additional seating and varied dining options;
• Centralized spaces for student activities, including an expanded space that co-locates the Disability Cultural Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs and LGBT Resource Center to further promote and celebrate intersectionality and inclusion;
• Opening and expanding the central atrium, creating a lounge on the main atrium floor and greater connectivity across the building’s floors.
• Versatile spaces and seating conducive to supporting student organization activities, studying, group meetings or lounging.

“The renovation of the Schine Student Center will return it to a true student union—a place for our students to connect and experience the vibrancy of everything the ���ϲ����� campus offers. Whether students are coming here to eat, study, get involved or meet with friends, the upgraded and versatile spaces will undoubtedly enhance their experience,” says Evanovich. “The Crowns have always been, and continue to be, passionate about enhancing the student experience, and this effort to transform Schine Student Center is a prime example of their unwavering commitment to our students.”

The meetings will include information on the continuing construction projects across campus and upcoming projects as part of the , including the Barnes Center at The Arch; the National Veterans Resource Center; the Stadium Roof Project construction and impact to campus; classroom improvements; residence hall renovations; and campus accessibility improvements. The meeting will also cover utility work, signage and wayfinding.

The Campus Framework works in coordination with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan to shape, guide and manage the ���ϲ����� campus environment and its physical form in support of the University’s mission. It seeks to foster an inclusive range of strategies to address the student experience, integrate accessibility and mobility, and improve the academic and research environments.

Community members are invited to attend one or more of the following Campus Construction Update Town Hall Meetings:

• Tuesday, March 5, 4-5 p.m., 010 Crouse-Hinds Hall
• Thursday, March 21, 4-5 p.m., Shemin Auditorium, Shaffer Art Building
• Thursday, April 11, 4-5 p.m., Shemin Auditorium, Shaffer Art Building

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at each event. If you have requests for accessibility and accommodations, contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services office at 315.443.4018.

To learn more about individual construction projects and project timelines, visit��the .

The Schine Student Center will soon undergo a significant makeover, as part of the Campus Framework.

The Schine Student Center, the hub of student life on the ���ϲ����� campus, will soon undergo a significant makeover. The renovation, which was identified as a key component of the Campus Framework, a 20-year roadmap meant to guide future campus planning and development, will begin in May 2019. The announcement comes on the heels of the Nov. 9 Board of Trustees meeting, during which the Board unanimously approved the planned renovation.

Dolan Evanovich, senior vice president for enrollment and the student experience, says the renovation will support the University’s continued efforts to enhance the student experience.

“The renovation of Schine Student Center will transform the building into a space that creates greater connectivity by bringing the vibrancy of student life front and center,” says Evanovich. “Through enhanced and updated spaces for eating, gathering, meeting and studying, Schine Student Center will serve as a social connector and centralized hub for student engagement and activity.”

Some features of the proposed design include:

• Enhanced accessibility, including the installation of accessible pathways using universal design;
• An upgraded dining experience with additional seating and varied dining options;
• Centralized spaces for student activities, including an expanded space that co-locates the Disability Cultural Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs and LGBT Resource Center to further promote and celebrate intersectionality and inclusion;
• Opening and expanding the central atrium, creating a lounge on the main atrium floor and greater connectivity across the building’s floors.
• Versatile spaces and seating conducive to supporting student organization activities, studying, group meetings or lounging.

“This Campus Framework initiative is paramount to advancing the student experience inside and outside the classroom. This renovation will allow the Schine Student Center to better meet the needs of students today and in the future,” says Amir Rahnamay-Azar, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Integral to the planning and design process was the campus community’s engagement, including during the feasibility study and rendering feedback opportunities. More than 1,600 people, most of which were students, provided input during meetings, residence hall surveys, dining center pop-ups and other campuswide feedback opportunities.

“It is crucial that students make their voices heard and their feedback is incorporated into this project as it affects so many of them,” says Ghufran Salih ’20, president of the Student Association. “The Schine Student Center is the core of many experiences for our students, whether it be their first concert, a quiet study place, a quick bite to eat, or a place to relax and recharge between classes. I am so unbelievably excited to see what this student center will become for the next generation of the Orange family.”

Robert Hradsky, senior associate vice president and dean of students, echoes Salih’s sentiment and stressed the importance of the campus community’s engagement in guiding the building’s design.

“We heard from our campus community members that to enhance the student experience, Schine Student Center needed to be more welcoming, open and student-centered. This feedback was critical to shaping conceptual renderings that transform the building into the ‘living room’ of campus and a go-to destination that is inclusive, accessible and connected,” says Hradsky. “We look forward to continuing to engage the campus community in gathering additional feedback.”

Additional details regarding services, relocations and construction will be provided on and . Email updates will also be shared with the community via the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction email updates.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, ���ϲ����� offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of ���ϲ����� is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

The first shipment of steel is delivered to the National Veterans Resource Center construction site. (Photos by Steve Sartori)

Three years ago it was a vision, today ���ϲ�����’s National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) is becoming a reality, as each day, major construction milestones are achieved. For example, on Thursday, Oct. 18, the first steel truck arrived on the NVRC construction site at the corner of South Crouse and Waverly avenues. And the next day, the first piece of steel went into the ground.

A first-of-its-kind facility, the NVRC seeks to advance academic research, actionable programs and community-connected innovation in service to our nation’s veterans and military families. The NVRC also represents a key point of intersection between the University’s Academic Strategic Plan and the Campus Framework, both of which support the University’s aspiration to be the best place for veterans and their families. A LEED-certified facility, the NVRC will house the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), which recently surpassed 100,000 people served, through programming and resources designed to enhance the lives of veterans, service members and military families.

Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive director of IVMF, says the campus and broader ���ϲ����� communities can expect to witness substantial construction activity in the weeks and months ahead now that the bulk of the site preparation work has been completed.

“It’s exciting to observe this incredible vision coming to life right before us,” says Haynie. “The University team spearheading this project is doing an excellent job keeping this transformative project on schedule. And each day, it becomes more and more apparent just how central this facility will be, not only to the University but also to the region and the nation. I am grateful for the many partners who are helping transform this concept into a concrete testament of ���ϲ�����’s commitment to veterans, their families and military-connected individuals.”

Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, says this project is among the most innovative he has ever been a part of during his time at ���ϲ�����.

“This facility will help us meet a key objective, as identified in the Academic Strategic Plan and the Campus Framework: be the best place for veterans and military-connected individuals,” says Sala. “Along with being entirely accessible, everything about this building is cutting-edge and will allow ���ϲ����� to serve those who have served in an unparalleled manner.”

To learn more about the NVRC and to stay up-to-date on project progress and milestones, visit .��To view the live construction camera, streaming activity from the NVRC site 24 hours a day, visit .

About the National Veterans Resource Center

The National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) will serve as a class-leading exemplar of academic, government and community collaboration and will build upon and advance ���ϲ�����’s already strong national leadership in the veterans community. The NVRC will house state-of-the-art vocational and educational programs designed to advance the economic success of the region’s and the nation’s veterans and military families, and also serve as a platform through which to seed, nurture and coordinate veteran-connected academic research and technology commercialization. The NVRC will also house the ���ϲ����� and Regional Student Veteran Resource Center; the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps; the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs “Vet-Success on Campus”; the National Center of Excellence for Veteran Business Ownership; Veteran Business Outreach Center and Accelerator; and ���ϲ�����’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. Designed as a LEED-certified facility and constructed in accordance with universal design practices, the NVRC will be an inclusive facility that welcomes and accommodates veterans and visitors with disabilities. To learn more about the NVRC, visit��.

About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at ���ϲ�����
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues impacting veterans and their families. Through its professional staff and experts, the IVMF delivers leading programs in career, vocational and entrepreneurship education and training while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis and program evaluations. The IVMF also supports communities through collective impact efforts that enhance delivery and access to services and care. The institute, supported by a distinguished advisory board, along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing the lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and their families. For more information, visit ��and follow the IVMF on��,�������Ի���.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an��undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and��, ���ϲ����� offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of ���ϲ����� is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

On Tuesday, Oct. 9, several ���ϲ����� representatives will appear before the City of ���ϲ����� Planning Commission to formally present its roof replacement application. This latest action follows the University’s May 14 announcement, as well as several months of engagement and consultation with its partners in the City of ���ϲ����� and Onondaga County.

“As an alumnus, a fan and director of athletics, I am confident that our fans will experience ���ϲ����� athletics in a way they never have before,” says Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “What’s particularly exciting is that a transformed stadium benefits so many constituencies, including our student-athletes, our students, faculty, staff, fans, visitors and the greater Central New York community. The stadium has proven to be a hub of economic activity in our region and I am so excited to see the many ways a new stadium experience will contribute to Central New York’s future.”

In fact, the University’s economic impact was defined in a 2017 study prepared by , a firm that has worked extensively with educational institutions around the world, modeling and quantifying the impact institutions have on their local and regional economies. According to that study, the economic impact within Onondaga County generated by travel and tourism connected to events at ���ϲ����� exceeds $140 million annually. Further, those events—the majority of which take place at ���ϲ�����’s stadium—support more than 3,200 local jobs.

“The new roof structure presents a new era on the Hill,” says Mayor Ben Walsh. “We’re pleased the University is moving forward with the project.”

As part of the transformation, the University will invest more than $6 million in comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related accessibility upgrades. Among the improvements being made are a new accessible entrance, updating the current elevator, five ADA electric door operators, the installation of closed captioning software and the addition of accessible seating, as well as other accessibility updates. Some of these updates have already been made or are currently underway.

In addition to the new fixed roof and improved accessibility, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, added Wi-Fi capabilities and a vertically hung scoreboard are among the enhancements visitors will begin experiencing in fall 2020. Other phase one features include the installation of air conditioning, new accessible restrooms and new concessions space. These features are expected to be completed by fall 2022.

Visit for progress updates, photos and more.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, ���ϲ����� offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of ���ϲ����� is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

Pedestrian traffic during this time period will be redirected to walk around the east side of the Flanagan Gym facility; directional signs and University personnel will be in place to re-direct pedestrians.

If the scheduled work changes, the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction will provide additional information regarding the proposed work as it becomes available. Please contact Carmen Luppino, project manager, at 315.256.5184 or caluppin@syr.edu, with any questions or concerns.

If you have questions pertaining to accessibility, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services at 315-443-4018, ADA@syr.edu, or equalopp@syr.edu.

An artist’s rendering of the exterior of the stadium

A new fixed roof, a vertically hung scoreboard, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, improved accessibility and added Wi-Fi capabilities are just a handful of features visitors to ���ϲ�����’s stadium will experience beginning in fall 2020. The $118 million investment, authorized by the Board of Trustees, will enable the University to create a new stadium experience for students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans alike. Today’s announcement represents the next step in advancing the $255 million West Campus transformation strategy the University first announced on May 16, 2016.

“This is a great day for ���ϲ����� as we take a significant step in advancing the goals contained in our Campus Framework, a 20-year roadmap designed to align our vision and mission with our physical space,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Creating a new stadium experience is a key element to supporting a vibrant and diverse campus community. I am excited for our students—undergraduate and graduate—who will receive their degrees in front of their families and friends, for the student-athletes who will compete in this space and for the thousands of individuals who will visit our campus for athletic events, concerts and other activities.”

The decision to move forward with this investment follows a comprehensive, multi-year review and assessment process. Over the last two years, members of the Board of Trustees, University leaders and other campus constituents have explored options for the future of an on-campus stadium, particularly as it relates to replacing the aging roof.

Since the University announced the Campus Framework in 2016, several initiatives that advance academic excellence and the student experience have been prioritized. Those priority initiatives have included more than $27 million in accessibility updates, classroom upgrades, learning technology enhancements and robust improvements to residence halls. The University has also recently begun work on two signature projects: the Barnes Center at The Arch, a new state-of-the-art student-focused health and wellness complex that is a key component of transforming the West Campus, and the National Veterans Resource Center, which will allow the University to fulfill its promise of being the best place for veterans.

“In partnership with academic leaders, in particular the deans of the schools and colleges, we have made tremendous headway on several key initiatives over the last two years,” says Amir Rahnamay-Azar, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “There is still more work to do. Our chief focus—both operationally and strategically—remains prioritizing initiatives that advance academic excellence, enhance the student experience and elevate our global research portfolio.”

As part of the transformation, the University will invest more than $6 million in comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related accessibility upgrades. Among the improvements being made are a new accessible entrance, updating the current elevator to be ADA-compliant, five ADA electric door operators, the installation of closed captioning software and the addition of accessible seating, as well as other accessibility updates.

“I am grateful that creating a space that all members of our campus community, as well as visitors, can safely and comfortably access is the University’s utmost priority,” says Diane Wiener, director of the Disability Cultural Center, co-chair of the Council on Diversity and Inclusion and a member of the University’s Campus Facilities Advisory Board. “I am confident that with collaborative engagement with members of our disability community, most significantly our students, careful design and thoughtful construction, all students, faculty, staff and fans can enjoy the venue.”

Other new features, designed to enhance the experience for all visitors that will be part of phase one include the installation of air conditioning, new accessible restrooms and new concessions space. These features are expected to be completed by fall 2022.

“Replacing the aging roof is really just the tip of the iceberg,” says Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer in the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services. “The visitor experience will be completely transformed. From the enhanced natural lighting in the facility to the ease at which the scoreboard can be viewed, from the new lighting and sound systems to the added restrooms and concessions, our visitors can expect nothing short of a first-class experience. My team and I are eager to get this project underway and we look forward to providing our visitors an experience unlike anything they’ve had on our campus before.”

John Wildhack ’80, director of athletics, says today’s announcement will be well received by many, including fans, current student-athletes and most definitely prospective student-athletes. “As the only stadium in the country that is home to five sports, including two women’s sports, this transformation is really a game-changer for ���ϲ����� athletics. The transformed facility will afford our coaches and athletics staff the tools necessary to continue attracting student-athletes who perform as well in their academics as they do in their respective sports. I am especially thankful that the University will work closely with our department to limit disruption to our home athletic events. Though we’re still working through a timeline, we are hopeful that the impact on our teams will be minimal. ”

Jim Boeheim, head men’s basketball coach says, “The results of this investment are going to make the ���ϲ����� game experience even better for our fans and our players. The new construction will solidify our home court’s reputation as one of the top venues in college basketball.”

Head Football Coach Dino Babers says he is pleased the University is maintaining one of the many elements that first attracted him to ���ϲ�����: an indoor, controlled environment.

“Everyone in our program is ecstatic about the University’s commitment to ensuring our student-athletes and fans have the best experience possible while playing and watching sports in one of the most electrifying spaces in college athletics,” says Babers.

Quentin Hillsman, head women’s basketball coach says, “The last several seasons, and in particular our historic run to the national championship game, have been among the most exciting since I began coaching the game of basketball. Our program only continues to get stronger, and this upgraded facility will help our recruiting efforts, improve our performance on the court and draw more fans than ever before.”

Leaders in the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience say student-athletes are not the only group who will be excited by the latest Campus Framework announcement. In fact, Maurice Harris, dean of undergraduate admissions, says the campus transformation has already had tremendous impact on the University’s effort to recruit and retain a diversely talented student body.

“Every year, we host campus tours and admissions events for more than 30,000 prospective students and their families at ���ϲ�����. This project, combined with other Campus Framework initiatives, will continue to positively impact our recruiting efforts. I am already seeing evidence that these initiatives are allowing us to attract and enroll high-achieving students interested in pursuing a world-class education in the geographic heart of New York State.”

As construction gets underway on phase one initiatives, the University will begin scoping out potential phase two enhancements. In particular, the University is exploring ways to redefine the stadium’s footprint by connecting it—via an enclosed pedestrian thruway—to Archbold Gymnasium, ultimately creating a seamless navigational experience between the two highly visited spaces.

Be sure to visit for progress updates, photos and more.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, ���ϲ����� offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of ���ϲ����� is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://syracuse.edu.

An artist’s rendering of the Barnes Center at The Arch

Construction is now well underway on the Barnes Center at The Arch, a new health and wellness complex that will open in fall 2019. The new complex will provide students, faculty and staff a brand new space to improve their health and engage with a myriad of wellness resources as they balance the rigors of academic life and the pursuit of personal success.

The state-of-the-art complex at the transformed Archbold Gymnasium is designed as a vibrant hub for student services that will provide holistic support with comprehensive medical care, wellness resources and mental health support. The fully accessible complex will bring together the Counseling Center, the Office of Health Promotion, Health Services, Recreation Services and the Office of Student Assistance in one central location, helping to ensure a seamless approach to coordinating student services and promoting collaboration among student offices.

The most vital of services are being consolidated in one place to assist students with access to high-quality health care and comprehensive and holistic mental health, substance abuse, and sexual assault and relationship violence-related services.

“The new Barnes Center at The Arch will be a welcoming, engaging space for all students to find assistance, whether they need a health checkup, mental health counseling, assistance in times of crisis or a place to work out,” says Rob Hradsky, senior associate vice president of the student experience and dean of students. “These new facilities put the focus on the whole student and helping them achieve success inside and outside the classroom through a balanced experience during their time here.”

Just off the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle, the center will be a convenient location with access to multiple points of assistance, resources and recreational amenities within one facility.

“The Barnes Center at the Arch is going to be a huge step in promoting health and wellness for students,” says Student Association President-elect Ghufran Salih ’20. “I’m so excited for all of the students to have access to this center and utilize the resources; it will be a great way to bring this campus together.”

The Barnes Center at The Arch came to fruition through the generosity of Board of Trustees Chairman Steven W. Barnes ’82 and his wife, Deborah, who saw how a center of coordinated services would benefit students and the campus community.

“This new facility provides a centrally and conveniently located space to house the University’s health and wellness resources that enhance a student’s entire ���ϲ����� experience,” says Barnes. “Supporting the whole student is vital to a student’s success, both inside and outside the classroom, on campus and beyond.”

Elements of the new Barnes Center include the following:

• The Counseling Center and the Office of Student Assistance will have new state-of-the-art facilities and spaces to accommodate the varied needs of students.
• As a result of the creation of this new space, the University will be able to consolidate all student-facing resources—that currently sit in multiple locations—into one centrally located facility. Included among these resources are the positions the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience are currently looking to fill, including four therapists, a psychiatrist and a training director to oversee six graduate student trainees and two behavioral health interns from the schools/colleges.
• Health Services will have the latest health care equipment and technology, improving accuracy and providing seamless patient care, along with an increase in patient privacy. A customer care center will separate phone appointments from customer service. A triage area on the first floor will allow immediate assessment to ensure a student is quickly and properly assessed.
• A peer education room will provide a space for peer educators within the Office of Health Promotion to work, study and collaborate. The office oversees 30 peer educators, and plans to expand to approximately 50-75 peer educators by fall 2019. Peer educators will utilize the space to prepare for health and wellness trainings and workshops, package student health and wellness resources, further their continuing education and training, and coordinate campuswide student outreach initiatives.
• There will also be spaces designed for special programming, including meditation, mindfulness programs and other therapies.
• The new complex will also feature a modern multi-floor fitness center, a world-class rock climbing wall, multi-use pool, a multi-activity sports court and fully accessible locker rooms and restrooms.

As part of the Campus Framework, the Barnes Center at The Arch aligns with the University’s goals in the Academic Strategic Plan to “nourish the whole student to support academic, social and emotional well-being.”

“This new facility is a welcome addition to the student experience. The challenges of academic life and just the day-to-day stress as a busy student can be helped by many of the resources that will now all be combined in one convenient location,” says Student Association Vice President-elect Kyle Rosenblum ’20. “As a current sophomore, I have been watching the progression of the plans for the Barnes Center and look forward to taking advantage of many of the resources and facilities my senior year.”

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, ���ϲ����� offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of ���ϲ����� is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, will present information on the utility work that will start in mid-February on and around the Quad. Joe Alfieri, director of Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC), and Dave Warren, CPDC project manager, will also be at the event to discuss the project.

The campus community will hear information about what to expect regarding changes to access to sidewalks, walkways, parking, etc., during the project.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations at the forum, contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (EOIRS) office at 315.443.4018.

For more information about the Campus Framework, visit .

University leadership and the Universitywide Council on Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) note the advancement of several initiatives that have emerged from the recommendations. The council, which was one of the first CWDI recommendations implemented, meets regularly—most recently, Nov. 1—and works with the University community on measures to achieve a more diverse and inclusive campus.

“The work of achieving a diverse and inclusive campus is an ongoing, substantive effort that requires boldness and perseverance,” says council co-chair Diane R. Wiener, director of the Disability Cultural Center. “The council’s work is the work of our entire campus and we are even better and can achieve more when we come together as a community. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are all crucial voices in this imperative process.”

Developments on several of the recommendations include the following:

• In August, the Provost’s Office announced revisions to the form that faculty use to update their curriculum vitae annually. The changes, which were made after discussion among members of several Senate committees, includes a question inviting faculty members to share how they have included attention to equity, diversity, inclusion, international knowledge and global issues in their teaching, research and service. This latest advancement completes a recommendation requiring attention to diversity and inclusion as components of faculty evaluations, CV updates and tenure and promotion decisions.
• As part of the Campus Framework, the Schine Student Center feasibility study is underway to explore possibilities for the current space by analyzing the building and gathering campus community input. The discussions include the possibility of creating a centralized location in the Schine to house such distinct cultural centers as the Disability Cultural Center, LGBT Resource Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Slutzker Center for International Services. This would ensure all cultural centers are accessible and have adequate space. A roundtable discussion was held in October and further engagement opportunities were held on Nov. 2. Feedback has also been gathered from hundreds of campus community members through meetings with student leaders and student organizations, residence hall tabling and focus group sessions.
• A draft of a Universitywide policy on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility has been under revision over the summer and this fall. It was shared with the Senate Committee on Computing Services in October. Student engagement through the process remains a priority. , which makes digital coursework more accessible, has been purchased by the University, and will be rolled out over the course of the spring 2018 semester. A was also initiated in which software and hardware procurement is evaluated to ensure that products meet accessibility guidelines prior to purchase. The University is of the virtual conference, , sponsored by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (). For more information, contact accessibleit@syr.edu.
• The campuswide accessibility audit, which includes all 9 million square feet of University space, is being evaluated and the final results are being analyzed by Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) and other partners to make follow-up recommendations and plans. CPDC contracted with to conduct the audit, which identified physical barriers to access on campus.
• The second annual Indigenous Peoples Day was held Oct. 9. The Native Student Program in the Office of Multicultural Affairs coordinated a series of celebratory and educational activities, in partnership with the student organization Indigenous Students at ���ϲ�����, indigenous graduate students and the Native American Law Student Association in the College of Law. Also, calendars printed by the University’s printing partner, Dupli, and the University calendar published by Hendricks Chapel will note Indigenous Peoples’ Day as the second Monday in October.

“We continue to make progress on efforts to achieve a more equitable campus climate for all individuals, but we still have much to do,” says council co-chair Barry L. Wells, special assistant to the Chancellor. “An important part of achieving our goals is the cross-campus collaborators who are committed to implementing the recommendations and also finding additional deliberate measures that will establish our university community as a model for equity, diversity and inclusion.”

This progress follows other developments that were noted in previous updates in August and September.

Established in fall 2015, the Chancellor’s Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion developed the wide-ranging recommendations aimed at creating a more welcoming, respectful campus climate. A critical part of advancing the recommendations, the Council on Diversity and Inclusion serves as the primary advisory committee to Chancellor Syverud on matters of diversity and inclusion and also serves as a resource to academic and administrative units.

The council is responsible for reviewing and advising on critical diversity and inclusion matters, including issues related to campus climate; implementation of recommendations from the Chancellor’s Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion; and additional steps related to enhancing the diversity of students, faculty and staff.

To learn more about the University’s efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion, please visit .

An artist’s rendering of the outside of��the Barnes Center at The Arch

Scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m., the event will be held outdoors at the south end of Archbold. The speakers will include Board of Trustees Chairman Steven W. Barnes ’82, who along with his wife, Deborah, made a $5 million gift to support the creation of the Barnes Center at The Arch. Chancellor Kent Syverud, Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly, and Angie Pati ’18, vice president of the Student Association, will also deliver remarks.

“���ϲ����� has long recognized the importance of providing a holistic student experience that combines extraordinary academics and forward thinking co-curricular activities,” says Barnes. “This new facility will enhance the health and well-being of our students, further enabling them to excel both inside and outside the classroom.”

The Barnes Center at The Arch will house all of the campus health and wellness services—including the Counseling Center, the Office of Health Promotion, Health Services, Recreation Services and the Office of Student Assistance. Centrally and conveniently located, just off the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle, the new complex will feature a modern multi-floor fitness center, a world-class rock climbing wall, a multi-activity sports court and fully accessible locker rooms and restrooms.

The event comes on the heels of the Nov. 3 Board of Trustees meeting, during which the board unanimously approved the planned transformation. Chancellor Syverud says this transformative Campus Framework initiative would not be possible without the tremendous generosity of the Barnes family.

“I am grateful for Steve and Deborah, both of whom have invested significant time and energy to making ���ϲ����� a better place to live, learn and study,” says Chancellor Syverud. “The Campus Framework imagines a bold vision for the future of ���ϲ����� and the transformation of Archbold Gymnasium is central to bringing that vision to life. I look forward to seeing the great impact this facility will have on our campus community.”

The Barnes family has a long history of philanthropy at ���ϲ�����. In 2010, they endowed the Barnes Family Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities and the Barnes Professorship in Entrepreneurship, both in the . Steve Barnes was a founding co-chair of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and a founding investor in the Orange Value Fund, a $4.1 million student-run portfolio.

The family has also provided support to the Remembrance Scholarship Fund and the McLane Legacy Fund, which supports disability initiatives and the Office of Disability Services, and recently made an annual fund challenge gift of $500,000 to match new and increased gifts supporting Invest ���ϲ�����’s $40 million fundraising campaign to increase opportunities for promising students to attend the University.

To learn more about the transformation of Archbold Gymnasium, visit .

About ���ϲ�����

Founded in 1870, ���ϲ����� is a private international research university dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching excellence, rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11 academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence in the liberal arts, sciences and professional disciplines that prepares students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main campus and extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three continents. ���ϲ�����’s student body is among the most diverse for an institution of its kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent all 50 states and more than 100 countries. ���ϲ����� also has a long legacy of supporting veterans and is home to the nationally recognized Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their families. To learn more about ���ϲ�����, visit .

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“���ϲ����� has several ambitious initiatives underway, including the implementation of the Academic Strategic Plan and Invest ���ϲ�����, as well as the development of several priority projects in the Campus Framework,” says Amir Rahnamay-Azar, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “It is critical that as we continue to bring to life these bold initiatives that all of our business functions are working efficiently, effectively and synergistically. Our goal, as a division, is to be an excellent partner in the important academic work of our institution.”

Rahnamay-Azar says the strategic planning process seeks to accomplish the following goals:

• Establish clear organizational goals for BFAS aligned with those of the University.
• Enhance service offerings in alignment with best practices and industry standards.
• Develop metrics of excellence, and design a framework for measuring success against the plan’s goals.
• Conceptualize and implement a plan that complements the goals of, and accounts for opportunities associated with the following:
• Engage the University community in a series of targeted conversations focused on soliciting input specific to their needs and concerns regarding BFAS operations and services.

The steering committee, chaired by Tony Callisto, senior vice president and chief law enforcement officer, consists of various leaders within the BFAS division. Steering committee members include:

• Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer (vice chair)
• Jamie Cyr, director of auxiliary services (vice chair)
• Lisa Cotanch, director of tax reporting and financial projects
• Tom Dwyer, assistant director of audit and management advisory services
• Adam Fumarola, senior associate vice president for real estate and assessment management
• Gwenn Judge, director of budget and planning
• David Smith, treasurer

Over the next few months, steering committee members will engage in targeted outreach to student leaders, faculty and staff, and other key stakeholders via one-on-one and group conversations, gathering input to help guide the BFAS strategic planning process.

Regular updates will be provided on the SU News website at .

Einhorn Family Walk

A striking new campus landmark completed as part of the Campus Framework, the Einhorn Family Walk will be dedicated during a ceremony Saturday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. The event will take place during Orange Central.

The Einhorn Family Walk, which was the first project completed under the Campus Framework, was supported by a gift from University Trustee Steven ’64, G’67, and Sherry Einhorn ’65. Steven Einhorn is the chair of the Campus Framework Advisory Group. The pedestrian-friendly walkway was created to advance the goals of the Academic Strategic Plan to nourish the whole student in support of their academic, social and emotional well-being, as well as provide a holistic student experience.

The dedication event will feature remarks from Chancellor Kent Syverud; Dean Michael Speaks, a member of the Campus Framework Advisory Group; and Steven Einhorn. They will discuss the importance of the project and how it will be further leveraged for future development.

The public is invited to attend the event, which will take place on the Einhorn Family Walk at the base of the stairs leading up to the Hall of Languages. Attendees will also include members of the Campus Framework Advisory Board, members of the School of Architecture, members of the Chancellor’s Council and members of the Board of Trustees.

Rendering of National Veterans Resource Complex

���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Central New York community, are invited to participate in an information session Monday, Sept. 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the Center of Excellence, room 203, located at 727 E. Washington St., ���ϲ�����, New York. The information session will focus on the construction of the National Veterans Resource Complex (NVRC), one of the inaugural projects contained within the University’s Campus Framework.

The information session will feature remarks from Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, and Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer. Following brief remarks from Haynie and Sala, attendees will be encouraged to ask questions, offer comments and provide feedback on the project. John Barrett, the lead architect from SHoP Architects, the University’s design partner, will also be on hand to address questions about the design and architectural approach.

A first-of-its-kind facility, the NVRC seeks to advance academic research, actionable programs and community-connected innovation in service to our nation’s veterans and military families. The NVRC also represents a key point of intersection between the University’s Academic Strategic Plan and the Campus Framework, both of which support the University’s aspiration to be the best place for veterans and their families.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available for each event. If you have requests for accessibility and accommodations, please contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (EOIRS) office at 315.443.4018.

More information about the National Veterans Resource Complex can be found at . And, to learn more about the Campus Framework, please visit .

The Hendricks Chapel steps are being redone this summer. The limestone stairs will be replaced with granite. Photo by Steve Sartori

The 22 steps of —the diverse religious, spiritual, ethical and cultural heart of ���ϲ�����—have extended to the grassy carpet of the Quad for 87 years. They have invited students to take a break between classes; drawn in the campus community to countless performances, lectures and worship services; and welcomed brides and grooms on their special day.

Decades of much-loved use and ���ϲ����� weather have taken their toll. However, work is now underway to infuse new life to the chapel’s original staircase, with the limestone steps being replaced with granite.

The new dean of Hendricks Chapel, Rev. Dr. Brian E. Konkol, who began his position July 15, arrived on campus as the process to enhance the chapel steps was well underway.

“I am excited to witness such transformation at this vibrant spiritual center of outreach and engagement,” Konkol says. “As both an entrance and exit, the steps communicate the ways in which the chapel is a dynamic space for both gathering and sending, as it all speaks to our core yearnings and propels us for lives of leadership. Since my arrival here I have already experienced why the chapel is so beloved, and I fully trust that its future is filled with possibility.”

The new steps, from a Massachusetts quarry, will be installed over a waterproof concrete subbase fitted with snowmelt—a system of glycol-filled tubes heated by steam—to eliminate freezing and the potential damage from shoveling. Work is also being done to improve the adjacent plaza.

A landmark on the Quad for generations, was dedicated in June 1930, with a five-year renovation done in the 1980s. The exterior of the chapel façade also underwent a thorough cleaning this summer.

“Hendricks Chapel really serves as the lifeblood of this University and as such, it is important that we restore the integrity of the structure while maintaining its unique legacy,” says Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer. “Renewing and reviving these historic steps will help secure the future of this great chapel.”

Former Interim Hendricks Chapel Dean Samuel Clemence also sees the renovation as vital work to the cherished chapel.

“This wonderful chapel has been a place of worship, joy, friendship and comfort for the campus community for decades,” says Clemence, professor emeritus in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “I look forward to seeing the entrance restored to its former glory, continuing to welcome the next generation of students and campus community members.”

The demolition phase included removal of the stone steps and the concrete substructure. The concrete removal required jackhammers and heavy equipment, mitigated by erecting noise barriers around the work area.

The subbase was repoured from the bottom up, building strength in each setting to support the higher stairs. “The snowmelt within the concrete subbase will minimize freeze-thaw issues. You bring the stair temperature up above freezing during the colder months,” says James Blum, senior project manager with Campus Planning, Design and Construction. It will also help melt the snow and take away the need to shovel the stairs.

A rendering of the Hendricks Chapel steps after the renovation

As part of the work, crews will also replace the concrete plaza in front of the steps and install a better drainage system tied into the stormwater system. “We need to remove the concrete, regrade the area and install drainage piping, so it actually has a hard path into storm sewers,” Blum says.

“One of the unique things about this restoration is that the chapel still has weddings going on,” Blum says. “We coordinate the work schedule with the weddings.” A scheduled wedding took place Saturday, June 25, and the next day fencing went up.

The concrete pour with snowmelt and waterproofing was complete in early August.�� The granite tread installation will take place in the remainder of August.

The granite, which offers more strength than limestone in this type of construction, maintains the historic look of the limestone.

Following the placement of the granite, the work of rebuilding the plaza will begin with a couple days of scheduled jackhammering and accommodations made to minimize disruption of busy campus activities.�� This will occur in September.

When completed, the steps will no longer have the red carpet and the center railing, rather a double bronze railing. The double railing, spaced about five feet apart, will allow for brides and grooms to walk down together in a center space.

The Hall of Languages will be undergoing renovations this summer to improve classroom spaces and accessibility. Photo by Steve Sartori

The footsteps of thousands—tens of thousands—of students reverberate in the memory of its corridors and classrooms. The Hall of Languages—the oldest, most iconic building on campus—has been the site of teaching and learning, inspiring research and creative work and launching young people into their fields, for the past 144 years.

To improve its spaces and continue its storied history, the beloved building will undergo a refresher this summer and next, with technology, accessibility and interior updates to many classrooms and two lecture halls. Plans are also in the works to restore the exterior masonry and replace windows to improve energy efficiency.

The renovations are part of the ongoing work of the Campus Framework, which is making investments in academic spaces, accessibility and technology around campus in alignment with the Academic Strategic Plan. In his inaugural address, Chancellor Kent Syverud noted that enhancing undergraduate education starts with “building an unrivaled College of Arts and Sciences” and every aspect of campus life, including where they work and study and interact with each other and the faculty.

Hall of Languages (1873), central tower not added until 1886. Photo courtesy of University Archives, Special Collections Research Center

The , which was dedicated on May 8, 1873, was originally home to the College of Liberal Arts and subsequently the College of Arts and Sciences.

“This building is a treasured space for students, faculty, staff and alumni, and its leading presence on campus represents a core academic mission at the University. It is wonderful to see the care and preservation that is taken with our legacy of liberal arts to ensure its physical and academic strategic value for the future,” says Karin Ruhlandt, dean of the and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. “These renovations will provide our students with the best, most accommodating environments for learning and faculty, with the most up-to-date technology to present their topics to explore and inspire.”

The building was made with Onondaga limestone and wood framing with interior cast-iron columns, according to University Archives. The east and west towers were original to the building; it wasn’t until 1886 that the central tower was added.

“The Hall of Languages is at the forefront of our key academic spaces and a central part of the Campus Framework. The building’s longevity is vital to the long-term goals of the framework and, in turn, the Academic Strategic Plan,” says Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and Provost for faculty engagement, dean emerita of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of Earth sciences and interdisciplinary sciences.

“Student learning begins in the classroom space with faculty, and the renovations in the Hall of Languages represent our commitment to the success of our students by creating the highest-quality spaces and facilities,” says Newton, a member of the Campus Facilities Advisory Board.

The renovation work in the classrooms will begin July 1 and wrap up Aug. 15—just before��students return to campus and to one of the most-visited buildings on campus.

Circa 1895-1910. Photo courtesy of New York State Archives, Education Dept. Division of Visual Instruction

“The Hall of Languages is one of the most highly utilized classroom buildings on campus, according to our classroom utilization studies,” says Joe Alfieri, director of Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC). “In terms of students served for the investment, it’s a good target.”

The renovation work will be done in two phases.

“Phase one is this summer and includes six classrooms: three on the first floor and three on the second floor of the east side of the building,” says Mark Hance, associate director for construction with CPDC. “Phase two includes six classrooms on the opposite side of the building—the west side of building, with two lecture spaces, one on the first floor and one on the second floor.” Phase two will take place during the summer of 2018.

The renovations will include new finishes, carpeting, paint, lighting and technology. “It’s going to look fresh and modern,” Alfieri says. CPDC staff are also looking at adding a single-occupant use bathroom on the first floor.

The new technology setup in the classroom was designed and will be implemented by staff members with Learning Environments and Media Production (LEMP), a department of Information Technology Services. LEMP does the consulting, design and integration for audiovisual technology in classrooms on campus and works closely with CPDC on renovation work and new construction.

Mike O’Mara, director of LEMP, explains the upgrades are part of a standard classroom technology package. In each of the six rooms in each phase, there will be a height-adjustable teaching station, which can be adjusted in terms of height and position.

“Each teaching station will have a document camera, a local computer, a Blu-ray player and a Wacom tablet—an interactive monitor that you can write on with a stylus,” O’Mara says.

The new classroom technology will include cameras in the front and back of the classroom so that the faculty member can access Skype and tape the lecture for playback. The rooms will be outfitted with a confidence monitor, which is a smaller monitor, situated at the back of the room so faculty members can view their projected images without having to look away from students.

Each room will also have an assisted listening system, which includes a receiver pack for individuals to plug in their head phones or a neck loop that will work with hearing aids.

The classrooms will have a new ceiling speaker system, which also has microphones to pick up student voices for web-based videoconferencing.

During the Hall of Languages renovation phases, the building’s masonry will be restored and windows will be replaced. Photo by Steve Sartori

For the Hall of Languages renovation, staff members with LEMP have already taken out the old technology in the classroom and will complete the technology updates in time for the new semester.

“Once all the equipment is installed, we do all the maintenance and upkeep for the technology,” O’Mara says. “And if a faculty member has an issue with the technology, we respond and provide support in the classroom.”

During phase 2 of the project, the lecture halls will be outfitted with additional options for accessible seating. Furniture in the classrooms was replaced last year. There will also be mechanical, electrical and HVAC system work done to make the classrooms more comfortable.

As part of the building’s overall energy efficiency, the building’s masonry will be restored and windows will be replaced. An extra step will be to present the selected window replacement to the ���ϲ����� Landmark Preservation Board. The Hall of Languages was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

“We’ll research old photos of the building and demonstrate to the board that the new windows retain the character of the building,” Alfieri says. The windows are an opportunity to improve energy efficiency and maintain the historic look of the building.

The last major renovation was done in 1979—when the building was about 100 years old. The central stairway in the five-story atrium was added, along with the glass-enclosed vestibules at the rear of the building and an elevator. Workers replaced the wood floors with concrete and steel replaced the original timber columns.

As these latest improvements are made beginning this summer and classes resume, students will definitely notice the difference.

“They will find updated classrooms with more modern technology and audiovisual components,” Hance says. “The goal is to improve the overall learning experience.”

During the forum, Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, and Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and provost for faculty engagement, will provide an overview of the Campus Framework draft that was shared with the campus community on Monday, May 15. Staff in the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) will also be on hand to answer questions.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at the forum. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (EOIRS) office at 315.443.4018.

Light refreshments will be served.

More information about the Campus Framework can be found at . ��Visitors can provide feedback and have questions answered in real-time.

The Barnes family’s latest gift will support the creation of The Barnes Center at The Arch. As a result, the Archbold/Flanagan Gymnasium will be transformed into a holistic health, wellness and recreation complex.

Steve and Deborah Barnes cite University’s transformative, student-centric vision as motivation for gift

A new state-of-the-art, health, wellness and recreation complex, which until now has been a conceptual component in the draft Campus Framework, is now one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to the vision and generosity of Board of Trustees Chairman Steven W. Barnes ’82 and his wife, Deborah.

For many years, the Barnes family has supported the University—both in service and in philanthropy. The Barnes family recently made a $5 million gift to support what they call ���ϲ�����’s “transformative, student-centric” vision contained within the Academic Strategic Plan and Campus Framework.

Citing the University’s commitment to advancing academic excellence, enhancing the student experience—inside and outside the classroom—and building a more vibrant and connected campus community, Barnes says he is eager to see the elements contained within the Academic Strategic Plan and the Campus Framework coming to life.

“Significant time, energy and effort have been dedicated to conceptualizing and crafting two critically important roadmaps that will help guide the University’s academic and physical future,” says Barnes. “That these two efforts have been done concurrently is proof positive that ���ϲ����� is building on its strong legacy and that continued growth and success is in its future.”

Chancellor Kent Syverud says future generations of ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff are the beneficiaries of the Barnes family’s continued philanthropy and leadership.

“Steve has been a great partner, advisor and leader during the strategic planning process,” says Chancellor Syverud. “His confidence in the goals and recommendations of the Academic Strategic Plan and Campus Framework, and his dedication to seeing them come to fruition, are a testament to his unwavering support of ���ϲ�����. I am grateful for his leadership and extend my heartfelt gratitude to him and Debbie for their great generosity.”

In making the gift, Barnes noted that today’s college students are seeking a complete living and learning experience.

Steven W. Barnes

“They want excellent academics; extracurricular activities that ignite their passion; and health and wellness opportunities that help balance the rigor and demands of higher education. This new health, wellness and recreation complex will empower the University to continue its focus on supporting students beyond the academic realm,” says Barnes.

The family’s latest gift will support the creation of The Barnes Center at The Arch. As a result, the Archbold/Flanagan Gymnasium will be transformed into a holistic health, wellness and recreation complex. It will house all of the campus health and wellness services—including the Counseling Center, the Office of Health Promotion, Health Services, Recreation Services and the Office of Student Assistance—in one central and convenient location, just off the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle. The new complex will also feature a modern multi-floor fitness center, a world-class rock climbing wall, a multi-activity sports court and fully accessible locker rooms and restrooms.

“The Campus Framework really seeks to elevate the entire student experience and the creation of this new complex is a testament to the University’s commitment to enhancing student life,” says Joyce LaLonde ’17, former vice president of the Student Association. “I am so excited for the future generations of students who will have the opportunity to see and experience the campus transformation. I’ll definitely look forward to returning as an alum.”

Dolan Evanovich, senior vice president of the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience, says this is an exciting time to be at ���ϲ�����, noting prospective students and their families are enthusiastic about forthcoming renovations and facilities updates.

“The Barnes Center will serve to better coordinate all student health and wellness services, both organizationally and physically, and assure full accessibility,” says Evanovich. “The Barnes Center will further our mission of providing a seamless and robust approach to the learning, advising, counseling, engagement and development of the whole student. All of these efforts, of course, are designed to make ���ϲ����� an even better place to live, learn and flourish.”

Barnes’ generosity predates his leadership role on the Board of Trustees. In 2010, Barnes endowed, as part of a gift, the Barnes Family Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities at the Whitman School. His gift also created the Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School, which is held by Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie. Barnes is a founding investor in the Orange Value Fund, a $4.1 million student-run portfolio. The Barnes family has also provided substantial financial support to the Remembrance Scholarship Fund and to the McLane Legacy Fund, which supports disability initiatives and the Office of Disability Services.

Barnes also previously served as the co-chairman of the University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families and is a longtime member of the Whitman School of Management Advisory Council and the Boston Regional Council. As chairman of the Board of Trustees, Barnes has supported Chancellor Syverud’s efforts to align the University’s academic vision and mission with its physical presence and infrastructure.

The Barnes family gift represents the second seven-figure gift in a major fundraising effort by the University to raise funds to support the many projects contained within the draft Campus Framework. Last fall, University Trustee Steven L. ’64, G’67 and his wife, Sherry ’65 Einhorn, gave $1 million in support of one of the first projects to be realized in the Campus Framework. As a result of the Einhorn family gift, the space previously known as University Place is now the Einhorn Family Walk.

For those interested in being a part of history and helping to transform the University’s footprint, there are many giving opportunities. The University is seeking donations, including naming gifts, for all initiatives contained within the draft Campus Framework. To make a gift, contact Matt Ter Molen, senior vice president and chief advancement officer, via email at termolen@syr.edu or by phone at 315.443.9161.

To learn more about the draft Campus Framework and to provide real-time feedback, visit .

This past weekend, tens of thousands of families, friends and loved ones converged on campus to celebrate the academic achievements of roughly 7,000 ���ϲ����� students. A highly symbolic ritual, Commencement marks not only the end of a journey, but also the beginning of a new one.

New life also abounds in the , which I am pleased to share with you today. Literally hundreds of you have worked on the Campus Framework for the past three years, particularly since we released the draft overview last June. I remain grateful for your assistance.

The Campus Framework is part of Fast Forward ���ϲ�����, a three-pronged initiative conceived in June 2014 that includes the Academic Strategic Plan and Operational Excellence. The overarching goal of the Campus Framework is to ensure that the University’s physical landscape, buildings and infrastructure align with and support the priorities of the Academic Strategic Plan, as well as our institutional mission and vision.

The provides a roadmap for achieving this goal. It addresses immediate needs, but also articulates how we envision the evolution of the campus landscape in the years ahead. Through implementation of the Campus Framework, we will advance learning and scholarship, enhance access and support an outstanding student experience for our diverse campus community.

In today’s higher education environment, great universities do not remain static. They embrace change and the evolving needs and expectations of students, our communities and the world. The Campus Framework will help maximize our physical spaces and resources to provide a world-class experience for members of our campus community. The plan is aspirational and achievable, as well as dynamic and incremental, outlining a vision for priorities in the years and decades ahead.

We cannot do this all-important work without your time, talent and dedication. It is an exciting time in the life of the University, and I am delighted to share it with you. Thank you for your ongoing involvement, as ���ϲ����� embarks on a new journey of greatness.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Kent Syverud

Ensuring that ���ϲ�����’s physical landscape, buildings and infrastructure align with and support the priorities of the Academic Strategic Plan and its institutional mission and vision is the chief objective of the newly released .

The full report, which remains in draft form to allow the University to shift and adapt to evolving needs and priorities, received the endorsement of the Board of Trustees over the weekend. The Campus Framework, which recently won a 2017 Society for College and University Planning Excellence Award in Planning for an Existing Campus, can now be viewed at . There, campus community members can read the report, provide feedback, and have their questions answered in real time. The University will also host multiple information sessions in the coming months, the first of which is scheduled for Thursday, June 15, at 4 p.m. in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium in Newhouse 3. Look for the times, dates and locations of additional information sessions on the Campus Framework .

Noting that a lot of time, energy and effort were committed to developing the Campus Framework, Chancellor Kent Syverud says he is grateful to the students, faculty, staff and alumni who participated in this important initiative.

“We could not have done this work without the time, talent and dedication of so many in the ���ϲ����� community,” says Chancellor Syverud. “This is an exciting time for the University. That so many people are part of this effort is a testament to our collective commitment to making ���ϲ����� an even better place to live, learn, work and flourish. I look forward to the continued involvement of our students, faculty, staff and alumni as we implement this ambitious plan.”

The Campus Framework Advisory Group, created in May 2014, consisted of students, faculty, staff and alumni. It prioritized the following goals throughout the development of the Campus Framework:

• support academic excellence;
• enrich all aspects of student life; and
• create a diverse and vibrant campus setting.

University Trustee Steven Einhorn ’64, G’67, chair of the Campus Framework Advisory Group, emphasizes the Campus Framework is a 20-year visioning document that may evolve over time.

“The Campus Framework is a conceptual planning strategy of what steps the University might take to further develop identified facility and open space opportunities on campus,” says Einhorn. “The Campus Framework contains opportunities, many of which are extremely ambitious. We may not realize all of the things in this report, and there may be new ideas that come to light that are not reflected as well. That’s the beauty of this process—it’s designed to allow ���ϲ����� to be nimble and to shift focus as new opportunities or priorities arise.”

One priority that won’t shift is the focus on creating a campus environment that fully supports the goals of the Academic Strategic Plan. Though there are numerous points of intersection between the Academic Plan and the Campus Framework, key areas include:

• providing an unparalleled student experience;
• fostering a culture of discovery and research;
• sustaining an inclusive and accessible campus; and
• ensuring distinguished veterans’ programs and services.

Considerable enhancements to classroom space; upgrades to learning technology; updates to residence halls; a new health, wellness and recreation center; the new Innovation and Discovery Complex; and the National Veterans Resource Complex are just some of the projects and opportunities that will support the implementation of the Academic Strategic Plan.

“The Campus Framework provides a draft vision of the academic and student-life evolution of our campus,” says Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and Provost for faculty engagement, dean emerita of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of Earth sciences and interdisciplinary sciences. “This is exciting. Our 2017 Framework supports the further development of spaces and facilities critical to the success of the Academic Plan across the diverse disciplines.”

As the University moves forward with executing the various projects contained within the Campus Framework, it will continue to seek the endorsement of the Board of Trustees prior to initiating construction. Additionally, the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction, in partnership with the University’s Campus Facilities Advisory Board, will consider the following factors during the campus construction decision-making process:

• alignment of physical presence with academic priorities;
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance;
• campus community input;
• identification of funding; and
• urgency of infrastructure improvements.

David Lemon, a Ph.D. student in the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Campus Framework Advisory Group, says not only does he appreciate the due diligence that has been committed to this process, but he’s thankful to the community for their candid input along the way.

“All feedback is important—positive, constructive or otherwise,” says Lemon. “That feedback truly drove the development of the Campus Framework and created a strong foundation for continued collaboration moving forward. I am proud of the work of the advisory group and look forward to seeing some of our bold ideas realized.”

To review the full draft Campus Framework, visit . To comment on the Campus Framework, visit .

The effort stems from campus community members’ advocacy and the University’s commitment to advancing an open, inclusive environment. The restrooms provide private, safe and comfortable facilities, similar to what people have at home, and better support and meet the needs of trans communities and campus community members with young children.

The community’s engagement and input has guided the process throughout. Campus engagement sessions in the fall with students, faculty and staff helped to generate initial ideas for the designs. Following the campus engagement sessions, focus groups occurred��in February where community feedback was gathered on the initial concepts.

Pentagram—an independent design consultancy hired by the University to evaluate campus signage—applied the community’s feedback to create these final designs. Each design offers symbols that reflect the facilities available within each space and the accessibility of those spaces, which was identified as a priority during community and committee discussions.

To date, there are over 700 single-occupancy��restrooms on campus, with over 600 located in residence and dining areas. The University currently has 31 facilities in Main Campus academic and administrative buildings. Plans are in place to begin construction on three additional single-occupancy��restrooms over the summer.

Students, faculty and staff can vote and provide feedback now through May 15 for their preferred design. Once votes are tallied, the University will move forward in the final stages of producing and posting the new restroom signage.

Michele G. Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost, and Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, convened the third meeting of the Campus Facilities Advisory Board (CFAB) on Thursday, April 27, at the Office of Campus Planning, Design, and Construction (CPDC).

Wheatly and Sala, the CFAB co-chairs; Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and Provost and lead faculty advisor to the board; and the board’s members participated in a 90-minute conversation about a number of important topics, chief among them accessibility.

During yesterday’s meeting, the members engaged in a thoughtful conversation about a recommendation made by member Arlene Kanter, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence and director of the College of Law’s Disability Law and Policy Program.

Although the University has a longstanding commitment to accessibility, Kanter asked the members to consider adopting a new guiding principle for prospective campus facilities decisions.

The guiding principle, which was unanimously endorsed by the board, is as follows: “���ϲ����� will not locate any programs, departments or organizations, or any faculty, students or staff offices, in any buildings that are not fully accessible and in compliance with federal, state and local laws. Such buildings should be made accessible; if that is not feasible, such buildings should be decommissioned, sold or used solely for purposes permitted by federal, state and local laws.”

Kanter said CFAB’s endorsement of this language reinforces the University’s continued focus on being an accessible and inclusive campus community. The CFAB will continue its accessibility focus with a forthcoming discussion about the implementation process of this guiding principle.

“As we, as a university, proceed with the Campus Framework planning process, and as various projects are initiated, it is important that enhanced access continues to be at the heart of all upgrades to current facilities and the design and construction of new facilities. I commend the University, and my fellow members of the CFAB, for continuing to prioritize accessibility and inclusivity,” said Kanter.

The new guiding principle is the second to be endorsed by the board since its inception in January. During its January meeting, the board unanimously endorsed positioning the physical heart of the campus as the academic core of ���ϲ�����. This means all current and new space situated around or near the Shaw Quadrangle will be used for academic departments, student-service units and administrative support offices.

Yesterday’s agenda also included a presentation by Joyce LaLonde ’17, vice president of the Student Association, about the success of the Cycle Share Program; a review by the CFAB of the Waverly Avenue construction plan and timeline; and an update from CPDC staff about forthcoming summer construction projects.

To learn more about the Campus Framework, visit . To read the Academic Strategic Plan, visit .

The board co-chairs, along with Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and the Provost and lead faculty advisor to the board, facilitated an hourlong discussion, during which the board focused on a number of important items. Chief among them was reviewing, discussing and voting on proposed governing procedures. The governing procedures, which were approved unanimously, will help guide the board’s decision-making and voting processes; dictate the frequency and length of meetings; and provide parameters for determining how to appoint subcommittees, should they be deemed necessary.

“As this board is still very much in its early stages, it is critical that we put governing policies, procedures and processes into place that all members agree upon and support,” says Sala. “I was pleased by the thoughtful dialogue around how this board will govern itself and appreciate the candor and collegiality this board has already demonstrated.”

Yesterday’s agenda also included a presentation by Joe Alfieri, director of campus planning, about the capital project needs assessment process and an overview of the summer construction project recommendations. Among those recommendations are significant renovations to a number of campus facilities with considerable deferred maintenance; utility maintenance and upgrades in academic buildings, residence halls and under roadways; and substantial accessibility improvements, particularly related to vertical transportation in several buildings, including Archbold/Flanagan Gymnasium and Maxwell. The recommended summer construction projects remain under consideration at this time. A vote on the recommendations is likely forthcoming.

To learn more about the Campus Framework, visit . To read the Academic Strategic Plan, visit .

Click on the video to watch the event in its entirety.

Photo by Steve Sartori

Michele G. Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost, and Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, convened the first Campus Facilities Advisory Board (CFAB) meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16.

The CFAB co-chairs, in collaboration with Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and the provost and lead faculty advisor to the board, spent more than an hour tackling a lengthy agenda. That agenda included a review of the board’s charge, an update on the status of several Campus Framework initiatives, an overview of the facility condition assessment that was conducted last summer and a discussion about next steps and action items.

“This group of deans, students, faculty and staff will play a critical role in advising University leadership on what projects to prioritize, where to allocate financial resources and how to best align ���ϲ�����’s physical presence with our Academic Strategic Plan,” says Provost Wheatly. “Each member of this board was selected because of their unique expertise, diverse perspective and their commitment to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done. I look forward to working with these talented individuals as we begin to bring the Campus Framework to life.”

At each meeting, the CFAB, which was charged with assessing all academic and non-academic investments within the Campus Framework, will be asked to vote on and provide guidance on key issues and initiatives. During yesterday’s meeting, the board unanimously endorsed two recommendations:

• Supporting the draft Campus Framework’s recommendation to position the physical heart of the campus as the academic core of ���ϲ�����: All current space physically situated around or near the Shaw Quadrangle will be used for academic departments, student-service units and administrative support offices that provide invaluable support to ���ϲ����� students. As new space becomes available near or around the academic core, the space needs of academic and student-support units will take priority.
• Supporting a time sensitive request by an important academic unit to identify additional space for teaching, learning and research.

“We made substantive progress during our first meeting,” Newton says. “This broadly constituted board is critical to ensuring that decisions being made about the campus’s infrastructure are being informed by constructive and candid feedback.”

The CFAB is also charged with developing best practices for all campus engagement, decision-making and communication, particularly in relation to renovation, new construction and best use of facilities.

The members will also provide guidance on the following initiatives:

• Phasing and Scope of New Construction: Review of building programs, building sites, regulatory implications and impacts on campus space.
• Phasing and Scope of Major Renovations: Review of renovation programs, building and grounds areas affected, regulatory implications and impacts on campus space.
• Campus Space Planning: Review the impacts of new construction and major renovations on campus space, and provide review and approval authority to space utilization plans.
• Campus Architectural Standards: Review and provide guidance on campus architectural standards to the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction.

To learn more about the Campus Framework, visit . To read the Academic Strategic Plan, visit .

Chancellor Syverud also encouraged the members of the Senate to participate in the Feb. 28 Campus Framework Forum; introduced Amir Rahnamay-Azar, the University’s new senior vice president and chief financial officer; and asked the Senate to join him in thanking Gwenn Judge for her exceptional service as interim chief operating officer.

Below are the Chancellor’s remarks as prepared for the University Senate meeting:

Opening Remarks

Good afternoon. I am pleased to be here today. Before I share a couple quick updates, I want to extend my gratitude to Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly and to all of you for participating in last week’s open forum. Hosting an open forum is part of Senate bylaws. I think it is good that after many years of not holding a forum, we have started this tradition again.

I today asked the Senate Agenda Committee to help suggest the structure and membership of a committee that will plan the University’s activities to mark our sesquicentennial, our 150th birthday. Our 150th birthday year is in 2020, which also happens to be an election year. As I have been listening to the discussion on various issues in the Senate today, I have been thinking about getting to 2020, and who we are going to be as a University and as a country when we get to 2020.

Folks, we are in a marathon, not in a sprint. Two friends in the noon-day running club, a great ���ϲ����� tradition, have recently reminded me that the tactics and strategy that gets you successfully through a marathon are different than the tactics and strategy that gets you successfully through a sprint. I would like our University to get to 2020 in a state where we are thriving and our values are intact.

I am taking under advisement the counsel we have received from Senators today on various issues. For now, all I want to add is that I reaffirm that the values of ���ϲ����� include our steadfast belief in shared governance, our respect for civil discourse and free speech, and our rejection of discrimination on the basis of religion or national origin. I believe each of those values is going to be challenged at times from all directions between now and 2020. There will be times when we all don’t agree on what these values require in particular contexts. That is ok—we are a university—we are not all supposed to agree with each other all the time. But we are supposed to listen to each other. And I hope we can all continue to agree on these shared values, including today especially that we embrace each and every member of our community, including those of Islamic faith and those who come from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Yemen and Syria.

Last week, General Counsel and Slutzker Center staff hosted two in-depth open houses at the Slutzker Center. Dozens of students attended. The University remains focused on providing support to our students, faculty and staff directly impacted by the administration’s executive orders. The Senate Academic Affairs Committee has also formed a subcommittee, which has drafted a proposal for pathways to degree completion for students affected by U.S. immigration policies. I expect further discussion of that proposal in the very near future.

DACA/Undocumented Students

There also continues to be many discussions about how we can best support our diverse student body, many of whom may be undocumented or beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA.

Last week, I announced the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals/Undocumented Students (DACA). This committee will be charged with establishing opportunities for dialogue and reflection among students, faculty and staff to promote and advance a diverse and inclusive campus community. This committee will also:

• review what ���ϲ����� is currently doing in terms of supporting these students;
• explore best practices at other colleges and universities; and
• identify and recommend ways in which we can enhance our support of this group of students.

I am finalizing the membership of the DACA Committee to include students, faculty and staff. The goal is to compile a committee with significant experience and expertise in this area. I plan to name the committee by the end of the week. If members of the Senate have interest in serving on the committee, they should contact my office.

I understand some members of ���ϲ����� affiliated faculty and staff have been working to organize an event with Congressman John Katko later this week. I understand Congressman Katko will be unable to attend. I want the University Senate to know that Congressman Katko and his staff have been very helpful in recent times on individual immigration issues involving our faculty and students. He and I are talking about immigration-related issues and that will continue in the future.

Campus Framework Forum

Provost Wheatly and Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, updated the campus community last week about the ongoing Campus Framework planning process. Envisioning and bringing to life the future of our campus is a significant undertaking—both logistically and financially.

As such, we continue all of this work in a deliberate, meticulous and collaborative manner. Given all this great activity, we are taking additional time to ensure that all feedback is accurately and appropriately reflected in the next draft of the Campus Framework.

I encourage you to attend the next Campus Framework forum, scheduled for Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. in the Hergenhan Auditorium in Newhouse 3. In tandem with the Campus Framework Advisory Group, Provost Wheatly, Vice President Sala and Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and provost for faculty engagement, will host the event. The goal is to share input received and solicit additional feedback on next steps, particularly as it relates to academic priorities.

New CFO Begins

Finally, I ask that you join me in welcoming Amir Rahnamay-Azar, who is here with us today. Amir is our new senior vice president and chief financial officer. Today is his first official day—although he’s been hard at work for several weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

Today is also the first official day since June that Gwenn Judge has not been our interim CFO. Gwenn has returned to her role as our chief budget officer, and will continue to work closely with the schools, colleges and the University Senate. I am deeply grateful to Gwenn for her service over the last eight months. She has shown grace, dedication, integrity and respect for everyone at the University. Could you all please join me in thanking Gwenn?

During the forum, Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele G. Wheatly, Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala and Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and provost for faculty engagement, will provide an overview of information gathered last fall and solicit additional feedback on next steps. Members of the Campus Framework Advisory Group and staff in the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) will also be on hand to answer questions.

The session follows a significant effort to capture feedback and suggestions from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. This feedback process has included more than a dozen Campus Framework forums, as well as one-on-one meetings with the deans of the schools and colleges and with leaders in the many academic and support units on campus. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members have provided input, which has helped inform the ongoing work of crafting the draft Campus Framework.

In addition to engaging in conversation with and answering questions from participants, members of the administration, CPDC and the advisory group will also:

• provide an overview of the physical space priorities as identified by the academic deans in the schools and colleges;
• summarize the results of the two space audits, including the accessibility audit, that were conducted in the fall;
• discuss how the Campus Framework works in tandem with the academic strategic planning process; and
• review the goals of the new Campus Facilities Advisory Board, which is composed of students, faculty and staff, and charged with assessing all academic and non-academic investments within the Campus Framework.

Following the forum on Feb. 28, Chancellor Kent Syverud, Provost Wheatly, the Board of Trustees and the Campus Framework Advisory Group will continue to revise the draft Campus Framework. An updated Campus Framework document will be shared with the campus community later this spring.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at the forum. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (EOIRS) office at 315.443.4018.

Light refreshments will be served.

More information about the Campus Framework can be found at . Visitors can provide feedback and have questions answered in real-time.

With the spring semester fully underway, we want to update the campus community on the progress of the Campus Framework planning process.

First and foremost, thank you for your participation in the more than one dozen Campus Framework forums we hosted in September, October and November. Your feedback is integral to this process and has already been used to make changes. The process of incorporating your input into the draft Campus Framework is ongoing. We’ve heard from hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members, and appreciate the good suggestions, candor and constructive feedback.

We also want to extend our gratitude to the deans of the schools and colleges and people in the many academic and support units on campus. Throughout the fall semester, we met with these individuals to hear and gather their feedback. Specifically, this effort focused on identifying each school, college and support unit’s specific space needs and priorities. These sessions also included a discussion of how addressing those needs and priorities would support the University’s academic vision and mission. It is clear from these conversations that there is a collective commitment to ensuring the complements and supports the implementation of the .

In late January, the University announced the creation of a new . This board, composed of students, faculty and staff, is charged with assessing all academic and non-academic investments within the Campus Framework. As co-chairs of this board, our priority will be to bring the members up to speed on all aspects of the Campus Framework before proceeding with next steps. Their input, particularly as it relates to academic facility priorities, is vital.

Envisioning and bringing to life the future of our campus is a significant undertaking—both logistically and financially. This month, Amir Rahnamay-Azar, the University’s new chief financial officer, will begin his new role at ���ϲ�����. His review of the Campus Framework’s goals, priorities and projects is essential as we begin to define a budget and a timeline of construction.

Later this month, we, along with our colleagues in Campus Planning, Design and Construction and the members of the Campus Framework Advisory Group, will host a forum on Tuesday, Feb. 28, to share with you the information we gathered last fall and to solicit additional feedback on next steps. Specific details about the forum are forthcoming; we hope you will join us. In addition to engaging in conversation with and answering questions from participants, we will also:

•���� provide an overview of the physical space priorities as identified by the academic deans in the schools and colleges;
•���� summarize the results of the two space audits, including the accessibility audit, that were conducted in the fall;
•���� discuss how the Campus Framework works in tandem with the academic strategic planning process; and
•���� review the goals of the new Campus Facilities Advisory Board.

We continue all of this work in a deliberate, meticulous and collaborative manner. Given all this great activity and new leadership, we are taking additional time to ensure that all feedback is accurately and appropriately reflected in the next draft of the Campus Framework.

Following the forum on Feb. 28, Chancellor Kent Syverud, Provost Michele Wheatly, the Board of Trustees and the Campus Framework Advisory Group will continue to revise the draft Campus Framework. We anticipate an updated Campus Framework document will be shared with the campus community later this spring.

Your input remains critical, perhaps now more than ever, as we approach finalizing a working document that—in coordination with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan—will shape the campus environment and its physical form for decades to come. We want the ���ϲ����� campus and its community members to continue to thrive in a vibrant campus setting—and your continued support and feedback will help us make that possible.

As always, to learn more about the Campus Framework, please visit . There, you can provide your feedback and have your questions answered in real time.

Sincerely,

Michele G. Wheatly
Vice Chancellor and Provost

Pete Sala
Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer

The Campus Facilities Advisory Board will assess all academic and non-academic investments within the Campus Framework. This board will also be charged with developing best practices for all campus engagement, decision-making and communication, particularly in relation to renovation, new construction and best use of facilities.

“The Campus Facilities Advisory Board will play an important role as we move forward with the implementation of the Academic Strategic Plan and Campus Framework,” says Provost Wheatly. “Not only will this board ensure alignment of the University’s academic vision, mission and infrastructure, it will also provide the leadership and insight necessary to make critical decisions regarding campus facilities with broad institutional impacts.”

The Campus Facilities Advisory Board will provide guidance on the following initiatives:

• Phasing and Scope of New Construction: Review of building program, building site, regulatory implications and impacts on campus space.
• Phasing and Scope of Major Renovations: Review of renovation program, building and grounds areas affected, regulatory implications and impacts on campus space.
• Campus Space Planning: Review impacts of new construction and major renovations on campus space, and provide review and approval authority to space utilization plans.
• Campus Architectural Standards: Review and provide guidance on campus architectural standards to Campus Planning, Design and Construction.

The board members include:

• Kevin Bailey, Assistant Dean and Chief Information Officer in the Whitman School of Management
• Tony Callisto, Senior Vice President and Chief Law Enforcement Officer
• Julia Czerniak, Associate Dean and Professor in the School of Architecture
• Dolan Evanovich, Senior Vice President for Enrollment and the Student Experience
• Rochelle Ford, Chair of and Professor in the Department of Public Relations in the Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Sterling Grimes ’17, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Julie Hasenwinkel, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Arlene Kanter, Laura J. and L. Douglas Professor of Teaching Excellence, Professor of Law and Director, Disability Law and Policy Program in the College of Law
• Mary Lovely, Chair of the International Relations Program and Professor of Economics in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Cathryn Newton, Special Advisor to the Chancellor and Provost for Faculty Engagement, Dean Emerita of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Earth Sciences and Interdisciplinary Sciences
• Kennedy Patlan ’18, College of Arts and Sciences
• Karin Ruhlandt, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
• Pete Sala, Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer (Co-Chair)
• Sarah Scalese, Associate Vice President for University Communications
• Sam Scozzafava, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
• Michael Speaks, Dean of the School of Architecture
• Michael Tick, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Diane Wiener, Director of the Disability Cultural Center
• Michele G. Wheatly, Vice Chancellor and Provost (Co-Chair)

Several professional staff members in the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction will also advise the board, including:

• Joseph Alfieri, Director of Campus Planning, Design and Construction
• Christopher Danek, Assistant Director for Space Planning; Campus Planning, Design and Construction
• Brenda Law, Design and Document Manager in the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction
• Jason Plumpton, Senior Project Engineer in the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction

The board will meet a minimum of four times per year, beginning in February 2017. Each member will serve a two-year term, with a possible extension into a third year.

To learn more about the Campus Framework, visit . And, to read the Academic Strategic Plan, visit .

An artist’s rendering of the furniture selected for the Einhorn Family Walk

In a campuswide survey this fall, members of the University community have selected the furnishings for the Einhorn Family Walk. The option, which includes granite blocks topped by wooden seating surfaces, will provide seating and other features to allow for conversation areas along the walkway that extends from the Newhouse complex to Bird Library.

Campus community members were asked in October to vote for their favorite seating option for the walkway, which was completed over the summer as part of the Campus Framework. Four options were presented in October during an engagement session with Sasaki Associates, the University’s design partner.

“It was important that members of the campus community offer their voice in how they want to experience the Einhorn Family Walk. I thank those who participated in the survey and the Campus Framework Advisory Group for their continued efforts and leadership,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “This new seating reflects how students and the entire campus community will enjoy this great gathering place on campus.”

Completed over the summer, the Einhorn Family Walk was supported by a gift from University Trustee Steven ’64, G’67, and Sherry Einhorn ’65. Steven Einhorn is the chair of the Campus Framework Advisory Group. The walkway was created as a pedestrian-friendly promenade, while supporting the goals of the Academic Strategic Plan to enhance the student experience and build a sense of “One University.”

All of the furnishing options for the walkway included choices for benches and seating, fixed furniture, planters and detectable warning pavers. Detectable warning pavers are manufactured with a raised textured surface, known as truncated domes, and are used to alert people with vision impairments of their approach to changing terrain.

The option selected by the campus community offers a series of granite blocks of different lengths, topped by backed and backless wooden seating surfaces, with and without arms. The seating also features integrated power outlets.

The seating has different options to recline on wood or granite surfaces, allowing opportunities to sit in any direction and for wheelchair transferring. As a result of feedback provided in the survey, the benches now face each other for group seating and conversations. Gaps between bench segments also allow for people in wheelchairs to sit alongside people on the bench.

Clusters of fixed metal and wood stools add to the complement of seating. The terrace edge includes a series of movable planters that bring color to the seating area.

“After initial design options were provided to the campus in May, we received student feedback that the architects used to incorporate into redesigned options,” says Joe Alfieri, director of Campus Planning, Design and Construction. “The selected option blends well with the aesthetics of the walkway and offers many spaces for campus members to meet and relax.”

Installation is expected to occur this summer. The existing teak benches, which were always intended to be temporary, will be moved to other campus locations as either replacements or new additions.

To learn more about the Campus Framework, visit .

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Life Sciences Complex, Auditorium 001, during Orange Central weekend.

Learn about near-term priorities, such as the Classroom Technology Upgrades Project; the National Veterans Resource Complex; and the West Campus Project, including the Carrier Dome renovations.

For more information, visit

University Place Promenade. Photo by Steve Sartori

With the start of classes and campus life back in full swing, the University Place Promenade is becoming another destination point on campus for activities and interaction. Given the many possible uses for this new campus resource, and already high level of interest by campus groups, a new interim policy will be adopted to maximize its use.

Similar to the longstanding policy promoting the use of the University’s Quad, the interim policy will encourage the safe and appropriate use of the Promenade. A permanent Promenade policy will eventually be created, after gathering comprehensive feedback and input from students, faculty and staff.

The draft Campus Framework, which was shared with the University community in June, calls for dramatically enhancing the student experience. The Promenade, which features activated plazas, improved landscaping, increased ADA accessibility and a greater sense of physical connectedness for all members of the campus community, is a key component of that goal.

The interim policy highlights how the Promenade improves accessibility to the connecting academic and student buildings—the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center, Bird Library, Schine Student Center and the Newhouse School complex—and creates a new student life district that invites a variety of new uses and benefits through its welcoming design and features.

Among other features, the interim policy maintains that any activities must not hinder pedestrian traffic, ensuring that the Promenade will always be open to pedestrians. It also notes that the Promenade always serves as a fire lane for emergency vehicles to reach surrounding buildings.

Those interested in reserving space on the Promenade pedestrian plaza and terraces for ���ϲ�����-related activities or events must reserve the spaces through an academic or administrative department or a registered student organization. Requests can be made, beginning Monday, Sept. 12, through the .

For questions on the interim policy, contact SCPS at 315.443.4240, or visit .

To review the draft Campus Framework and to provide input via the public comment section, please visit . Additionally, the campus community is invited to participate in one of the many open forums being held this semester.

The Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction facilitated a number of building and renovation projects throughout campus to make for a better learning and living environment, as part of the Campus Framework.

We’ve created a wrap-up of some of the most prominent new features and upgrades on campus that you may have already seen or want to take a closer look at.

1. Classroom improvements

New technology in Eggers Hall classroom. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Over $9 million in upgrades were made to classrooms around campus through the work of Campus Facilities Administration and Services and Information Technology Services. These included the latest in audiovisual equipment, teaching aids and high-speed networks to enhance learning, collaboration and the classroom experience. Some of the academic spaces that received upgrades were Carnegie Library, the Center for Science and Technology, Crouse Hinds Hall, Eggers Hall, Hall of Languages, Heroy Geology Building, Link Hall, Lyman Hall, MacNaughton Hall, the Physics Building and the Shaffer Art Building.

2. Renovations in Haven, Flint and DellPlain halls, including ADA improvements

New ADA-accessible bathroom in Haven Hall. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Adding to the list of other residence halls that have received updates in the previous years, Haven, Flint and DellPlain halls have seen major renovation work. The halls have been updated with new ADA-accessible bathrooms, bathroom tile work, and new flooring and paint, along with new furniture.

3. New space for Heroy Suite 333, National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program

Heroy Suite 333

A new space was constructed in the Heroy Geology Building to house the new National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship Program. A graduate training program, the Education Model Program on Water-Energy Research is the result of a $3 million NSF grant received in 2015. The space includes updated mechanical, electrical and plumbing work, along with painting and lighting, and new furniture.

4. New elevator in Huntington Beard Crouse

Elevator in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall. (Photo by Amy Manley)

An inconvenience for many has been resolved. A new elevator was installed to serve Gifford Auditorium in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall (HBC). The prior elevator never served Gifford Auditorium, so if someone was on the first or second floor of the building, they needed to go outside HBC to access the ADA entrance on the side of the building. The new elevator is a win for ADA accessibility—one of the many included in $4.1 million accessibility upgrades across campus.

5. University Place Promenade

University Place Promenade. (Photo by Steve Sartori)

It’s an unmistakable, defining new space for the University campus. The University Place Promenade broke down an invisible wall separating one side of University Place from the other. Now, a gently sloping walkway, featuring inviting benches, increased landscaping and greater ADA accessibility, allows for more connectedness in a pedestrian-friendly walkway—a new spot to meet-up, hang out and relax.

6. New experiential kitchens at Falk College

New kitchens in Falk College. (Photo by Joe Librandi-Cowan)

As one of the final construction pieces of the Falk College relocation, new commercial and experiential kitchens have been installed in White Hall. The new facility includes an experimental food lab kitchen, commercial kitchen, baking nook and café. A video camera system allows faculty and chef instructors to broadcast classes, food demonstrations and seminars from Falk College to anywhere on campus and across the country.

7. Crouse chimes

Crouse College Bells. (Photo by Steve Sartori)

Four new bells were added to the Crouse College chimes—and a whole new repertoire of musical opportunities has opened up. The new chimes, provided in part through donations by alumni and friends, are played by students in Chimemasters, who perform three times a day, five days a week during the semester. You might not be able to see the new bells, but you can hear the difference.

8. New granite base for Lincoln statue

Lincoln statue in Maxwell School courtyard. (Photo by Steve Sartori)

A fixture of the Maxwell School courtyard for nearly half a century, James Earle Fraser’s “Seated Lincoln” statue needed an upgrade. The bronze statue’s concrete base was replaced with a new granite base, to ensure permanence.

9. Shaw Quad improvements

Shaw Quad. (Photo by Steve Sartori)

Although renovations might not be as visible here as other spaces, the Shaw Quad has been updated with several new features to make it more user-friendly as an event space. Irrigation, tent tie-downs, power and data were all installed for the various functions that take place here throughout the year.

10. New field turf at Coyne Field

Coyne Field

The home field of the 2015 NCAA Champions in women’s field hockey, Coyne Field, was updated with a new surface and ready for another impressive season, starting Sept. 9 with their season opener. The new surface is the same field that was installed at the 2014 Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands. Other new features include new dugout style benches and a new watering system.

Members of the ���ϲ����� community can review and provide feedback on the draft Campus Framework at several sessions scheduled this fall. The first Campus Framework open forum will be held two weeks from today—the first of 10 events this semester that include an extensive slate of open forums and fall construction information sessions.

The new engagement schedule comes on the heels of a busy summer, during which:

• the University shared the draft Campus Framework with the campus community for review and feedback and launched ;
• SHoP Architects was selected to design the National Veterans Resource Complex;
• more than $9 million was invested in classroom enhancements and technology upgrades;
• the University Place Promenade project was completed;
• the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) tackled more than 120 individual summer construction projects; and
• more than $4.1 million in updates were made to facilities across campus to increase access for everyone, including the addition of accessible bathrooms, auditorium seating and entrances, and a ramp along the Promenade to access the gateway sign in front of the Hall of Languages.

The goal of the Campus Framework open forums is to review the draft plan with, and receive input and feedback from, students, faculty and staff. CPDC leaders and members of the Campus Framework Advisory Group will host and facilitate dialogue at the forums. Feedback received from the campus community will help inform the creation of the next draft of the Campus Framework, which will be updated and shared with the community in January 2017.

Community members interested in participating are invited to attend one or more of the following forums:

• Tuesday, Sept. 13, Goldstein Auditorium, 3-4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 17, Life Sciences Complex, Auditorium 001, 11 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, Sept. 21, Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium, Newhouse 3, 1:30-3 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 26, Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium, Newhouse 3, 3-4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 29, Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium, Newhouse 3, 1:30-3 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 29, Maxwell Auditorium, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

To review the draft Campus Framework and to provide input via the public comment section, please visit .

Meanwhile, fall construction information sessions, similar to those held throughout the summer, will provide students, faculty and staff an opportunity to hear directly from CPDC staff about the progress of ongoing construction projects. All fall information sessions will be held in the Heroy Geology Building, Room 113, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The schedule of those sessions is as follows:

• Tuesday, Sept. 20
• Wednesday, Oct. 19
• Tuesday, Nov. 15
• Wednesday, Dec. 7

American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Real Time (CART) interpretation will be available for each event. If you have requests for accessibility and accommodations, please contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (EOIRS) office at 315.443.4018.

University Promenade with new ramp to gateway sign. Photo by Steve Sartori

One of the best places to capture a ���ϲ����� memory is at the flagship gateway sign below the Hall of Languages and Place of Remembrance. Students, family and friends often stop to snap photos in front of the iconic location with its polished stone work and towering building in the background.

The 11 steps above and the six below, however, keep that memorable location out of reach for many.

The University Promenade project is helping to change that—a heated ramp gently rising from the Promenade has been created to provide access to the site for everyone.

The ramp is just one of numerous accessibility improvement related projects that have been constructed this summer, with many more included in future planning and the Campus Framework.

More than $4.1 million in accessibility updates, combined with more than $9 million in investments in classroom enhancements this summer, await returning students—creating greater accommodations for learning and a connected experience for every member of the University community.

Accessible bathrooms were part of this summer’s work. Photo by Amy Manley

The accessibility projects are improving how people get around campus, as well as improving existing facilities that pre-date the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In the campus buildings these upgrades typically focus on improving accessible entrances, auditorium seating accommodations and restroom facilities. The updates are also a crucial part of enhancing the overall classroom experience, which also included this summer substantial technological upgrades and enhancements to facilities made throughout the campus.

“It’s all part of the Campus Framework in creating an atmosphere in which everyone can participate,” says Joseph Alfieri, director of Campus Planning Design and Construction (CPDC). “These improvements are a physical manifestation of inclusion—making sure everyone can be where they need to be, to do what they need to do to succeed here.”

Increasing accessibility makes the entire campus more welcoming. Removing physical access barriers is among the initiatives the University is deploying as a result of the Chancellor’s Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion’s short-term recommendations.

“The improvements reflect the University’s ongoing commitment to foster an inclusive environment on campus,” says Aaron Hodukavich, director and ADA coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services. “When someone cannot access a part of a building or must go to a different floor to find an accessible bathroom, it can take away from their sense of belonging. These are positive steps to ensuring that everyone feels like they are part of our community.”

The ramp to the gateway sign is emblematic of changes taking place across campus.

“It’s very significant, and a great example of SU’s willingness to go beyond compliance to eliminate access barriers,” Hodukavich says. “The gateway sign is a popular location for photographs, especially during Commencement weekend. Most of our students remember their time at the University as the best years of their lives. It was important to us to make that opportunity available to everybody.”

Another aspect of the Promenade—the new pedestrian space that stretches from the Newhouse School complex to the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center—is the grading near the library, making it easier for wheelchairs.

“The grade has been brought up in front of library. It’s much more of a smooth experience from end to end with a concrete sidewalk instead of going over brick pavers,” Alfieri says. The grade along the Promenade has been made more level among the gathering areas and there are flush entrances to the Schine Student Center and Newhouse 3.

Another first for accessibility is the installation of a new elevator to serve Gifford Auditorium in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall (HBC). The prior elevator never served Gifford Auditorium so if someone was on the first or second floor of the building, they needed to go outside HBC, onto the breezeway and around the corner of the building to access the ADA entrance on the side of the building.

“The elevator reaches the auditorium level so it’s completely accessible,” Alfieri says. Accessible bathrooms have also been built in the basement and a single-occupant restroom is accessible on the first floor.

Other accessibility projects across campus include the following:

• Carnegie Library — Single-occupant accessible restroom
• Comstock Art — Single-occupant accessible restroom study underway
• DellPlain Hall — Eight accessible student restrooms (one on each floor), and two public single occupancy accessible restrooms
• Goldstein Student Center — Single-occupant accessible restroom to be constructed this fall
• Grant Auditorium — Teaching station replaced with accessible model, addition accessible seating location added, and elevator modernized
• Haven Hall — Eleven accessible student restrooms (one on each floor), and new entry doors with low-energy automatic operators
• Link Hall — Accessible entry to auditorium and accessible ramped entry, to be completed this fall
• Regent Theatre — Two accessible restrooms
• Schine Student Center — Door replacement/upgrades, including low-energy automatic door operators and new accessible entry on east side of building
• Women’s Building Dance Studio — Accessible ramp added

“Having improvements to access is not only essential but vital to everyone’s experience of a welcoming campus that expects and emphasizes the value and ethics of belonging,” says Diane R. Wiener, director of the Disability Cultural Center. “Students, faculty, staff, alumni and campus visitors with and without disabilities need to receive this message consistently and pragmatically, in myriad ways and through various modes of expression.”

A variety of technology upgrade projects were completed in classrooms. Photo by Amy Manley

A variety of technology upgrade projects were completed in classrooms, study spaces and teaching laboratories this summer. Combined, the Division of Information Technology Services (ITS) and Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) updated technology and academic spaces in more than a dozen buildings on campus, including Carnegie Library, the Center for Science and Technology, Crouse Hinds Hall, Eggers Hall, Hall of Languages, Heroy Geology Building, Link Hall, Lyman Hall, MacNaughton Hall, the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, the Physics Building, the Shaffer Art Building, Slocum Hall and White Hall.

“Providing a high-caliber environment that fosters learning, teaching and innovation is not only consistent with our Academic Strategic Plan, it’s also critical to attracting and retaining high-achieving students and world-class faculty scholars,” says Michele G. Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost. “The work being done this summer by ITS and CPDC will enhance the student experience, elevate classroom learning and teaching, and generate new opportunity for student and faculty researchers.”

The work includes audio and visual system upgrades; the installation of new smart teaching stations; complete technology overhauls; classroom and auditorium renovations; furniture replacements; classroom seating replacements; and the creation of new seminar rooms, meeting rooms and classrooms.

Samuel J. Scozzafava Jr., vice president for information technology and chief information officer, says ITS’s collaboration with CPDC allowed the University to execute an ambitious slate of improvements to provide accessible technologies and services that energize teaching and learning.

“Investments this summer include the design and construction of classrooms and new instructional spaces with cutting-edge equipment and capabilities for instruction and collaboration, and the development and deployment of multiple applications and services for academic success and operational excellence,” says Scozzafava.

Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, says the enhancements will have a direct impact on students, faculty and staff in teaching, learning and research. “To continue enhancing our academic offerings, it is critical that we constantly assess our spaces and evolve to meet the changing needs of our students and research faculty.”

In the long-term, a facility condition assessment is being done to inspect all of the University’s buildings and sites. The assessment, which began in April and will conclude in October, will include data on all 9 million square-feet of campus and help the CPDC strategize on the ongoing maintenance of buildings and facilities. It will also provide data on barriers to access to be able to prioritize the implementation of accessibility projects. The entire plan is expected to be completed over the winter.

“In the long-term, it will allow us to plan accessibility improvements in a more strategic manner,” Hodukavich says. “The majority of our campus was built prior to the ADA and when accessibility was mostly an afterthought, so this is very important. Our CPDC staff is an amazing group of professionals, and I am constantly impressed by their dedication to improving the campus experience for everyone.”

Pedestrians walk along the University Promenade this morning. The walkway was created where there used to be a busy street with heavy vehicle traffic. (Photos by Amy Manley)

The University Promenade is fully opened, starting today, and will serve as a place of gathering, community and vitality.

Stretching from the Newhouse School complex to the Schine Student Center and Bird Library, the project has created a pedestrian-friendly promenade from what was once a busy street with heavy vehicle traffic. The walkway features activated plazas, improved landscaping, increased ADA accessibility and a greater sense of physical connectedness for all members of the campus community.

“The University Promenade has transformed what was a barrier between one part of campus to another into a place of community and enjoyment, becoming another focal point for campus,” says Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities campus. “The Promenade has areas for people to meet, to study between classes and to just relax and appreciate the beauty of our campus.”

As part of the Campus Framework, the Promenade was developed to support the goals of the Academic Strategic Plan to enhance the student experience and build a sense of “One University.” The Campus Framework Advisory Group, composed of faculty, staff and students, partnered with design firm Sasaki Associates on a variety of plans to advance and strengthen the University’s spaces and facilities.

The University Promenade stretches from the Newhouse School complex to Bird Library.

With the final touches on the Promenade put into place over the past several days, campus community members are pleased by the results.

“I love it. No cars here, just pedestrians,” says Ani Muradyan ’20. “I noticed we could also use bikes. It’s awesome.”

“It’s a much more pleasant area to walk through. Pedestrians can walk through and enjoy the area. I think it’s really nice,” says Steven Ajayi ’17.

Many on campus this summer have seen it taken shape. “We have watched in awe from the windows of Bird Library at the frenzy of activity all summer, from the massive infrastructure upgrades of pipes, conduits and drainage systems disappearing underground, to the beautiful finishing brick work and landscaping of recent days,” says Dean of Libraries David Seaman.

Benches line the University Promenade.

Seaman recognized the work that went into making such a unique space on campus. “The skill and commitment of the planners and construction crews have been impressive to witness, and we go into a new academic year with a safer, more functional and elegant connection along University Place to our neighbors in Schine and Newhouse, and across the Promenade to the Quad,” Seaman says.

An important aspect of the project was the elimination of a traffic area in a busy area of campus. “Going from a trafficked area with buses and cars to something the students can use, it’ll be nice,” says Kevin Heffernan, assistant professor of exercise science.�� “Just to see students walking through that in the next couple of weeks, I think that’ll be enjoyable.”

A pedestrian walks along the University Promenade, which fully opened today.

The project also included a heated pathway that now leads to the plaza with the ���ϲ����� gateway sign, just below the Wall of Remembrance, making it accessible to those with mobility issues.

University leaders hope the connection that brings together two areas that were once separated by a busy street will create a new type of synergy.

“The Promenade has grown the core of Main Campus, and I am excited to see how the use of the space will develop as the campus community begins to live in it,” says Joseph Alfieri, director of Campus Planning, Design and Construction.

“With it partially opened now, I can already see it as a unique space, with its own identity and feel, while simultaneously accentuating the front lawn as its own space,” Alfieri says. “I look forward to seeing the plinths being used by classes and study groups, student organizations meeting, and alumni and fans gathering for Orange Central or athletic events.”

The University Promenade features activated plazas, improved landscaping and increased ADA accessibility.

Concrete was poured Wednesday for the University Place Promenade.

On Wednesday the first part of the concrete foundation for the University Place Promenade was poured and smoothed during a daylong process. Work took place from the Schine Student Center toward Newhouse 3 (near South Crouse Avenue). Next week, the process will be repeated from Schine toward College Place. In all, a quarter mile of concrete will be poured.

Once the concrete is poured and curing is complete, a finely crushed stone material will be put into place before brick pavers are installed. Two crews working double shifts will be setting the brick pavers over 18 days, to cover the quarter-mile length of the promenade and the plinths.

See a time-lapse video of the process below:

from on .

The Lincoln statue outside Maxwell Hall has been taken off its base as it awaits a new granite stone base. (Photo by Steve Sartori)

Abraham Lincoln has watched over the Maxwell School courtyard for nearly half a century. To ensure permanence for this iconic bronze statue’s resting place, the base is getting an upgrade with long-lasting natural stone.

The statue—the only recast of artist James Earle Fraser’s “Seated Lincoln”—will be placed atop a new granite base, to replace the current deteriorating concrete base.

On Thursday, passersby may have seen workers, with JPW Riggers of ���ϲ�����, carefully lift the 2,700-pound Lincoln from its base using a crane and placing the statue on a wooden framework, where it will rest as the site is prepared and the new stone put in place.

Workers carefully take the bronze Lincoln statue off its base Thursday.

“We expect to have the Lincoln sculpture back in position on a new granite base in two to three weeks,” says Rex Giardine, assistant director of capital projects with Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC).

The nine-foot-tall statue will receive a new base of honed Barre Gray granite. The new eight-and-a-half ton granite base was fabricated in Barre, Vermont, and arrived in the ���ϲ����� area in mid-June, Giardine says.

The Lincoln statue (Photo by Steve Sartori)

“When all preparatory work is completed, the new granite base will be delivered and set by crane, then the Lincoln sculpture placed atop it,” Giardine says. “Some minor site work and regrading will be done in coordination with the project.”

The work is part of the extensive summer construction and renovations taking place on campus, as part of the .

Among the most familiar and beloved artworks on campus, the piece was placed in its location on Dec. 13, 1968, according to an in the Maxwell Perspective.

The recast bronze was a gift of the James Earle and Laura Gardin Fraser estate, which also gifted the University the Frasers’ papers, books, photos and more than 500 pieces of artwork. The original bronze Lincoln by Fraser is located in Jersey City, New Jersey.

“The ‘Seated Lincoln’ sculpture by James Earle Fraser was cast in 1968 when the much of the art from Fraser estate came to ���ϲ�����. The site between Maxwell and the Tolley Building (then the Von Ranke Library) was chosen because of Lincoln’s stature as a statesman and his reputation as a self-taught authority on the law,” says Domenic Iacono, director of the SUArt Galleries and Collection.

“Completed several years after Daniel Chester French’s design for the Lincoln Memorial, Fraser chose to portray a young, beardless man as yet unaware of the coming conflict between the states, in a contemplative pose suggestive of his awareness that public service is a high calling,” Iacono says.

The acquisition of the statue and its placement were also part of a greater effort to increase the number of public artworks on campus.

Also on campus this summer, another statue, “Dancing Mother,” near Hinds Hall, will also be getting a new granite base, through the work of SUArt, CPDC and Physical Plant. Both the Lincoln bronze and “Dancing Mother” are part of the ���ϲ����� Art Collection.

Rex Giardine, assistant director of capital projects with Campus Planning, Design and Construction, left, and Andrew Saluti, assistant director of the ���ϲ����� Art Galleries, discuss the installation of the Lincoln statue’s new base, which will be put in place in the next few weeks. The current concrete base, shown here, will be replaced with granite. (Photo by Steve Sartori)

Alumnus Danny Heumann is a consultant with Campus Planning, Design and Construction, advising on provisions of the ADA and bringing insights on inclusive design into some of the University’s major construction and renovation projects this summer, including key components in the draft Campus Framework.

While a student at ���ϲ����� in the late 1980s, Danny Heumann ’91 quickly discovered the challenges of being on a campus in a wheelchair—hills, snow and limits on access to facilities.

Heumann, a television, radio and film management major with a minor in political science, learned how to be his own advocate and would meet with University officials to discuss accessibility.

He wanted to play racquetball in Flanagan Gymnasium, so the University had a special lift designed. He asked for a ramp to the Women’s Building and electronic doors at the Schine Student Center, and they were installed.

“Despite the weather and the trials and tribulations, I was trying to figure out my life and where I fit into this world, and it was all here in this able-bodied world of students,” Heumann says. “I was trying to be a student with a new disability on a college campus before the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] in 1991.”

Today, Heumann is back on campus as an advocate for the entire ���ϲ����� community.

Heumann is a consultant with Campus Planning, Design and Construction, advising on provisions of the ADA and bringing insights on inclusive design into some of the University’s major construction and renovation projects this summer, including the University Promenade, the Arch complex and upgrades to the Dome, all of which are key components contained within the draft Campus Framework.

Alumnus Danny Heumann and Chancellor Kent Syverud met up during Heumann’s time on campus as a consultant on matters of accessibility. Photo by Bryan Smith

“What’s wonderful about being here is that ���ϲ����� has given me so much in my life in terms of making me the person that I am today,” Heumann says. “I wanted to take my talents and motivation and inspiration and bring it back to my alma mater—especially when my alma mater wants to do everything in its power to be the most accessible, inclusive university in the country.”

Heumann had arrived on campus in 1986, a year after he was supposed to matriculate. A car accident the year before—just two weeks before he was supposed to start at ���ϲ�����—left Heumann paralyzed from the chest down.

At the time, administrators, such as Barry L. Wells, currently a special assistant to Chancellor Kent Syverud, and Grace Severino, then director of the Parents Office, who had met him prior to his accident, assured his family his place was waiting at ���ϲ����� when he was ready.

“I knew if I could overcome all the obstacles in front of me at ���ϲ����� then I could do whatever I wanted to do when I graduated,” says Heumann, who went on to earn a law degree and is a motivational speaker.

While he advocated for access, other supporters on campus also worked on his behalf. Joseph Lore, then a Department of Recreation Services staff member who is now director, assisted students who put on events to benefit Heumann’s Fund for Spinal Cord Research.

In preparation for graduation, Heumann worked with a trainer for a year, walking on braces and crutches in the Carrier Dome to walk during Commencement. Pete Sala, who was part of the Dome staff then and is now vice president and chief facilities officer, encouraged him in his endeavors at the Dome.

And at the Newhouse Convocation and Commencement, Heumann achieved his goal. “It was my way to say thank you to the students and to all the administrators and faculty for everything they did for me,” says Heumann, who lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., with his wife and daughter.

Heumann, who has worked on accessibility projects at other sports venues, is back on campus to ensure everyone has equal access and the opportunity to achieve their goals on the ���ϲ����� campus.

Q: What are some of the measures that will be done to make the University Promenade accessible?

A: The first thing is to make sure that the ingress and egress in terms of the slope meets the ADA requirements. The second thing is to ensure whatever tables and chairs that are put on the promenade are accessible. It’s very difficult sometimes for a wheelchair to comfortably fit around a round table with benches that are attached to the ground.

Alumnus Danny Heumann visits the construction site for the University Promenade. Heumann is a consultant to the University on accessibility measures. Photo by Bryan Smith

Q: How do you expect mobility and accessibility will be enhanced for all visitors to the Dome?

A: The University is going to improve the width and sightlines of all the accessible platforms. There will be additional platforms and there will be lower counters at the concession stands. Floor seating behind the baskets will also be made available to those with disabilities to purchase.

Throughout the Dome, there will be additional restrooms for women and family restrooms; every bathroom will be accessible. The first aid area will also be improved. Club 44 is going to be totally accessible and there’s going to be better viewing in the executive club, lowering the tables for people. All private suites are also going to be made ADA accessible. There will also be enhanced services for those with hearing or visual impairments.

Q: What sort of work will be done at the Arch complex (a new state-of-the-art student-focused health and wellness complex in a renovated Archbold Gymnasium)?

A: My role is to make sure—between the bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, weight room facilities, cardiovascular facilities and new ADA elevator—that every nook and cranny of Archobld and Flanagan is meeting ADA standards. But also, more importantly, that they go beyond the ADA to make them the best they can be.

Q: What has it been like to return to campus to provide insights on this work?

A: I’m honored to be involved and I get to work with my friends like Pete Sala and Joe Lore. I have the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and his leadership team to thank for this. We are going to make this campus one of the most incredible, beautiful campuses in the world.

I’ve been given an opportunity of a lifetime that I will cherish for the rest of my life. That’s how much being at ���ϲ����� means to me.

The University is investing $9 million this summer in renovations and technology upgrades to academic spaces. This classroom in Eggers Hall 032 was updated with new technology for teaching and new furniture. Photos by Amy Manley

The classrooms of today need to be interactive, flexible and ready for collaboration—the latest in audiovisual equipment, teaching aids and high-speed networks all enhance learning and the classroom experience.

As part of the Campus Framework, the University will make an extensive slate of renovations to a variety of academic spaces on campus. This summer alone, the University will invest more than $9 million to make that happen.

A variety of technology upgrade projects are underway in classrooms, study spaces and teaching laboratories this summer. Combined, the Division of Information Technology Services (ITS) and Campus Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) are working to update technology and academic spaces in more than a dozen buildings on campus, including Carnegie Library, the Center for Science and Technology, Crouse Hinds Hall, Eggers Hall, Flint Hall, Hall of Languages, Haven Hall, Heroy Geology Building, Link Hall, Lyman Hall, MacNaughton Hall, the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, the Physics Building, the Shaffer Art Building, Slocum Hall and White Hall.

The Division of Information Technology Servicesand Campus Planning, Design and Construction are working to update technology and academic spaces in more than a dozen buildings on campus. This includes spaces in Eggers Hall where new technology is being employed.

“Every summer, ���ϲ����� dedicates tremendous resources—in dollars and personnel—updating the campus in anticipation of the arrival of returning and new students and faculty. This year is no exception,” says Michele G. Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost. “Providing a high-caliber environment that fosters learning, teaching and innovation is not only consistent with our Academic Strategic Plan, it’s also critical to attracting and retaining high-achieving students and world-class faculty scholars. The work being done this summer by ITS and CPDC will enhance the student experience, elevate classroom learning and teaching, and generate new opportunity for student and faculty researchers.”

The work includes Americans with Disabilities Act improvements; audio and visual system upgrades; the installation of new smart teaching stations; complete technology overhauls; classroom and auditorium renovations; furniture replacements; classroom seating replacements; and the creation of new seminar rooms, meeting rooms and classrooms.

New smart teaching stations allow faculty members to present materials in a variety of ways, with the use of such equipment and technology as smartboards, projection screens, speakers and USB ports. The possibilities provide new ways to engage with students and more ways for students to interact and participate in classroom learning.

“Our campus is swiftly implementing some of the academic space, accessibility and technology changes our Campus Framework group proposed,” says Cathryn Newton, dean emerita of the College of Arts and Sciences, who is the University’s only professor of interdisciplinary sciences, a Provost’s Faculty Fellow and a member of the Campus Framework Advisory Group. “These current academic investments can increase our undergraduate and graduate caliber and��elevate our research capacity. Such strong responses to the proposals of this group of students, faculty and staff provide a clear signal of institutional support.”

Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, says many of the projects he and his team are working on this summer will help the University enhance its academic and research excellence.

For example, CPDC is currently constructing a new space in the Heroy Geology Building that will house the new National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship (NRT) Program. The Education Model Program on Water-Energy Research, also known as EMPOWER, is the result of a $3 million NSF grant received in April 2015. EMPOWER, an interdisciplinary initiative, involves faculty from the Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering and Computer Science; the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Other instructional space improvements include:

• Center for Science and Technology 4-201 — seating replacement
• Eggers Hall 032 — full renovation
• Eggers Hall 060 — control systems upgrade
• Falk Complex 100, 101, 104, 175 — AV system upgrade
• Hall of Languages 102, 105, 114, 115, 202, 205, 211, 214, 215 — furniture replacement
• Link 105 — finishes, lighting, ADA improvements and full AV system upgrade
• Lyman 126, 227, 229A, 229B — new classrooms
• Slocum 214 — AV system upgrade
• Watson Theater — AV system upgrade
• Whitman School of Management 007, 110, 404, 411 — system component upgrades

Campus projects this summer include the installation of Falk College’s new commercial and experiential kitchens in White Hall.

“The work we’re doing this summer will have a direct and tangible impact on our students, faculty and staff,” says Sala. “When our students and faculty return to campus in August, I am confident they will be pleased with the progress made inside and outside the classroom. To continue enhancing our academic offerings, it is critical that we constantly assess our spaces and evolve to meet the changing needs of our students and research faculty.”

Samuel J. Scozzafava Jr., vice president for information technology and chief information officer, says ITS’s collaboration with CPDC is allowing the University to execute an ambitious slate of improvements, upgrades and enhancements. He says ITS is especially focused on bringing new classroom spaces online, improving current academic spaces and upgrading network technology throughout campus.

The University makes significant investments to provide accessible technologies and services that energize teaching and learning,” says Scozzafava. “Investments this summer include the design and construction of classrooms and new instructional spaces with cutting-edge equipment and capabilities for instruction and collaboration, and the development and deployment of multiple applications and services for academic success and operational excellence.”

A large-screen television and cameras are included in the technology upgrades in Eggers 032.

Scozzafava says positioning faculty to pursue pioneering research, such as the Department of Physics’ recent involvement in the discovery of gravitational waves, requires a particularly advanced and savvy information technology system.

For example, the University’s 300 tera-FLOP supercomputer played an important role for the researchers involved with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).

Co-funded by NSF and ���ϲ�����’s Information Technology and Services and housed in the Green Data Center on South Campus, the computer is used for detecting space-time ripples in Advanced LIGO data and for modeling sources of gravitational waves.

“The University’s assertive support of advancing technology expertise and innovation among students, faculty and staff empowers research excellence with a dynamic portfolio of computing capabilities and resources,” says Scozzafava. “It’s no coincidence that the University’s reputation and standing as a top-tier research institution have blossomed in the presence of its sizable investment in robust, highly available, leading-edge information technology and infrastructure.”

Upgrades on campus include new furniture in classrooms, including several classrooms in the Hall of Languages.

Classrooms receiving technology upgrades—some of which are also receiving space upgrades—include the following:

• Crouse 407 — new mobile display
• Falk Complex 100, 101, 104, 175 — complete technology upgrade
• Falk Complex 520 (café), 530A (experimental kitchen) — new systems
• Link 105 — complete technology upgrade
• Lyman 115, 126, 227, 229A, 229B — new classrooms
• Shaffer 201 — new mobile display
• Sims 227 — new seminar/meeting room
• Slocum 214 — room technology upgrade
• Watson Theater — room technology upgrade
• Whitman School 110 — room technology upgrade

Other projects involving the Network Master Plan include the following buildings:

• MacNaughton and White halls
• 1320 Jamesville Ave.
• Carnegie Library
• Child Care Center
• Crouse Hinds Hall
• Sims Hall

Haven and Flint halls will also receive upgrades involving ResNet, the University’s high-speed Ethernet connection.

Construction projects this summer, including new experiential kitchens in the Falk College complex, are enhancing the academic experience on campus.

“The quality of the images from this camera is very impressive,” James E. Peterson, site representative. “It gives our community the ability to stay connected to the project even during the summer months, when they might be doing research or on an internship away from campus.”

The live webcam is experiencing extremely high volume due to the interest in this project. For best results, use Chrome or Firefox to view the web camera.

The University Place Promenade is a campus improvement project that will transform University Place, from College Place to South Crouse Avenue, into a pedestrian promenade connecting a series of activated plazas. Focused on improving roadway and pedestrian safety and ADA accessibility, the project is scheduled for completion before the beginning of the fall semester.

For the latest information on this project and other summer construction, please visit the Campus Framework or follow on Twitter.

Anthony Cabrey is working as a student intern with Campus Planning, Design and Construction this summer.

Between the end of the spring semester and the start of fall classes, the campus comes alive with a different kind of energy. Busy crews work to renovate, build up and beautify the University to prepare for the return of students.

With the work compressed into just a few short months, most students get the big reveal when they return in August.

Anthony Cabrey ’17 will see the transformation unfold throughout the summer as an intern with (CPDC).

Cabrey ’17, who has been interning with CPDC for the past five months and continues as a summer intern, has found the behind-the-scenes work insightful, adding practical understanding to his classroom knowledge.

“This experience so far has opened my eyes to many other problems we can face in real-world operations,” says Cabrey, a mechanical engineering student in the . “I believe that I will have a more open mind to design possibilities from what I have heard and seen at this position.”

He will get a true feel for the scope of the work—and all the complexities and details of a construction project—during 40-hour weeks.

“I couldn’t think of a better place to intern than for the University that I attend,” Cabrey says. “Every day I am able to understand how buildings I have sat in for three years are running, see what needs to be fixed and see the buildings be upgraded through work that I have done—to me that is very interesting.”

Jason Plumpton, senior project engineer with CPDC, says Cabrey has been assisting on a number of CPDC projects.

“Anthony provided design assistance for the Heroy Suite 333 renovations, assisting with ductwork layouts and sizing and piping layouts and performing most of the drafting for the project,” Plumpton says. “He is also following through on construction by making sure that the equipment and products that the mechanical contractor is using complies with the project specifications and drawings.”

While helping design the new ductwork for the third floor of Heroy Hall, Cabrey says he handed in the work for approval to a CPDC engineer who came back to him with several other things to consider.

“With this internship I have learned that there are many more factors to take into account than simply solving out a formula,” Cabrey says.

Cabrey is also making daily reviews of the construction progress of the Tennity Ice Pavilion refrigeration equipment replacement. He assisted with the steam pressure reducing station insulation survey, reviewing the condition of piping insulation in many of the academic buildings to compile a report, which will be used to develop an energy-saving insulation improvement project.

The experience has made Cabrey proud to be working on projects at the University.

“I enjoy improving the wellbeing of others, and walking around campus seeing projects that I have had a part in is really cool to me,” Cabrey says. “With CPDC I am able to say that I had a part of not only benefiting others, but benefiting my University.”

Through the internship, Plumpton hopes that Cabrey gets a good introduction to the field of consulting engineering and construction and develops an understanding of the components and systems needed to make safe, comfortable buildings.

“I also hope that he takes away the positive experience of seeing a project start from a concept that develops into a design and then is fully constructed and put into operation,” Plumpton says. “To me, this is one the most rewarding parts of the profession, and I hope he will experience this with his assignment on the Heroy Suite 333 renovations project.”

CPDC has had interns in previous summers but has significantly expanded the intern program this year. It has a number of student interns this summer, including from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Cortland and Cornell.

Anthony Cabrey assists on a variety of projects while working as an intern with Campus Planning, Design and Construction.

The ���ϲ����� Board of Trustees has advanced, as part of the Campus Framework, the West Campus Project—a transformative initiative that will support academic excellence, enrich all aspects of student life and create a vibrant campus community. This news comes on the heels of more than 18 months of campus outreach, in which more than 5,000 students, faculty and staff participated in surveys and more than a dozen information sessions.

The new West Campus Project will include substantial renovations to Archbold Gymnasium to create the “Arch,” a new state-of-the-art student-focused health and wellness complex; replacement of the aging Carrier Dome roof with a new fixed roof; comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related accessibility and mobility upgrades at both facilities; and other improvements to the Dome.�� The Board’s action reaffirms the University’s commitment to offering a distinct student experience that includes a major on-campus athletics stadium, an exceptional health and wellness resource, and an unrivaled level of campus accessibility and safety.

The Campus Framework’s key themes, vision and overarching goals have been shared with the campus and local community during the last year and a half. The University will launch the second phase of its outreach and engagement effort in the coming weeks, which will continue in earnest well into the fall 2016 semester. The University’s outreach efforts will include a new interactive website and a series of campus dialogue and feedback sessions, to further inform the campus community and create new opportunities for additional conversation and community engagement. The draft Campus Framework document, which will include conceptual renderings, site maps and other specific details, will be shared in early June with the campus community.

“The Campus Framework will allow the University to better meet the needs and expectations of today’s college students and provide an unrivaled collegiate experience,” says Steven W. Barnes ’82, chairman of the ���ϲ����� Board of Trustees. “The Board is eager to gain additional feedback from students, faculty and staff to help us refine and finalize these projects. We look forward to continuing this important conversation.”

“I appreciate the hard work of the Board of Trustees, the members of the Campus Framework Advisory Group and all the members of the campus community who have provided their input,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The Campus Framework, combined with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan, will continue enhancing our standing as a great, thriving, international research university that attracts the best and brightest students, faculty and staff. I look forward to receiving additional feedback and input from the campus community to help refine and finalize these projects.”

The Board also authorized the Chancellor and University leadership to begin the process of pursuing external non-University funding, including private donations, governmental support and other resources that would support a substantial financial portion of the total West Campus Project.

As many details regarding the project need to be finalized, there is no detailed project timeline or exact final cost at this time. However, the project is expected to include approximately $50 million for the Arch project; approximately $105 million for a new Dome roof; and approximately $100 million for improvements that include Americans with Disability Act-related upgrades critical to ensuring an inclusive experience as well as other improvements to the Dome.

“This is an exciting time to arrive at ���ϲ�����,” says Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly. “That an Academic Strategic Plan and a Campus Framework document have been developed concurrently signals that the University is serious about aligning its academic vision and mission with its physical presence and infrastructure. Prospective students are looking for the total package—a world class education, top-notch amenities and a student experience that balances their academics with their extracurricular and recreational pursuits.”

“These developments are incredibly exciting,” says Rick Burton, David Falk Professor of Sport Management and the University’s faculty athletics representative to the ACC and NCAA. “���ϲ����� students, faculty, staff and fans will all benefit in one way or another from these upgrades and improvements.”

Burton, who chaired the Chancellor’s initial roof assessment in 2014, called the decision timely and supportive of feedback from numerous constituents in 2014-15. “This will be transformative for our athletes, but also for our entire community.”

Aaron Hodukavich, director and ADA coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services, says the Campus Framework represents a significant step in making ���ϲ����� a truly accessible and inclusive campus: “The projects contained within the Framework will improve the quality of life for many of our students, faculty and staff and provide a safer, more welcoming environment for all.”

Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, says she is pleased the University will move forward with the West Campus project: “I am particularly happy to see our students will soon have access to a state-of-the-art health and wellness facility, a resource our students say is especially important to them. Additionally, the improvements to the Dome are much needed and appreciated. The Dome is the one place where all our students begin and end their academic careers at ���ϲ�����. They are welcomed to campus as first-year students during our opening Convocation in the Dome and as you saw yesterday, they celebrate Commencement—a major rite of passage—on the Dome turf. It’s only fitting that the Dome maintain its position as the physical heartbeat of our campus.”

“The Dome is a central part of any ���ϲ����� student’s experience on campus,” says Aysha Seedat ’16, outgoing Student Association president. “From attending ‘Own the Dome’ during the college application process to cheering on our sports teams to camping outside in the freezing cold to score SU/Duke tickets, no four years would be complete at ���ϲ����� without these experiences. I know I speak for many of my friends and peers in saying we applaud the Board and the Chancellor for ensuring the Dome remains a permanent fixture on our campus. There is this incredible sense of Orange spirit that you get when you enter the Dome. It’s a truly special part about being a student at ���ϲ�����.”

In addition, as he previously stated, Chancellor Syverud continues to conduct due diligence regarding the concerns he heard last week about the University Place Promenade project from some students, faculty and staff. The University Place Promenade, an initiative that will enhance the campus landscape and create a greater sense of physical connectedness and accessibility for all members of the campus community, calls for transforming University Place, between the Newhouse complex and the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center, into a vibrant, high-quality pedestrian space.

Peter Sala, vice president and chief campus facilities officer, says the Campus Framework is just the beginning of what will be a long, exciting and engaging process: “This is an exciting moment in the life of ���ϲ����� and I am incredibly proud to be a part of it. The Campus Framework contains bold, innovative ideas that will shape the student experience for generations to come.”

There will be opportunities for students to ask questions, offer their perspectives and take a survey on potential campus enhancements. Examples of potential fixtures and seating for the University Place Promenade will also be on display at the events for evaluation and input.

The following are the dates and times for the sessions:

Thursday, April 21��

• 2-3:30 p.m.,�� Newhouse 1, Room 303
• 6-7:30 p.m., Newhouse 1, Room 303

Friday, April 22

• 2-3:30 p.m., Newhouse 3, Room 141
• 6 -7:30 p.m., Newhouse 3, Room 141

The same information will be shared at each event. CART and ASL will be provided. Individuals with accessibility requests should contact fastforwardsyracuse@syr.edu 48 hours prior to the event.

The Campus Framework plan works in coordination with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan to shape, guide and manage the ���ϲ����� campus environment and its physical form in support of the University’s mission.

Based on feedback from the University community the following overarching goals for the Campus Framework were identified:

• Support Academic Excellence: Strengthen the global legacy of learning and investigation by creating 21st century academic and research environments across the University.
• Enrich All Aspects of Student Life: Foster student success through a holistic residential experience, engaging student life centers, a comprehensive academic and administrative support network, and a diverse array of health and wellness offerings.
• Create a Vibrant Campus Setting: Continue to enrich the environment with high-quality place-making, buildings and landscapes, distinguished by design excellence.

Additional opportunities for community feedback will be made available throughout the summer.