SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Syracuse University still plans to resume in-person operation on Jan. 25th despite a surge in COVID-19 cases that forced an early end to the fall semester.
“Local conditions on the ground are going to be one of the factors that drive our decision-making moving forward,” said SU Vice-Chancellor Michael Haynie. “We plan, we stick to that plan, but we are also willing to adapt and pivot from that plan if necessary.”
SU ended in-person classes on Nov. 11, two weeks earlier than scheduled, after a rash of positive cases. Haynie and Onondaga County officials have pointed to Halloween weekend as a driving factor in the surge of cases on campus and countywide.
Syracuse University has confirmed 48 new cases among students and employees in central New York since Monday. The total number of active cases among students and employees in the region increased to 266. The number of students in quarantine is now 584, a slight decrease from Monday.
Haynie said SU wants to do even more comprehensive testing in the spring semester and improve the process so results can be available within 24 hours.
SU has asked all students to get tested before they go home for Thanksgiving. Haynie said that the university is prepared to accommodate students who may need to quarantine before heading home for break in the event of late positive tests.
