Dear ESF Community,

We’re looking forward to starting the spring semester Monday and welcoming on-campus residents this week. I assure you that the health and safety of the entire community are ESF’s utmost priority.

I’m writing today to reiterate the College’s plan to return to in-person learning on Monday. ESF safely and successfully held an in-person fall semester during a critical phase in the pandemic, and we’re committed to doing the same this spring. We are using the most reliable and most up-to-date scientific information on variants and their impacts on communities in reaching this decision.

While the omicron variant presents a challenge, the fact that we have a high vaccination rate significantly reduces the risk of infection during in-person instruction. As noted in a recent message to the College, we will continue to follow Onondaga County guidelines and work in tandem with Syracuse University’s academic calendar and approach. Additionally, our campus has extensive surveillance testing available, strict masking requirements in place, exceptional case investigation and follow-up, and a team dedicated to continuous assessment.

The first few weeks of the semester may be the most challenging as we wait for omicron to peak locally. Communication and flexibility between students and faculty, and staff and their supervisors, will be critical.

Students may miss class due to quarantine and isolation, and we urge faculty to be flexible in accommodating them to ensure they still get the full value of the course, remain on track for successful participation and completion in class, and are prepared for exams.

Faculty who miss class due to isolation or quarantine should use their discretion in making accommodations to avoid disrupting student learning. This could include recording or livestreaming a class or having a colleague fill in for you. It is also up to faculty members’ discretion to offer virtual office hours in order to accommodate students who cannot meet in person or do not feel comfortable doing so.

Staff who miss work due to isolation or quarantine should make accommodations with their supervisors.

We understand the frustration and anxiety that the situation may cause, but please be assured we are diligently prioritizing the health and well-being of the ESF community. Several recent publications and news reports have indicated we may be transitioning from pandemic to endemic conditions, where COVID-19 is something that is more manageable because of the very effective vaccines and broader buildup of herd immunity, just as we live with the annual cycles of flu. We will continue to closely monitor the conditions and remain flexible with our planning.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep yourself and others safe. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Dr. Samuel Mukasa

Executive Vice President | Provost