HR News

New public health guidance for COVID-19

New Guidance

  • Continue to stay home if sick: If you test positive for COVID-19, you are encouraged to stay home if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, cough and other known respiratory virus symptoms.
  • No longer mandated to isolate: Those with COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate for five days. Instead, according to the NYSDOH, “individuals can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true:
    • symptoms are getting better overall, and
    • they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.”
  • No longer required to report a positive test: Students and faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to report that positive test to the Barnes Center and Human Resources, respectively.

How to keep yourself and those around you healthy!

Although isolation and vaccination are no longer required, COVID-19 continues to be present and causes varying degrees of illness. There are several ways you can keep yourself and those around you healthy, including:

  • Get vaccinated: We encourage our community to consider vaccinations against common communicable illnesses, including COVID-19. Students, faculty and staff can search locations offering COVID-19 vaccinations using the Vaccine Finder website. The COVID-19 vaccine is available in the pharmacy at the Barnes Center. Please use the patient portal to make an appointment.
  • Monitor for COVID-like symptoms: If you’re a student, contact the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000 if you are concerned about your symptoms. Barnes Center staff will direct you on what actions to take next. Faculty and staff should contact their primary care provider.
  • Stay home: If you’re experiencing COVID-like symptoms, including a fever, stay home.
  • Wear a mask: If you are feeling under the weather, consider wearing a mask to limit the spread of your symptoms. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is welcome to do so and should be supported.
  • Exercise good hygiene habits: Cover your cough and sneezes. Wash your hands often. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, especially your residence hall rooms.

The University appreciates your continued cooperation and commitment to a safe and healthy environment for all members of our community. To learn more about public health guidance, please visit the CDC website.

Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at Men’s Lacrosse Feb. 5

Human Resources and Syracuse Athletics are pleased to offer a ticket discount for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at the Orange men’s lacrosse game on Monday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening out with your colleagues, friends and/or family while supporting the Orange and being celebrated for all you do for the University!

Operation Orange Warmup: Collecting Winter Coats to Benefit Local Community

To assist individuals and families who are in need of winter outerwear, Syracuse University is again partnering with InterFaith Works of Central New York and Hendricks Chapel for Operation Orange Warmup. The coat collection drive will take place at the Syracuse men’s basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 27, versus North Carolina State.

Please Review! Important Back to Campus Public Health Information

At the start of this new semester, I want to welcome our newest community members and welcome back our returning students, faculty and staff. As coordinator of the University’s ongoing response efforts to communicable illnesses, such as COVID-19 and influenza, I want to provide some reminders that can help keep you and our community healthy.

Important Information About Syracuse University’s Health Plan Coverage of Services Provided by WellNow Urgent Care

The following provides important information about the coverage of services provided by WellNow Urgent Care under the Syracuse University health plans.  

The University is aware that WellNow has notified their patients, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) and the community that it intends to leave Excellus’ network effective Jan. 1, 2024. We are hopeful that WellNow and Excellus will reach an agreement soon.

Included below is important information about your coverage effective Jan. 1, 2024, if you are enrolled in SUBlue, SUOrange or SUPro and receive services at a WellNow facility:  

  • Through Dec. 31, 2023, WellNow remains in Excellus’ network and any claims will continue to be covered as in-network, with the applicable deductible, co-pay or coinsurance applied. If you receive a bill from WellNow for a service in 2023, please review it carefully and make sure that it has been submitted to Excellus first. If your bill does not show Excellus paying any portion of the bill, please contact our dedicated Excellus BCBS customer service center at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220).
  • Effective Jan. 1, 2024, if WellNow is no longer in the Excellus network, it will be considered an out-of-network provider. If you are enrolled in SUBlue or SUPro, services provided by WellNow as an out-of-network provider will be covered, but you will generally be responsible for higher out-of-pocket costs. If you are enrolled in SUOrange, which has no out-of-network coverage, services will not be covered by the plan, and you will pay the full cost of the visit. Find more information about the plans’ in-network and out-of-network cost sharing on the health plan webpage.
  • Besides WellNow Urgent Care, your primary care doctor is generally your best option for non-emergencies, and many primary care providers offer after hours care. If they are not available, there are other options for care, including telehealth services through MDLIVE, other in-network urgent care centers and emergency rooms for medical emergencies. Members can visit the Excellus website to locate options for care, including hours of operation.
  • MDLIVE is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on holidays, to provide care for non-emergency medical or behavioral health conditions. Board-certified doctors and licensed therapists treat a wide range of conditions and generally can prescribe medications. For more information visit the MDLIVE webpage.
  • Additionally, members can access the Excellus 24/7 Nurse Call Line: 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220). Specially trained registered nurses from Excellus BCBS can provide support and education for members with chronic or complex health conditions, or provide answers to more general health questions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • For more information, contact the University’s dedicated Excellus BCBS customer service center at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220).

Give Back in 2024: Volunteer to Be a Book Buddy

Early literacy is paramount to a child’s future success, but recent research [PDF] from The Education Trust-New York shows the state is facing a “literacy crisis that has the potential to limit the future success of students, families, schools and communities.”

Discounted Tickets Offered to Faculty and Staff for Dec. 21 Men’s Basketball Game

Human Resources and Syracuse Athletics are pleased to host Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night in the JMA Wireless Dome to celebrate faculty and staff members’ contributions. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening out with your colleagues, friends and/or family while supporting the Orange and being celebrated for all you do for the University!

2023-24 Winter Break/Orange Appreciation Days Operating Schedule

In continuation of Syracuse University’s commitment to providing comprehensive benefits and in appreciation of the contributions of faculty and staff, the University will be operating under its holiday schedule and Orange Appreciation Days format for the winter break period from 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2.