5/20/2020 Fall Semester to Follow Accelerated Academic Calendar | Syracuse University News

Campus & Community

Fall Semester to Follow Accelerated

Academic Calendar
Wednesday, May 20, 2020, By News Staff

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

Syracuse University is eager and excited to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus in just a
few short months for the start of the Fall 2020 semester. Subject to continuing and further guidance from
New York State and public health officials, we are planning for residential instruction this fall. Although
unorthodox, we plan to follow an accelerated academic calendar. Doing so allows the University to
provide in-person instruction in a way that safeguards the health and safety of all members of our campus
and the Central New York community.

The Fall 2020 semester is expected to follow this schedule:

Monday, Aug. 24: Residential instruction will begin (students living in on-campus housing will receive
notification of their move-in date).

Tuesday, Nov. 24: Residential instruction will conclude.

Wednesday, Nov. 25: The in-person instructional semester will conclude, and students depart for
Thanksgiving break (students will not return to campus after Thanksgiving break).

Monday, Nov. 30-Wednesday, Dec. 9: Review sessions, reading days and final exams will be
administered virtually.

In order to fulfill academic requirements and comply with public health guidance, this schedule will likely
necessitate some additional Friday classes and some classes being held on weekends. We will be asking
faculty to revise teaching plans accordingly, as well as to be prepared to transition to online teaching for
anyone whose learning might be disrupted. We also plan to offer most of our in-person classes

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simultaneously in an online format to accommodate the individual health circumstances of our students
and faculty.

This schedule, coupled with changes to our facilities to meet social distancing and physical density best
practices, reduces the risks and exposures associated with travel to and from campus, and prepares us for
the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 cases. The Fall 2020 Open Working Group—consisting of
deans, associate deans, faculty and staff—has been working to ensure every aspect of the University is
prepared when students return to campus in August. This schedule has been strongly recommended by
the Public Health and Emergency Management Subcommittee of the Working Group. As details of plans
are finalized, we will regularly engage with and update our community with new information. The first
update will come next week. As we have done from the beginning, all decisions will be informed by
guidance from state and public health officials and will prioritize the safety and well-being of our campus
community.

This fall, Syracuse University will continue to deliver on its mission to provide a distinctive and rigorous
academic experience to all our students. We appreciate your continued patience, flexibility and
understanding as we work to provide a safe and productive fall semester for everyone.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Kent Syverud

Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost John Liu

Interim Deputy Senior Vice President Amanda Nicholson

© 2020 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.

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