Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:

We have an important update for you regarding the Spring 2022 semester. Syracuse University announced today that they are delaying the start date of the Spring semester by one week. Given the sharp increase in COVID cases, the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, and warnings from public health officials that the first three weeks of January will be the most challenging of this surge, SU’s in-person classes will now begin on Jan. 24.

Because ESF’s relationship with SU is central to our operations and the services that our students enjoy, we are adjusting our own Spring 2022 academic calendar to coincide with theirs. ESF classes will also begin on Jan. 24 and we are looking into how we can adjust the rest of the year accordingly with minimal disruption to instructional time and graduation. We will keep you updated.

We have been through this before, and I’m confident that our resilience and adaptability will help us get through this again. Every semester since the pandemic began, we’ve navigated unique and challenging situations, relying on science to guide the decisions that best serve our campus community.

Vaccination is the best protection against the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. A widely vaccinated campus community like ESF’s safeguards the health, wellness, and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Please note that SU requires booster shots by the start of the Spring semester for those who are eligible. Eligible individuals can make an appointment through New York state’s COVID-19 vaccine website or at any number of pharmacies. After winter break, we anticipate guidance from SUNY regarding booster requirements and will keep you updated.

In the coming days and weeks, you will receive communications from the College with information and resources to return to campus and begin the spring semester. Please continue to visit www.esf.edu/restart for the most up-to-date public health guidance.

I wish you a safe and healthy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Joanne M. Mahoney

President