DU Chapter Remains Resilient
Coronavirus forces evacuation of chapter house
April 6, 2020 | Rick Holland '83
For the first time since the days of World War II, the campus at Syracuse University is essentially empty during an academic year.
The effects of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) caused the university to discontinue all on-campus classes on March 13, leading into Spring Break week. Courses have continued online since that time and will not resume on campus until the fall semester. And as you’re likely aware, throughout the country, all intercollegiate spring-season athletic teams had their seasons cancelled, including the remainder of the men’s and women’s basketball schedules.
In a season that typically conjures lighter moods, brought on by the anticipation of graduation for seniors and blessedly warmer weather in Central New York, our undergraduate DU brothers, have been forced to reckon with a premature end to the academic year -- and the DU events and activities that add so much to a college experience.
At the urging of both SU and Delta Upsilon Headquarters, our brothers were encouraged not to return to campus after Spring Break. The result is that only seven brothers have been living in the DU house at 801 Walnut Avenue over the past two weeks to avoid infecting their families in the event they contracted the virus while on break. All are scheduled to vacate the building sometime this week to make way for a deep cleaning of the property.
Upon completion of the cleaning, the SU DU Housing Corporation will communicate a policy under which students living in the DU house may return to campus to clear out their rooms. “The safety and health of our undergraduate brothers is the top priority as we develop a plan for the men to return to retrieve their belongings,” said Steven Hochberg, ’83, Chairman of the SU DU Housing Corporation.
Also under consideration is how and when to initiate the spring class of 19 associate members (formerly known as “pledges”). “It’s important that our associate members understand that they are full DU brothers now, without having to wait until September,” said Ken Hyman, ’88, Chairman of the Chapter Advisory Board.
The chapter has been deliberating on how to best accomplish an initiation under the current social distancing constraints. Stay tuned in a future Bazoo newsletter for an account of how this important ceremony is handled.
Coronavirus forces evacuation of chapter house
April 6, 2020 | Rick Holland '83
For the first time since the days of World War II, the campus at Syracuse University is essentially empty during an academic year.
The effects of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) caused the university to discontinue all on-campus classes on March 13, leading into Spring Break week. Courses have continued online since that time and will not resume on campus until the fall semester. And as you’re likely aware, throughout the country, all intercollegiate spring-season athletic teams had their seasons cancelled, including the remainder of the men’s and women’s basketball schedules.
In a season that typically conjures lighter moods, brought on by the anticipation of graduation for seniors and blessedly warmer weather in Central New York, our undergraduate DU brothers, have been forced to reckon with a premature end to the academic year -- and the DU events and activities that add so much to a college experience.
At the urging of both SU and Delta Upsilon Headquarters, our brothers were encouraged not to return to campus after Spring Break. The result is that only seven brothers have been living in the DU house at 801 Walnut Avenue over the past two weeks to avoid infecting their families in the event they contracted the virus while on break. All are scheduled to vacate the building sometime this week to make way for a deep cleaning of the property.
Upon completion of the cleaning, the SU DU Housing Corporation will communicate a policy under which students living in the DU house may return to campus to clear out their rooms. “The safety and health of our undergraduate brothers is the top priority as we develop a plan for the men to return to retrieve their belongings,” said Steven Hochberg, ’83, Chairman of the SU DU Housing Corporation.
Also under consideration is how and when to initiate the spring class of 19 associate members (formerly known as “pledges”). “It’s important that our associate members understand that they are full DU brothers now, without having to wait until September,” said Ken Hyman, ’88, Chairman of the Chapter Advisory Board.
The chapter has been deliberating on how to best accomplish an initiation under the current social distancing constraints. Stay tuned in a future Bazoo newsletter for an account of how this important ceremony is handled.