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Explainers

Chancellor Kent Syverud’s Fast Forward Syracuse initiative, explained

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When Kent Syverud become chancellor of Syracuse University, he started Fast Forward Syracuse. The initiative has three parts and is meant to improve SU's infrastructure and academic life moving forward.

By Mary Catalfamo, Michael BurkeThe Daily Orange

UPDATED: Oct. 16 at 9:38 p.m.

Fast Forward Syracuse has been at the heart of Kent Syverud’s ongoing tenure as chancellor of Syracuse University.

Fast Forward, which has been in the works for more than two years, is a university-wide initiative that sets out to improve SU’s infrastructure and academic life. It consists of three components: the Campus Framework, Academic Strategic Plan and Operational Excellence Program.

Entering Syverud’s third full academic year as chancellor, here’s where each component of Fast Forward currently stands.

Campus Framework

Syverud released a draft of the Campus Framework plan in June 2016, following 18 months of planning and campus outreach from a 17-member advisory group. The purpose of the Campus Framework is, as its name suggests, to improve the campus.



The draft details a 20-year plan, covering everything from small construction projects to larger plans, including phasing out housing on South Campus, building the National Veterans Resource Complex and replacing the roof on the Carrier Dome.

And though the plan is still in a draft stage, the university has already begun implementing some aspects of it. Namely, the University Place promenade was finished in August 2016.

SU released the second draft of the Campus Framework in May after missing its original January deadline. The document provided a few additional project details, but gave no timeline or total cost updates for the plan.

Projects described in the second draft include renovations to Schine Student Center and Bird Library, relocating South Campus housing, revitalizing the “academic core” at the physical center of the university and adding additional parking space around campus.

The document also stated the university is considering a possible three-year on-campus housing requirement for students, an idea that drew backlash when discussed at a Campus Framework open forum in February.

Additionally, the project to replace Archbold Gymnasium with a new recreation and wellness center called the Barnes Center at The Arch received a $5 million donation in May from an SU Board of Trustees chairman. The complex will include a fitness center, indoor sports courts, an elevated running track and a multi-floor rock climbing wall, according to the second Campus Framework draft.

The Barnes Center will house the Counseling Center, the Office of Health Promotion, SU Health Services, Recreation Services and the Office of Student Assistance, per the draft.

Construction of the Barnes Center and replacement of the Carrier Dome roof is estimated to cost $250 million total.

Academic Strategic Plan

The Academic Strategic Plan outlines the university’s vision and sets goals to achieve that vision, serving essentially as a roadmap for SU’s decision-making in the coming years.

The plan outlines six areas the university should focus on: the student experience, discovery, internationalization, veterans affairs, innovation and “One University.” Six working groups were formed in 2015, with each one focused on developing strategies to meet goals in one of those areas. The Academic Strategic Plan is a living, evolving document.

Operational Excellence Program

The purpose of the Operational Excellence Program is to make SU more fiscally efficient and fund investment for the Academic Strategic Plan and Campus Framework.

Operational Excellence has two committees: the Executive Committee and the Steering Committee. The Executive Committee provides oversight to the Operational Excellence Program, and its members also serve on the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee, which is composed of SU community members, provides input on Operational Excellence’s work, which includes several initiatives. Each of those initiatives aims to help achieve the program’s goal of making SU more fiscally efficient, which SU hopes will result in savings to drive funding for the rest of Fast Forward.

More on each of the Operational Excellence Program’s initiatives can be found here.

The Daily Orange will continue to update this Explainer as new information about Fast Forward Syracuse is released.

Disclaimer: The Daily Orange leases a house on Ostrom Avenue owned by Syracuse University. As part of the Campus Framework, the university has proposed building student housing on Ostrom Avenue where The Daily Orange currently operates.





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