Dear Romance Studies Faculty Graduate Students and Staff,

Hopefully you’ve had a chance to enjoy some of the warmer temperatures we have had the last few days. I am optimistic that spring has truly arrived.

Spending Guidelines

As many of you may be aware, the College has issued guidelines and procedures for spending for the foreseeable future. Expenses incurred on sponsored funds or external organization accounts should proceed as usual. Other expenses will require a justification statement regarding why the expense is essential to teaching or research. All expenditures must be expressly approved by either the Department Manager or Department Chair. Any expenses exceeding $3,000 will need additional approval from the College. Expenditures over $50K require the Provost’s approval as well. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions about these new guidelines.

Cayuga Medical Center Resumes Elective Surgeries

Based on newly issued state guidelines for hospitals, Cayuga Medical Center will resume electives surgeries the week of May 4. Screening for COVID-19 will be a pre-requisite for any elective surgeries performed.

Local Sources for Baking Supplies

Whether it’s procrastibaking, comfort food creation or simply subsistence baking, it seems flour, sugar and yeast are in short supply these days. Sourcing these items has come up in virtual meetings more than once this week. A few good sources that you might not think of for pantry staples include: Ithaca Bakery – currently doing curbside pickup, and delivery orders, they carry several types of wheat flour, as well as dry yeast, butter, and eggs by the dozen; Trumansburg Main Street Market – currently doing curbside pickup and delivery order, they carry several pantry and baking staples, including locally grown and milled flours and polenta, locally made pasta and baked goods; and on the other side of the lake, Dedrick’s Farm Market in Dryden is open, and offers several pantry items, flours, yeast, spices, local milk and baked goods.

Stay well, stay home and stay in touch,

Mary Beth