As we begin to welcome students back to campus this week, it’s important to remember that our campuses remain in the New York state Orange Zone, and restrictions from fall remain. In today’s issue, we provide a look at how campuses will operate to start the spring semester.
Also in today’s issue:
A free password management tool is available University-wide
Faculty members may apply to act as representatives on the Global Challenge Groups of the World Universities Network
A new mentor program has launched for students across the University
Since Friday’s notice in @Rochester, there are five new cases of COVID-19 to report: one River Campus student; one Eastman School of Music student; one Medical Campus student and two employees.
Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily. Whenever a new case is known, the contact-tracing process begins immediately with confirmed exposures being contacted and required to quarantine.
It’s extremely important for the health of the University community that individuals continue to adhere to the face masking and social distancing protocols. Even as some individuals are now receiving their first or second dose of the vaccine, these practices to prevent the transmission of the virus cannot be relaxed.
If you think you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, it’s important to report them through Dr. Chat Bot immediately. Even if you think your symptoms might be something else—like a cold, seasonal congestion, or allergies—it’s still important to tell University health professionals and contact tracers what you’re experiencing.
Spring semester expectations
As the spring semester begins, many Orange Zone restrictions set by New York State in the fall are still in place—except dining, which includes a little more flexibility with regard to options available to students. Learn more about what to expect.
Highlights include
University Health Service (UHS) will again conduct random surveillance COVID-19 testing of both on-campus and off-campus undergraduate and graduate students throughout the semester. UHS will also continue to provide tests to symptomatic students throughout the semester.
Campus Dining Centers will be limited to no more than four students at a table and all tables will be six feet apart. Several additional multipurpose campus spaces have been established to accommodate students who need to eat a meal or snack on campus.
While the current Orange Zone guidelines limit gatherings to 10 participants, multiple sessions of events will be held to allow for maximum participation.
COVID-19 safety protocols, including mask-wearing, social distancing, and gathering limits are not expected to be relaxed at any point during the semester, even as some people have begun to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Chat Bot participation continues to be required for everyone who is physically on any University campus or property at any time of day or night.
Free password management tool available University-wide
The average person has upwards of 100 passwords to remember and tends to use the same credentials for multiple accounts. While this does simplify the login process, it makes you vulnerable to security threats. So how can you create unique passwords for each account while still remembering all of them? You can’t! The University provides LastPass, a password management tool, to faculty, staff, and students for free. Through a web browser plug-in or mobile app, LastPass will securely store login credentials to a vault and auto-fill future logins. Using this service, you only need to remember your master password to access your vault. LastPass can assist you in creating strong, secure, and one-of-a-kind credentials via its password generator. You can find a brief overview here or visit University IT’s LastPass page to get started. Call the University Help Desk at (585) 275-2000 or Med Center ISD Help Desk at (585)275-3200 to request a free LastPass account.
“I wrote the song just thinking about what the country means to me and this balancing act between personal freedom and collective responsibility,” says Eastman School of Music alumnus Gene Scheer ’81E, ’82E (MM). “There’s this kind of wrestling match going on.”
Registration open for new University-wide mentoring program
The Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections and the Office of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement have launched a new mentor program for students across the entire University. This fully virtual program connects current students to alumni mentors for either one month of conversations or a three-month structured program. Mentors began registering on January 9, and registration opens to student mentees today, Monday, January 25. Program details are available within The Meliora Collective system, and an overview video is available here. For program questions, contact Michelle Cavalcanti or Amber Graham.
Sit with the Zen Meditation group
Join the Zen Meditation Group via Zoom on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. EST starting February 3 for two 30-minute mindful drop-in sessions. Sessions later in the semester will have the option of being in-person with RSVP required. Contact Kyle Trenshaw for more information or to be added to the email list. No prior meditation experience is necessary.
Today, so much of the available nutritional information is generic, and it can be difficult to apply it to your lifestyle. Through Well-U’s Healthy Weight program, your coach can explain any areas that may need attention and provide you with specific nutritional guidance. It is easy to sustain and can change your quality of life. Sign up here.
The library as an ‘open’ partner
On Tuesday, January 26, at 1 p.m. EST the River Campus Libraries will host part one of a workshop on open educational resources and open pedagogy (OP). Authors from Open Pedagogy Approaches will speak on their chapters, which will cover OP practices for giving undergraduate students training in the research process and an OP design for graduate student internships. Register here to attend. Part two will be held on January 28.
Call for faculty representatives on steering group
The University invites faculty members to act as representatives on the Global Challenge Groups of the World Universities Network. The network, of which Rochester has been a member since 2012, enables the University to maintain and enhance its position as a world-leading university, supporting innovative, multidisciplinary research that addresses four global challenges. Visit the Global Engagement website to find out more information, nominate a colleague, or complete an online application by March 1. Questions may be directed to Ruth Levenkron.
The University’s Women’s Initiative Supporting Health is cohosting a free virtual health and wellness conference starting today, Monday, January 25, through Friday, January 29. Programming takes place over Zoom from 10 a.m. to noon EST each day. Learn more about the conference and find the schedule of activities here.
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