Today marks the beginning of Women’s History Month. The University Calendar is compiling a list of Women’s History Month events sponsored by departments, units, and student organizations across our campuses. Submit your event if you’d like it to be included on the list.
In today’s issue:
An update on student summer abroad programs
Tax season security tips from University IT
COVID-19 testing is available for students who attend protests and rallies
Since Friday’s notice in @Rochester, there are five new cases of COVID-19 to report: three River Campus students; and one Eastman Campus student and employee. 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.
A special note about UHS’s surveillance testing program: all students, including off-campus students, who regularly access campus are included on UHS’s list of individuals to contact for surveillance testing. The surveillance testing program is based on testing 2,000 students per week using the quick, rapid test, and full participation is required from students in order for UHS to complete the required number of rapid tests needed to fulfill their weekly targets. This program has been a very effective way to monitor and contain the spread of the virus throughout this academic year.
Update on fall and summer international travel for students
The Center for Education Abroad (CEA) along with the Office for Global Engagement and senior University leadership have made some decisions regarding programs and international travel for students during the summer 2021 and fall 2021 terms.
The University has continued monitoring the COVID-19 situation abroad and due to the conditions in the United States and internationally, the difficult decision was made to cancel all University-related student travel abroad for summer 2021. This cancellation includes all programs and travel for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Education Abroad programs within all University schools. The decision to cancel is based on the limitations in vaccine accessibility, international travel requirements, quarantine requirements, and the overall health and safety of students.
The University understands that graduate students, in particular some doctoral students, may need to travel abroad for their research or academic programs. Graduate students may contact their appropriate dean’s office for a review of any essential academic or research work that requires international travel. Any exceptions must also be reviewed by the University’s Travel Review Subcommittee.
CEA also decided to extend the undergraduate fall 2021 Education Abroad program application deadline to April 1. The University is reviewing a number of criteria in order to assess which of our programs will be able to safely reopen for the fall 2021 term. Updates will be shared as soon as the program decisions are made.
CEA is offering a condensed portfolio of virtual programs to include both academic and internship opportunities for summer and fall terms. A summer or fall virtual program will not take the place of a full-term abroad academic program. Students should still plan to register for fall University courses. More details will be shared soon about these opportunities and how to register.
Republican and Democratic voters agree on need for generous COVID-19 relief
The latest Bright Line Watch report shows that both Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly favor politicians who support generous COVID-19 relief spending, yet remain deeply polarized over the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results and former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment. Bright Line Watch, a nonpartisan initiative that conducts regular surveys about the health of US democracy, was cofounded by Gretchen Helmke, a professor of political science.
Security Tip: Monitor your online accounts regularly
While tax season started later than usual this year with no extension currently in place, you may feel rushed to meet that April 15 deadline. With this short window to file your taxes, University IT reminds you to beware of malicious actors that claim discrepancies with your account information. Keep in mind scammers not only love tax season, but they are also prone to using tactics to induce fear—to which you make quick rash decisions. Be sure to monitor your online accounts and bank statements regularly and be cautious of how tax information is shared. Are you using a tax professional? Are you sharing sensitive data with them over a secured network? Any tax information that is stolen could compromise your refund and any future COVID-19 relief packages. Should you receive any suspicious phone calls, emails, text messages, or notice errors related to your bank accounts, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately through verified contact information.
COVID-19 testing for students who attend protests and rallies
Because protests and rallies sometimes involve large groups of people congregating together for an extended period of time, University Health Service (UHS) is again making post-protest testing available to full-time University students who request it, based on their participation in these events. This rapid testing program is for asymptomatic students, and appointments can be scheduled by emailing uhscovid19@uhs.rochester.edu. Having a test done on days 4–7 after potential exposure is optimal. Note that students who are having symptoms should always call UHS at (585) 275-2662 immediately to make an appointment to be tested.
'Career Story' lecture with Sven Jordt
The Center for Research on Flavored Tobacco is holding a “Career Story” with Sven Jordt, an associate professor of anesthesiology at the Duke University School of Medicine and an associate professor of psychiatry and research project director and teaching faculty member for the Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science. The session, which is for students at the School of Medicine and Dentistry, takes place today, Monday, March 1, from noon to 1 p.m. EST. Register here to attend.
BIC-Ture This: A queer art-making series for LGBTQ students
Join the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center for the next “BIC-Ture This” class and learn how to draw your own creature. The virtual class, which brings together LGBTQ+ students, takes place Wednesday, March 10, from 7 to 8 p.m. EST. Register here by Thursday, March, 4. Drawing pencils and paper will be provided.
Register to attend any sessions in this series of one-hour “how-to” workshops to get you started with some basic online activities. This series covers everything from giving live or recorded lectures, using various discussion board tools, giving an online test, and providing a platform for asynchronous student presentations. All sessions will be held at noon EST.
Working Parents Network meeting on navigating preschool years
Can the “terrible twos” really be that terrible? Join UR Medicine EAP and Well-U to learn about this and other challenges you may encounter during the preschool years. Register to attend the meeting on Thursday, March 4, from noon to 1 p.m. EST.
Seminar on nicotine intake
The Center for Research on Flavored Tobacco presents the seminar “Flavor Chemicals in Tobacco Products: Pharmacology, Toxicology, and the Effects on Nicotine Intake,” taking place today, Monday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to noon EST. Learn more and register to attend.
It’s Open Education Week. To celebrate, the University of Rochester Libraries are recognizing “Zero-Cost Heroes”— faculty members and instructors who, for a number of reasons, have chosen to select or create course materials that are free. Come back tomorrow to meet the first of four heroes, Nancy Chin, an associate professor at the Center for Community Health & Prevention and of public health sciences.
On Friday, student musicians rang the low bell from the University’s carillon 500 times, to remember the more than 500,000 people in the US who have died from COVID-19. You can hear a sampling on the University’s Instagram or Facebook page.
@Rochester is produced daily by University Marketing and Communications. You are receiving this message as a member of the University of Rochester community or as a subscriber. Please do not forward this newsletter to other distribution lists.
