On March 9, 2020, Medical Center leadership held its first Command Center meeting to prepare for the inevitable arrival of COVID-19 in our community. Shortly thereafter, the first confirmed case was reported in Monroe County, and on March 21, 2020, the first patient with COVID-19 was admitted to Strong Memorial Hospital. From that point on, all of our lives—professional and personal—changed.
Exactly one year later, on March 9, 2021, at noon EST, a moment of silence will be held to acknowledge the events of the past year—the struggle and loss, the compassion and heroism—and to consider how we will move forward together in the year ahead. If you are able, please join in this minute-long reflection taking place across the University, including UR Medicine’s affiliated health system sites.
In today’s issue:
The University’s United Way Campaign kicks off today
Rochester undergraduate athletes continue to share “How I Got Started”
Since Wednesday’s notice in @Rochester, there are six new cases of COVID-19 to report: five River Campus students and one Eastman Campus faculty member. 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.
2021 United Way Campaign officially kicks off today
“We are so honored, so proud, so inspired by all that you make possible,” says Jaime Saunders, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Rochester, in a video message to the University community. Just like the theme of this year’s United Way Campaign, the University community is “Built together. Built strong.” And every pledge is a building block to making the community stronger. Pledges made online by Friday, March 5, 4 p.m. EST are eligible for all five weeks of prize drawings.
Flags will be lowered for Harry Brown
University flags will be lowered Tuesday, March 16, for Harry Brown, an environmental services worker at Strong Memorial Hospital, who died on February 9. Brown joined the University in 2004.
Wayne-Finger Lakes Leadership Institute approaches 20 years
Listening to science is paramount in policy making, argues David Primo, the Ani and Mark Gabrellian Professor and a professor of political science and business administration in an op-ed, which coincides with Congress’s taking up HR 1, the For the People Act of 2021.
Undergraduates from Rochester’s athletic teams share a little about their athletic, academic, and personal backgrounds. New profiles are added each day on the Athletics website. Recent profiles include
The Barbara J. Burger iZone is offering a limited number of “Make It Happen” microgrants to support early-stage ideas and exciting projects that help University students and alumni turn their ideas into reality. The awards range from $400 to $800 depending on the number of applicants and the needs of the individual projects. Grant recipients will receive support from iZone throughout the spring 2021 semester to get started on their project. Learn more and apply here.
Have a colleague who shares their time and talents with the Rochester community?
The Staff Community Service Award recognizes a nonmanagement staff member whose volunteer service to the University or a nonprofit within the Greater Rochester community is outside of their usual assignment. Submit a short nominating statement and letter of support no later than March 25 to make a nomination. The Staff Community Service Award—together with the Witmer Award for Distinguished Service, the Meliora Award, and the new Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award—is one of four annual awards for University staff members. Find more information, including eligibility and nomination materials for all awards, here.
Learn about nonmatriculated registration at Simon
Join the Simon Business School to find out how a Simon degree can help accelerate your career. Students have the option of beginning their studies before formally applying to the Professional MBA program through a nonmatriculated start. Non-matriculated students may start in any term during the year and may take a maximum of two MBA core courses. Those who meet entrance criteria are eligible to waive the GMAT or GRE requirement. Register here to learn more and register for classes on Tuesday, March 9, from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. EST.
Do you miss being able to visit therapy dogs on campus? Join the UHS Health Promotion Office for the first-ever virtual “Yappy Hour” on Wednesday, March 10, from 6–7 p.m. EST. Visit with some cute furry friends over Zoom. If you have a pet, have them attend with you on screen.
Meet 'Zero-Cost Hero' Jon Holz
Jon Holz is an associate professor of instruction in biology, who has $21,000 of savings under his belt. Find out how. Come back tomorrow to meet another “Zero-Cost Hero,” part of an ongoing effort on behalf of River Campus Libraries to ensure equity, access, and empowerment for all Rochester students.
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