Six new positive cases of COVID-19

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

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

For nearly 20 years, the Wayne-Finger Lakes Leadership Institute has provided professional learning, support, and experience necessary for educators to cultivate and expand their K–12 school leadership skills. Cofounded by Stephen Uebbing, a professor and director of leadership development for the Center for Professional Development and Education Reform at the Warner School of Education, the institute is a cohort-based learning experience, a partnership between Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, its 25 component school districts, three colleges, and the Warner School.

• Dr. Chat Bot: Non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students | Medical Center employees
• What to do if you or your close contacts have symptoms or have been exposed
• University’s COVID-19 Resource Center
• Medical Center’s COVID-19 update page
• COVID-19 Concern Report

Reformers say HR 1 will fortify our democracy. Science shows it won’t

Roll Call, February 26

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.

Rochester athletes share ‘How I Got Started’

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

• Rachel Anthony ’21 is a member of the women’s rowing team and the NROTC
• Trey Johnson ’24, a member of the football team, talks about majoring in political science
• Hannah Leahy ’21, a pitcher on the women’s softball team, talks about her winter break internship as an EMT in Boston
• Juney Lee ’22, a member of the women’s field hockey team, shares why she came to Rochester from San Jose, California
• Hannah Lindemuth ’23, a guard on the women’s basketball team, shares what led her to Rochester
• Andrew Moglianesi ’23 talks about the differences in playing soccer at the high school and collegiate levels
• Tommy Nelson ’22 discusses how a background in running track helps him as a member of the men’s soccer team
• Amanda Newell ’23, a rower on the women’s rowing team, shares how she discovered the sport while at Rochester
• Alexis Sestric ’23 flourishes within a team environment—both on the basketball court and as a marketing major
• Elizabeth Sidorski ’23, a defender on the women’s field hockey team, shares what attracted her to the sport

Emergency Department Research Associate Program accepting applications

Undergraduate students with an interest in gaining clinical experience working directly with patients in a busy Emergency Department environment and participating in clinical research can apply for the Emergency Department Research Associate program four-credit course and internship. The course application for fall 2021 is open from March 8 to 22. Email Melissa Bucklin or Ivana-Re Baldie with questions.

Apply for an iZone microgrant

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.

Attend a 'Yappy Hour'

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.