Congratulations to Ignacio Franco, an associate professor of chemistry and the Leonard Mandel Faculty Fellow, who has been named this year’s recipient of the College Award for Undergraduate Teaching and Research Mentorship. The award is presented in conjunction with the University’s annual Undergraduate Research Expo, which starts this Friday. Find out more about Franco and the expo in Today’s Updates below.
Also in today’s issue:
Jonathan Friedberg, director of Wilmot Cancer Institute, will deliver an update on the “State of Wilmot” today at noon
Join the Language Center for a virtual short film festival, beginning this weekend
Today is the last day to register for the QuadFox 5K
Since Wednesday’s notice in @Rochester, there are two new cases of COVID-19 to report: two River Campus students. 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.
The Medical Center continues to make vaccine clinic appointments available to all University faculty, staff, and students. Visit the URMC COVID Clinic List to register.
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.
Updated travel guidance specific to health care workersÂ
On Monday, CURT announced updated travel guidance for the University community. There is now additional and updated travel guidance that requires mandatory “work furloughs” for unvaccinated health care workers, which prevents them from working for up to 10 days after international travel. Learn more on the URMC Intranet (VPN required).
Mentoring undergraduates through ‘uncharted territory’ in chemistry research
Ignacio Franco, an associate professor of chemistry and the Leonard Mandel Faculty Fellow, was named this year’s recipient of the College Award for Undergraduate Teaching and Research Mentorship. “Since he came to Rochester, Ignacio has been transforming the way undergraduate students learn physical chemistry,” says Todd Krauss, a professor of chemistry and of optics and chair of the Department of Chemistry.
This award is presented in conjunction with the University’s annual Undergraduate Research Expo, which will be held virtually beginning Friday, April 16. The event showcases student research projects spanning engineering and mathematics, humanities and performance, natural sciences, social sciences, and community engagement.
Reminder: Electrical system upgrade will include planned power outages Friday and Saturday
The University’s electrical system will cut over to a new RG&E substation this spring, an upgrade that will increase capacity to serve growing electric demand at the University—and bring increased reliability and flexibility to the power system. Brief power outages, expected to be less than 30 minutes, are planned for all buildings on the River Campus and the Medical Center (except for buildings where equipment is served by an emergency generator), during the switch, which will take place April 16–18. Details about the timing for the power outages are available here: building outage map; building outage list.
University IT will be performing a scheduled infrastructure upgrade from Friday, April 16, at 6 p.m. until approximately Saturday, April 17, at 6 p.m. The system will be offline during this time; however, badge reader swipes will continue to be collected and sent to HRMS once available. There should be no observable differences for users.
Help a community in need through the United Way
While the pandemic affects everyone, the most vulnerable members of the community face the greatest challenges. Every dollar invested in United Way stays in the Greater Rochester community, and every donation—no matter how small—helps. The University offers payroll deduction as an easy, efficient way to donate. With only a couple of weeks remaining in the 2021 campaign, visit the University’s campaign website to make a pledge today.
With the help of campus partners, the River Campus Libraries has created a virtual experience to help you focus on your future. Staff from iZone, the Greene Center, and the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program, and River Campus Libraries librarians will help you identify your strengths and prospective employers, as well as help you navigate the job search process. The event takes place today, Thursday, April 15, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. Sign up here.
Drop-in counseling groups for April
The University Counseling Center offers the following drop-in groups throughout April:
Well-U’s Worldwide Wellness challenge begins Monday, April 19. Explore places all over the world without taking any vacation time. Register before April 19 and be entered into a raffle to win a Fitbit, which will sync with the online platform for easy activity logging. During the six-week challenge, two weekly prizes will be given away, in addition to three “tour group” levels to ensure prizes for all skill levels.
Retiree benefits webinar
Join the Office of Total Rewards for a webinar at noon EDT on Wednesday, April 21, to go over eligibility to retire, what steps to take if you plan to retire soon, health and dental benefits, life insurance, and other incentives offered to you after retirement. Register here to attend. These webinars are offered monthly; see the University Events Calendar for 2021 offerings.
RNs: Earn your bachelor’s with full tuition coverage
Reimagine your nursing career with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Nursing. Register to attend a virtual open house today at 5 p.m. and learn more about applying to the RN-BS program, including eligibility, application deadlines and requirements, and grants and scholarships available for full tuition coverage. Registrants will receive the recording. Contact the School of Nursing Admissions Office with questions.
Jonathan Friedberg, director of Wilmot Cancer Institute, will deliver an update on the “State of Wilmot” for all faculty and staff today, Thursday, April 15, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. Topics include Wilmot’s new strategic plan and the progress toward designation by the National Cancer Institute as well as clinical and research updates. Join via Zoom using passcode 392898, or by telephone at (646) 876-9923.
Last day to register for the QuadFox 5K
Today is the final day to register and join the University community around the world and run, jog, walk, or roll as you complete 3.1 miles anywhere you are. Registration is open to University-affiliated participants including alumni, undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, and more. Complete the challenge and enter your time by May 2 to receive your finisher’s certificate. Most participants, including the first 250 faculty and staff, are eligible for a complimentary T-shirt when finished. Share your participation on social using #QuadFoxVirtual5K and tag WilsonCommonsURÂ on Instagram to let the Rochester community know you’re running with them.
Startup Bytes digital brown bag lunch series
Join the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship for Startup Bytes, a digital brown bag lunch featuring and for entrepreneurs and innovators. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to tune in on Friday, April 16, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT to hear about The Commissary, a community kitchen supporting Rochester-area food startups, and The Mercantile on Main, a new urban eatery designed with social distancing in mind. Join the event via Zoom.
Barnes and Noble at College Town is adding Saturday operating hours, starting April 17. The updated hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It remains closed on Sundays.
With reduced access to some areas, restricted customer capacity, and counter service only for textbooks, customers are still encouraged to shop for course materials, school supplies, and spirit items online at urochester.bncollege.com. Orders can be shipped to residential addresses via UPS, and there is free delivery to CMC boxes in Todd Union. Orders can also be picked up at the store location; curbside pickup is available during store hours.
Intersectionality and LGBTQ social justice
First coined by professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, the term intersectionality refers to the interconnected nature of an individual or group’s identities––such as race, class, gender, and sexuality––that create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. Join a conversation on Monday, April 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. EDT as a panel covers key topics related to today’s LGBTQ movement and explores its intersection with other social justice issues, including Black Lives Matter, transgender rights activism, and xenophobia. Learn more and register for this event, presented as part of the REAL Conversations series.
“When I first came into nursing, there were very few antibiotics, no treatment for cancer.” That was 1961. Six decades and countless new therapies later, Ann Paddock, a pediatric nurse, is still caring for children at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
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