Federal grant supports program to help create software companies
The US Economic Development Administration has awarded a grant to University affiliate NextCorps, the region’s only state- and federally designated business incubator, to help launch software companies and help individuals recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. NextCorps plans to hire more than 20 students for internships from the University and Rochester Institute of Technology to work with the new software startup companies.
In today’s issue:
Faculty and staff can join the University’s Emerging Leaders for a virtual trivia night and happy hour celebrating the United Way campaign
Mees Observatory tours are taking place virtually this summer
Catherine D’Ignazio and Lauren Klein, authors of Data Feminism, give the next lecture in the Neilly Author Series
Since Monday’s notice in @Rochester, there are no new cases of COVID-19 to report. 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 is continuing 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.
Wyatte Hall to discuss language deprivation on NPR
Wyatte Hall—a faculty fellow in the Office of Equity and Inclusion and a research assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, public health sciences, and neurology—is scheduled to discuss language deprivation in deaf children on NPR’s 1A program today. The show is set to air from 11 a.m. to noon EDT.
Details are now available on the process for moving out of the residence halls on the River Campus and at the Eastman School of Music, from May 7 to May 24.
Virtual writing retreat for AS&E grad students and postdocs
Having trouble feeling motivated or finding time to write? Join a virtual weekend writing boot camp. Log onto Zoom to meet other writers, set writing goals, and most importantly, write. For those who may need a bit more support, a writing tutor will be available. This event is open to grad students and postdocs in AS&E and takes place Saturday, April 24, through Sunday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT each day. Register online to attend. Email Rachel Lee with questions.
'Sip and Paint' study break
The UHS Health Promotion Office presents an evening of creativity and connection. The Creative Arts Club will lead participants in the creation of a spring cherry blossom watercolor painting on Thursday, April 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. EDT. The first 25 students to register will receive painting supplies and a recipe for a Yellowjacket mocktail. Register here by April 21.
Safe Sex Express
Get safe sex supplies delivered to your campus mailbox anonymously, and for free, with Safe Sex Express, a program created by students on the UR Student Health Advisory Committee.
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. These webinars are offered monthly, see the University Events Calendar for 2021 offerings.
United Way trivia happy hour
The University’s Emerging Leaders invite faculty and staff to a virtual trivia night and happy hour celebrating the United Way Campaign on Friday, April 23, from 4 to 5 p.m. EDT. Learn about supporting the United Way, show off your knowledge of the University and the City of Rochester in two rounds of Zoom trivia, and connect virtually with friends across the University. The emphasis of this happy hour is on the “happy” rather than on the drinks, but feel free to relax and unwind with your beverage of choice during the event. Register online here.
Deadline extension for novel neuroscience research funding
The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience will offer up to $900,000 in support of 17 pilot projects with a focus on novel basic, clinical and translational research in the neurosciences. The awards are open to all University faculty. The submission deadline has been extended to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 26.
Life insurance qualifying events
Within 90 days of a qualifying family status change such as marriage or the establishment of a domestic partnership, divorce or termination of a domestic partnership, death of a spouse or domestic partner, or the birth or adoption of a child, you may enroll in or increase your Group Universal Life coverage amount without evidence of insurability. You also may elect additional dependent coverage without evidence of insurability for a new spouse or domestic partner, a newborn, or newly adopted dependent child(ren). To qualify, you must be actively working and not have been previously declined for coverage under the plan. Visit Rochester.edu/benefits/life for guaranteed limit amounts.
Neilly Author Series lecture and virtual panel discussion on 'Data Feminism'
Join Catherine D’Ignazio, an assistant professor of urban science and planning and director of the Data + Feminism Lab at MIT, and Lauren Klein, an associate professor of English and of quantitative theory and methods and the director of the Digital Humanities Lab at Emory University, will present a lecture on their book, Data Feminism, on Thursday, April 22, at 6 p.m. EDT. The book presents a new way of thinking about data science and data ethics—one that is informed by intersectional feminism. You can read an open access version of the text from MIT Press or purchase a copy from the University’s bookstore. Students, faculty, and staff can register here. This event is part of the Neilly Author Series.
In conjunction with the Neilly lecture, the Mellon Digital Humanities Fellows will host a panel discussion, “Putting Theory to Practice: A Discussion of Data Feminism,” on Friday, April 23, at 1 p.m. EDT. Panelists from the fields of data science, digital humanities, data literacy and pedagogy, and philosophy will discuss the seven principles covered in Data Feminism. Learn more about the panel and register to attend here.
Discussion: Suicide prevention in Black and Latino communities
The Clergy Mental Health Collaborative, a collective of pastors facilitated by John Walker, an associate professor of psychiatry, working together to address issues critical to the community, will hold a virtual event on Saturday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT titled “A Discussion of the Needs and Concerns for Suicide Prevention in the Black, Latino, and Wider Communities.” Learn more about the event and register here.
Take a virtual tour of the Mees Observatory
The Department of Physics and Astronomy will host virtual summer tours of the Mees Observatory, with students and staff from the department and members of the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science leading the tours. The highlight of each tour will be the observation of solar system and deep-sky objects as seen by the 24-inch reflecting telescope and captured by its CCD camera. Tours are offered on most weekend nights, June through August. Reservations are required and can be made online. If COVID-19 restrictions ease allowing for on-site tours later in the summer, notice will appear in @Rochester.
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