Learn more this week about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines at a webinar with Angela Branche, an assistant professor of medicine and codirector of the Medical Center’s vaccine treatment and evaluation unit, and Kathy Gallucci, chief human resources officer. Find full details below in the For the Community section.
Also in today’s issue:
The AlertUR test has been rescheduled for September 23
Faculty and staff can attend the Emerging Leaders virtual fall meeting this week
The flu vaccination program is underway for Medical Center employees
Security Tip: Rochester students targeted with employment email scams
Students are continuously receiving emails with false job offers. In most cases, these appear to come from faculty or other members of the University community. University IT continues to block the emails as they are reported. If you get a suspicious email, delete it and report it to abuse@urmc.rochester.edu. If you have communicated with the person, stop responding. If you have given the person money, contact the Department of Public Safety at (585) 275-3333 and file a police report. Remember these tips to identify potential scams:
Be cautious when responding to offers via email.
Watch out for urgency. If there’s a lot of pressure to do it quickly, be wary.
Be cautious anytime you are dealing with someone you don’t know and they are asking for money; of requests to purchase gift cards (legitimate business transactions don’t normally require you to buy a gift card, send photos of a gift card, or share gift card codes); and if the person wants you to switch to a personal email or texting. Criminals do this to get you off the University’s email system so that University IT can’t block them.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, ask a lot of questions and be ready to walk away.
Contact the person or company through a known legitimate email, phone number, or website to confirm the offer.
Flu vaccination program underway for Medical Center employees
On September 7, Strong Memorial Hospital Employee Health launched its annual flu vaccination campaign. Medical Center faculty, staff, students, and volunteers with a University ID badge can now receive their free flu shot at any of the available walk-in clinics. Vaccinations can also be completed at the Strong Memorial Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy (in the main lobby) and through available department mobile carts. Since COVID-19 vaccines are being offered in conjunction with flu shots this fall, it’s important to know that both vaccines are safe and effective when taken alone or with other vaccines. This FAQ from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information on getting a flu shot and a COVID vaccine.
If you receive your flu vaccination from another provider—or if you choose not to receive a flu vaccination—you must go online and complete the flu vaccination status form by Friday, November 12. The form and additional campaign details are available on the Medical Center’s FluSource intranet site.
Peet’s at Wegmans Hall to close
Due to ongoing staffing issues, Peet’s at Wegmans Hall on the River Campus will be closed until further notice. The Brew, located on the first floor of Schlegel Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and offers a selection of coffees, teas, and grab-and-go lunch options. Visit the Dining Services website for a complete list of updated hours of operation.
AlertUR test rescheduled for September 23
The fall semester test of AlertUR will be on Thursday, September 23, at 6 p.m. EDT. This is a new date, replacing the originally scheduled September 16 test. AlertUR is the emergency notification system for the University, including the Medical Center. In the event of an emergency, alerts are sent by voice, text, and email message. The purpose of the test is to activate the AlertUR system and check that you can be reached immediately. Before the September 23 test, students and employees should review their contact information online. Sign in with your NetID and password to verify the fastest method for reaching you, including adding a current cell phone number. Employees with a NetID who do not have a University email address may enter a personal email or phone number to receive emergency alerts. The September 23 test will not disrupt scheduled activities. Find more information on AlertUR here.
RTS changes weekday service for #16/Genesee route
Effective today, Regional Transit Service has changed service for its #16/Genesee route from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. This change was made to help the Rochester City School District meet its student busing needs. Regular service will continue every 30 minutes on evenings and weekends. Visit the RTS website for more information or call (585) 288-1700 with questions.
UR Financials, UR Procurement, and UR Student upgrade completed
The semiannual upgrade of UR Financials, UR Procurement (Procure to Pay, P2P), and UR Student was successfully completed this weekend. There are no changes for Procure to Pay (P2P) users. Read the UR Student newsletter for details on changes that may affect you.
Visit with some therapy dogs at Paws for Stress Relief between 6 and 7:15 p.m. today, September 13, in the Goergen Athletic Center. The Health Promotion Office also provides educational information, activities, and stress-relief giveaways such as lavender sachets or stress balls.
Utilize the CARE network
Have a quick question? An unpredictable schedule? Need brief guidance in a casual, private setting? Visit a CARE staff member during open drop-in hours taking place Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. in the CARE offices on the fifth floor of Wilson Commons. Get one-on-one help for yourself or a friend by submitting an online referral. You can also explore the Concern Center website by searching keywords or browsing concerns by category. Each concern is linked to the appropriate campus resources to help.
It’s data grant season
The River Campus Libraries is currently accepting applications for data grants to support independent research and learning for students enrolled in Arts, Sciences & Engineering, the Warner School of Education, and Simon Business School. If you need data sets that cannot become part of the RCL collection due to vendor licensing agreements, apply for this grant by Monday, September 20. Email Kathy Wu with questions.
Faculty and staff are invited to attend the Emerging Leaders virtual fall meeting on Wednesday, September 15, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. Meet the Emerging Leaders cochairs and leadership team and learn more about the purpose of the group, its mission, and plans for the upcoming year. Advanced registration is required.
Employee tuition waiver benefit
Employee tuition waiver applications are due to the Office of Total Rewards within 30 days of the start of your course. Before submitting, check the supervisor you’ve selected in HRMS, as once you submit the application online you cannot go back in and make changes to it. As a reminder, also check your tuition benefit taxability before submitting the application for processing.
‘Substance Use Disorders: The Other Epidemic’ virtual talk
Learn more about factors that contribute to the development of addictive practices and substance use disorders, as well as successful approaches to prevention and treatment. The taped presentation led by Donna Pratt, a preventive medicine resident, will be available on the Center for Community Health & Prevention’s Facebook page on Thursday, September 16, at 11 a.m. EDT.
Webinar on COVID-19 vaccine safety
Attend a COVID-19 vaccine safety webinar on Thursday, September 16, at 4 p.m. EDT to learn more about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. Angela Branche, an assistant professor of medicine and codirector of the Medical Center’s vaccine treatment and evaluation unit, will join Kathy Gallucci, chief human resources officer, for an overview on the science behind the vaccine, updates on the University’s vaccination requirement, and to address questions from the community. Chris Apple, men’s soccer head coach and Genesee Staff Council member, will moderate the discussion. Register here to attend and submit questions in advance.
Small business innovation research, technology transfer grants workshop
Do you need resources to support technology development or commercialization? Attend the “Small Business Innovation Research and Other Resources to Support University Technology Commercialization” workshop taking place on Friday, October 8, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Class of ’62 Auditorium (G-9425), Medical Center. Register by October 1 and email Karen Grabowski with questions.
The Eastman School of Music continues to highlight events in Eastman history in celebration of its centennial. On the Eastman School’s Instagram and Facebook, find photos and details from the concluding concert of the third annual Gateways Music Festival on September 10, 1995. The concert featured, among others, William Warfield narrating Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait with conductor Michael Morgan, as well as pianist and conductor Awadagin Pratt.
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