New energy management information system and sustainability features map
Two new online resources are available to help improve the accessibility and transparency of sustainability initiatives across the University. Students, staff, and faculty within the Rochester community can now engage with the interactive Energy Management Information System and the sustainability features map.
In today’s issue:
Robert Alexander offers advice on writing the best college application essay
A two-part workshop on creating a queer-inclusive AS&E is available to faculty and staff
Free tickets are still available to University ID holders for this weekend’s Eastman School and Garth Fagan Dance anniversary collaboration
With more students applying to selective colleges than ever, and with many of those colleges placing less emphasis on standardized test scores, the admissions essay can be a crucial component of the applicant’s file. Robert Alexander, the dean of undergraduate admissions, financial aid, and enrollment management for Arts, Sciences & Engineering, offers advice to students on crafting these personal statements.
Wilmot Cancer Institute celebrates major milestone in National Cancer Institute Designation journeyÂ
Last week, the Wilmot Cancer Institute team submitted its P30 Cancer Center Support Grant application to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the result of a major collaboration across all disciplines at the cancer institute, with the ultimate goal being NCI designation for Wilmot. All eyes are on the February site visit for the NCI review as the next step in the process. More details and a thank you message from the Wilmot team can be found on the Wilmot Cancer Institute intranet (login required from outside the network).
On Thursday, September 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. EDT, you have the chance to get a hands-on crash course in augmented, virtual, and mixed reality in “Intro to XR.” The workshop will be held in the new Studio X, located on the first floor of Carlson Science and Engineering Library. This is intended to demystify, introduce, and explain immersive technologies. No experience is necessary. Register to attend.
Writing groups for AS&E undergrads
Do you have writing to do this semester? Writing groups are small groups of writers who meet once a week for two hours to write together. Each group is led by a writing fellow and each session is motivated by your individual goals. Bring any kind of academic, professional, or creative writing. Learn more and enroll online. Email liz.tinelli@rochester.edu with questions.
Register for this weekend’s Meliora 2021
Enjoy food and fun on Wilson Quadrangle, experience incredible events featuring special guests, and pick up your limited-edition memorabilia at the Rochester Traditions giveaway; giveaway registration will be managed through CCC. Don’t miss this new spin on a popular fall weekend, taking place October 1–2. Register for free online. You can also sign up to volunteer and receive a free T-shirt.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the University, including the Medical Center, has been focused on the health of faculty and staff by closely following workplace safety guidelines. Recently, both the federal government and New York State have released new workplace safety rules to standardize safety protections for employees. On September 6, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the designation of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease under the New York Health and Essential Rights Act, which requires all employers to implement workplace safety plans to protect employees against exposure and disease.
The University’s Hero Act: Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan for Covid-19 is available on the Environmental Health and Safety website. The US Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has also released an emergency temporary standard that applies to healthcare settings where suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients are treated. After a review, it has been determined that the University’s health system has already implemented all of the measures cited in the workplace safety rules. The University will continue to ensure compliance with the rules and adapt protocols based on new information from OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control. Details about Medical Center processes and protocols for meeting the new standard can be found in the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) COVID-19 Plan, which is available in Policystat.
The COVID-19 safety training has been updated in MyPath to reflect these plans; search for “COVID-19 Safety Training.” Employees can report any possible plan violations to their supervisor, HR Business Partner, or the Integrity Hotline and are granted retaliation protection.
‘Creating a Queer-Inclusive AS&E’ workshop
In the first part of the two-part “Creating a Queer Inclusive AS&E” workshop for AS&E faculty and staff, participants will learn basic information about LGBTQ culture including current language and terms. This will allow participants to immediately begin the journey of creating more inclusive spaces in their work. In part two, participants will begin to gain an understanding of cissexism and heterosexism in higher education. They will then explore how these themes manifest in their work and grapple with strategies to shift these norms on an individual and school-wide level.
Staff sessions take place Tuesday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 26, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons. Register here for both staff sessions.
Recording of Career Path Modernization employee forum available
The Career Path Modernization project team recently held the first round of employee forum sessions with more than 750 members of the University community in attendance. A recording of the session and the presentation slides are now available.
In response to feedback from those who attended, the next round of employee forums will take a different format in order to allow for more dialogue. Additionally, resources on the project’s website, including the glossary and frequently asked questions, will be updated in the coming weeks.
‘Community-Based Model Approaches to Engage Diverse Communities’
Join a panel of national speakers for “Community-Based Model Approaches to Engage Diverse Communities” on Thursday, September 30, at noon EDT. Register to attend this virtual event sponsored by the Wilmot Office for Community Outreach and Engagement and the Community Cancer Action Council, and moderated by Norma Holland, director of public relations and engagement for the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Gandhi Institute 30th anniversary and open house
Join the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence for a virtual gathering to celebrate its 30th anniversary and for another year of contribution to thousands of people in Rochester and beyond. The event takes place Sunday, October 3, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. EDT.
Learn what Warner School has to offer at upcoming information session
Join Warner School of Education admissions at a virtual information session in October to learn more about graduate programs in counseling, educational leadership, education policy, health professions education, higher education, human development, online teaching, program evaluation, and teaching. The next application deadline is October 15. Contact Warner School’s admissions office with questions. Learn more and register to attend an upcoming admissions information session.
‘Mindful Practice in Medicine Core’ workshop
The “Mindful Practice in Medicine Core Workshop: Find Joy and Resilience, and Enhance Quality of Care” was developed by physicians to help medical practitioners and educators respond to the erosion of joy in their work. It provides an experiential and interactive learning environment. The workshop takes place October 27–30 at the Chapin Mill Retreat Center in Batavia; learn more and register online.
On Monday, a bronze sculpture and plaque honoring William Warfield ’42E, ’46E (MM), ’88 (Honorary) was unveiled at the Eastman School of Music. Learn more about the sculpture, a collaboration among the William Warfield Scholarship Fund, Thomas Warfield, the Eastman School, Rochester Institute of Technology, the City of Rochester, and artist Shawn Dunwoody, and find more photos from the day on the Eastman School’s Instagram.
@Rochester is produced daily by University Marketing and Communications. You are receiving this message as a member of the University of Rochester community or as a subscriber. Please do not forward this newsletter to other distribution lists.
