University offers guidance on gatherings with food or drink
Now and in the coming months, many University departments, programs, or other non-student organizations may host gatherings where there is food or drink. Indoor gatherings with food that are informal (eating your lunch with your coworkers) or formal (a catered or non-catered department meeting or reception) should follow these University health and safety guidelines. As everyone continues to work their way through the pandemic, the University advises departments to carefully consider whether to have in-person holiday functions with food or drink, but those that do proceed should also follow these guidelines.
In today’s issue:
The Office of the Provost is sponsoring a faculty support and development workshop series for new and early-career faculty
Students, faculty, and staff can apply for a US passport or gather passport renewal application materials at a passport fair next week
Eastman Community Music School’s New Horizons and the Eastman Trombone Choir celebrate significant anniversaries with upcoming concerts
A reminder on face masks: they must be worn properly covering the nose and mouth indoors on the University’s campuses and properties. Visit the face mask FAQ page for full information. Face masks with air valves are not permitted, nor are face shields alone without a proper face mask underneath.
Lynnett Van Slyke honored with award from Rochester Area Employment Network
And some nursing homes that successfully imposed their own requirements are contributing to a higher success rate, says Brian McGarry, an assistant professor of medicine and of public health sciences, who is studying levels in nursing homes. “The mandates are starting to help,” he says. The actual enactment of a requirement by a state or facility, “is a heavy lever and signal to this group that it’s not going to be optional anymore.”
Faculty handbook revisions to the Simultaneous Appointment Policy
The faculty handbook has incorporated revisions to the University’s Simultaneous Appointment Policy effective October 2021. The main purpose of this policy is to ensure transparency around external appointments so that conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment can be identified and managed. The revisions include the need for written documents describing details of the appointment from the external institution and clarification of the review and approval process for such appointments. Faculty are reminded that external appointments must be reported in research grant applications and progress reports. If the external appointment involves a substantial time commitment that would have the potential to interfere with a faculty member’s academic duties, the revisions describe management of the potential conflict of commitment. The revisions also describe exceptions to the policy. All simultaneous appointments covered by this policy and in place prior to October should be disclosed to the relevant chair.
Faculty support, development workshops for new and early-career faculty
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, a series of workshops and social events offer practical knowledge and expanded alliances that link faculty to research and scholarship resources, clarify the path to promotion, and support faculty progress. Learn more about each session and register online to attend or email Adele Coelho.Â
Unconscious Bias and Its Impact on Our Academic Environments: Wednesday, October 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mentoring In Academia:Â Thursday, October 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
When Students Are Struggling, Troubled, or Troubling: Sources of Insight and Assistance:Â Wednesday, November 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Perspectives on the Promotion Process, Part I: Promotion to Associate Professor: Thursday, November 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Mapping, Aligning, and Assessing Outcomes: Tuesday, November 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuition reimbursement reminder
Did you have an approved tuition reimbursement application for summer 2021? Email your supporting documents to tuitionbenefits@ur.rochester.edu and include your employee ID.
One way to help manage stress is mindfulness meditation. Put mindfulness and well-being into practice this fall with a free, four-week Koru course. Follow the links below to register.
Koru Basics: Friday, October 22 and 29; November 5 and 12, from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. ET. This class takes place online via Zoom.
Fall into Mindfulness and Meditation:Â Monday, November 8, 15, 29, and December 6, from noon to 1:15 p.m. ET. This class takes place online via Zoom.
Koru 2.0: Thursday, October 28, and November 4, 11, 18, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. ET. This class takes place in Dewey Hall, Room 1-160 B and online via Zoom.
These courses are open to all University students, faculty, and staff, and are offered by the Mindful University Project.
Passport fair
Students, faculty, and staff can apply for a US passport or gather passport renewal application materials at the passport fair on Thursday, October 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Hirst Lounge, Wilson Commons. Passport photos can be taken and printed from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants are responsible for all fees associated with their application. For more information on passport applications, visit the US Passports and International Travel website.
Palliative care collaborative conference
The ninth annual Palliative Care Collaborative Conference of Rochester takes place Friday, October 29, via Zoom, and provides a wide range of updates for clinicians and ancillary professionals who care for patients and families with serious illnesses. Learn more and register here.
New Horizons, Eastman Trombone Choir anniversary concerts
Eastman Community Music School’s New Horizons will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Friday, October 29, at 8 p.m., with Eastman Trombone Choir celebrating its 80th anniversary on Friday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m. Both anniversary concerts will be held in Kodak Hall, Eastman School of Music, and each will include guest artists and original commissioned work. Learn more and find tickets here.
Avice O’Connell, a professor of imaging sciences and director of women’s imaging, offers five things to know about breast cancer for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Find the video on the UR Medicine Facebook page.
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