Three new positive cases of COVID-19

There are three new cases of COVID-19 to report: all River Campus employees. Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated when a new case is reported. Find the latest COVID-19 messages and updates here.

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 more information. Face masks with air valves are not permitted, nor are face shields alone without a proper face mask underneath.

University recognized for making opportunities abroad accessible through Gilman Scholarship

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has recognized Rochester for being a top producer of Gilman Scholarship recipients over the past 20 years in the category of medium-sized institutions. The University was No. 3 on this list, with 153 students receiving Gilman awards since 2001.

Security Tip: Avoiding Black Friday and Cyber Monday scams

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner, University IT would like to remind the University community to be extra vigilant with incoming (or received) emails or text messages. Cybercriminals often pose as couriers like UPS or FedEx and retailers like Amazon, attaching fake invoices within their email in hopes victims will click an embedded link that ultimately infects or takes control of your device. Scammers are notorious for using fear tactics to instill panic so victims respond quickly. University IT’s advice: think before you act. Scams can appear legitimate—using the same logos, colors, and headers as reputable companies—so be wary of emails, texts, or phone calls purporting to be from a credit card provider or financial institution reporting “suspicious activity.” Ignore requests for personal information, and contact your bank directly.

COVID-19 self-test kits available for student pick-up

University Health Service (UHS) has a limited supply of COVID-19 self-test kits available to students who are currently covered by the mandatory health fee, and who are intending to spend time with family or friends over the Thanksgiving break. These kits are covered by the mandatory health fee and there is no additional cost to students.

Each kit contains two nasal swab self-tests—one to be completed prior to the holiday or traveling, and the second can be used upon return to campus or at the end of the semester. These test results will not be sufficient for international travel, surveillance testing requirements, or in lieu of any test ordered by a medical provider. All positive test results should be followed by a call to UHS, (585) 275-2662, to notify clinical staff of the positive result and to receive further instructions. Each student may receive only one test kit.

New resource for international students

Career Clothing Closet open house

The Greene Center’s Clothing Closet open house is Tuesday, November 16, from 1:30 to 3 p.m in 124 Lattimore Hall. Browse the extensive inventory of donated professional apparel and keep the clothes you select for free. Appointments to try on apparel and find the perfect outfit may be made via Handshake or at the open house.

Say ‘yes’ to healthy holidays

Enjoy the holidays and stay on track with your health goals. By modifying holiday recipes and practicing intuitive eating techniques, registered Dietitian Leah Webster, from Well-U’s lifestyle management team, can help you celebrate without feeling deprived. Register now for the noon session on November 18.

Neilly Author Series: Ian Manuel

Ian Manuel was 14 years old when he was sentenced to life imprisonment without a chance of parole for a crime that involved the non-fatal shooting of a woman. After serving time that including 18 years in solitary confinement, Manuel is now an activist, motivational speaker, and poet. Today, at 6 p.m., he will share his redemption story in a virtual Neilly Author Series talk. Register to attend.

Tripods 2021 Careers in Data Science lecture series: Gregory Jones

Join the Goergen Institute for Data Science for the Tripods 2021 Careers in Data Science Lecture Series. On Monday, November 15, at 8 p.m. EST, Gregory Jones will discuss his path from physics doctorate candidate to buyer-side quant at an institutional mutual and hedge fund manager, sharing his perspective on the skills required to jumpstart a career in the industry.

VR Competition opens today

Do you consider yourself the Yoda of slashing floating boxes to music with a lightsaber? Then you should enter Studio X’s Beat Saber competition. The challenge is to record the best score on the game’s Easy, Normal, and Hard settings for a chance to win a Bluetooth speaker. Round 1 (Easy), starts today. You have the entire week to make three attempts. The competition is open to students, faculty, and staff. You must sign up to enter, and you must complete all rounds to be eligible for prizes.

Discussion focuses on biopsychosocial model and gender health care equity

Despite decades of progress for those across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, inclusion and equity issues in health care remain for transgender and gender-expansive communities. The biopsychosocial model, developed at the University, offers a unique and interdisciplinary vantage point to the health care practices of professionals nationwide, as well as a critical lens through which we can learn about and understand gender-affirming health care. Join the next installment of the REAL Conversations series tomorrow, November 16, to hear from panelists as they discuss approaching and navigating gender-affirming and inclusive health care, including access to care, issues surrounding intersectionality, and current services provided at the Medical Center. Click here to learn more and register for the event You can also explore the REAL Conversations archive.

Roundtable: ‘Haudenosaunee Displacement, Migration, and Mobility’

Learn about Catholic Newman Community building project

Catholic Newman Community will hold an information session on the building of its Catholic Center and Chapel on the River Campus. The session will take place on Zoom at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, November 17. Find more information about the project—including fundraising efforts and a video about the impact of the new center—and register for the info session here.

DigiTalk with Orkan Telhan: What is biodesign?

The  Andrew W. Mellon Digital Humanities Fellows at the University welcomes Orkan Telhan, an associate professor of Fine Arts—Emerging Design Practices at the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design, who will present a virtual talk on biological design, an emerging field that aims to bring together different perspectives from design, life sciences, engineering, and the humanities. RSVP for the event by November 17.

Virtual talk explores equity focus of regional COVID-19 vaccination efforts

Tune in to the Center for Community Health & Prevention’s Facebook page on Thursday, November 18, any time after 11 a.m. EDT for a presentation by Wade Norwood, Common Ground Health CEO and cochair of Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force​, on “Equitable Distribution: Ensuring Fairness in COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout.” The taped presentation will help you learn how regional COVID-19 vaccination efforts have addressed social and socio-economic inequities and how questions about the vaccine are being answered to promote equity in vaccine distribution.

Students from the Rochester Design club discussed the intersections of immersive technologies and design at an Intro to XR workshop at Studio X last week.

• Dr. Chat Bot: Non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students | Medical Center employees
• COVID-19 Resource Center | Medical Center’s COVID-19 update page
• Current campus face mask policies
• Faculty and staff vaccine participation form (VPN or on-campus network connection required)
• FAQ on COVID-19 vaccination
• What to do if you or your close contacts have symptoms or have been exposed