Three new positive cases of COVID-19

There are three new cases of COVID-19 to report: two River Campus students and one employee. 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 full information. Face masks with air valves are not permitted, nor are face shields alone without a proper face mask underneath.

Kevin Garewal named dean of University of Rochester Libraries

Kevin Garewal, associate director of collections at Harvard Law School Library, has been named vice provost and Andrew H. & Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of University of Rochester Libraries. He will begin in this role in February 2022.

Interim Provost Sarah Peyre announced Garewal’s appointment, which follows a four-month national search chaired by Joan Saab, vice provost of academic affairs and professor of art history. Garewal succeeds Mary Ann Mavrinac, who has served in this leadership role since 2012. Mavrinac is retiring and will officially step down in January.

Open Letter’s Winter in Sokcho wins National Book Award

Winter in Sockcho has won the 2021 National Book Award for Translated Literature. The novel is published by the University’s Open Letter Books and is the press’s first book to be nominated for and win a National Book Award.

COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children ages 5–11

Golisano Children’s Hospital and UR Medicine’s primary care network are offering multiple pediatric vaccine clinics for children aged 5 to 11 years, whether they have a UR Medicine primary care provider or not. Find more vaccine information for families here.

To access the clinics:

• Use MyChart to find all available vaccine clinic times and locations being run by the Golisano Children’s Hospital and the UR Medicine Primary Care Network. If you don’t have MyChart, it only takes a few minutes to sign up.
• Appointments for the clinic onsite at the hospital can also be booked online.

For the best seasonal prices, follow the crowd

The laws of supply and demand are such that when demand spikes, prices do too. But when price promotions enter the mix, the opposite holds true. Avery Haviv, an associate professor of marketing at the Simon Business School, shares new research that helps to explain these patterns.

Unsafe sleep products to keep out of the crib

Parents, November 17

“Honestly, if there was a product out there that could reduce SIDS, pediatricians would be singing its praises,” says Elizabeth Murray, an assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine and of clinical pediatrics. The sad truth is that SIDS deaths don’t always have an explanation, and sometimes, they happen when parents do everything correctly. That said, Murray notes, “Unsafe sleep deaths are almost completely preventable.”

Workshop on navigating politics at Thanksgiving

Going home for Thanksgiving and seeing extended family can be stressful, especially when politics comes up. Join the Committee for Political Engagement for “Let’s Talk Politics: Thanksgiving Dinner with CPE,” a facilitated workshop offering tools to help navigate this tricky topic. The event takes place Monday, November 22, from 5 to 7 p.. EST; a Thanksgiving-style meal will be served. This discussion is sponsored by the Committee for Political Engagement and the Center for Community Engagement.

LGBTQ+ safe space sessions

Working Parents Network discussion on the late teenage years

Are you looking for tips and tricks to help you parent your almost-adult child? Join Well-U and UR Medicine EAP on Thursday, December 2, at noon EST for a focus on how to navigate curfews, using the car, dating, and preparing for life after high school. This is a virtual, open discussion facilitated by a UR Medicine counselor. Register here to attend.

Summer 2022 National Science Foundation REU seeking project proposals 

The National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergrads on Computational Methods for Understanding Music, Media, and Minds is seeking project proposals for an in-person summer 2022 session. Each year, the program hosts 10 domestic undergraduates from across the country to work on research projects over a 10-week period from late May to the end of July.

Projects should have a strong computational component and be related to music, media, and minds. Interested faculty can submit a proposal via Google form by December 1. Acceptance of proposals will be communicated by December 15. Email Ajay Anand or Zhiyao Duan with questions. 

Educational IT Governance Innovation Grants

The Educational IT Governance Innovation grants support faculty and staff in adopting new technologies to their teaching. The program includes mentorship, support, and connection to existing resources in the institution through the Educational IT Committee, a part of the University’s IT Governance structure. University faculty members, graduate students who teach, and staff members involved with educational activities are eligible. Proposals for the first round of Educational IT Governance Innovation grants are due December 17.

Apply for UNYTE Translational Research Network grant

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute is offering a UNYTE Translational Research Network Pipeline-to-Pilot grant opportunity of up to $10,000. The main goal of the program is to stimulate early phase research partnerships between University faculty and faculty at UNYTE member institutions, facilitating the ability to compete as a collaborative team for future funding for translational biomedical research. The deadline to apply is Monday, January 10.

2021–22 Eastman Presents season

The Eastman School of Music has announced details of the 2021–22 Eastman Presents season. Tickets to all concerts will be available November 29 and may be purchased at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, 433 East Main St., online, or by calling (585) 274-3000.

The season includes the Kilbourn Concert Series, Eastman-Ranlet Series, Eastman Piano Series, Barbara B. Smith World Music Series, as well as a special performance by Ben Folds with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m.

The Carillon Society continues its Sunday carillon concert series this weekend at 5 p.m. EST featuring internationally recognized carillonneur Alex Johnson ’19. Johnson will play original carillon literature alongside arrangements of classical pieces. Enjoy the concert from the Eastman Quadrangle or online.

• 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