Update on new positive cases of COVID-19

There are 14 new cases to report: 13 River Campus students and one Medical Campus student. 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.

Trust in science at root of vaccine acceptance

Results of a global research project led by Eva Pressman, who holds the Henry A. Thiede Professorship of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Tim Dye, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, of pediatrics, and of public health sciences, indicate that trust in science is the most powerful determinant of whether a person will decide to get a COVID vaccine.

National Endowment for the Arts grant supports Open Letter’s ‘International Voices’ project

Lauded for contributing to Rochester’s creative economy, Open Letter Books, the University’s nonprofit literary translation press, will publish five works of literature with the new funding from a National Endowment for the Arts grant.

Flags will be lowered for Mark Englerth

University flags on the Eastman Quadrangle and near the entrance of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department will be lowered Tuesday, January 18, for Mark Englerth, a facilities manager, who died on December 23. Englerth joined the University staff in 2000.

Astronomers just mapped the ‘bubble’ that traps our planet

Popular Science, January 12

“The life cycle of stars is essential to understanding some of the things that we care most about,” says Adam Frank, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor of Physics and Astronomy. Frank says that it’s only through the recycling of the heavy elements they release and reform that Earth supports life at all.

Health Professions Questionnaires due February 15

Teaching workshop series

Workshop on traversing the publishing landscape

Conference: “Economic Justice for an Inclusive Recovery”

The University is sponsoring Action for a Better Community’s 2022 Virtual Signature Conference Series, taking place Thursday, January 20. This year’s theme is “Economic Justice for an Inclusive Recovery,” addressing the laws and policies needed to repair the historical injustices done by racism, redlining, health disparities, and other forms of economic marginalization.

Register for the conference and view the agenda online.  You will be able to register as a group or individual. After completing the registration form, proceed to the checkout and apply the coupon code letters “IRS” and select the “free booking” button to complete the registration. All Zoom links will be sent 24 hours prior to each session for each person who has completed their registration with a valid email address.

EAP Blog: Setting resolutions for 2022

Read this month’s UR Medicine EAP blog to learn how to make changes stick. UR Medicine EAP is brought to you by Well-U, helping eligible individuals to assess issues, and provide short-term counseling and referrals.

Special Session: Public Health Grand Rounds supplement

Jonathan Jackson, executive director of the Community Access, Recruitment, and Engagement Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and an assistant professor of neurology and psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, presents “Towards a Quantifiable Science of Research Equity,” a public health grand rounds webinar on Thursday, January 20, at noon EST. Learn more and register here. ASL interpreters will be present. Email Carolyn Settle with questions.

Nominations for the 2021–22 Student Life Awards

The annual Student Life Awards recognize undergraduate students in the College who—through service to others, investment of talent and time, and pursuit of excellence—have significantly and positively affected the University and surrounding community. Nominations are open through February 11. Review the available awards and submit nominations online. The awards are sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students in the College.

• 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