Public health and infectious disease experts are beginning to contemplate what daily life may look like when COVID-19 becomes endemic—meaning the virus takes its place among other circulating respiratory diseases like the flu that, while they can be dangerous, do not result in huge spikes in hospitalization and death. Ann Falsey, a professor of medicine and codirector of the Medical Center’s Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit, talks about what we might expect.
In today’s issue:
Resources for faculty, staff, and students affected by the conflict in Ukraine
The annual eyeglasses collection and departmental competition take place this month
Eastman musicians will be performing at various off-campus venues throughout the day on Thursday as part of the “Eastman Opens the Doors” festival
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 page for full information on what kinds of masks are acceptable.
Support available in response to Ukraine crisis
The war in Ukraine is generating fear, worry, and grief throughout the University community—especially for those whose families, friends, and loved ones are affected. As the invasion got under way, the Office for Global Engagement reached out to students and scholars from Ukraine and Russia to offer support and resources.
The University will continue to make available support and guidance to members of the University community who need it, and faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to take advantage of those resources. The International Services Office is also available to arrange for a Zoom chat with students to better understand how to offer support. Contact Wendy Fritz if you’re interested in following up or have questions.
As a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the University is also sharing a statement from the organization asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to provide swift action to offer temporary exceptions to visa rules and other accommodations to those affected by the war.
English professor’s cotranslation of poetry wins PEN American Literary Award
Everything I Don’t Know has won the 2022 PEN Award for Poetry in Translation, which recognizes book-length translations of poetry from any language into English. The English-language debut of Jerzy Ficowski’s poetry was translated from the Polish by Jennifer Grotz, a professor of English, and Piotr Sommer, the Polish poet, critic, and editor.
Go Green: University earns silver rating in recognition of sustainability accomplishments
The University has been recognized as a STARS Silver Institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. A total of 1,078 institutions worldwide have registered to use the association’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System program, which allows higher education institutions to self-report their accomplishments and assess their current sustainability performance. Read more in this week’s Go Green blog post.
The University Counseling Center offers the following drop-in groups via Zoom throughout March:
Increase Focus, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 3 and 17
Resolving Conflict, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 3, 17, 24, and 31
Self-Care, from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Friday, March 4 and 18
Our Healing Breath, for students of color led by clinicians of color, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET on Monday, March 7, 14, and 28
Crisis Abroad, from 9 to 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 9; 3 to 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 16; 3 to 4 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 25; and 2 to 3 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 28
COVID-19 Grief, from 8 to 9 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 17
Emergency Department Research Associate Program accepting applications
Undergraduate students with an interest in gaining clinical experience working directly with patients in a busy emergency department environment and participating in clinical research can apply for the Emergency Department Research Associate program four-credit course and internship. The deadline to apply for the fall 2022 course is March 14. Email Ivana-Re Baldie with questions.
Writing boot camp for AS&E graduate students
Attend the 10th spring break writing boot camp Monday, March 7, through Thursday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST each day. Join in person at Rush Rhees Library, Room G-121, Conference Room A, or via Zoom. Register online to attend. A writing consultant is available to work with writers one-on-one during boot camp. Learn more about boot camps.
The annual eyeglasses collection and departmental competition take place this month. Departments are encouraged to compete to collect the most eyeglasses; the deadline for departments to sign up is Friday, March 11. Contact Amy Kadrie to participate.
University Mail Services Box 270001 Rochester, NY 14627-0001
Spring break is coming, Care.com can help
Do you need help with child care over spring break or need someone to watch your dog while on vacation? Use your free premium Care.com membership to help. Memberships are available to eligible employees to find help with childcare, elder care, household tasks, and other needs. Visit the family care web page for eligibility criteria and to enroll.
The following Ash Wednesday events will take place today, March 2.
Chaplaincy Services at Strong Memorial Hospital will have ashes available for all staff, faculty, students, patients, families, and those who find the ritual meaningful at the beginning of the Lenten season. Due to COVID gathering restrictions, there will not be any services held. Individuals, units, and departments can call (585) 275-2222 and ask for the on-call chaplain or call the chaplain’s office at (585) 275-2187 to receive ashes. Ashes will also be made available in the Strong Memorial Hospital Interfaith Chapel between 1 and 4:30 pm. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but voicemail is checked throughout the day.
Catholic Newman Community will hold a Mass in the Interfaith Chapel, River Campus, at 12:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Drive-by ashes will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Interfaith Chapel Sanctuary, River Campus, and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dean’s Dining Room in the Eastman School of Music Student Living Center.
Eastman musicians perform around Rochester
As part of the “Eastman Opens the Doors” festival celebrating the Eastman School of Music’s centennial, Eastman musicians will be performing in pop-up concerts, flash mobs, and concerts in various off-campus venues throughout the day on Thursday, March 4. Find a schedule of performances here.
‘Voices of XR’ returns
Studio X’s speaker series featuring immersive technology scholars, artists, and professionals is back and is kicking off a new slate of speakers with VR (virtual reality) creator and educator Nathalie Mathe, a former AI scientist for NASA. Mathe will discuss her VR projects and how she experimented with teaching VR remotely during the pandemic on Friday, March 4, from 1 to 2 p.m. Register to attend the talk, taking place in Studio X in the Carlson Science and Engineering Library. Find the full spring schedule on the Voices of XR page.
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, University Dining Services and the UHS Health Promotion Office are hosting a mindful eating pop-up event today, March 2, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Hirst Lounge, Wilson Commons. Students can enjoy food samples and teas, learn about intuitive and mindful eating, and have the opportunity to be led through a short mindful eating exercise at 1 and 2 p.m. Students can sit at tables in small groups after picking up items to taste.
Mindfulness in March
Feeling like you need a second wind to get through the last leg of the semester? Research has found that daily mindfulness practice can help to decrease perceived stress, improve quality of sleep, self-compassion, mood, and productivity. Learn the fundamentals of mindfulness meditation during a virtual Koru mindfulness four-week workshop. Workshops are open to the entire University community. Registration is required.
Koru Basic: Wednesday, March 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. EST via Zoom
Koru Basic: Friday, March 25, and April 1, 8, and 15 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. EST via Zoom
Get answers to questions on sex and relationships
Do you have a question about sex or relationships that you would like an expert answer to? Students are invited to attend the annual “Sex in the Dark” event on Thursday, March 17, in Hoyt Auditorium from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A panel of experts will be there to answer your questions. Submit your questions here. This event will be held in the dark with glow sticks handed out at the start. Learn more here.
Stay updated on wellness offerings
Stay up-to-date with the wellness offerings of the Health Promotion Office by signing up to receive a monthly newsletter on the services and programs offered for both undergraduate and graduate students.
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