In response to a current spike in COVID infections on campus, and in order to get everyone over the finish line of the spring semester, the University has decided, effective immediately, to reinstate for the time being the indoor face-masking requirement on University campuses and properties. This requirement applies to all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and others—including those who are fully vaccinated and boosted.
All Medical Center “tan” locations (sign in with your Active Directory credentials to access the link if you’re not on a University network)—including the School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Dentistry, and administrative areas such as Corporate Woods and Rochester Tech Park—are also included; there is no change to masking requirements in patient care areas, as they have and will continue to require masking until further notice.
As part of today’s decision:
Acceptable face coverings are disposable, non-cloth masks: surgical or KN95. Free disposable face masks continue to be available on campus.
Fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff who are alone and not in a public or shared space may unmask. This does not apply to clinical areas that require masking per New York State regulations.
Any in-person meetings or group activities in conference rooms or other indoor spaces should be conducted with everyone being masked—regardless of vaccination status.
In the classroom, fully vaccinated instructors who can maintain greater than 6 feet distance from all class participants can unmask while instructing; class attendees must remain masked and the instructor should re-mask when class instruction is complete.
When eating in Rochester Dining locations or other public or shared indoor spaces on campus, everyone should stay masked when not eating.
In on-campus student living spaces, students may be unmasked in their room with their roommate(s) or “family unit.” All other times, students should be masked.
Face masks continue to be required for everyone on the University shuttles.
For performances and varsity sporting events, performers and athletes may be unmasked, but audiences/spectators must mask when indoors. Sponsored University events held off-campus should adhere to local venue policies.
Former Simon Business School Dean Andrew Ainslie remembered as a friend and mentor
The Simon Business School community is remembering Andrew Ainslie, former dean of Simon Business School and a professor of marketing, who died earlier this week. “We are heartbroken by the loss of our colleague, friend, and mentor Andrew Ainslie. Anyone who knew Andrew will attest that he was larger than life in virtually every way. It was difficult not to notice his zest for adventure and his love for his extraordinary wife, Teri Rueb. Andrew’s passion for graduate management education was evident in his many accomplishments at Simon Business School. He set wildly ambitious goals and accomplished them all in a relatively short time. Andrew wasn’t only a brilliant scholar and educator. He was authentic. He had a wonderful sense of humor, great taste in wine, encyclopedic knowledge of literature and culture, and was always great fun to be around.”
Learn more about Ainslie’s accomplishments on an In Memoriam page, where you can share a memory, a favorite story, or well wishes to Ainslie’s family, friends, and colleagues. More information about celebrating Ainslie’s life and legacy will be shared in the coming weeks.
Nearing its eighth decade, a modern musical invention remains cutting edge
The first ensemble of its kind, the Eastman Wind Ensemble—founded at the Eastman School of Music in the early 1950s—launched a movement in wind music. Learn more about the ensemble’s legacy.
Conducted by Mark Scatterday ’89E (DMA), the group performs today, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Free and open to the public, the concert will also be streamed live.
Bursar’s Office closing early today
The Bursar’s Office will close at 3 p.m. today, April 15.
“Certainly, it brings some couples together. They recognize how they really feel about each other, the petty stuff drifts away. There’s a certain kind of intimacy in having to face something real serious,” says Susan McDaniel, the Dr. Laurie Sands Distinguished Professor of Families & Health in the Department of Psychiatry. “For couples where there’s already significant difficulties that haven’t been resolved, and if the illness hits at some of that, then it’s really hard.”
Apply for community-based participatory research pipeline to pilot awards
Do you have experience with community-based participatory research? Apply for up to $15,000 to support a planning grant or a pilot research project involving at least one faculty member from the University and at least one community partner from the greater Rochester area. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the program or pilot generated from this award will be used to develop a pilot grant or a larger, independently funded study. Apply by April 25.
Listen to your heart
Design a healthy heart plan with an expert through Well-U. Connect with your personal coach in programs designed to address coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke, or heart failure, and become an advocate for your own well-being.
Join the Ain Center today, April 15, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT for Startup Bytes, a brown bag lunch with entrepreneurs. This month’s panel will highlight student entrepreneurs from the Simon Business School. MBA candidates Ana Coulibaly ’23, Julianne Fiori ’22, and Susanna McDonald ’23 will discuss their experiences as student founders and the ventures they’re working on. Join the virtual event here.
Last day to join the QuadFox 5k Challenge
Today is the last day to register for the annual QuadFox 5K. All members of the University community can join to run, jog, walk, roll, or dance to complete the 3.1 miles together. New this year, undergraduate and graduate students can complete the race in person on April 24 via a designated campus course; all other participants will take part virtually. Complete and submit your time for the virtual component by April 24 and you may be eligible for a finisher’s T-shirt.
Dedication of Eastman's George Walker Center for Equity and InclusionÂ
Attend the formal dedication of the George Walker Center for Equity and Inclusion on Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. in the Miller Center, Eastman School of Music. University President Sarah Mangelsdorf; Jamal Rossi, the Joan and Martin Messinger Dean at Eastman; Ian and Gregory Walker, sons of George Walker ’56E (DMA), ’12E (Honorary); Crystal Sellers Battle, the associate dean of diversity and equity at Eastman; and others will offer remarks. At 11 a.m., Walker’s music will be performed in the Morning Chamber Music concert featuring violinist Gregory Walker in Hatch Recital Hall.
‘Breaking Boundaries with Video Games’ conference
Take part in the fourth edition of the annual River Campus Libraries conference focused on the creation, play, and analysis of video games. From noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 22, enjoy interactive media, like a video game arcade, and talks on video game topics such as music, mobile, virtual reality, and glitches. Find the full list of talks—and speakers—and register here.
Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with tree planting, riverside clean-up
Join the Green Reps, the Emergency Department’s Team Green, Facilities Team Green, and the EcoReps for a tree planting and riverside clean-up on Friday, April 29, from noon to 2 p.m. Participants will meet at the parking lot by the Lyman Tennis Center. You are not required to stay the entire time and can come and go as you please. All of the necessary materials will be provided. Sign up via email by Friday, April 22.
Registration open for summer kickball league
Enjoy the summer by joining a recreational kickball league at Genesee Valley Park on Wednesday evenings. Spots are limited. Learn more and register here.
Summer volleyball development and college prospect camps
University volleyball is offering two, one-day camps for girls this summer: a development camp for grades 3–9 on July 8, and a college prospect camp for grades 9–12 on July 9. Find more information and online registration and contact Ladi Iya with questions.
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