University community comes together to celebrate Class of 2022 as one
On May 13, the University conferred academic degrees to more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students as thousands of family members, friends, loved ones, and supporters, including faculty and staff, cheered them on in Fauver Stadium–along with an additional 5,000 viewers from 86 countries tuning in online. The first institution-wide commencement ceremony in nearly three decades honored the accomplishments of the entire graduating class—including Annie Rosenow (left) and Anna White, above—as well as of several award and honorary degree recipients. Take a look back on the Class of 2022’s big day. If you missed or want to relive the ceremony, you can watch the broadcast here.
In today’s issue:
The University’s president and vice president for equity and inclusion condemn Saturday’s violence in Buffalo
New research shows that more state oversight is needed to improve end-of-life care for assisted living residents
University IT offers guidance on the importance of shredding documents in this week’s Security Tip
President Sarah Mangelsdorf and Mercedes Ramírez Fernández, the Richard Feldman Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, shared the following message yesterday with the University community:
We write, in grief and disbelief, to condemn the terrible, racist violence perpetrated Saturday. This heinous crime happened in Buffalo, but we feel it here. We mourn for everyone whose loved ones were taken away from them because of the hate-filled actions of one person. We mourn for ourselves and our University community, too, because we are all part of a society where tragedies of this type continue to happen.
We must mourn, of course, and support and comfort those who are grieving, angry, or afraid. But we must also respond with greater resolve to eradicate the racism, hatred, and intolerance that create the conditions for this violence, to address the inequities that systemic racism perpetuates, and to take determined steps to build a just, equitable society – for everyone.
The Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion has convened the EDI Council of Deans and Directors and we will shortly announce campus opportunities to come together to reflect. Meanwhile, if you are in need of support, there are campus resources available to you, including the UHS Counseling Center, our campus faith communities, and the Employee Assistance Program. Please seek help if you need it; you are not alone.
More state oversight needed to improve end-of-life care for assisted living residents
New research led by Helena Temkin-Greener, a professor emeritus of public health sciences, looks at end-of-life care in assisted living and shows that in states with less rigorous regulations residents were less likely to die with hospice or at home—important markers of quality of care.
Shredding documents containing personal information is crucial to keeping your identity safe. This includes but is not limited to bank statements, pay stubs, and canceled checks, which are treasure troves for identity thieves. Simply recycling or throwing documents away is not enough to protect valuable information. University IT offers a quick tip: if you ditch those mail statements and go paperless with your accounts, that not only saves you from accumulating more paper but could save you from hidden fees companies might be charging you. The University holds its annual Shred Fest every summer, which allows you to securely shred and recycle unwanted documents free of charge. This event is set to take place on August 5, giving you plenty of time to start sifting through the paperwork. Learn how last year’s Shred Fest event was a success and what you might expect this year.
Attend a writing boot camp Tuesday, May 17, through Thursday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT 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.
PhD training program on augmented and virtual reality
University PhD students from multiple departments, including electrical and computer engineering, optics, biomedical engineering, brain and cognitive sciences, computer science, and neuroscience are invited to apply for extra training in augmented and virtual reality.
Applicants will receive instruction and hands-on experience with high-tech equipment used across industries today. You will have the opportunity to participate in industrial internships at companies such as Meta-Facebook, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vuzix, which support this program.
The deadline for paid fellowship applications, offered to US citizens and permanent residents only, is July 25. The deadline for the general trainee program is August 15.
Apply to the Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion’s Research Equity Fund Program
The Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion is providing short-term and immediate funding to support faculty research through the Research Equity Fund Program. During spring and summer 2022, the program will support full-time University faculty for research activities disrupted by COVID-19 through research funding for clinical or instructional faculty engaged in research activities, or for tenure-line faculty who did not have research funds during 2021–22.
Awards will be for up to $5,000 to cover any costs associated with research between June 1 and August 31, 2022, including childcare; travel costs; equipment; software; transcription or editing services; statistical, consulting, or data management or analysis support; or publishing fees.
Nurses are invited to attend the Honor Our Nurses reception on Tuesday, May 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Evarts Lounge, Helen Wood Hall. Enjoy refreshments, pick up your giveaway, and snap photos with your coworkers in the photo booth. Email Angela Pullen to register by today, May 16.
Share how you teach with tech
The Digital Ideas for Teaching and Learning (DigITaL) project wants to hear about your successful experiences teaching with technology. Supported by the River Campus Libraries, the Teaching Center, and Arts, Sciences & Engineering IT, DigITaL is looking to bolster Rochester’s repository of case studies related to the use of digital tools in the classroom. Visit the DigITaL website for details on how to submit your case study and to find examples of case studies. Proposals are due before June 18.
Online tuition waiver application for summer 2022
The online tuition waiver application for the summer 2022 semester is now open. Submit your application by logging into HRMS and follow the pathway “Self Service > Benefits > Tuition > Apply Employee Tuition Waiver”. All applications must be received within 30 days of the course start date.
Sign up for the Healthy Weight program
Diet culture can be overwhelming. If you are looking to feel great and adopt a permanent healthy lifestyle, join Well-U’s team of experts in the Healthy Weight program. Sessions start now for one-on-one appointments with your coach.
The Association of American Universities (AAU) is hosting a virtual address from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today, May 16, at 11 a.m. EDT. Zelenskyy will speak and engage in a Q&A about how America’s leading research universities and Ukrainian officials and educators can work together to help rebuild and transform his country’s decimated higher education sector. Students, faculty, and staff at Rochester will be able to stream Zelenskyy’s address live on YouTube. A recording of his remarks will be available following the event.
Tasty Tuesdays return to campus
Treat yourself to local cuisine from food trucks on Wilson Quad from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday during the summer. This week features The Poutine Truck and Eat Greek. Whether you purchase food from the trucks or bring your own lunch, there will be lawn games, music, and picnic blankets to enjoy. Food trucks will serve rain or shine. Find the full Tasty Tuesday schedule online. Sponsored by Wilson Commons Student Activities.
URMC Fitness Center clothing liquidation sale
All exercise clothing and merchandise in the URMC Fitness Center pro shop are now 40 percent off. Information on what is available, as well as sale hours, can be found on the Fitness Center website.
Virtual talk: ‘Fit Movement into a Busy Schedule’
Tune in to the Center for Community Health & Prevention’s Facebook page on Thursday, May 19, any time after 11 a.m. EDT as Jen Lee, a lead lifestyle counselor at the center, presents “Spring into Action: Fit Movement into a Busy Schedule.” This taped presentation will address the benefits of movement, how any amount of physical activity can count, and creative ways to incorporate it into a busy lifestyle. The talk is a special event for National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and National Bike Month.
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