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October 10, 2022

Bioplastics made of bacteria to reduce plastic waste in oceans

What if there were a way to avoid the problem of plastic pollution while still reaping the benefits of plastic’s durability, versatility, and low cost? A team of scientists including Anne S. Meyer, an associate professor of biology, is developing bioplastics—environmentally friendly plastic materials engineered to degrade in ocean environments.

In today’s issue:

  • University IT provides details on Duo two-factor authentication in this week’s Security Tip feature
  • Employees can take a meditation break with Well-U
  • Students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in focus groups with the Office for Global Engagement
ROCHESTER IN THE NEWS

How Ukraine's advances are cornering Putin, making the war more dangerous

The Hill, October 7

“It’s highly likely that [Vladimir Putin] will try risky things in order to pull a miracle out of his hat and get a victory big enough” to sell to the Russian public, says Hein Goemans, a professor of political science who studies how wars start and end.


SECURITY TIP

Do you Duo?

The University uses Duo, a two-factor/multi-factor authentication process to add a second layer of security to your online accounts and IT services, which helps prevent anyone but you from logging in, even if they know your password. You must enroll in Duo to use many important systems, including HRMS, VPN, UR Student, UR Financials, URMC Remote Access Systems, and URMC email. If you receive a Duo authentication prompt you did not initiate, decline immediately, and then answer “Yes” to the follow-up question, “Was this a suspicious login?”. This will automatically open an incident with IT Security to investigate the login attempt that used your credentials. You can also report suspicious activity via email. In either case, change your password immediately through myIdentity.

To enroll, you must be on the University network. If you need Duo but are not on the University network because you are working remotely, call University IT at (585) 275-2000 or URMC and Affiliates’ ISD Help Desk at (585) 275-3200 for assistance.


FOR STUDENTS

UR Comics club hosts comic con event

The UR Comics group is hosting a comics convention on Saturday, October 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Hirst Lounge, Wilson Commons. Find local artists and student enthusiasts alongside panels with comics scholars and faculty from the University.


FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

Drop by Café 601 to chat with School of Nursing admissions

School of Nursing admissions representative will be at the Medical Center today, October 10 between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Stop by Café 601 to learn more about opportunities to advance your nursing or health care career, including bachelor’s, graduate, and advanced certificate programs, and scholarships to cover tuition costs for University employees.

Take a 10-minute meditation break

Join Well-U on Wednesday, October 19, for a 10-minute meditation to break up your day. You will need to be signed into Studio Sweat on Demand to participate. If you’re not already signed up, take a few minutes and claim your free benefit. Register here to participate and email Well-U with questions.

Tuition reimbursement reminder

Did you have an approved tuition reimbursement application for summer 22? Don’t forget to email your supporting documents to tuitionbenefits@ur.rochester.edu. Include your employee ID with your email.


FOR THE COMMUNITY

Medical student poster symposium

Learn about what the University’s medical students have accomplished during their summer and year-out research projects at a poster symposium on Wednesday, October 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Sarah Flaum Atrium, Medical Center.

Participate in a focus group with the Office for Global Engagement

The Office for Global Engagement is developing a strategic plan that will define its priorities and goals over the next several years. The University community is encouraged to read the white papers written on four areas of focus. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to share feedback at upcoming focus groups. These sessions will each select one area of focus to discuss, and people are welcome to attend more than one. Learn more about the overall project and register for focus groups here.

Koru mindfulness classes

Join the Mindful University Project for a Koru mindfulness offering this semester, open to the entire University community. Registration is required. Learn more and sign up for a session.

  • Koru Basic: Wednesdays October 11, 19, and 26, from noon to 1:15 p.m. in Haven’s Lounge
  • Koru Basic: Sundays October 16, 23, and 30, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. in Dewey Hall, Room 1-305
  • Koru Basic: Fridays October 28, and November 4, 11, and 18, from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. EDT via Zoom

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