University establishes Department of Black Studies
The University’s Board of Trustees approved the creation of a Department of Black Studies in Arts, Sciences & Engineering. The new academic department will work in close collaboration with the University’s Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies, which was established in 1986. “The study of Black people in the world is a major project encompassing geography, culture, political science, sociology, economics, and creativity,” says Jeffrey McCune Jr., director of the University’s Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies. “All of that is robust and deserves to be studied seriously.”
In today’s issue:
Chief Safety Officer Mark Cavanaugh is retiring effective December 2
Listening sessions on well-being continue for first-year students
Experience a variety of cultures at the Global Fair
Environmental Health and Safety’s Mark Cavanaugh to retire in December
Mark Cavanaugh, associate vice president of Environmental Health and Safety, fire marshal, and chief safety officer, will retire effective December 2. For two decades he’s led Environmental Health and Safety, which works to ensure regulatory compliance, promote safety, and minimize hazards to students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors throughout the University. Assistant Director Michael Liberty has been named the interim associate vice president and chief safety officer. Fire Safety Specialist Mark Militello will serve as the University’s interim fire marshal.
Electronic parking services briefly unavailable November 11–12
Department of Transportation and Parking Management online services will be unavailable from Friday, November 11, at 10 p.m. through the morning of Saturday, November 12, while systems are upgraded. My Parking Online services and mobile applications will be offline until the upgrade is complete. Call (585) 275-4524 if you have questions.
The combination of flu arriving early while RSV is surging and COVID-19 is still circulating threatens to overwhelm the health care system, says Elizabeth Murray, an assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine and of clinical pediatrics. “While we are not seeing the amount of deaths caused by the initial COVID waves, the volume of very sick children who require hospitalization makes this feel like it’s our 2020.”
As the Memorial Art Gallery continues to rethink the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Americas gallery, museum staff hope to engage University undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs in the process. The museum’s permanent collection has been shaped by the historical inequities created by colonialism, systemic racism, gender inequality, and other biases. Let your voice be heard at an ideation session around this gallery space in particular and the museum’s efforts to reframe and reinterpret its cultural collections. The session takes place Thursday, November 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. Roundtrip transportation from the River Campus to the museum will be provided and food will be served. Registration is required; details for transportation will be provided upon registration.
First-year student well-being listening sessions
To gain a deeper understanding of students’ experiences and overall well-being, the UHS Health Promotion Office is conducting listening sessions for first-year students. The small group, peer-to-peer discussions will give students an opportunity to express their thoughts and share personal experiences about a variety of well-being topics. Information gathered will provide in-depth knowledge to help develop services, and create intentional collaborations and environmental level changes on campus to support students. Listening sessions are facilitated by Peer Health Advocate interns. Sessions are an hour long and one participant per session will win a raffle prize. Find dates and times and register for sessions at the links below.
Join University Health Service for its online program, Sex Ed 101, to learn the basics of sexual health. Over 21 days, you will learn about contraception, consent, masturbation, and more. Join at any time.
The Clinical and Translational Science Institute has developed a new self-paced online course that walks research teams through important considerations for conducting remote research and familiarizes them with research support at the University. Learn about teleconsent and eConsent, conducting a remote video visit, resources for writing a remote research protocol, and more. Log into Blackboard and search for “CTSI Teleresearch Training” to enroll.
Webinar: ‘The Power of Savings’
Get insights into your current financial situation and learn some practical steps you can take to help position yourself for future success. Join TIAA on Thursday, November 10, at noon EST to take the next steps toward reaching your financial goals in retirement. Register here to attend.
Get funds for open educational resources
The River Campus Libraries wants to help you license your instructional materials. Attend a workshop in Rush Rhees Library on Tuesday, November 15, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. EST where a librarian will guide you through the process of openly sharing your syllabi, handouts, and other materials. By participating, you will be eligible for a grant of up to $800. Register to attend in person or over Zoom.
Conference on neurology for the primary care provider
Registration is now open for the Neurology for the Primary Care Provider conference, taking place Thursday, December 8, in the Class of ’62 Auditorium (G-9425), Medical Center. The program highlights the most recent diagnostic and treatment advances in the field of neurology, utilizing a highly interactive case-based format.
Opening reception for student exhibit from program in Poppi, Italy
Join the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures today, November 10, at 4:30 p.m. in the Russell Hope Robbins Library for a showcase of Dante-related student research and creative projects as part of the summer 2022 program at the Biblioteca Rilliana in Poppi, Italy. The students’ work has culminated in a collaborative, curated exhibit that includes materials from the Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation. This opening reception will include remarks from program directors and supporters, brief student presentations, and opportunities to view the exhibit.
‘Beat Saber’ battle
“Beat Saber” is a popular virtual reality rhythm-based game in which you use a fake lightsaber to slash floating boxes to the beat of a song. On Friday, November 11, at 1 p.m., Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X will kick off a three-round “Beat Saber” competition that will run through December 2. All skill levels are welcome. Beginner-level playing on easy and normal modes have the chance to win a mini projector, and those playing on hard, expert, and expert+ can win a Meta Quest 2 VR headset. Check out the rules and register.
Experience a variety of cultures at the Global Fair
As part of International Education Week, student organizations and students from different cultural backgrounds will be showcasing their cultures at the Global Fair on Friday, November 18, from noon to 3 p.m. in Hirst Lounge, Wilson Commons. Booths will offer food, memorabilia, cultural attire, and more to help students learn about other cultures and spread awareness. Sign up for a booth here.
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