Annual report on harassment, discrimination, and sexual assault prevention

The 2021–22 Report on Discrimination and Harassment Prevention and Response Including Sexual Misconduct is available online. Published by the Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion, the report helps educate the University community about what the University does to prevent sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment in the academic environment and in the workplace, and how the University responds to reports of that nature. The information in this report focuses on the University’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy, and the Title IX Policy, which prohibit discrimination and harassment based on membership in a protected class, and all types of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault.

RSV hospitalization rate for seniors is 10 times higher than usual for this point in the season

CNN, November 15

Ann Falsey, a professor of medicine and codirector of the Medical Center’s Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit who has published research on RSV in adults, said RSV rose somewhat in children in the summer and early fall last year, but the US did not see the usual proportional increase in RSV in older adults at the time.

“I think that older adults were more cautious to continue public health measures like masks and social distance last year because they were still worrying about Covid,” Falsey says. “But this year, we’re starting to see older people ending up in the hospital again with RSV, because everyone is throwing caution to the wind.”

Destress Fest

Take a study break to recharge your battery and care for yourself during midterms. Join the Health Promotion Office for “Destress Fest” in the Welles-Brown Room, Rush Rhees Library, on Thursday, November 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be crafts, relaxing music, hot tea, and more.

Early payroll deadline reminder

To ensure hourly employees are paid properly, it’s important that all hourly time for the pay period ending November 19 is entered and approved by the 10 a.m. deadline on Monday, November 21.

Crush your fitness goals

Join Justin Kelsey, a certified personal trainer from Well-U’s lifestyle management team, virtually on Monday, November 21, at noon EST to learn more about motivation, creating sustainable habits, and clearing your fitness hurdles. Register here.

Free family care webinars and resources

Care.com has provided all employees, whether or not they are eligible for Care.com memberships, with the Care Resource Center. The site includes relevant webinars, podcasts, guides, articles, and other resources on topics ranging from protecting your kids’ privacy in a digital age to understanding and combatting burnout. The resource is free and available to access at any time. Learn more about your eligibility for a free Care.com premium membership.

Pilot project awards aim to find next principal research project of Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Research Center

The University’s Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Research Center has up to two available pilot project awards with a maximum budget of $75,000 per award. The selected project should pertain to one or more of the seven focus areas listed within the RFA. Funding is open to all Medical Center and University faculty. Apply by Thursday, January 26.

Neilly Author Series: Erin Gruwell

Erin Gruwell is a teacher, founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation, and inspiration for the 2007 film Freedom Writers. Join her today, November 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Rush Rhees Library as she discusses how to become a catalyst for change and her new book, Dear Freedom Writer. She will also be available for a book signing immediately following her talk. Register here to attend.

Career Conversation on consulting

Join Anu Pahalajani on Friday, November 18, at noon EST for a conversation on his career as a senior consultant at Prime TSR. Pahalajani is a 2019 alumnus of the Technical Entrepreneurship and Management MS program who specializes in digital transformation, cloud-native solutions, and IT strategy Join the virtual conversation, presented by the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, via Zoom. Email Kathy Driscoll with questions.

Safe Zone training workshop

Register to attend a Safe Zone training organized by Chi Sigma Iota on Friday, November 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. in LeChase Hall, Room 103. The Safe Zone training helps allies better support LGBTQ+ people in everyday life and professional spheres. Training is open and encouraged for people of all genders and sexualities, and certificates will be provided to those attending. The workshop is free for all counseling students and faculty and $3 for anyone outside counseling programs.

World premiere of How Bright the Sunlight

On Monday, December 5, the Eastman School of Music presents the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis’s How Bright the Sunlight, a work for symphony orchestra and narrator, with a libretto curated by the first Native American US Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo. The narration, spoken by Harjo, is based on both the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address and Harjo’s poem, “Thanksgiving in a Time of War and Confusion.” The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Kodak Hall, Eastman Theatre.