Why it’s hard to lose weight in the winter

Natalie Thompson, a certified nutrition specialist and certified wellness coach at the Center for Employee Wellness, explains why you might be fighting nature when dieting in winter.

15th annual ‘Campus Race to Zero Waste’ begins

The annual nationwide competition “Campus Race to Zero Waste” takes place January 28 through March 23. At Rochester, Facilities Team Green will be hosting several events to encourage students to be more sustainable and keep waste reduction on their minds. Read more about the initiative in this week’s Go Green blog post.

Sign up to participate in Cultural Night

The International Students’ Association is organizing a Cultural Night on Friday, February 16, at 6 p.m. in Upper Strong Auditorium. Students and student organizations from different cultures and art forms worldwide will showcase their cultural and art form backgrounds to celebrate and spread awareness about the international diversity at the University.

To represent your country/culture/art form, sign up here. Anyone can represent their culture/art form and you don’t have to be part of any student organization to participate. The International Services Office will take care of accommodations, including rehearsals, to be prepared for the event. The deadline to sign up is February 2 by midnight.

PAWS for Stress Relief with therapy dogs

Feeling stressed? Stop by the Goergen Athletic Center and meet therapy dogs on Monday, February 5, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Peer Health Advocates will also be there with giveaways including lavender sachets and stress balls. Brought to you by the UHS Health Promotion Office.

Apply to be a Student Alumni Ambassador

Student Alumni Ambassadors are a select group of undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering who serve as a bridge to the University’s alumni community by representing the student body, providing a glimpse of current student culture, and sharing their personal Rochester experience. The program provides opportunities for networking across the University and alumni community, shaping future student and alumni programs, and developing both personal and professional skills.

Applications will be accepted until midnight on Wednesday, February 7. Learn more and apply here, and follow @uofr.saa on Instagram. Email Karen Carhart with questions. You must be enrolled during the 2024–25 academic year to apply. Those studying abroad this spring are welcome to apply.

Graduate student webinar on advisor relations and interpersonal efficacy

The advisor-student relationship is often long-term and can be a source of support and stress. Join University Health Service for a virtual and confidential webinar open to all graduate students on Tuesday, February 13, from noon to 1 p.m. The session will highlight interpersonal effectiveness skills that emphasize how you can get what you need from others more often while considering objective effectiveness, relationship effectiveness, and self-respect effectiveness. This is Part I of a two-part event; participants from Part I will be sent information to register for Part II. Register in advance.

Apply for the Institute for Human Health and the Environment Exploration Grant

The Institute for Human Health and the Environment (IHHE) Exploration Grant is a scholarship to provide funds for the promotion of transdisciplinary research experiences for University undergraduate students who wish to conduct research related to the impact of environmental exposures on human health and potential underlying mechanisms by which environmental factors affect health; or social, economic, and cultural contributors to the creation or resolution of environmental health problems. Students from arts, humanities, or STEM backgrounds are all encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be Rochester undergraduate students and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 15, at 11:59 p.m.

Career Path Modernization project launches new job and pay structure

The Career Path Modernization (CPM) project has launched the University’s new job and pay structure, providing staff with a transparent framework that aligns jobs, levels, and positions across the institution to deliver consistency, fairness, and transparency to a wide variety of opportunities, roles, and career paths. Job information is now available in HRMS. Staff now also have access to the job catalog, a one-stop-shop to gain line of sight to opportunities and career paths, understand where each role fits within our organization, and explore the University’s many diverse roles and potential career paths of interests. For the job catalog as well as more information, resources, and frequently asked questions, visit the CPM website.

Workshop on teaching with invited speakers

Open to all University instructors, faculty, and staff, this one-hour Teaching Center Zoom workshop provides guidance and best practices for effective teaching with invited speakers. Register to attend on Friday, February 2, from noon to 1 p.m.

Full tuition coverage to advance your nursing career

Transform your nursing practice and health care career opportunities with an advanced degree. The School of Nursing, in partnership with the Medical Center, has extended its SON Tuition Grant, providing University employees with full tuition coverage for select bachelor’s and master’s programs through the summer 2025 semester. To learn more about eligibility, including qualified programs and how to apply, register for a March 12 webinar. Contact the School of Nursing Admissions Office with questions.

Learn to build virtual worlds in Unity

Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X wants to teach you how to use Unity, a real-time creation platform to build games, visualizations, and a variety of XR and interactive experiences. Join Studio X on Wednesday, February 7, from 4 to 5 p.m., for a workshop designed for beginners. Register here to attend.