Adrienne Morgan, vice president for equity and inclusion and the Richard Feldman Chief Diversity Officer, shares well wishes for the Lunar New Year, which starts February 10. “On behalf of the University, we wish all our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and all who celebrate a joyous and prosperous new year. May the Year of the Dragon bring you and your loved ones happiness, good health, and success in all your endeavors.” In China and other Asian countries, the New Year is the most significant and festive of events. Faculty and staff are asked to remember that the start of the Lunar New Year is followed by New Year’s Day and to accommodate students who celebrate.
Warner School kicks off a monthlong reading initiative
Literacy expert Carol St. George, a professor in teaching and curriculum at the Warner School of Education and Human Development, leads a monthlong social media campaign to promote the importance of reading aloud with children of all ages. Throughout February, share your love for reading with a child and help capture these special moments. Share pictures and posts of reading with someone special, your favorite book, or your favorite place to read on social media using the hashtag #Read4Luv.
The Greene Center is bringing spring recruiting season your way, giving you the chance to connect with employers at both in-person and virtual career expos and networking events February 12–16. For the complete schedule and information about each event, visit the Greene Center’s website.
2024–25 First-Year Fellow and D'Lion applications now open
Are you interested in being a part of the first-year team? Want to gain leadership experience? Consider applying to be a First-Year Fellow or a D’Lion for the 2024–25 school year. Fellow applications are due February 10; D’Lion applications are due February 16. Follow the links above to learn more and apply.
‘Paws for Stress Relief’ at Eastman
Feeling stressed? Stop by the Orchestra Pit in the Eastman Student Living Center and meet therapy dogs on Thursday, February 15, 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.
‘Purposeful Pauses’ for students
Add an intentional break to your week with “Purposeful Pauses” offered by the Mindful University Project. Ranging from 5 to 15 minutes, the sessions are a fit for both beginners and busy students. With frequent collaborations with campus groups, “Purposeful Pauses” can be an introduction to mindful practices and how they can apply to your interests and passions. The sessions are led by student mindfulness facilitators and offer the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about mindfulness and meditation. Sessions are led every Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the Douglass Community Room, Douglass 407. (There are no sessions on March 11 and 18 due to Spring Break). Stay up to date with what sessions will be led via the Mindful U Instagram.
The performance evaluation cycle for University staff will launch on Monday, February 12. Staff will receive notifications from MyPath to begin their self-review. The ongoing self-review period for Medical Center staff ends today, Friday, February 9, after which managers will be able to complete their portion of the review.
As a reminder, the University’s annual performance evaluation process provides an opportunity for both managers and staff to receive feedback and evaluate progress over the last year, as well as set goals, plan projects, and establish timelines for the year ahead. All manager reviews must be completed by Friday, April 19, in MyPath. The employee acknowledgment step will be available for completion through June 30.
Gain insights on Warner School scholarships for University employees
University employees are eligible for scholarships toward their Warner School of Education and Human Development graduate degree, micro-credential, or non-matriculated courses, even if they’re using University tuition benefits. These scholarships eliminate tuition expenses, covering up to 100 percent of program costs not covered by employee tuition benefits. Attend a virtual information session from 5 to 6 p.m. on Monday, February 12, to learn more about these exclusive scholarships for employees. The Warner School welcomes applications on a rolling basis. Apply any time before March 15 for an entry term as early as summer 2024. Contact Warner’s admissions office with questions. Learn more and register to attend.
Tuition waiver application deadline approaching
For faculty and staff attending the University for the spring 2024 semester, all employee tuition waiver applications must be submitted to HRMS within 30 days of the start of the course. If you haven’t already submitted for this semester, do so as soon as possible, as the end of the application window is approaching. Email with questions.
Call for Graduate Research Symposium abstracts and poster judges
The Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs for the School of Arts & Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering shares that the call for abstracts is now open for the 3rd annual Graduate Research Symposium. All master’s and PhD students in the School of Arts & Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering are invited to submit an abstract to be considered for the poster session (including works in progress); submissions are due February 18. The symposium takes place Wednesday, March 27, at 3 p.m. in Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons.
Faculty and staff poster judges are also needed. If you are interested and available from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on March 27 to serve as a judge, fill out the volunteer form by Friday, February 26. Previous knowledge of research topics is not required; the office will follow up with selected volunteers with more detailed information.
The entire University community is invited to stop by the symposium to view the posters and celebrate the diverse research contributions of these graduate students.
Black History Month DeTOUR at MAG
The origins of Black History Month date back to the summer of 1915 in Chicago. It took another 61 years before it became officially recognized in the United States. Join the Memorial Art Gallery for a MAGsocial DeTOUR celebrating Black History Month and highlighting some of the Black artists in the museum’s collection. Led by Calvin Eaton from 540WMain, the event takes place Thursday, February 22, at 6 p.m. Learn more and register here.
Mindfulness class for the University's Black community
Join the “Meditative Guide for Us” class, crafted for the needs and experiences of the Black community. Offered by the Mindful University Project, the class is centered on fostering self-discovery and self-care through deep breathing, visualization, and guided meditation. Instructor Deontae McLachlan addresses unique challenges, drawing from personal experiences as a Black individual who has personally benefitted from the practice of mindfulness. Stay Woke: A Meditation Guide for the Rest of Us by Justin Michael Williams and For Indigenous Minds Only: A Decolonization Handbook edited by Waziyatawin and Michael Yellow Bird serve as the foundation for the class. Sessions take place February 28 and March 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Douglass Community Room. Snacks will be offered. Those who attend both sessions will be able to receive a free yoga mat, meditation cushion, or a copy of either book. Registration required.
In partnership with several businesses and organizations, UR Medicine is introducing a first-of-its-kind initiative in rural communities that utilizes extra space in local banks to provide health care to those who need it. Learn more at the UR Medicine Facebook and Instagram pages.
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