Introducing University Marketing and Communications

The Office of University Communications is now University Marketing and Communications. Initiated by the arrival of Page Hetzel, the University’s new and first VP for marketing and communications, the name change reflects a strategic broadening of the department’s scope to enhance the University’s global visibility. A big part of the evolving team and capabilities is the active recruitment of an associate vice president of marketing—a key position in shaping the department’s future work. Learn more about University Marketing and Communications’ vision.

Getting ‘ghosted’ by a tax preparer will haunt you

Still looking for someone to file your return? The Better Business Bureau warns taxpayers to choose a preparer wisely and provides six tips to stay safe during the tax season. Malicious actors are looking to make a quick profit by falsely identifying themselves as tax professionals and promising big returns. Also known as “ghost preparers,” these scammers fake your income and deductions to boost the size of your refund but never sign off as the preparer. To make matters worse, they direct refunds to their account instead of yours.

Class of 2026: It's time to declare your major

Stop by the Sophomore Committee table in Hirst Lounge, Wilson Commons, from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, March 19, or Friday, March 22, to learn about the major declaration process. Academic advisors will be available to answer your questions. Find more helpful hints on the next steps here.

Participate in the Princeton Review survey

The University invites undergraduate students in the College to participate in the Princeton Review survey, used by many undergraduates to explore their college options. The survey can be completed here and will likely take about 15 minutes. It has questions organized into four main sections: About Yourself, Your School’s Academics and Administration, Students, and Life at Your School. You will be asked to share on topics such as “How many out-of-class hours do you spend studying each day?” and “How do you rate your campus food?” Most questions offer an answer choice on a five-point scale; some are open-ended and invite you to answer in your own words. The survey closes on March 22 at 11:59 p.m.

‘BIC-Ture This’ queer art-making: DIY soup cozies

Join the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center on Friday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. to learn how to make your own soup cozies. This art-making event is open to all LGBTQ undergraduate and graduate students. All supplies are provided. Register by today, March 18.

Off-campus LGBTQ roller derby event

Attend the first sanctioned bout of the season for Rochester’s open-gender adult league roller derby team on Saturday, March 23, with the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center. Tickets are free for Rochester LGBTQ undergraduate and graduate students and include admission to the event, pizza, and shuttle transportation to the Main Street Armory. If you drive yourself, there is a fee for parking at the venue. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the match starts at 5 p.m. Shuttles begin at 3:45 p.m. from Rush Rhees Library and the return shuttles begin at the venue at 6:30 p.m. Register here by Tuesday, March 19. You can pick up your tickets after you register from the BIC, 305 Douglass Commons, during posted hours March 18–22.

Sexual health presentation on BDSM

The Don Millinger/Gary Clinton LGBTQ Fund, Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, and UHS Health Promotion Office are hosting a presentation and Q&A with the Rochester Kink Society about BDSM. The event will be held on Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. in Morey Hall, Room 321, and will also be streamed live via Zoom if you’d like to attend virtually. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Open to all students.

Life insurance beneficiary information

You may view or change your life insurance beneficiary information online at any time by logging into HRMS and clicking “Securian Financial.” If you do not name a beneficiary, policy benefits will be paid out in a predetermined order of priority.

Transportation and Parking pop-up event

Do you have ideas to enhance the transportation and parking experience at the University? Attend a transportation and parking pop-up tabling event on Monday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to noon at Café 601, on the first floor of Strong Memorial Hospital, or on Tuesday, March 19, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Hirst Lounge, Wilson Commons. Share your thoughts about parking and transportation and enjoy complimentary treats and giveaways.

Find the perfect Simon part-time program for you

Join Simon Business School to learn about Executive MBA, Professional MBA, Online MS in Business Analytics & Applied AI, and MS in Medical Management part-time programs at the webinar “Deciding Between Simon’s Part-Time Programs” on Tuesday, March 19, from noon to 12:30 p.m. An admissions team member will provide an overview of each program, including information about the mode of delivery, the tuition cost, scholarship opportunities, and more. Attendees of the live session will receive an application fee waiver, a $90 value. For those unable to attend, a recording will be emailed to the address used at registration.

Screening of women's liberation documentary Left on Pearl

Left on Pearl is a 55-minute documentary about the 1971 takeover and occupation of a Harvard University-owned building by hundreds of Boston-area women. The 10-day occupation of 888 Memorial Drive by women demanding a women’s center and low-income housing for the community in which the building stood, embodied within it many of the hopes, triumphs, conflicts, and tensions of Second Wave feminism. One of the few such takeovers by women for women, this action led directly to the establishment of the longest continuously operating Women’s Center in the US. Attend a screening of the film on Thursday, March 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Hoyt Hall, Room 104. A panel discussion will follow. RSVP is required.

Campus dining habits and preferences survey

Campus Dining Services is conducting a study to understand campus dining habits and preferences better. Sharing your thoughts will provide valuable insight to help improve the overall campus dining experience. The online survey will take no more than 10 minutes, and your responses are confidential. At the end of the survey, you will have an opportunity to provide your contact information if you wish to enter the drawing for a grand prize of $150 e-card, or one of 3 first prizes of $50 e-cards. Enter before Friday, March 22, to be eligible to win.

OUTBreath for LGBTQ+ community

Following the practices in A Queer Dharma: Yoga and Meditations for Liberation by Jacoby Ballard, Kyle Trenshaw will facilitate two queer-centered spaces of shared experience and support in which participants can develop mindfulness skills for stress reduction and relaxation. All members of the campus community are welcome to join this practice; however, allies will be asked to “step back” to make space for queer voices during debriefs and commit to contributing to the safety of everyone in attendance. Classes will be held via Zoom on Thursdays April 4, 11, 18, and 25, from 8 to 9:15 p.m. Registration is required to access the Zoom link. By attending all four sessions, you will receive a giveaway of your choosing: a copy of A Queer Dharma, a meditation cushion, or a yoga mat.

Run, walk, or pledge your support for transplant patients at Strong

The Rochester River Run returns to Genesee Valley Park on Sunday, April 21. You can run or walk the scenic 5K route. Proceeds benefit the Transplant Patient Fund. Help support patients awaiting and recovering from heart, liver, kidney, or pancreas transplant surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital. Learn more, register, or pledge your support.

UR Tech Store MacBook Air M2 15-inch clearance event

While supplies last, the UR Tech Store is discounting all in-stock MacBook Air M2 15-inch $300 off the academic price, which matches the current price of the MacBook Air M2 13-inch. You choose the screen size for the same low price. Shop online or visit one of the retail locations in the Medical Center (G-7220B) or Rush Rhees Library. Departments may participate in this promotion.

Last Friday, the Rochester Match Day Class of 2024 joined thousands of medical students across the country to find out where they’ll be spending the next four years for their residency. Read more about Match Day and find photos and videos on  Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.