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April 1, 2024

One week until totality

Next Monday, April 8, is the total solar eclipse—a once-in-a-lifetime event to experience being in the path of totality. The University is hosting several events over the next week in celebration of the eclipse, and you’ll be able to stream the eclipse live here. If you still have questions about the eclipse and related campus activities, visit the FAQ page of the University’s eclipse website.

Looking to dig a little deeper? Dan Watson, a professor of physics and astronomy, offers everything you need—or want—to know about the phenomenon of solar eclipses in this Q&A. He’s also part of a virtual event this week on the science and history of solar eclipses. Find details below in the For the Community section.

In today’s issue:

  • Workshops for faculty and student support staff to enhance student well-being
  • Register for a virtual series hosted by the Office of Equity and Inclusion on countering Islamophobia
  • A look back at March in photos
TODAY'S UPDATES

‘New’ Microsoft Teams automatic upgrade

Microsoft has released a new version of the Teams desktop and web apps called “New” Microsoft Teams. Starting today, April 1, the standard Teams app will be automatically upgraded to “New” Teams. You can learn more about the “New” Teams app here.


FOR STUDENTS

Undergraduate public health social

The Society of Undergraduate Public Health Students hosts its second annual public health social today, April 1, in Feldman Ballroom from 4 to 6 p.m. This event allows students to meet with professors and fellow public health students.

Get ready for interviews with the Speaking Fellows

The Speaking Fellows will host the next Kohn Lecture on Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in the Barbara J. Burger iZone. The lecture will feature two talks on interviewing, designed to help students learn more about interviews and how to successfully represent themselves and their experiences. All students are welcome to attend.

Well-being listening session for graduate students

The UHS Health Promotion Office’s Graduate Student Wellness Committee hosts a well-being listening session during Graduate Student Appreciation Week dedicated to understanding the well-being of graduate students and exploring avenues for enhanced support. As the demands of academic life continue to evolve, it’s crucial to prioritize the mental, emotional, and physical health of graduate students. In this collaborative session, you’ll be asked to share about unique challenges you’ve faced, to help identify areas where support can be strengthened, and brainstorm innovative solutions. The session will be held on Wednesday, April 10, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Registration is required. Open to all enrolled graduate students at the University.

Registration open for summer research program

Interested in getting involved in undergraduate research in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or data science but unsure of how or where to start? Apply to join the STEMFORALL summer research program. The immersive, two-week program consists of lectures and supervised research projects. Learn what it means to be a researcher and how to become one. The program takes place from July 29 to August 9. Apply by Friday, April 12.


FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

Find backup care for Spring Break

Need last-minute care this week? Eligible employees can use backup care by Care.com to find care for spring or summer break care gaps and book days in advance. Find more information on the HR website and start your request today.

Workshops to enhance student well-being

Available to all faculty and student support staff, the Well-Being for Life and Learning Training Program dives into essential strategies to nurture student well-being using straightforward, impactful, and empathetic approaches. Engage in diverse workshops aimed at expanding your capabilities in student support. Registration is accessible on MyPath for all workshops, excluding “Building Queer-Inclusive University” training. Enroll in that series here. The April workshop lineup features:

  • “Intercultural Communication: What Did You Say?”
  • “Navigating the Predominantly White Institution as an Underrepresented Minority Student”
  • “Well-Being in Learning Environments”
  • “Building a Queer-Inclusive University: Part I & II”
  • “Navigating Trauma-Informed Conversations”

Make food work for you

Explore how you can get the most nutrients from what you eat and how to get creative with simple ingredients in Well-U’s Nutrition Basics program beginning Thursday, April 4. Registration is open now.


FOR COMMUNITY

Patient Access Week

Patient Access Week, through April 6, is dedicated to honoring healthcare access professionals for their ongoing achievements, commitment, and expertise in the outpatient setting. Visit the Patient Access Padlet for more information.

Virtual series on countering Islamophobia

Register now for a four-part virtual series about countering Islamophobia, beginning Wednesday, April 3, from noon to 1 p.m. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is partnering with the Islamic Networks Group on this learning opportunity. Registrants are encouraged to attend each of the sessions, which are open to all.

‘The Science and History of Solar Eclipses’ virtual event

Join Dan Watson, a professor of physics and astronomy, and Laura Ackerman Smoller, a professor of history, as they discuss the enduring fascination with solar eclipses across time and disciplines. They’ll highlight some special attractions in the sky you can see during totality and ways you can safely view the partial eclipse before and after totality. Register now for this virtual event on Wednesday, April 3, at noon.

AR temporary tattoo workshop

Designed for beginners, this Studio X workshop on Wednesday, April 3, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. is a gateway to crafting your own augmented reality (AR) app using Unity, a real-time creation platform, used to build games, XR experiences, visualizations, and more. Develop an Android app, learn about ARCore and image tracking, and design stunning visual effects that interact with real-world objects. Enhance a temporary tattoo with a 3D effect. Register here to attend.

Reminder: Visiting reaccreditation team shares its findings on April 10

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, recognized by the US Department of Education as a reliable authority concerning the quality of higher education, is concluding its work on the University’s reaccreditation review process. The visiting reaccreditation team will present its findings on Wednesday, April 10, from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons; the University community is encouraged to attendLearn more and read the self-study (NetID required) on the provost’s website. The University is reaccredited every eight years, giving the institution access to federal funds, including Title IV, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health. Please note the commission accredits the entire University, not individual schools or programs.

Apply by April 15 to advance your nursing career

Reimagine your nursing practice with an advanced degree from the School of Nursing. Apply by Monday, April 15, to start this fall in a master’sAdvanced Certificate, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. University employees may receive full tuition coverage for select programs through the SON Tuition Grant. Contact the School of Nursing admissions office with questions about program or application requirements.

Zero-Cost Heroes

For the last three years, the River Campus Libraries have highlighted “Zero-Cost Heroes,” faculty members and instructors who have chosen to select or create course materials that are free for their students. Throughout the week, the libraries will highlight a new hero each day—starting with James Wamsley, an adjunct professor of linguistics. Increasingly, Rochester professors like Wamsley opt for openly licensed textbooks to use in their courses. Get the full story on Wamsley’s openly licensed materials, which exceed digital accessibility standards, may later add additional accessibility enhancements, and already include relevant video content.


IN PHOTOS

A student wears VR goggles

As we kick off April, take a brief look back in photos at how we spent March. Above, a student uses VR (virtual reality) equipment in the Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X in Carlson Library.


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