January 16, 2018
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
Welcome back for the start of the Spring Semester!
As many of you know, last week, the report of the independent investigation of a complaint filed against the University of Rochester with the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the many issues surrounding it was released. The entire report, as well as statements from the University and the Board of Trustees, can be found here: https://www.rochester.edu/independent-investigation/. Before the report of the independent investigation was released, President Seligman announced his resignation as of February 28 in the hopes that new leadership would provide an opportunity for the community to focus on healing and moving forward in unity. The Board of Trustees announced last Friday that Richard Feldman, former Dean of the College, will serve as interim president and will immediately take responsibility for leading the effort to respond to the independent investigation report. I’d like to acknowledge and thank President Seligman for all that he has done for the Hajim School and the University over the past 12.5 years, and to welcome President Feldman, who I am confident will be an outstanding leader to move us forward.
I would like to reiterate several key points that have been shared with members of our community. The report provides many excellent recommendations for improvements that can be made in our policies, processes and procedures, and I fully intend to continue working with our community, including faculty, staff, students and alumni, to ensure that these and other policies and procedures that will make us a more inclusive, equitable and welcoming school are put into place.
As engineers and scientists, we like to problem solve and fix things; however, sometimes there is no quick fix. It is clear that individuals including students, staff, and faculty have been deeply impacted by the events, and I want to acknowledge that. Healing from this will take time and hard work on all of our parts. As your dean, I want to assure you that my goal is to ensure that our departments, our school, our university are places where ALL are respected and valued for the contributions that they bring and that no one is mistreated. We cannot and will not accept anything less.
I look forward to working with all of you to make the Hajim School, and our university, ever better.
In the meantime, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate in this year’s Hajim School Art of Science Competition, by submitting digital images, illustrations, posters, and videos that incorporate the imaginative use of science, art, and technology. This year’s theme is sustainability. Submissions will be accepted through March 30. Cash prizes of $500, $300, and $200 will be awarded for the top three visual designs and a $500 prize for best digital video. Judging is based on visual impact, effective communication, and freshness and originality. Click here for more details about this year’s contest, and here to see last year’s winners. Contact Sandra Turner at hseasartofscience@gmail.com with questions and to submit an entry.
Congratulations to Nick Vamivakas, associate professor of quantum optics and quantum physics, who continues to do remarkable things at the nanoscale with light-matter interaction. In a recent paper, his group describes an optical microcavity that creates negative mass — and a new way to generate lasers. Nick has also received a $600,000 NSF subcontract to work with Frank Wise at the Cornell Center for Materials Research. NIck’s group will fabricate 2D material devices, including van der Waals heterostructures, as well as optical spectroscopy to study the coupling of defects to novel engineered photonic and phononic modes.
It was heartwarming to see the toys adapted by our Toys for All Tots student group make it into the hands of children with special needs during a recent clinic at the Medical Center. Thanks again to the students who are participating, to all who have donated toys, including Mattel, and Rachel Monfredo, lecturer and senior technical associate in chemical engineering, who spearheaded this project. One of the grateful parents says it best: “The fact that you have college kids caring enough to do things like this is really awesome.”
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is seeking applications from undergraduates interested in doing research internships with CUHK faculty members this summer. Engineering, biomedical, and computer science projects are among the 80 that students can choose from. Some of them could no doubt help an enterprising student qualify as an NAE Grand Challenges Scholar. Deadline to apply to CUHK is February 28.
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
