March 30, 2020
Dear members of the Hajim School Community,
The past two weeks have been challenging for all of us, to say the least!
I deeply appreciate all the hard work, flexibility, and creative ideas on the part of our students, staff, and faculty — and our University IT colleagues — in enabling the transition to learning, teaching, and working remotely. The dire situation now confronting New York state reinforces the necessity of doing so in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19.
I understand this is an especially stressful time for many of our students, who miss the opportunities they had on campus to interact closely with faculty and fellow students. Who may be in distant time zones. Who may have concerns about the health and safety of their family and friends. And who may be worried about how best to complete their courses this semester.
Please be patient. Consult your faculty and advisors. We understand that circumstances will change what many of you might have done on campus. What we ask of you, and what you should ask of yourselves, is that you do the best you can.
The fact that we have to do things remotely does not mean that we cannot still find ways to learn, to share, and to celebrate.
Here are some wonderful examples:
Alexander Pavlicin ’21, an engineering science major from Woodbury, Minnesota, has joined forces with three other University undergraduates to bring the River Campus to those near and far through Minecraft. The video game uses 3-D cubes to build virtual structures and mechanisms. “While our original goal was simply to build a familiar space—Rush Rhees Library and the Eastman Quad—for the community to enjoy, we quickly realized other students were also using Minecraft to express their emotions about the loss of a physical semester and the commencement,” Alexander says. “We decided to merge ideas and Minecraft worlds and hold a variety of ‘virtual commencement’ events to honor the senior class and the incredible resilience of the entire student body during this tough time.” The project has “already received an outpouring of support from the University community,” Alexander says. Read more here and go to VirtualUR.com for updates.
Today, Marvin Doyley, professor of electrical and computer engineering, will be inducted — remotely — as a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). Marvin is being recognized for “outstanding contributions in developing algorithms for elastography and the application of elastography to vascular mechanics and disease.” Fellows are nominated each year by their peers and represent the top 2% of the medical and biological engineering community. Congratulations to Marvin!
Our Art of Science competition will continue, with the deadline for submissions extended to April 15. Judging, voting, and the announcement of winners will all be done remotely.
We are also exploring the possibility of celebrating a Design Day remotely.
Hajim School faculty members Julie Bentley, Ehsan Hoque, Chris Muir, and James Zavislan were asked two weeks ago to share their thoughts as they prepared for the transition to online teaching. Though some of their plans may have changed since, their comments shed light on the hard work that has gone into this transition and, above all, on the importance of adapting.
That’s what engineers do.
Please, wherever you are, continue to heed social distancing. Be safe!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
Please note, as we use a number of different communication modes to reach all of the University’s constituents over the next few weeks, Hajim Highlights may be interrupted at times. Please know that we are working hard to streamline communication to get timely information out, and we ask that you read all communications that are sent during this time. We will return to regular weekly transmission of Hajim Highlights as soon as possible.
