September 18, 2017
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
As a community, we celebrate our good times and we come together to support each other in difficult times. This past week has been a difficult one on our campus. The allegations in the EEOC complaint have begun many conversations about what we can and must do to better support and empower every member of our community, so that all are free to learn and develop. As we work together on paths forward, every member of our community should know that we will not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any form. Any student whose ability to focus on their academic work has been compromised can seek assistance through UCC, the Interfaith Chapel and the CARE network.  I encourage anyone with concerns about a student (whether undergraduate or graduate) to connect with the CARE network. Faculty and staff can connect with the University Employee Assistance Program. I am of course available to meet with anyone who would like to discuss their concerns directly with me as well. We are a strong community and will work hard to be “ever better.”
 Rachel Monfredo, lecturer and technical associate in chemical engineering, invites students to join her for a truly worthwhile cause: adapting battery operated toys so they can be easily activated by children with special needs. The ability to do so can become a great incentive for these children to develop other skills. The toy adaption process can be easily learned even by non-engineering students, and Rachel has received lots of encouragement from therapists at Golisano Children’s Hospital who say there is a great demand for these toys. I think this is an amazing idea, a perfect way for engineering students to take on a challenge, mentor other students, and get a head start on making the world a better place! I hope a strong contingent of Hajim students will attend an organizational meeting a week from Wednesday, September 27 at 5:30 p.m. in 4506 Wegmans Hall.
The new Rochester Data Science Consortium announced last week is an exciting development. It will create research opportunities for our faculty and students. It is an example of the kind of academic-industry partnership that can help create a high-tech innovation hub in the Finger Lakes region, leveraging our core competencies of optics, photonics, and imaging.
The Light and Sound Interactive conference last week at the Rochester Convention Center was another positive step in that direction. Organized by Mark Bocko, director, and Paul Ballentine, executive director of the Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences, the conference was a great opportunity to showcase Rochester’s cutting-edge imaging and audio-based technologies and their applications in emerging fields such as virtual and augmented reality, games, cinema, healthcare, and music. This was a promising start for what will hopefully become a yearly “event” in Rochester that helps galvanize the local economy.
For an example of a potential application, read this recent story about work by Mark Bocko’s lab on inexpensive flat screen loudspeakers that could be hung as wall paintings or used as overhead light panels to create an immersive surround sound experience at a modest price.
Thanks to the Hajim School faculty members who gave presentations or participated in panel discussions at the conference. They are Diane Dalecki and Stephen McAleavey of biomedical engineering; Kevin Parker of electrical and computer engineering; Scott Carney, Wayne Knox, and Jannick Rolland of the Institute of Optics; David Williams of the Center for Visual Science, and Jiebo Luo of computer science.
As we saw with the Ghana field school, a faculty-led summer learning program overseas can be a great way for an engineering student to gain a global experience. The Center for Education Abroad will host a showcase of faculty-lead programs abroad from 3 to 5 p.m. this Thursday, September 21, in the Havens Lounge of Wilson Commons. Faculty leaders and student participants will share insights and reflections about their time abroad with the Digital Archaeology of Heritage Buildings of West Africa (Ghana Field School); The culture of a small island – experiential learning in Procida, Italy; Smiths Island Archaeological Field School, Bermuda; French in France; and French Sign Language and Deaf Culture in France. Check it out!
Students who plan to study abroad next spring have until 5 p.m. November 1 to apply for the Hajim School International Experience Scholarship, which provides $500 to help defray eligible study, research, or intern abroad costs. Read more here.
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
