In Today's Issue

• New Recital Hall Opens Virtual Music Classes to Public
• Study: Playing with Legos Can Help Autistic Kids
• Prescriptions for Teens and Young Adults on the Rise
• Mt. Hope Family Center Selected for National Award
• Spotlight on Diversity: SimonUnited
• Changes Made to Purchasing Forms
• Annual Coat Drive for Refugees Continues
• Optical Shop Hosts Trunk Show

News and Announcements

New Recital Hall Opens Virtual Music Classes to Public
New technology at the Eastman School will allow the Rochester community to observe virtual classes at the world’s top conservatories without leaving town or spending a dime. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, for the first time, the community will be invited to sit in on an afternoon of live music instruction, performance, and conversation between acclaimed faculty and students at both the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo and the Eastman School.
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Study: Playing with Legos Can Help Autistic Kids
In an attempt to help children with autism learn the building blocks of creativity, Medical Center researchers tapped a toy box staple for help. By building Lego structures in new and unique ways, children with autism spectrum disorders learned to use creativity, a skill that they had seen as very challenging prior to the study.
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Prescriptions for Teens and Young Adults on the Rise
Prescription rates for controlled medications have nearly doubled for teens and young adults in the past 14 years, according to a recent Medical Center study.
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Mt. Hope Family Center Selected for National Award
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has selected Mt. Hope Family Center to receive one of five 2010 Science and Service Awards for promoting mental health. The award recognizes the center’s success in developing effective evidence-based therapies for families struggling with abuse, trauma, and depression.
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Changes Made to Purchasing Forms
The 312 Requisition Form, Supplier Price Justification Conflict of Interest Form, and the Request for Payment Forms have been updated to comply with the University’s Expenditures and Conflict of Interest Policies.The new forms should be used starting  Jan. 1, 2011. Old forms submitted after that date will be returned with a request to resubmit using the new forms. To order new 312 Requisition Forms, visit www.urmc.rochester.edu/purchasing, select "How to Purchase" and then "Supplier On Line Ordering." Contact Joe Cassara at 249-7709 for training. Contact Corporate Purchasing at 275-2009 with questions on the SPJCI or 312 Requisition forms. Call Accounts Payable at 275-3483 with questions on the Request for Payment form.

Spotlight on Diversity: SimonUnited
This month's Spotlight on Diversity features SimonUnited, a student-led multicultural organization dedicated to educating students, faculty, and staff about international cultures through events that encourage greater awareness of nationalities, religions, and cultures. Read more about the group on this flier, which can be posted in offices and on bulletin boards. Learn more about diversity at the University in future installments of Diversity Spotlight in @Rochester.

Annual Coat Drive for Refugees Continues
The Refugee Student Alliance's third annual coat drive continues through Dec. 15. Gently used or new coats (especially children's sizes), gloves, hats, scarves, sweaters, and winter boots are needed. All donations are delivered to nonprofit organizations that distribute them to former refugees who have settled in Rochester. E-mail urrefsa@gmail.com for a list of drop-off locations at the River Campus or natalia_golub@urmc.rochester.edu for the Medical Center.

Optical Shop Hosts Trunk Show
The Flaum Eye Institute Optical Shop Trunk Show and Sale on Friday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. Look for a flier in the mail soon with more details.