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Parents Buzz

August 2009

NEWS

Welcome Parents!
Welcome to the first issue of Parents Buzz for the 2009-10 academic year. We hope you find it helps keep you in touch with what's happening at the University. For parents whose children have graduated, you can sign off of the mailing list, or do nothing and you will continue to receive Parents Buzz. We also recommend Rochester Buzz for parents of alumni. The monthly newsletter includes items of interest to Rochester friends and alumni. Sign up for Rochester Buzz here. As always, comments or feedback on Parents Buzz are welcome.

Take Seriously the Warnings about Pandemic Flu

Young adults were among the first to get the early cases of H1N1 flu when it began spreading across the globe last spring. Help your student avoid the flu with advice from University Health Service.

UR ePay Under Way

The University now delivers tuition bills electronically to students and their families and is no longer sending paper bills. Students received e-mail notification July 17 that they can view their fall 2009 bill online through UR ePAY. Read more ...

Lineup Set for Meliora Weekend

Steven Chu

Join your son or daughter in Rochester from Oct. 8 to 11 for Meliora Weekend, the annual campus celebration that combines family weekend, homecoming, and class reunions. Featured speakers and entertainment include a keynote address by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu ’70, ’98 (Honorary); "An Evening with Bill Maher of HBO’s Real Time"; a presidential panel on the future of financial regulation; student performances; family events; homecoming football; and more. Visit the Meliora Weekend Web site for a full listing of programs, including those especially for families. Registration begins the week of Aug. 24. Check your e-mail for details.
Also taking place that weekend is Eastman School's Family Weekend, featuring a welcome reception, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concert, Eastman Philharmonia concert, student recitals, breakfast with the dean, panel discussions, and more.

'Everything Eastman' for New and Returning Students

Need information on move-in, orientation, and audition dates, or want to know about concert dress or when the bursar’s office is open? Check out the latest edition of “Clef Notes” for students at the Eastman School.

New Public Health Majors Planned

Pending final approval from the New York State Department of Education, the College will introduce several new majors in areas related to public health: epidemiology; health, behavior, and society; bioethics; and health policy. Students interested in these majors should consult with an academic advisor in Lattimore Hall 212, which will also become home for the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Health Insurance Selection for Full-Time Students

Every year full-time students must complete the online Health Insurance Selection Process. If your son or daughter receives a reminder e-mail, please encourage them to complete the process by the end of August. Completing the online selection process is especially important if your student will be covered by your insurance.

Eastman Theatre Reopens in October

The doors to Eastman Theatre shut on July 1 and round-the-clock work on interior renovations began. In October, the 3,000-seat hall that opened as a movie palace in 1922 will reopen as the 2,250-seat Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, a concert hall with box seats, improved acoustics, and an expanded lobby/gallery area with lounges on the orchestra level. At the same time, construction continues on the addition to the Eastman School. The Eastman Philharmonia under Neil Varon will be the first Eastman ensemble to perform in the new Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on Friday, Oct. 9. Read more ...

University Joins National GEM Consortium

Rochester has been accepted into the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM), a nonprofit organization that provides science and engineering fellowships to minority students pursuing graduate degrees. Read more ...

Dining Services Offers Healthy Fare

Dining Services realizes that while your children are away from home, you hope that they are eating well. An on-site dietetic intern assists in the creation of healthy menus with nutritional information available so students can continue eating well. Students are invited to provide feedback on Dining Services at www.Rochester.CampusDish.com, on comment cards in the dining areas or online, in surveys, by attending dining committee meetings, by e-mail, by phone, or through on-site managers. Also, Dining Services has a Twitter account to update students on promotions and special events. Learn about 2009-10 meal plan options, billing, the URos flexible spending accounts here.

Telephone Services Help Students Stay in Touch

Living centers and residence halls are equipped with courtesy phones on each floor that can be used for local, toll-free, or emergency calls. Long distance calls may be made using a calling card with a toll-free access code. Students also can sign up online for in-room telephone and voicemail services. In addition, University IT partners with cellular service providers to offer discounts for students. Read more ...

Proposals for Study Abroad Due Sept. 15

The Center for Study Abroad is accepting proposals until Sept. 15 from current sophomores and juniors who are considering overseas study during the spring 2010 semester. Parents may request a copy of the 2009-10 version of the University's study abroad guide, starting Sept. 1, at abroad@admin.rochester.edu. Also, freshmen are encouraged to attend a study abroad information session this fall to learn more about international education opportunities. Parents and students can contact counselors at the Center for Study Abroad by e-mail or at (585) 275-7532 for more information.

Homepage Features Photos from the University Community

Check out the Rochester homepage every Friday to see photos submitted by University students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni—and vote for your favorites. Visit the Photo Friday site to send a photograph of your own for consideration in a future "Photo Friday."

Record Number of Students Receive Study Abroad Scholarships

Ten Rochester students have been awarded a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for the fall. They are seniors Jennifer Marquart, Julia Munteanu, Shanis Navas, Christy Zheng, and juniors Amber Baig, Isthier Chaudhury, Jeffrey Conserette, Meaghan Dewaters, Eun Hea Kim, and Andrew Korn. They will study in countries including India, Egypt, Spain, and Japan, among others. Read more ...

Barbecue Brings Communities Together

Music and the mouth-watering scent of barbecue will fill the air in the nearby Brooks Landing neighborhood on Sept. 11 for the first Brooks Landing Barbecue. Free food, music, and raffles are planned for the event, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Students can also check out the variety of restaurants, services, and merchants that are just over the footbridge from River Campus. RSVP to the barbecue at community.leadership@rochester.edu by Sept. 4. A limited number of reservations will be taken.

New Degree Creates Business-Savvy Engineers

The University's Center for Entrepreneurship is launching a new, interdisciplinary master’s degree in technical entrepreneurship and management, jointly offered by the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Simon Graduate School of Business. Designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied sciences, or mathematics, the 30-credit program draws on the long-established faculty expertise in the engineering and business schools. To learn more, contact Andrea Galati at (585) 276-3500.

End-of-Year Cleanout Nets Community Donations

As part of the first annual End-of-Year Cleanout last May, Rochester undergraduates donated the equivalent weight of a Jeep Grand Cherokee to the Rochester community. Read more ...

ADVICE

Transition Tips for Parents

Whether you are preparing to send your children off for the first time or sending back returning students, your relationship with them will continue to evolve throughout their college years. The University Counseling Center offers some tips for parents during the transition. Read more ...

Including Parents in Conversations about Alcohol

Several recent studies have indicated that when it comes to the topic of student use of alcohol the people most likely to influence behavior are parents. The Office of the Dean of Students is implementing a new program to help support communication between parents and students about alcohol. Read more ...

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Keep Safety in Mind When Returning to Campus

University Security encourages students to incorporate good safety practices into their daily habits. Parents and students should take a moment to review these safety tips.

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

Over the last few years, bed bugs have made a resurgence and are becoming a significant problem in the United States. Though the University has not had any problems in its dormitories, there are precautions you can take to minimize the risk. Read more...

LEARNING

Students Immersed in French Sign Language

This summer, undergraduates enrolled in a pilot program in the Center for Study Abroad didn’t do much speaking, at least not out loud. They used a combination of American Sign Language and French Sign Language, silently signing their way through parts of France. Read more ...

Enter Stage Right: Playwrights

The New Voice Initiative, the International Theatre Program’s quadrennial undertaking to rewrite the usual student drama experience, gives students a behind-the-scenes look at the process of playwriting—and an opportunity to be part of the process themselves. Read more ...

MAKING HEADLINES

'Scientists Reverse Muscular Dystrophy in Mice'

U.S. News and World Report (July 16)
The strategy, described by researchers from the University of Rochester in the July 16 issue of Science, did alleviate symptoms of the debilitating disease and even, in some cases, reversed it but the successes have been seen only in mice so far.

'In the U. of Rochester's Library, Students Ceaselessly Redesign Their Study Space'

Chronicle of Higher Education (July 28)
Chronicle reporter Scott Carlson checks out the new study space in Rush Rhees Library, designed by students under the guide of an anthropologist.

About Parents Buzz

Parents Buzz is produced by University Communications, Parent Relations, and the Parents Program. It is e-mailed monthly to parents of undergraduates in the College and at the Eastman School of Music. View issues online at www.rochester.edu/parentsbuzz. Direct feedback and questions to parentsbuzz@rochester.edu.

GREEN LIVING: Nearly 25 first-year students—at least one representative on each floor in the freshman residence halls—will serve as EcoReps in their dorms as part of a new program. Led by Laura Lipinski '11 and Joey Hartmann-Dow '12, the EcoReps aim to raise awareness and involvement in activities that promote sustainability.

CALENDAR

Parents: You're Always Welcome

Parents of current College and Eastman students, as members of the University community, are regularly invited to regional alumni programs. Visit the regional calendar for details and registration information.

Regional Events

Summer Send-offs: Freshman send-offs are planned in various cities around the country. See the full schedule.

Canandaigua: An Evening at the Wine & Culinary Center. Aug. 16.

Boston: Pawtucket Red Sox vs. Rochester Red Wings. Aug. 20

In Rochester

Tailgate Party for the Courage Bowl: Rochester vs. St. John Fisher. Sept. 19.

See more on the University Events Calendar.

Concerts

Eastman Virtuosi. 8 p.m. Sept. 12.

More events listed on Eastman's concert calendar.

SPORTS

Veterans Galore

Rochester's fall teams are filled with experienced players coming off strong seasons. Men’s and women’s soccer each made the NCAA Division III playoffs. Women’s cross country has two athletes back who ran in the national championship meet. Field hockey returns seven of its top eight scorers. Men’s cross country won the state championship. Football has 15 returning starters and women’s volleyball has 11 letter winners back on the floor. Women’s tennis won the ITA regional singles championship last season. Men’s tennis has a roster full of returnees and the golf team will try to build on last season’s runnerup finish at the Liberty League championships.

Yellowjackets at Home

Field Hockey: Sept. 5, Ohio Wesleyan, 11 a.m.; Sept. 9, Nazareth College, 7 p.m.; Sept. 11, SUNY Geneseo, 4 p.m.

Football: Sept. 12, Case Western Reserve, noon.

Men's Soccer: Sept. 1, St. John Fisher, 7 p.m.; Sept. 5-7, Flower City Tournament.

Women's Soccer: Sept. 4-6, Flower City Tournament.

Women's Volleyball: Sept. 8, Ithaca College, 7 p.m.

Yellowjackets Away

Cross Country: Sept. 19, University of Buffalo Invitational.

Field Hockey: Sept. 2, SUNY Cortland, 7 p.m.; Sept. 12, University of Scranton, 4 p.m.; Sept. 19, Hartwick College, 1 p.m.

Football: Sept. 19, Courage Bowl vs. St. John Fisher College, 7 p.m.

Golf: Sept. 12-13, St. Lawrence Invitational.

Women's Rowing: Sept. 19, Western Ontario Invitational in London, Ontario, 8 a.m.

Men's Soccer: Sept. 11, St. Lawrence, 4 p.m.; Sept. 13, Clarkson University, noon.

Women's Soccer: Sept. 1, SUNY Brockport, 5 p.m.; Sept. 11-12, Fredonia Tournament; Sept. 17, William Smith, 4 p.m.

Women's Volleyball: Sept. 4-6, Red Dragon Invitational at Cortland; Sept. 11-12, Hiram College Tournament; Sept. 15, SUNY Geneseo, 7 p.m.; Sept. 18-19, Rochester Institute of Technology Tournament.

For a full schedule: www.rochester.edu/athletics.