Request for proposals—Career Curriculum Course Development Grants: The Greene Center is now accepting applications from AS&E faculty for course development grants. Funding is available to support the integration of career-related activities into new or existing courses for the 2022–23 academic year. In addition to financial support, faculty will receive resources for and guidance on curriculum development, integration, and learning assessments. For more information and to apply by the November 15 deadline, click here.

Academic honesty: Proctoring on Zoom and clarifying areas of confusion. With midterms underway, we encourage AS&E faculty and teaching staff whose courses include synchronous online assessments to follow guidelines AS&E-published governing how Zoom may be used to proctor exams in AS&E courses.  Find the complete document here.

More broadly, in addition to calling attention to the College’s honesty policy, we also encourage faculty and staff to continue clarifying any course- and/or assignment-specific expectations they have set. Common areas students most need to be clarified may include:

1. That sharing of NetID passwords and login credentials is never permitted (see AS&E’s Academic Honesty Policy section V.B.8., “Misuse of a Username”);
2. That they may not distribute instructor-created course materials without expressed (written) permission; this includes (but is not limited to) pre-recorded lectures, recordings of Zoom meetings, and problem sets (see section V.B.7., “Unauthorized Recording”);
3. That they should avoid using cheating sites like Chegg.com, Slader.com, or similar (although such sites advertise “homework help,” they are predatory; there are more effective resources on campus available to support students’ learning in legitimate ways) (see section V.B.1., “Unauthorized Aid”);
4. That expectations for collaboration, note-taking, and authorized materials may not be as obvious in online or hybrid learning, but they should feel free to follow up (with you or the Honesty Liaison) to ask questions, and you will be specific as possible in responding;
5. That the honesty liaison is always available for confidential consultations, scheduled at mywco.com/honesty.

Please send any questions, comments, or concerns about teaching to support academic honesty to Greer Murphy, academic honesty liaison at honestyliaison@ur.rochester.edu. Send questions or concerns about how to report cases of dishonesty to Greer or to Elaine Sia, academic honesty board chair at college.honesty@ur.rochester.edu.

Silent meditation retreat: On October 30, the Mindful University Project will be holding its Relax and Renew Retreat. Held on the River Level of the Interfaith Chapel, participants will experience four hours of noble silence while engaging in a variety of contemplative practices including:

• Breath Awareness Meditation
• Gentle yoga
• Mindful walking
• Dharma talks (a lesson about the practice of mindfulness in everyday life)

Retreats are cofacilitated by certified Koru Mindfulness teachers and a UCC staff psychologist in attendance for individual support. Prior meditation experience is not necessary to participate. Please bring a yoga mat if you have one, and dress comfortably. Retreats are free of charge and open to all University students, faculty, and staff members. Register here to be a part of this event.

Supporting Students