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Message from Interim Dean Joan Saab

Saab sent the following message to the AS&E community in June before she started in her new role: On July 1, I begin my tenure as interim Dean of the Faculty for Arts, Sciences & Engineering. While this is a new position for me, AS&E has been my academic home for many years, and I am honored by this opportunity to help lead our schools and units.

I am grateful to Provost David Figlio for this opportunity, and I echo his sentiment that it is my job, and the job of all of us, to build and nurture the conditions that make Rochester the best possible place for all of us to learn, discover, heal, and create.

To do that work, we must begin with a vision of our future and a strategy on how to get there. I am eager to hear from all of you about the many ways we can explore opportunities for excellence, growth, and collaboration while we align with the University’s broader strategic plan.

I firmly believe we are partners in the future of AS&E. This fall, I will begin meeting with each department and will hold regular drop-in hours for any member of the AS&E community to meet with me and discuss our strategies and priorities for moving forward. Until then, you may  reach out to Tamara Evans (tamara.evans@rochester.edu) to request and schedule a time for us to meet.

I hope you all enjoy a healthy, relaxing, and productive summer, and I look forward to our work together.

Announcements

Web accessibility training in July: AS&E Web Communications will hold three web accessibility training sessions for AS&E faculty and staff on Zoom.

Tuesday, July 19, at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, July 20, at 2 p.m.
Thursday, July 21, at 10 a.m.

Please  RSVP to receive a calendar invite with the appropriate Zoom information. Contact Laura Barr with any questions.

Deadline for Course Operations Grant approaches: The Community Engaged Learning Program in the Center for Community Engagement announces an August 1 deadline for the Course Operations Grant for the fall 2022 semester. Launched in 2014, the grant provides funds to faculty and staff whose projects or courses combine academic learning and community engagement opportunities for undergraduate students in Arts, Sciences & Engineering.

The purpose of the grant is to support valuable community-university partnerships; address community-identified needs; and enhance student learning. Successful projects integrate community-based experiential opportunities in the Rochester area with traditional classroom learning. Community-engaged learning can be done in a way that is COVID-compatible (virtual/hybrid).

Funds can be used to support expenses associated with the course or project (e.g., transportation, course supplies, curriculum development, expenses incurred by partner organizations, etc.). Faculty and instructional staff may submit one proposal per course or project. Each proposal has a maximum award of $3,500 per course. Applications must be received by  August 1. For more information and to apply, click here.

Center for Education Abroad events: The Center for Education Abroad will host a virtual general information session, open to any student who wants to partake in an education abroad program on Wednesday, August 3. Links to the Zoom session can be found on the center’s events page. The Center for Education Abroad is also excited to announce that its annual Global Fair will be held in person this year on Wednesday, September 21. More information will be coming shortly.

Tasty Tuesday summer food trucks: Treat yourself to local cuisine from food trucks on Wilson Quad from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each  Tuesday during the summer. Featured trucks include the Poutine Truck, Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza, Morgan’s Cereal Bar, and more. Find the full  Tasty Tuesday schedule online. Whether you purchase food from the trucks or bring your own lunch, all are welcome to enjoy lawn games, music, and picnic blankets while savoring the summer weather. Food trucks will be serving rain or shine. Sponsored by  Wilson Commons Student Activities.

Nominate a colleague for an ACE Award: The University community is invited to  nominate AS&E staff members  who exemplify the University’s vision and values and go above and beyond their job to make AS&E and the University ever better. Successful nominations will highlight specific examples of tasks, projects, or activities where staff are exceeding their core functions. Staff can be nominated more than once, and winners will be chosen on the first of each month by Interim Dean Joan Saab.