Two new positive cases of COVID-19

Since Tuesday’s notice in @Rochester, there are two new cases of COVID-19 to report: two River Campus employees. Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily. Whenever a new case is known, the contact-tracing process begins immediately with confirmed exposures being contacted and required to quarantine.

It’s extremely important for the health of the University community that individuals continue to adhere to the face masking and social distancing protocols. Even as some individuals are now receiving their first or second dose of the vaccine, these practices to prevent the transmission of the virus cannot be relaxed.

If you think you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, it’s important to report them through Dr. Chat Bot—for non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students and for Medical Center employees immediately. Even if you think your symptoms might be something else—like a cold, seasonal congestion, or allergies—it’s still important to tell University health professionals and contact tracers what you’re experiencing.

Rochester scientists receive Sloan Fellowships

Manuel Gomez-Ramirez and Martina Poletti, both assistant professors of brain and cognitive sciences and of neuroscience, are among this year’s recipients of Sloan Research Fellowships, recognizing young scientists for their independent research accomplishments, creativity, and potential to become leaders in the scientific community.

Reminder on extra student spaces available to safely meet, study, dine

With current COVID-19 restrictions limiting traditional gathering campus spaces for students, spaces have been specifically created to safely accommodate students’ different meeting needs. Find more information on designated areas for meals and snacks; general study spaces; reserving a space for a remote class or private appointment through the Event and Classroom Management Form; and reserving space for practicing music for students at the Eastman School of Music and on River Campus.

HR Intercom highlights Zoom captioning and more

This month’s issue of HR Intercom, a newsletter with information about Human Resources programs and materials, includes information on Zoom captioning, the new manager’s toolkit, and more.

• Dr. Chat Bot: Non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students | Medical Center employees
• What to do if you or your close contacts have symptoms or have been exposed
• University’s COVID-19 Resource Center
• Medical Center’s COVID-19 update page
• COVID-19 Concern Report

Wellness Wednesday: Mental health

We’ve all been living under COVID-19 long enough to know you don’t need to have the virus to be affected. There’s a good chance that what you or someone you know is feeling isn’t a Case of the Mondays, just a bad day, or the oppressive gray of winter. However, if it does happen to be the perma-gray, you can pick-up a Seasonal Affective Disorder lamp from Common Connection in Wilson Commons. Reserve your SAD lamp here.

If your mental health is suffering for reasons unrelated to the season, consider reaching out to the University Counseling Center—you’ll receive a comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment plan. And if you see someone else who is really struggling, contact the CARE Network. A member of the CARE staff will then reach out to this person and offer them a supportive conversation. Anyone can submit a referral.

Check in next Wednesday for more tips and resources that will help you stay focused, healthy, and connected.

International internships information session

Join the Center for Education Abroad and their partner Absolute Internship to learn more about international internship opportunities. The session, which is geared toward undergraduates in Art, Sciences & Engineering, will also discuss remote international internships available. Remote internships are a project-based internship experience that can be done from a remote location, without the need to be physically present at the office during office hours. These internships will allow you to market yourself to future employers, prove your worth remotely at no travel cost, and kick-start an international career from anywhere. Register here for the session, taking place Thursday, February 18, at 4 p.m. EST.

e5 scholar info session

The e5 program offers selected students a fifth, tuition-free year of college to launch a project and engage in an experiential or entrepreneurial pursuit. Learn more by attending a virtual information session Friday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m. EDT. Register to attend here. The spring online application deadline is April 1. Seniors may only apply during the fall semester. Contact Angela Buchiere at angela.buchiere@rochester.edu with questions.

Apply to join the Committee for Political Engagement

Do you care about political engagement on campus? If so, apply now to become a member of the Committee for Political Engagement, a student-led group that works to promote non-partisan engagement with domestic and international politics and provides the University community with opportunities for voter registration, issue education, conferences, and more. The committee is open to undergraduates in AS&E and at the Eastman School of Music. Applications are due February 26. Learn more on the committee’s Instagram page or website.

Address your stress

How is your health affected by stress and how can you handle it so that you live your best life? Virtually explore five ways to take back control on Monday, February 22, at noon EST with Well-U’s lifestyle management team.

Nominations due February 25 for the 12th annual Satcher Community Health Improvement Awards

The Center for Community Health & Prevention invites Medical Center faculty and staff to nominate colleagues for the 12th annual Dr. David Satcher Community Health Improvement Awards. Self-nominations are also accepted. The awards recognize faculty and staff for significant contributions to the health of the community through research, teaching, practice, and service programs. The awards reflect the shared mission of the Center for Community Health & Prevention and the Medical Center to develop and expand University-community partnerships that support participatory research and interventions to reduce health inequalities and improve the community’s health. The nomination deadline is noon on Thursday, February 25. Learn more here.

'Voices of XR' speaker series

Join Studio X at the River Campus Libraries for a conversation with Renée Stevens, the associate chair of the Visual Communications Department at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. This talk takes place today, Wednesday, February 17, at 10:25 a.m. EST. Register to attend, and learn more about the full spring 2021 series.

Listen to platinum recording artist Young MA

Join Young MA for a live Q&A with a custom setlist performance today, Wednesday, February 17, at 9 p.m. EST. Young MA’s single “OOOUUU” has 4x platinum status, broke the Billboard Top 10, and the video has over 336 million YouTube views. She has toured with 21 Savage, opened for Beyoncé, and made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. This is part of a virtual tour series featuring a different performer each Wednesday. Register online for access to this exclusive virtual show.

Data science research seminar

Join the Goergen Institute for Data Science on Friday, February 19, for “SLIDE: Commodity Hardware is All You Need for Large-Scale Deep Learning,” a research seminar with Anshumali Shrivastava, an assistant professor of computer science at Rice University. This Zoom-based talk will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. EST.

Future Focus: A conversation with Jalil Muntaqim

Attend a moderated discussion followed by an audience Q&A with Jalil Muntaqim, an activist, author, and former member of the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army. The event takes place Friday, February 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. EST.

Learn how to be an effective ally to teens of color