Four new positive cases of COVID-19

Since Wednesday’s notice in @Rochester, there are four new cases of COVID-19 to report: two River Campus students and two 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.

University commits to $15 minimum wage by 2022

As the region’s largest employer and a member of the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, the University is announcing a commitment to set its minimum wage at $15 per hour by December 2022.

Embracing and celebrating equity and diversity in East High School classrooms

For the past five years through the school’s partnership with the University, with Superintendent Shaun Nelms ’04W (MS), ’13W (EdD) at the helm, East High School has been delivering instruction that is culturally relevant, responsive, and sustaining.

• 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

Rochester athletes share ‘How I Got Started’

Undergraduates from Rochester’s athletic teams share a little about their athletic, academic, and personal backgrounds. New profiles are added each day on the Athletics website. Recent profiles include

• Brian Amabilino Perez ’22, who started his basketball education in Europe, discusses his goal of working in biomedicine after commencement
• Trent Noordsij ’21, who has played in every men’s basketball game the last two seasons, talks about what led him to the sport
• Amanda Strenk ’22, a member of the women’s field hockey team, shares what compelled her to become a chemical engineering major
• Damon Yargeau ’22 discusses balancing his role on the Rochester football team with his engineering studies

Student Health Advisory Committee coffee hour

The University’s Student Health Committee wants to hear more from the student body about their health care needs and concerns this semester. Join the executive board in a casual discussion on how the committee can play a role in mediating student health concerns with health services on Friday, February 19, at 5 p.m. EST. You do not need to stay for the whole time if you are unable to do so.

Apply for the Institute for Music Leadership Grant and Mentorship Program

Applications are now open for the Institute for Music Leadership Grant and Mentorship Program, which provides students with opportunities to receive funding and mentorship to encourage new thinking and the development of innovative ideas in music. Successful recipients demonstrate creativity, innovation, uniqueness, passion, and the potential for sustainable initiatives and projects that will benefit their communities. This program is open to full-time, matriculated graduate or undergraduate students at the University. The deadline to apply is March 1.

Virtual writing support for AS&E graduate students and postdocs

This semester, the Graduate Writing Project is offering virtual writing support for AS&E graduate students and postdocs.

• One-on-one tutoring sessions: Writing Consultants are holding virtual tutoring sessions via Zoom by appointment. Schedule online here. Grad students and postdocs can schedule any available appointment, in addition to designated “grad student” hours.
• Virtual writing groups: Join faculty and grad students for weekly writing sessions via Zoom. Email Liz Tinelli for more information.
• Virtual workshops: Designed to help support your process of writing and revision. Event announcements are forthcoming.
• Virtual boot camps: Join grad students for virtual writing retreats based on your own goals and projects. These are offered throughout the academic year and summer.

Keep informed about upcoming writing events, like workshops or boot camps, by joining the listserv or following on Facebook. Email gradwriting@ur.rochester.edu with questions.

Stop and take a breath with mindfulness

Personal time to de-stress should be a priority in life, but in order to ensure that we take that time, it may need to be scheduled. In Well-U’s virtual mindfulness-based stress reduction program, you can learn skills that bring more balance, stability, and satisfaction to your life. Sign up now for the next program beginning on February 24.

Startup Bytes digital brown bag lunch series

Join the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship for Startup Bytes, a digital brown bag lunch featuring and for entrepreneurs and innovators. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to tune in via Zoom on Friday, February 19, from noon to 1 p.m. EST for a discussion on Innovation Square and Roc2025, two initiatives to develop the Rochester region.

School of Medicine and Dentistry open house

Learn about the 13 master’s degrees and nine advanced certificate programs, including family therapy, PhD program admissions, medical technology, and industry research, at an open house for the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Registration is required for the event, taking place Tuesday, March 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. EST.