University update on New York State aligning with CDC masking guidance
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided updated guidance suggesting that fully vaccinated individuals may safely unmask in many settings. On May 17, New York State announced that it would align with the CDC’s guidance, effective Wednesday, May 19. CURT and University leadership are closely following these announcements and will make a determination on how the New York State/CDC guidance may affect different University operations, activities, and protocols. New York State is expected to soon provide written guidance that will help guide the University’s decision-making.
Therefore, until further notice, the University is still requiring masks to be worn indoors, and they should still be worn by people who are not fully vaccinated when outdoors. All individuals are required to wear masks outdoors when attending crowded settings, events, and gatherings.
The Medical Center also announced last week via the URMC This Week newsletter how this guidance relates to its clinical care settings. It’s noted that vaccinated individuals must cover their faces and physically distance when in clinical settings and long-term care facilities, and all COVID-related safety measures and processes at the Medical Center and UR Medicine remain in place until further notice.
In today’s issue:
The Medical Center is joining a national clinical trial to study the immune responses of women who get their COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth
The TRANSFORM Research Center hosts a conversation on addressing community trauma
We continue to highlight members of the Class of 2021
Since Monday’s notice in @Rochester, there are no new cases of COVID-19 to report. 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.
The Medical Center is continuing to make vaccine clinic appointments available to all University faculty, staff, and students. Visit the URMC COVID Clinic List to register.
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.
Norwood will be presented the School of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award during the College’s ceremony. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science.
Rapid at-home tests would be helpful as well, said Nancy Bennett, director of the Center for Community Health & Prevention. She said they could help people “self-manage their illnesses.”
'Lunch and Listen' program for Medical Center staff and clinical workers features marimba program
The next “Lunch and Listen” concert from Eastman Performing Arts Medicine and the Office of Patient Experience takes place today, Tuesday, May 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. Medical Center staff and clinical workers can join via Zoom to hear artists from the Eastman School of Music, and call in to make requests. This week’s concert features Kyle Peters ’17E (MM), percussion instructor at Eastman Community Music School, on marimba.
Teaching reflection workshop
Since the pivot to online instruction in March 2020, instructors have experienced significant changes in their teaching and the teaching environment. This session offers instructors a structured opportunity to reflect on the impact of the disruptions to in-person instruction on their courses. Participants will clarify for themselves the value of what they lost, gained, and learned in their courses during the past year and will use those reflections to articulate the values they hope will guide their teaching going forward. This three-hour workshop will include synchronous Zoom sessions for peer reflection bookending an offline writing block for self-reflection and will be held Tuesday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to noon EDT. To register, ask questions, or request accommodations, contact Rachel Remmel at the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at rachel.remmel@rochester.edu.
Send in your digital teaching ideas
The past year has provided ample opportunity for faculty members and instructors to develop innovative applications for digital tools and approaches to education. If you’ve been successful in this area, share your results with DigITaL (Digital Ideas in Teaching and Learning), Rochester’s open-access site for case studies related to the digital classroom. DigITaL is accepting proposals until Friday, June 4, at 11:59 p.m. Contact Kristen Totleben, River Campus Libraries; Stu Jordan, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; or Jason Wagner, Arts, Sciences, & Engineering IT, with questions.
Online tuition waiver application available for summer 2021
The online employee tuition waiver application is now available in HRMS using the following path: Self Service>Benefits>Tuition>Apply Employee Tuition Waiver. Submit your application within 30 days from the start of your course and it will go directly to your supervisor for approval. Learn more here.
Discount for child care available
In addition to administering the University’s on-site child care center, KinderCare offers a 10 percent discount on tuition to all University employees at any KinderCare child care center across the country. Visit the Family Care web page to learn more about this discount or other family care programs offered to employees.
'Crisis as Opportunity: Building Community Bridges to Address Trauma'
Join the Translational Research that Adopts New Science For Maltreatment (TRANSFORM) Research Center in a conversation about the effects of traumas on communities and about ways to work towards community resilience. Register to attend the free webinar, which takes place Thursday, May 20, at noon EDT.
Join a virtual book discussion with the Green Reps
Join the Green Reps for a virtual book discussion of The Day It Snowed in San Diego with author Brian Conlon ’08 on Friday, May 21, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. RSVP here to attend. Email the Green Reps with questions.
Classes for National Bike Month
May is National Bike Month and whether you’re pedaling your first mile or every mile from home to work or school, bike riding is a fun and healthy way to commute. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to ride a bike as an adult, or if you have a child you would like to teach to ride, tune in to the Learn to Ride class being held on Tuesday, May 25. Want to learn about choosing a bicycle and what essential equipment you might need? Join the Safe Cycling class on Thursday, May 27. Classes are hosted by the Department of Transportation and Parking Management and held from noon to 1 p.m. EDT, with time for questions at the end. Registration is required.
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