Legacy of racism in housing policies continues to affect maternal health
In a new study, coauthor Elaine Hill, an associate professor of public health sciences, of economics, and of obstetrics and gynecology, traces how redlining from decades ago in Rochester is associated with worse outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth experienced by Black women today.
In today’s issue:
There’s a flu vaccine clinic for students on the River Campus on October 14
Chief Financial Officer Holly Crawford is stepping down in November
The Mindful University Project is offering workshops to faculty on how to support students’ mental health
A reminder on face masks: they must be worn properly covering the nose and mouth indoors on the University’s campuses and properties. Visit the face mask FAQ page for full information. Face masks with air valves are not permitted, nor are face shields alone without a proper face mask underneath.
Holly Crawford to step down in November
Holly Crawford, the University’s senior vice president for administration and finance, chief financial officer, and treasurer, has announced that she is stepping down from her leadership roles in November to become the executive vice president of business affairs at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Crawford has served in her current role since 2016 and has been at the University since 1998. A national search for Crawford’s successor will be conducted. Plans for interim leadership of the Administration and Finance teams will be announced in the next few weeks.
October 14 student flu vaccine clinic on River Campus, options for faculty and staff
On Thursday, October 14, University Health Service (UHS) will host a flu vaccine clinic for students from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the River Campus; more information will follow on the exact location.
The flu shot is covered in full for all active members of the UR student health insurance plan (Aetna) and generally covered in full by most private insurance plans. Contact your insurance plan directly for specific coverage details. Flu vaccines offer the best and safest way to prevent the spread of the illness, and getting vaccinated does not cause the flu. Some people may react with a sore arm or feel achy after the shot, but this is much better than coming down with influenza.
Due to current staffing constraints, UHS is not able to host a flu clinic for faculty or staff this year and encourages employees to get their flu vaccine in one of the following ways:
Pharmacy walk-ins: This may be the easiest way for a lot of faculty and staff. With most health insurance plans, there is no cost when you visit a pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens, or Wegmans to receive a flu shot, and no appointment is needed.
Visit your primary care doctor. Your family doctor should have available the vaccine for you and your family. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months or older, and a high-dose vaccine may be available to individuals ages 65 years or older.
UHS continues to manage a full program of COVID-19 testing and prevention efforts on top of regular patient appointments, and the addition of a potential flu outbreak within the University community would significantly diminish their ability to see and care for all patients in need. And because symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are similar—both often including fever or chills, cough, sore throat, and congestion—it can be difficult to immediately distinguish which virus a patient may have, and this investigation period can quickly max out the quarantine and isolation spaces available to students. Getting a flu shot is one way that students can protect their own good health and that of the University community in the coming months.
Survey asks about pandemic experiences for bilingual, multilingual students
Maya Abtahian, an assistant professor of linguistics at Rochester, and Naomi Nagy, a professor of linguistics at the University of Toronto, are interested in how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected multilingual students whose living situations and communication patterns have changed as a result of the pandemic. Bilingual or multilingual students at the University who are at least 18 years old are invited to complete this brief survey. There is also an option to upload an audio or written description of your experience during the pandemic.
‘Implementing Change Through Local Politics’
In preparation for the upcoming local electoral cycle, the Committee for Political Engagement, a student group convened by the Center for Community Engagement, will host a discussion about the importance of local politics with Gerald Gamm, a professor of political science and of history, and Malik Evans, the unopposed Rochester mayoral candidate. The event, “Implementing Change Through Local Politics,” will take place Thursday, October 14, at 7 p.m. in the Gowen Room, Wilson Commons. Bring questions about local politics or the future of Rochester for the Q & A after the talk.
Imposter syndrome workshop for graduate students
Impostor syndrome, a feeling of self-doubt and trouble acknowledging your own success, is prevalent among high-achieving people, especially graduate students. In this workshop, you will learn how impostor syndrome can affect your academic and social success, how it intersects with biases present in society and academia, and how to address the impostor syndrome in the midst of a global pandemic. The talk, open to all University graduate students, will focus on practical techniques and will strive to build a community of interested parties. Students are welcome to follow and chat on Twitter with Josh Drew, an assistant professor of environmental biology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, ahead of time to raise specific questions or topics they’d like to see. The workshop will be held Thursday, October 14, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sands Constellation Auditorium on the third floor of Gleason Hall, and is brought to you by the Graduate Student Wellness Committee.
Updates to Student Employment Office contact information
The Student Employment Office has a new phone number and can now be reached at (585) 275-1146. The office is still located in Wallis Hall. The Financial Aid Office will no longer be directing calls.
The Mindful University Project is continuing to offer supporting student workshops throughout this academic year. Join Tricia Shalka, an assistant professor at the Warner School of Education, and Michael Siembor, a staff psychologist at the University Counseling Center, as they hold a dialogue on topics pertinent to student-facing faculty on trauma-informed pedagogy and supporting students’ mental health during COVID. These workshops will be held from noon to 1 p.m. EDT on October 21 and 27 via Zoom. Register here to attend.
Asian-American Pacific Islander support group
A new group led by Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) colleagues in the Department of Psychiatry will offer a safe space for AAPI employees as a source of emotional support, cross-cultural exchange, and advocacy around issues specific to AAPI populations such as institutional racism and discrimination. The AAPI support group is supported under the Department of Psychiatry’s Diversity, Inclusion, Culture, and Equity Board and meets every second Friday of the month at noon. For more information about joining, email Chinh Huynh.
Last chance to register for Walktober
Have you signed up for Well-U’s Walktober yet? Participate in the program and learn to develop a fitness habit for a lifetime of good health. Registration ends Friday, October 8.
Find, share, or plan your ride with 511NY Rideshare
Transportation and Parking Services has partnered with 511NY Rideshare to provide a free, interactive portal to help the University community plan better commutes, find carpool partners, and discover transit options.
Students can manage their daily campus commuting needs, arrange trips to and from home for holidays and academic breaks, and locate transportation to off-campus events. Employees can find others to share their work commute or arrange one-time rides, locate transportation, and more. Commuters can find park-and-ride locations and avoid traffic by using the real-time traffic map.
In addition to finding ride matches for carpools, employees and students can connect quickly to sustainable, affordable transportation, such as public transit and walking and biking routes. Bicycle commuters can find bike buddies who are interested in riding to work or school together. Users can create customized trips that find the best public transit options for commuting or traveling, including maps, using the trip planner.
Learn more and connect with others in the University community by registering and creating a free profile.
Attend a screening of Dante’s Inferno
Join the Italian Program within the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures for a screening of Dante’s Inferno. The event takes place Wednesday, October 13, at 7 p.m. in Fantone Lecture Hall in Goergen Hall, Room 109. Sandow Birk, an artist, illustrator, and editor of Dante’s Divine Comedy will be in attendance to answer questions. Refreshments will be served in adherence to the COVID-related University reception guidelines to those who register to attend by Friday, October 8. Email c.gambato@rochester.edu to register.
Last week, Golisano Children’s Hospital unveiled two new, state-of-the-art ambulances. Designed specifically for children and infants, these ambulances will help staff bring young patients from other Finger Lakes area hospitals faster and with high-tech equipment. The Neonatal Critical Care Transport vehicle will be particularly helpful for newborns who need care in the NICU.
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