With the holidays approaching, many offices and services across the University and Medical Center will have reported irregular hours of operation. We’ve noted a few of those at the end of the issue. And, a reminder that the last issue of @Rochester for 2021 will hit your inbox this Friday. Send any submissions to at-rochester@ur.rochester.edu by 2 p.m. today.
Also in today’s issue:
A COVID-19 message from Chief Medical Officer Michael Apostolakos
Former Medical Center faculty member Lawrence Tabak will serve as interim director of the National Institutes of 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.
Free COVID-19 Testing:Rapid COVID-19 antigen testing is available at no charge to asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff by appointment in Rettner Hall on River Campus.
COVID-19 update from Michael Apostolakos, chief medical officer
Michael Apostolakos, chief medical officer at Strong Memorial Hospital, has been at the forefront of treating, monitoring, and communicating about COVID-19 in the greater Rochester community since the pandemic began. His regular email updates have kept the Medical Center community apprised of the status of the infection and have included important details and resources on staying healthy, as well the current COVID-19 prevention protocols in place. Now, a digest form of these updates will be featured in @Rochester and on the University’s COVID-19 Resource Center as a way to share important information with the broader University community. Apostolakos’s message from December 14 follows.
With holidays just around the corner, everyone should be extra mindful to follow safety guidelines to prevent exposures to COVID and risk spending your holidays quarantined, or unknowingly bringing COVID to a holiday gathering. Some simple steps at work—especially at mealtimes when COVID exposures often occur between employees can help prevent exposures and ensure that you can safely celebrate holidays together with your loved ones.
Specifically, if you eat with others at work, space yourselves out around a table, maintaining at least six feet apart, regardless of how the furniture is arranged. Please follow all posted signage, eat only in designated areas, and remain masked in meeting spaces except during designated meal breaks. Following these guidelines will help to keep you safe, and your loved ones, too.
And we leave you with a significant milestone: December 14 marked the first anniversary of UR Medicine’s first COVID vaccinations. From the 10 shots we gave that day our effort has expanded to tens of thousands of doses. While COVID continues to surge locally, the good news is that each series of shots provides protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death for someone in our community. We’re grateful to everyone involved in the ongoing vaccination campaign, from those who helped with vaccine trials to those administering (and receiving!) the shots.
Are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed, homesick, or not sleeping well? A UR Connected Coach can help. This team of undergraduate and graduate student coaches has received specialized training in the areas of active listening, helping students in distress, and suicide prevention. They are also educated on all of the resources offered on campus, from academic support to navigating an off-campus therapy appointment to finding a program to improve your sleep habits. To get started, visit the UR Connected website. You can review coach profiles, choose one that will be a good fit, and schedule directly with them online.
Because of the University’s observance of the Christmas holiday on Friday, December 24, the pay date for biweekly hourly paid employees will be Thursday, December 23. This change affects payroll processing submission deadlines as follows:
For the biweekly hourly payroll for the pay period ending December 18, all time must be entered and approved by noon on Monday, December 20.
For the monthly and semimonthly payroll, all time exceptions must be entered and approved by noon on Monday, December 27.
Workshop series to support students’ mental health
The Mindful University Project is continuing to offer workshops centered on various topics related to supporting student mental health. Fill up your toolbox with skills to effectively meet the needs of students in the upcoming semester. Find a list of all of the sessions and registration information here.
The request for proposal and application are now available for the University Research Awards, providing seed money on a competitive basis for innovative research projects.
Applications are sought from faculty across the University, and funding is awarded to recipients who demonstrate their projects, when sufficiently developed, are likely to attract external support. Applications for planning grants are also encouraged. A review committee of faculty from across the University provides peer review of the applications. The fund has been increased from $500,000 annually to $1 million, with half of the funding coming from the President’s Fund and the rest being matched by the various schools whose faculty members are recipients.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. EST on January 31. Late submissions or revisions will not be accepted. Selected applicants may be asked to present their research project to the executive research committee prior to the final award decisions, which will be announced in mid-May. Recipients of this award are required to peer review future University Research Award proposals.
A virtual recognition event was held on November 19 to celebrate the 2021 President’s Staff Awards and the one-time 2020 Award. An article describing the work of each honoree along with a video recording of the event is available on the Awards and Recognition website. The nomination period for the 2022 Staff Awards—Witmer, Meliora, Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership, and Staff Community Service Awards—will open in early January with nominations due on February 16.
Therapy 101
There is no one-size-fits-all model for therapy because no two people experience stress, depression, and anxiety in the same way. Behavioral Health Partner’s December blog offers a brief introduction of six different therapeutic models used to treat anxiety and depression. Behavioral Health Partners is brought to you by Well-U, offering eligible individuals mental health services for stress, anxiety, and depression.
Discounts on Buffalo Bills games
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend one of the last three Buffalo Bills home games this season. You can purchase discounted tickets by using the promo code “21UofRochester.” For more information about discounted tickets for sporting events, visit the employee discounts website.
Consider making a year-end donation before December 31 to one of the University-based emergency funds or to any area of the University that is important to you. Your gift will be put to work immediately helping students, Medical Center patients, and staff who continue to deal with implications from the pandemic. The University also has a campus Food Pantry that can be restocked using both in-kind donations and charitable contributions. Gifts to these funds and many other priorities can be made through the #RochesterGives crowdfunding hub or throughpayroll deduction.
Go Green: ’Tis the season to be green
This week’s Go Green blog post offers tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle this holiday season. If you are taking some time away from the University, you can also find shut-down reminders to save energy in your absence.
These offices report special hours for the coming weeks
Event and Classroom Management Help Desk (Hoyt Hall G-15): Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during winter break. Closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.
Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters, Green Elevator Bar (Medical Center): Open 7 to 11 a.m. December 20–23 and 27–30. Closed December 24–26, 31, and January 1.
Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters, School of Medicine and Dentistry Cafe: Open 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. December 20–23 and 27–30. Closed December 24–26, 31, and January 1.
Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters, Strong Hospital Main Lobby: Open 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., December 20–23 and 27–30. Open 6:30 a.m. to noon December 24. Closed December 25. Open 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. December 26. Open 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. December 31. Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. January 1.
Friends of Strong Office: Closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.
Genesee Hall: During Winter Stay, December 18 through January 6, thepublic space will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Wednesdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays. Closed December 24, 31, and weekends.
International Services Office: Closed December 24 and 31. Open until 3 p.m. on December 23, and open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. December 27–30. Find further service details and winter holiday information.
Memorial Art Gallery: Closed on December 25 and January 1. Closing at 3 p.m. on December 24 and 5 p.m. on December 31.
River Campus ID Office: Closed December 20 through 31. Regular hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. resume January 3.
Spurrier Hall: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, during Winter Stay, December 18 through January 6. Closed December 24, 31, and weekends.
Strong Memorial Hospital Gift Shop: Open noon to 4 p.m. December 18. Closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.
Strong Memorial Hospital Garage Parking Office: Closing at 10 p.m. on December 23 and 30, and reopening at 7 a.m. on December 24 and 31.
UHS Winter Break hours: The River Campus office will be open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will be closed December 24 and 31. The officewill close for weekend hours on Saturday, December 18, and resume weekend hours on Saturday, January 15. The University Counseling Center will resume evening hours (open until 7 p.m.) beginning Thursday, January 13. The Medical Center officeis also open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday–Friday, and will be closed December 24 and 31. The Eastman School of Music office is closed for Winter Break and will reopen on January 10 at 9 a.m.
Wilson Commons: Open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Friday through Sunday throughout Winter Stay, December 18 through January 6. During this time, dining options from Monday through Thursday include The Pit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Starbucks from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Food Pantry will be open Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. Rocky’s Sub Shop & Lounge, The Common Market, Common Connection, and Hartnett Art Gallery will be closed. Douglass Commons will also be closed during Winter Stay and will reopen on January 8.
Writing, Speaking & Argument Program: On Thursday, December 23, and Thursday, December 30, the Writing, Speaking & Argument Program main office (Rush Rhees Library, Room G-122) walk-in office hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
@Rochester is produced daily by University Marketing and Communications. You are receiving this message as a member of the University of Rochester community or as a subscriber. Please do not forward this newsletter to other distribution lists.
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