New project leverages AI for music production system

A team of researchers from the Eastman School of Music, Warner School of Education, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and the School of Arts & Sciences—along with Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering—are collaborating to leverage and better utilize artificial intelligence to empower musicians to produce and disseminate their art more effectively and independently.

Eastman School of Music alumni receive Grammy nominations

Several graduates of the Eastman School of Music have received nominations for the 65th Grammy Awards. There are also several Eastman alumni who performed on nominated albums.

Migration of Cylance antivirus software to CrowdStrike endpoint protection

To provide a safer and better user experience, the University is changing its endpoint protection (antivirus) from Cylance to CrowdStrike. Over the next several weeks, University managed computers enrolled in SCCM or JAMF will automatically install CrowdStrike and remove Cylance with no action required. ​Once CrowdStrike is activated, the only difference you will notice will be the missing Cylance shield in the taskbar. CrowdStrike runs silently in the background with no visible indication. ​

In the coming months, University IT will provide information on how to update endpoint protection for non-managed computers and tips for students to protect personal machines. Find more information here.

Learn from Grand Challenges Scholars

Three Grand Challenges Scholars are sharing their experiences in the program with other students during drop-in sessions at the iZone this semester.

• Hesham Elshafey ’25 of electrical and computer engineering, 1 to 3 p.m. today, November 21, and again on December 1 and 8.
• Abbey Kampel ’23, a biomedical engineering and psychology major, 4 to 5:30 p.m. on December 6.
• Danielle Getz ’23 of chemical engineering, 2 to 4 p.m. on December 16.

The program, open to students in any discipline, invites undergraduates to pick one of 14 “grand challenges” of the 21st century, identified by the National Academy of Engineering. Students tailor their academic experiences to address the challenge they’ve chosen, engaging in five key competencies: research, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary studies, global experience, and service.

Apply to be a 2023–24 Orientation Leader

The Office of Orientation and First-Year Programs is now accepting applications for Orientation Leaders for the 2023–24 academic year. Orientation Leaders are AS&E undergraduate students responsible for mentoring a cohort of incoming first-year and transfer students, as well as developing and leading virtual and in-person programs ahead of their arrival and during their first year on campus. The position is paid and year-round, with 30-40 hours of work per week in the summer and up to 10 hours of work offered per month during the academic year. On-campus housing is provided in the summer. Register for upcoming info sessions and learn more on the Orientation and First-Year Programs website.

Submit a nomination for the Singer Family Prize for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching

Members of the senior class in the College have the opportunity to recognize and honor a high school teacher who significantly influenced them by submitting a nomination for the Singer Prize for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching. Four teachers will be selected from the nominees; the winning teachers will be acknowledged in a ceremony in May. The winners and their schools will also receive a financial prize. Nominations may be completed online or emailed to collegedean@UR.rochester.edu and are due December 16.

Vision coverage reminder

If you enrolled in VSP for your routine vision coverage—you would see Benefit Extras Before Tax on your paystub—don’t forget to take advantage of it during the calendar year. You don’t need a card to utilize your benefits. At your eyecare appointment, tell them your VSP ID number, which is 3 zeros followed by your employee ID number. Learn more about your coverage here.

Find the right path to financial well-being

Do you need help reviewing or selecting the right investment options to meet your future financial goals? TIAA offers free in-person and virtual one-on-one consultation sessions to help you with your retirement and other financial goals. You can sign up for a session online or by calling (800) 410-6497, weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST.

“What really makes a country great? What will we be remembered for a thousand years from now? … And it’s this!”

Adam Frank, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor of Physics and Astronomy, shares his excitement on CNN following the successful test launch of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission, the first major milestone in bringing astronauts back to the Moon and eventually to Mars.