University leaders encourage you to vote and make your voice heard
With the US general election approaching, the University’s Senior Leadership Group encourages faculty, staff, and students to exercise their right to vote—by absentee ballot, at an early voting site, or on Election Day on Tuesday, November 5. Find resources, key dates, and other details here.
In today’s issue:
Flu shot appointments for students
The next lecture for faculty in the Phelps Colloquium series
Pharmacy opens in Brooks Landing, increasing access to services in Rochester's 19th Ward
A new Brooks Landing pharmacy is opening this week at 910 Genesee Street in Rochester’s 19th Ward, helping to fill a void left by recent closures of commercial pharmacies in the neighborhood. “I’m extremely pleased that a new Highland Pharmacy has opened in the University’s Brooks Landing district to immediately help our neighbors by offering convenient access to needed prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and health guidance,” says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf.
Carlson Library third floor closed until further notice
Due to a water leak, the third floor of Carlson Library will be closed until further notice. In the meantime, all books and materials from the third floor are available to request online via library.rochester.edu. For assistance, reach out to library staff at ask@library.rochester.edu.
Student appointments available for flu shots
On Thursday, October 17, University Health Service (UHS) will host a flu vaccine clinic for students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Goergen Athletic Center located across from Fauver Stadium. A separate flu vaccine clinic for Eastman School of Music students will be held on Friday, October 25, at the Eastman Student Living Center. Students scheduling an appointment for a flu shot should do so through UHSConnect:
Click on Appt. Scheduling and then Schedule Appt. to schedule an appointment. You will first need to read and accept the Terms of Service.
Select UHS-Vaccine Clinic in the Office Location field.
Select October 17–October 17 (or October 25–October 25 for Eastman) in the Date From and Date To fields.
Click on Flu Vaccine Clinic–River Campus or Flu Vaccine Clinic–ESM as the Reason for Appointment.
Click Search.
Schedule your appointment by clicking on one of the appointments listed on the right side of the screen.
Click Confirm to schedule your appointment.
The flu vaccine is covered in full for all active members of the UR student health insurance plan (Aetna) and is 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 vaccine, but this is much better than coming down with influenza.
Getting a flu vaccine is one way to protect your health and that of the University community in the coming months. Other important ways to prevent illness are to wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use and wash your hands. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, get regular activity, and rest.
Employees can get their flu vaccine in one of the following ways:
Pharmacy walk-ins. This may be the easiest way for most 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 vaccine, and no appointment is needed.
Visit your primary care doctor. Your family doctor should have the vaccine available for you and your family. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, and a high-dose vaccine may be available to individuals ages 65 years or older.
Looking for ways to connect with employers and explore career opportunities firsthand? The Greene Center has organized five road trips this fall to top employers in the Rochester region. Each trip offers an exclusive look into the organization with site tours and networking opportunities, allowing you to build connections and gain career insights. Spaces are limited, so save your spot today.
Through its Total Rewards program, the University offers compensation and comprehensive benefits such as health care, tuition, retirement, and more that empower faculty and staff. Open Enrollment, your opportunity to take action on many of the University’s benefits, runs Wednesday, October 16, through Wednesday, October 30. Visit the Open Enrollment website to learn more about what’s new in 2025, and review the 2025 Open Enrollment planning steps.
Phelps Colloquium lecture
The Phelps Colloquium lecture series gives faculty opportunities to learn about research taking place campus-wide, spend time with colleagues outside their normal spheres, and promote cross-school and crossdiscipline collaborations. James Druckman, the Martin Brewer Anderson Professor of Political Science, presents “(Dis)trust in America: How Divergent Trust in Science Fuels Partisan Polarization” on Wednesday, October 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Eisenberg Rotunda, Schlegel Hall. Register here to attend.
Safe Space Lab: ‘The Realities of Being Intersex’
The Office of Human Resources Learning and Development team presents the next Safe Space Lab, “The Realities of Being Intersex,” on Tuesday, October 24, at noon. The one-hour, virtual, session will include a presentation by Jim Costich who was born at Strong Hospital in 1957 with ambiguous genitals and has lived his life as an out and honest intersex person. This conversation will offer insight into Costich’s life experience beyond the gender binary. Safe Space Labs are for employees to learn more about LGBTQ+ issues. Register in MyPath by searching for “Safe Space Lab.” For questions, contact Scott.Fearing@rochester.edu.
Navigating political stress
The political season can cause feelings of anxiety and uneasiness. You may also find yourself in the middle of an uncomfortable conversation with differing political views. This week’s UR Medicine EAP Blog provides tips, mindful strategies, and self-care techniques to help manage the impact on your life. UR Medicine EAP is brought to you by Well-U, helping eligible individuals assess issues and provide short-term counseling and referrals.
On Friday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the National Scleroderma Foundation Rochester Group is hosting a Rochester Patient Education Forum in the Ryan Case Method Room (1-9576), on the first floor of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Patients with autoimmune conditions and their families, healthcare providers, and medical students, are invited to attend. The forum is free to all and lunch will be served. RSVP here to attend.
OUTBreath queer-centered mindfulness series
Join OUTBreath, a queer-centered mindfulness series open to all undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty. Kyle Trenshaw will be facilitating a queer-centered space inspired by Jacoby Ballard’s A Queer Dharma: Yoga and Meditations for Liberation. While all are welcome to participate, allies are encouraged to “step back” during debriefs to create space for queer voices and ensure a safe environment for everyone. Sessions are on Zoom at 5:30 p.m. on October 10, 17, 24, and 31. Sign up here.
Grand rounds webinar on best practices in aging services
Celebrate overcoming research barriers at the Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Translational Science Day on Tuesday, October 29, from 8 to 2:30 p.m. in Helen Wood Hall. The event includes presentations, workshops, competitions, and the largest gathering of Medical Center research support providers in years. You can attend all day or participate in select programming. Find full details here.
Cheer on Rochester’s varsity teams at home contests scheduled for this coming week. Events are weather-dependent. Find more information on the Athletics website and social media channels.
Saturday, October 5
Football vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, noon
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