New, sophisticated job scam targets University students, employees

Information Security has become aware of a new variety of fraudulent emails targeting students with convincing offers of employment—these messages are scams. The latest versions appear to come from real University of Rochester entities and staff, engaging victims with telephone “interviews” and even providing legitimate-looking University checks for victims to deposit towards office supplies and computer equipment. Examples of these messages are available here. Note that the sender and subject may change.

What you should know:

• University officials never ask you to purchase gift cards, cash checks, or wire or Venmo money.
• Student employment opportunities will never be processed through a text message.
• Student employment opportunities will never require you to spend your own money or purchase your own supplies.
• Student employment opportunities should always come from a rochester.edu email address, never external or Gmail accounts.

What you should do:

• If you receive an unexpected message like this, forward the email as an attachment to abuse@rochester.edu, then delete the message and do not respond.
• If you have already made purchases or wire transfers, contact the Department of Public Safety to file a report.
• Confirm the sender’s address matches their official address in the online directory
• If you ever question the validity of a message or its sender, contact University IT or the ISD help desk.

Contact information for student employment can be found here. Learn more about protecting yourself from email and online scams.

AEFIS changed to HelioCampus with new URL

This summer, the AEFIS (Assessment, Evaluation, Feedback, and Intervention System) name was updated to HelioCampus. The website URL has been updated, as has the HelioCampus Support email address. While the URL will be in all communications from the system, you’ll want to follow these steps from IT Security to bookmark the new URL:

• Delete your old bookmark, if applicable.
• Go to the new website URL and log in with your Active Directory credentials.
• Once you reach your dashboard, favorite the page.

Keep your personal information safe while traveling this holiday season

Information Security offers the following advice for protecting yourself from cybercriminals this holiday season: When traveling, pay extra attention to bank accounts, secure personal devices with passcodes, and try to avoid using free public WIFI or consider using a VPN when connecting if necessary. Hold off on sharing information on social media until you return home, as cybercriminals often troll accounts looking for vulnerabilities. As a reminder, the holiday season is a joyful time for scammers trying to steal your data. Avoid all suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages requesting immediate action—such as gift card purchasing or UPS or USPS delivery—or personal information.

For more tips on staying secure during the holiday season, faculty, staff, and students are invited to the next “Ask Security Anything” Zoom session on Thursday, December 5, from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, visit the Ask Security Anything web page.

‘Paws for Stress Relief’ with therapy dogs

Feeling stressed? Stop by the Goergen Athletic Center and meet therapy dogs today, December 2, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Peer Health Advocates will also be there with giveaways including lavender sachets and stress balls. Brought to you by the UHS Health Promotion Office.

Night to Write

At Night to Write, undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Arts & Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences can drop in anytime and write as long as they like. Snacks, coffee, and good company will help fuel productivity and fight end-of-semester procrastination. Writing tutors and librarians will be available to help and answer questions. Attend today, December 2, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Hawkins-Carlson Room, Rush Rhees Library.

Schwartz Discover Grant virtual information session

The Schwartz Discover Grant is a $5,000 award for summer research open to all undergraduates who will be returning in fall 2025. Learn about it at a virtual information session and student panel on Wednesday, December 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. Register for the virtual session here.

Teaching Innovation Grant

Instructors teaching courses that enroll students in the School of Arts & Sciences or Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences can apply for up to $12,500 to support integrating high-impact practices into two instances of a course. The application deadline is January 8 for fall 2025–spring 2026 courses. Learn more here.

Reduce your health risks through Well-U

Diabetes, osteoporosis, heart attack, and more may be avoided by discovering what body weight is right for you and making changes in Well-U’s healthy weight program. One-on-one sessions with an expert wellness coach will assist you in setting goals, creating new habits, and feeling your best. Enroll here.

Grand rounds webinar on extreme risk protection orders

Attend a public health grand rounds webinar on Friday, December 6, at noon, on extreme risk protection orders—civil court orders that temporarily prevent a person at extreme risk of harming themselves or others and who is behaving dangerously from possessing or purchasing firearms. Register to attend via Zoom. Email Carolyn Settle with questions.

Works by Mendelssohn and Elgar at Eastman

The Eastman Philharmonia and the Eastman-Rochester Chorus present a program of late 19th- and early 20th-century works on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. The performance is free and open to the public.