The International Students’ Association is hosting Cultural Night on Saturday, February 15, at 6 p.m. in Upper Strong Auditorium. Students and student organizations will showcase their different cultures and art forms to celebrate and spread awareness about the international diversity at Rochester.
To represent your country/culture/art form, sign up here. Anyone can represent their culture/art form, and you don’t have to be part of any student organization to participate. The International Students’ Association will take care of accommodations, including rehearsals, to be prepared for the event. The deadline to sign up is today, February 5, by midnight.
Drag Race star Thorgy Thor and the Thorcestra at Eastman Theatre
Free student tickets are available for Thorgy Thor, a New York City-based drag performance artist and professional strings musician, in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on Thursday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free for students across all University schools, but are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free shuttles are available from Rush Rhees Library to and from the event. Tickets and shuttles are provided by the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and the Office of Community Partnerships. Register here by Friday, February 7.
Spring Meliora Collective Mentorship Program
The Spring 2025 Meliora Collective Mentorship Program is your chance to connect with a Rochester alumnus who can answer questions, share career insights, and help you navigate your next steps. Learn more and register by Sunday, February 9.
Be a Student Alumni Ambassador
The Student Alumni Ambassadors for the School of Arts & Sciences and Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences are a select group of undergraduate students who serve as a bridge to the University alumni community by representing the student body, providing a glimpse of current student culture, and sharing their personal Rochester experience.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on Sunday, February 9. Learn more and apply here, and follow the program on Instagram. Email Karen Carhart with questions. You must be enrolled during the 2025–26 academic year to apply. Those studying abroad this spring are welcome to apply.
Register for the ‘Hackathon’ to solve food waste
The Sustainability Office’s Team Green invites students to participate in its Hackathon event, “Too Sustainable to Handle.” Over the two-day competition, small student teams will work together to form creative solutions to this year’s chosen sustainability issue: reducing student-generated food waste. The event takes place on Saturday, February 15, and Sunday, February 16. Learn more and register your team.
Nominations open for annual President’s Staff Awards
The nomination period for the President’s Staff Awards opens today, February 5. Nominate a colleague whose innovative leadership, dedication, and sustained contributions have had a positive impact on the University and the community. The deadline to submit a nomination is March 5. Learn more about the awards below and find details on the HR website.
The Witmer Award for Distinguished Service honors a select number of employees for careers characterized by outstanding and sustained contributions to the University.
The Meliora Award recognizes a staff member or team of staff whose work and performance exemplify the University’s motto, Meliora.
The Staff Community Service Award honors a nonmanagement staff member whose volunteer service to the University or a nonprofit within the Greater Rochester community is outside of their usual assignment.
The Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award recognizes a staff member for innovative and proactive leadership.
Workshop on designing exams that measure student learning
Open to all University instructors, this one-hour Teaching Center Zoom workshop supports instructors in using evidence-based practices to design effective exams that align with course-level learning outcomes, evaluate student learning, and are equitable and accessible for diverse learners. Register here to attend on Friday, February 7, from noon to 1 p.m.
Feedback Fruits information session
The University has secured spring semester access to Feedback Fruits, a set of innovative tools designed to foster collaboration and provide more effective feedback between instructors and students. Integrating seamlessly with Blackboard, Feedback Fruits enables you to:
Form student groups and facilitate confidential peer feedback
Scale feedback activities for large courses with ease
Implement self- and peer-assessment for more in-depth reflection and improvement
Learn how to use these tools at an information session on Monday, February 10, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Register here to attend.
Staff appreciation event at MAG
Join President Sarah Mangelsdorf for a staff appreciation event at the Memorial Art Gallery on Wednesday, February 12, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Explore the museum, take in live music, and enjoy food and drinks. Register here to attend.
Spring tuition benefit applications in Workday
Are you utilizing employee tuition benefits for a spring 2025 course? If so, submit the corresponding application in myURHR Workday within 30 days of the start of the course. Submit your application by logging into myURHR Workday, clicking on “Benefits and Pay” on the homepage under “Apps,” and then clicking on “Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application” under “Suggested Links.” Additional information can be found on the Tuition Benefits website.
Meet with a dietitian during Well-U’s nutrition program
Through Well-U, the Nutrition and You program allows eligible employees to chat with a registered dietitian to address personal dietary goals and needs. Once completed, earn an incentive and apply the expert knowledge towards building healthy habits. Sign up here.
The First Gen Committee is co-sponsoring Club Rochester with Wilson Commons Student Activities on Friday, February 7, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons. “Wild Wild West”-themed food, decor, and drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) provided.
Calming U classes
Open to all University students, staff, and faculty, the first series of Calming U of the semester will take place on Mondays from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. in the Humanities Center, Conference Room D, beginning on February 10. Immerse yourself in soothing guided meditations, reflective exercises, and conversations. Register to reserve your spot.
Help shape the future of University websites
Do you manage or update a University website? University Marketing and Communications is partnering with OHO, a higher-ed web consulting agency, to learn more about your processes and challenges. Your insights will guide how the department better supports web administrators and enhances the University’s online presence. Take a few minutes to complete the confidential survey by Monday, February 10.
@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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