University flags on the Eastman Quadrangle and near the entrance of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, and the flags atop the Eastman Theatre at the corner of Gibbs and Main Streets, will be lowered on Thursday, January 29, for Stefani Schmitz, a fellow in the Department of Emergency Medicine, who died on December 27. Schmitz joined the University in 2021.

New URochester research suggests that listeners—regardless of formal musical training—can track complex tonal structures, offering a unique look at how the brain processes context.

Learn the skill of remaining calm during high-stress moments and move into the new year with a sense of balance and control in Well-U’s stress reduction program. Register here for virtual sessions that begin Thursday, January 15, at noon. Complete the program and earn $150.

Personal health assessments are a simple, confidential, and no-cost way for eligible University employees to get a clear picture of their present health. Fill out two short online health surveys, complete your biometric screening, and earn a $150 incentive.

If you were approved for the 2026 child care subsidy, you can now log into Lifetime Benefit Solutions and start the claim/reimbursement process. Submit a claim via the member portal or mobile app. If you have not previously logged into your account, follow these new user instructions. Visit the Family Care website for more information.

Have quick questions about the University’s retirement program, or need help enrolling online? Stop by the Sarah Flaum Atrium on Wednesday, January 14, between 1:30 and 3:30 pm to chat with a TIAA representative.

Open to all URochester instructors, this Teaching Center Zoom workshop offers support in writing course-level learning outcomes that are challenging, achievable, and directly measurable using backward design principles. Register to attend on Thursday, January 15, from 11 a.m. to noon or on Friday, January 16, from noon to 1 p.m.

On Tuesday, January 13, at 4:30 p.m., the Fellowships Office will host an online information session on the Zero Hunger Internships at the Congressional Hunger Center. These paid opportunities let college students and recent graduates gain work experience at anti-hunger organizations. Registration is required.

Effective January 11, the University will resume withholding diplomas for students with an unpaid past-due balance of $100 or more owed to the University. This policy is reflected in the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement completed before enrolling in spring 2026 courses. The policy does not impact graduation, and students will still be able to receive their official transcripts, which verify that they have earned their degree. For questions about past-due balances, contact the Bursar’s Office. For all other related questions, contact the University Registrar.

Open to all URochester graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, the Teaching Center’s spring graduate student and postdoctoral fellow teaching book club offers the opportunity to learn more about and share effective, evidence-based, and learner-centered teaching practices. This club meets in person on the River Campus four times a semester, approximately once a month.

The Open Scholarship Awards promote transparency, rigor, and clear communication among graduate researchers on the University’s campuses. The awards aim to build skills in responsible data and resource sharing, accelerate discovery by lowering barriers to reuse, and foster a culture of collaboration. Final applications are due February 28.