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 22, for Taryn Flanigan, an outpatient access representative in the Department of Imaging Sciences at Strong Memorial Hospital, who died on December 16. Flanigan joined the University in 2025.

With the US seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Hein Goemans, a professor of political science and director of the Peter D. Watson Center for Conflict and Cooperation, warns that regime change rarely brings stability.

Open to all URochester instructors, faculty, and staff, these Zoom workshops are designed to provide practical strategies and ready-to-implement tools. Thursday workshops take place from 11 a.m. to noon or noon to 1 p.m., and Friday workshops are from noon to 1 p.m.

A “Getting Started with iThenticate v2” virtual workshop takes place at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14. The session will be recorded and shared with registrants. You can find more information on iThenticate on the Office of Research Integrity, Stewardship, & Ethics website.

Faculty and staff are invited to join an information session on the newly developed University-wide experiential learning principles. Created by an all-school faculty experiential learning workgroup, these principles provide a shared framework to strengthen and align experiential learning across URochester. Your input and engagement are vital as the University moves toward a cohesive and intentional approach to experiential learning that supports innovation and student success. A hybrid session will take place in the Gowen Room, Wilson Commons, on January 14 from 9 to 9:45 a.m. To receive the Zoom link, email jwren@ur.rochester.edu.

If terms like deductible, copay, or HSA leave you confused, join the Office of Total Rewards for a webinar on Wednesday, January 21, at 1 p.m. that breaks down the basics of the University’s health and dental benefits. The session will walk you through plan options, explain key terms, and show how spending accounts like FSAs and HSAs work. Register here to attend, whether you’re enrolling for the first time or just need a refresher.

Are you a manager or in a supervisory role? Join Well-U and UR Medicine EAP on Wednesday, January  21, at noon to learn about the prevalence of stress, depression, and anxiety in the workplace, and what you can do to help a struggling employee. Search “EAP Supervisor Series” in MyPath to register.

Well-U provides eligible University employees resources to ease low back pain, including proper body mechanics, exercises, and tips on footwear. Peruse the details and sign up with a coach today.

The University offers MMA Prosper Wise, a retirement planning tool that adds to the financial resources available through the University’s retirement program. This spring, a financial coach will offer one-on-one sessions at Corporate Woods, the Medical Center, and the River Campus, making it easy and convenient to get personalized support for your retirement goals. Register for a session using the links provided above.

The annual Presidential Awards for Inclusive Excellence celebrate leaders and organizations at all levels whose accomplishments cultivate a profound sense of belonging and thriving for all. Nominations are encouraged from all members of the University community for awards honoring students, staff, faculty, departments and teams, bargaining groups, and community members and organizations. Nominations are due Friday, January 23.

Are you ready to meet the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) standards for data management and sharing? Do you understand the new public access policy? Hosted by University Libraries Data Services, this virtual workshop on Thursday, January 15, at 1 p.m. will give you an overview of the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing, guide you through the steps to effectively create a Data Management and Sharing Plan, and give an overview of the NIH Public Access Policy.

Flaum Eye Institute is hosting the 4th annual Children’s Eyecare for Pediatric Providers on Saturday, January 31, from 8 a.m. to noon. This program is designed to expand understanding of kids’ vision through interactive lectures that address practical topics, taught by the region’s most knowledgeable and experienced assembly of pediatric ophthalmologists. This is a free, in-person CME event. Find more information and registration details.

Join the Department of Medicine on Friday, February 6, for a full day of learning about building partnerships in health equity research, from multidisciplinary collaborations and cross-institutional initiatives to community-engaged research, industry partnerships, and research mentorship. Get the full schedule and register to attend.