The spring semester test of AlertUR will be on Thursday, February 5, at 6 p.m. AlertUR is the emergency notification system for the University, including the Medical Center. In the event of an emergency, alerts are sent by voice, text, and email message. The purpose of the test is to activate the AlertUR system and check that you can be reached immediately. Before the February test, students and employees should review their contact information and add a cell phone number if one is not listed or is not current; sign in with your Active Directory username and password. Employees with an Active Directory username and password who do not have a University email address may enter a personal email or phone number to receive emergency alerts. The test will not disrupt scheduled activities. Find more information on AlertUR here.

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, February 19, for Donna Mura, a development program associate in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Advancement, who died on January 12. Mura joined the University in 2006.

More than a century after the Titanic sank, engineers still have hopes of someday creating “unsinkable” ships. In a step toward reaching that lofty goal, URochester researchers led by Chunlei Guo, a professor of optics and of physics and a senior scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, have developed a new process that turns ordinary metal tubes unsinkable—meaning they will stay afloat no matter how long they are forced into water or how heavily they are damaged.

University employees and retirees can save on travel, entertainment, electronics, clothes, gifts, and more through YOURBenefitsExtras.com.

The Office of Disability Resources (ODR) hosts a faculty workshop series, “Implementing Student Accommodations,” held via Zoom from 3 to 4 p.m. Faculty are welcome to attend any or all sessions. They will be recorded and will be available for later viewing. Registration is required at the links below. In addition to these group sessions, if you are an instructor or TA who would like a one-on-one meeting with a disability resources professional staff member to address any of these or other accommodation-related topics, email disability@rochester.edu or call (585) 275-5075.

• Exam Accommodations and Requesting ODR Proctoring: Thursday, January 29
• What is Reasonable Flexibility? The Course Policy Agreement Accommodation, and Creating a Flex Plan: Friday, January 30
• Accommodation Management—Navigating the DR Instructor Portal: Thursday, February 5
• Open Session—Your Accommodation Questions Answered: Friday, February 6

The Well-Being for Life and Learning, offered through Health Promotion, equips University faculty and staff with practical, compassionate strategies to support student well-being without adding to burnout. Led by URochester experts, this self-paced training offers tailored tracks with a wide array of workshops, offered in a range of formats.

Submissions are open for the annual Ed and Barbara Hajim Art of Science Competition. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit creative works that explore the intersection of art with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and sustainability. Cash prizes will be awarded, and winning entries will be showcased in the Carlson Library. The submission deadline is Sunday, March 15.

The Center for Integrated Research Computing hosts CIRC Winter Bootcamp, four weeks of workshop training sessions starting on February 3. The classes will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings and afternoons in the VISTA Collaboratory. Plan to attend the Connectivity Clinic today, January 29, if you have never connected to BlueHive before. Find full bootcamp information and register to attend.

Join the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence to explore the difference between performative and active listening, reflect on your inner dialogue, and practice deep listening with one another. The event takes place on Monday, February 2, from 5:30 to 7 via Zoom.

All URochester students, faculty, and staff can join the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center on Wednesday, February 4, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Feldman Ballroom for the annual LGBTQ Life Spring Social and Drag Show. Enjoy sushi, mocktails, community, and an interactive drag show. RSVP by February 1.

Students who are curious about joining the Mindful University Project’s Student Mindfulness Community can attend a general interest meeting today, January 29, from 5 to 6 p.m. in Genesee Hall, Room 309.

Undergraduates can attend the annual Winter Activities Fair on January 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Zornow Courts inside the Goergen Athletic Center. The event is presented by Wilson Commons Student Activities.

Presented by Club Tennis and Health Promotion, Red Ball Tennis is a social experience designed to bring new players out to the tennis courts. Attend on Friday, January 30.

The Center for Education Abroad hosts the Missing Piece on February 5, an informal, welcoming event that helps students explore study abroad. Register by Monday, February 2.

Students can attend an immersive wellness experience on February 3. Register for 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. sessions. Bring a yoga mat if you have one, and wear something warm.