Last weekend we celebrated the graduating Class of 2020 and brought to a close an academic year that no one could have anticipated. The far-reaching disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced an immediate transition to online classes and sent thousands of students back home to finish the semester. For graduating seniors, it meant missing out on final goodbyes, well-deserved celebrations with friends, and the joyful pride of being together at Commencement.
But missing out on traditions and the realities of studying from home were not the same for everyone. Some felt the loss of our year-end traditions in very personal and painful ways. For our first-generation students who dreamed of the day that they would walk across the Commencement stage to cheers and applause from their families and loved ones, the disappointment was particularly acute. That moment, that dream, will have to wait. The pandemic is just one more challenge they will need to overcome.
For others, being home presented challenges that many of their classmates did not face. Some returned to unsafe and unsupportive home lives, while others felt the strain of being without the financial and academic support they had on campus. Outgoing Students’ Association president Jamal Holtz ’20 shared some of his experiences in a recent episode of our Insights podcast. Like many, he needed to earn a living while focusing on the final stages of his undergraduate career.
These students and their realities must not be invisible to us. In addition to celebrating the graduating seniors, we must also recognize the persistence required by so many in our community. Their determination, their grit, is a testament to the quality of students we have at Rochester. To succeed and thrive in the face of structural and systemic racism, homophobia, and sexism is a truth many of us know too deeply.
Along with the heartfelt video messages the Office of Equity and Inclusion created for the Rainbow Graduation that was organized by Col Raimond, and the OMSA celebration that was put together by Norman Burnette, Anika Simone Johnson, and the Office of Minority Student Affairs team, we congratulate our graduating seniors. You are shining examples to the students who follow you, and we are with you all, all the way.
Meliora.
Mercedes Ramírez Fernández
Richard Feldman Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer
University Launches H&D Steering Committee
As part of an institutional goal to maintain and create a welcoming, safe, and affirming community, the University recently formed a steering committee to address issues around harassment and discrimination. A key priority for the H&D steering committee will be the mandated education and training initiatives required of all employees. The members of the steering committee are Mercedes Ramírez Fernández, vice president for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer (co-chair); Tony Kinslow, associate vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer (co-chair); Jack Bailey, senior counsel, labor and development; Linda Chaudron, vice president and senior associate dean for inclusion and culture; Joan Saab, vice provost of academic affairs and Susan B. Anthony Professor of Art History; Jeffrey Lyness, senior associate dean for learning and development, clinical enterprise; Stephanie Von Bacho, senior director for learning and development, clinical enterprise; Morgan Levy, University Title IX coordinator; Deirdre Flynn, senior counsel; Adrienne Morgan, associate vice president for equity and inclusion; and Kathy Gallucci, executive director for human resources, University of Rochester, and vice president for human resources, University of Rochester Medical Center.
Podcast: There's No Stopping Jamal
Outgoing Students' Association president, Jamal Holtz ’20 entered office with a platform built on community, inclusion, and student representation. He was making strides and effecting change, then COVID-19 hit. Listen as Jamal talks about how his work continues and reflects on his years at Rochester. Read the transcript.
Policy 106 Form Available Online
This is a reminder that the Advocate GME system allows individuals to submit a Policy 106 report electronically. As stated, Policy 106 applies to faculty, staff, residents, fellows, postdoctoral appointees, student employees, students, interns (paid or unpaid), volunteers, and to all visitors (including patients, contractors, and vendors) to any University campus, facility and/or property and to University sponsored activities and events, whether on University premises or not.
A link to the electronic form is also available on page seven of Policy 106. Once a report is submitted, a member of the Policy 106 team will review the reported concerns and if necessary, begin an investigation.
Anyone receiving a complaint regarding potential harassment or discrimination based on any protected class should submit a report. A report can be submitted anonymously; however, if an investigator cannot contact an individual for more information, the University’s ability to take action in response to the complaint might be limited.
Anyone with general Policy 106 inquiries or questions regarding what qualifies as a Policy 106 concern should email the Policy 106 team.
Preparing for Changes to Title IX
In May, the Department of Education announced the release of long-awaited regulations related to Title IX, a federal law preventing sex-based discrimination and harassment at educational institutions. The new regulations, which will require changes to University policies and procedures for addressing sexual harassment, will go into effect on August 14. University Title IX coordinator, Morgan Levy is leading a working group with representatives from the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Office of Counsel, and University Human Resources to analyze the regulations and make recommendations for how to implement the necessary changes to University policies and processes to ensure compliance by the August deadline. For more information, please email the Title IX office.
Partners in Screening
The University of Rochester recently partnered with the Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, Common Ground Health, Ibero American Action League, Jordan Health, Monroe County Medical Society, Rochester Black Nurses Association, the City of Rochester, and Rochester Regional Health to offer free COVID-19 prescreenings to help African American and Latinx residents connect to medical care. Pictured left to right: Yvette Conyers, assistant professor of clinical nursing and co-director of accelerated programs for non-nurses at the School of Nursing, and URMC nurse practitioners Ernestine Brown and Wilhelmina Sizer volunteer at the community prescreening location.
Last weekend we celebrated the graduating Class of 2020 and brought to a close an academic year that no one could have anticipated. The far-reaching disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced an immediate transition to online classes and sent thousands of students back home to finish the semester. For graduating seniors, it meant missing out on final goodbyes, well-deserved celebrations with friends, and the joyful pride of being together at Commencement.
