March 20, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
Governor Cuomo issued an executive order earlier this afternoon mandating that 100% of the New York State workforce must stay home, excluding essential services. I am writing at this time to provide clarity about the impact of this order on Eastman.
Additionally, please find the most up-to-date information we have on certain Eastman-specific topics relating to our handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, including information about building closures and access, resources, paychecks, and other everyday aspects of Eastman and University life.
The situation in our city, our nation, and our world changes daily, and with all of the changes and adjustments you’ve been asked to make, I want to thank you all for the outstanding work you are doing which includes dealing with the effects of COVID-19 on our Eastman community; reassuring students; practicing social distancing on and off campus; transitioning to online classes and lessons; ensuring that our facilities remain sanitary, safe, and secure; and so many other elements both seen and unseen. If you have questions about any area of Eastman life relating to Coronavirus response, don’t hesitate to contact the appropriate member of our COVID-19 Task Force—their names can be found here.
This is a time when it is important to reaffirm our core values and our commitment to our primary mission. Thank you all for your continued hard work, patience, flexibility, support, and especially our shared commitment to each other and to Eastman. Please do all that you can to stay safe and healthy.
All best wishes,
Jamal
Jamal J. Rossi
Joan and Martin Messinger Dean
Eastman School of Music
jrossi@esm.rochester.edu
585.274.1010
EXECUTIVE ORDER REGARDING 100% CLOSURE OF NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES STATEWIDE
Building Closures
Today, Governor Cuomo ordered 100% of all non-essential businesses to instruct their entire workforce to work remotely. As a result, ALL EASTMAN BUILDINGS (with the exception of the Student Living Center) will be closed beginning Sunday, March 22 at 5 PM until further notice.
Teaching
All teaching should take place from your homes or remote locations until further notice. As currently written, the Governor’s order does not include university professors teaching from on-campus facilities. The University is seeking clarification and possible exemption.
Access
All faculty and staff will have until Sunday, March 22 at 5 p.m. to collect any materials, instruments and equipment that they need for the remainder of the semester. It is uncertain at this time if anyone will have access to the Eastman facilities beyond Sunday at 5 PM.
Students will also be instructed to collect belongings from lockers, including instruments, by Sunday afternoon. Students who have been approved to remain in the Student Living Center, and students with apartments who had been approved to access the Eastman practice rooms, will be sent further information regarding alternative resources available to them.
Technical Support
T&MP will be working remotely and will provide online support as possible. Faculty or staff members who have requested, or anticipate that you will need, remote access (RDP) to your computer and it is not switched on, please turn on the power yourself by Sunday 5 PM, or else let Helen Smith know by Saturday 5 PM, and it will be done for you. Please note this is currently only available for Windows computers.
Sibley Music Library
Sibley Music Library will be closed beginning Saturday, March 21. Faculty needing anything before Sunday, March 22, at 5 p.m. can email jfarrington@esm.rochester.edu for potential retrieval. While the Governor’s shutdown remains in effect, Sibley cannot supply any physical items. Our electronic resources—Grove, WorldCat, Naxos, etc.—will still be available.
Library Materials
Due dates for most material borrowed by faculty and graduate students have been moved to September 1, 2020. Sibley staff requests that borrowers not return materials until we are once again open, if at all possible.
We do not yet have a clear answer about how mail will be handled. We will provide additional information next week.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING EASTMAN’S HANDLING OF COVID-19 MATTERS
Paychecks
Paychecks will be mailed to the address on file within HRMS for the next bi-weekly, semi-monthly and monthly pay cycles paid on March 31, 2020, for those who normally pickup via the welcome center window. Paychecks will continue to be mailed until further notice.
Click on this link for instructions if you need to update your mailing address to ensure your checks reach you, or submit this form to the University of Rochester Payroll office. You must have DUO to access HRMS, in order to update your information electronically.
2020 Commencement
In a recent message to University of Rochester students, President Mangelsdorf announced the decision to cancel the University’s on-campus commencement celebrations this May. In a message that Dean Rossi sent to graduating students, he indicated his intention to appoint a committee of faculty, staff, and students to think creatively together about how Eastman can celebrate our graduating students in a way that will be meaningful and allow us all to participate as a community together. Please submit suggestions about how we might do this to Cathy Hain, who will be chairing this committee.
Pass/Fail
Eastman and the College of Arts and Sciences will offer all students the option of receiving either a letter grade or Pass/Fail for each individual course in which they are enrolled. Detailed information has been issued to faculty, staff and students.
Writing Center
Beginning March 23, 2020, the Eastman Writing Center will be moving tutoring sessions online. To view modified hours via ZOOM or to set up an appointment- visit here for all information.
Help with the Transition to Online Classes
We recognize that moving to online learning next week is a top priority for everyone. The experience is new for everyone, but we know that all involved are doing their best to make it a positive experience.
Remember that there are resources online for getting ready for the transition, including a list of options for internet service and guides on how to communicate with classmates and professors and complete other tasks online.
- Zoom Tips and Tricks
See updated list of resources for Zoom, as well as BOX and Blackboard through IML’s site. - Facebook Group
Looking to talk to fellow faculty about online tips and tricks? Join the Facebook Group started by ECMS here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ECMSRemoteTeachingTips/ - Faculty Note: Don’t forgot to reply to Donna Brink Fox’s email, sent yesterday, about T&MP equipment needs and concerns regarding working remotely.
Fall 2020 Pre-Registration: NEW Dates:
Due to the adjusted schedule for this semester, we are delaying pre-registration for fall 2020. Watch your inbox for additional information on how to register using our new student information system, UR Student!
| ESM Class of 2021 (Including T5 and Dual Degree) | 4/20/20 | 7:30 a.m. |
| ESM Graduate students | 4/20/20 | 8:00 a.m. |
| ESM Class of 2022 | 4/21/20 | 7:30 a.m. |
| ESM Class of 2023 | 4/22/20 | 7:30 a.m. |
| Open enrollment for all students | 4/23/20 | 7:30 a.m. |
Office of Student Affairs to Operate Food Pantry
Due to the needs of our community who are food insecure, and who will be remaining in Rochester, the Office of Student Affairs will be operating a small food pantry and we will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items to help support this endeavor. Groceries can be left at the SLC Front Desk or ordered through Amazon using our Donation Wish List: http://a.co/1TnFUPp
EXECUTIVE ORDER REGARDING 100% CLOSURE OF NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES STATEWIDE
Building Closures
Today, Governor Cuomo ordered 100% of all non-essential businesses to instruct their entire workforce to work remotely. As a result, ALL EASTMAN BUILDINGS (with the exception of the Student Living Center) will be closed beginning Sunday, March 22 at 5 PM until further notice.
Teaching
All teaching should take place from your homes or remote locations until further notice. As currently written, the Governor’s order does not include university professors teaching from on-campus facilities. The University is seeking clarification and possible exemption.
Access
All faculty and staff will have until Sunday, March 22 at 5 p.m. to collect any materials, instruments and equipment that they need for the remainder of the semester. It is uncertain at this time if anyone will have access to the Eastman facilities beyond Sunday at 5 PM.
Students will also be instructed to collect belongings from lockers, including instruments, by Sunday afternoon. Students who have been approved to remain in the Student Living Center, and students with apartments who had been approved to access the Eastman practice rooms, will be sent further information regarding alternative resources available to them.
Technical Support
T&MP will be working remotely and will provide online support as possible. Faculty or staff members who have requested, or anticipate that you will need, remote access (RDP) to your computer and it is not switched on, please turn on the power yourself by Sunday 5 PM, or else let Helen Smith know by Saturday 5 PM, and it will be done for you. Please note this is currently only available for Windows computers.
Sibley Music Library
Sibley Music Library will be closed beginning Saturday, March 21. Faculty needing anything before Sunday, March 22, at 5 p.m. can email jfarrington@esm.rochester.edu for potential retrieval. While the Governor’s shutdown remains in effect, Sibley cannot supply any physical items. Our electronic resources—Grove, WorldCat, Naxos, etc.—will still be available.
Library Materials
Due dates for most material borrowed by faculty and graduate students have been moved to September 1, 2020. Sibley staff requests that borrowers not return materials until we are once again open, if at all possible.
We do not yet have a clear answer about how mail will be handled. We will provide additional information next week.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING EASTMAN’S HANDLING OF COVID-19 MATTERS
Paychecks
Paychecks will be mailed to the address on file within HRMS for the next bi-weekly, semi-monthly and monthly pay cycles paid on March 31, 2020, for those who normally pickup via the welcome center window. Paychecks will continue to be mailed until further notice.
Click on this link for instructions if you need to update your mailing address to ensure your checks reach you, or submit this form to the University of Rochester Payroll office. You must have DUO to access HRMS, in order to update your information electronically.
2020 Commencement
In a recent message to University of Rochester students, President Mangelsdorf announced the decision to cancel the University’s on-campus commencement celebrations this May. In a message that Dean Rossi sent to graduating students, he indicated his intention to appoint a committee of faculty, staff, and students to think creatively together about how Eastman can celebrate our graduating students in a way that will be meaningful and allow us all to participate as a community together. Please submit suggestions about how we might do this to Cathy Hain, who will be chairing this committee.
Pass/Fail
Eastman and the College of Arts and Sciences will offer all students the option of receiving either a letter grade or Pass/Fail for each individual course in which they are enrolled. Detailed information has been issued to faculty, staff and students.
Writing Center
Beginning March 23, 2020, the Eastman Writing Center will be moving tutoring sessions online. To view modified hours via ZOOM or to set up an appointment- visit here for all information.
Help with the Transition to Online Classes
We recognize that moving to online learning next week is a top priority for everyone. The experience is new for everyone, but we know that all involved are doing their best to make it a positive experience.
Remember that there are resources online for getting ready for the transition, including a list of options for internet service and guides on how to communicate with classmates and professors and complete other tasks online.
- Zoom Tips and Tricks
See updated list of resources for Zoom, as well as BOX and Blackboard through IML’s site. - Facebook Group
Looking to talk to fellow faculty about online tips and tricks? Join the Facebook Group started by ECMS here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ECMSRemoteTeachingTips/ - Faculty Note: Don’t forgot to reply to Donna Brink Fox’s email, sent yesterday, about T&MP equipment needs and concerns regarding working remotely.
Fall 2020 Pre-Registration: NEW Dates:
Due to the adjusted schedule for this semester, we are delaying pre-registration for fall 2020. Watch your inbox for additional information on how to register using our new student information system, UR Student!
| ESM Class of 2021 (Including T5 and Dual Degree) | 4/20/20 | 7:30 a.m. |
| ESM Graduate students | 4/20/20 | 8:00 a.m. |
| ESM Class of 2022 | 4/21/20 | 7:30 a.m. |
| ESM Class of 2023 | 4/22/20 | 7:30 a.m. |
| Open enrollment for all students | 4/23/20 | 7:30 a.m. |
Office of Student Affairs to Operate Food Pantry
Due to the needs of our community who are food insecure, and who will be remaining in Rochester, the Office of Student Affairs will be operating a small food pantry and we will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items to help support this endeavor. Groceries can be left at the SLC Front Desk or ordered through Amazon using our Donation Wish List: http://a.co/1TnFUPp
After All of That
And finally, after all of that information, we need music and hope. I’m very grateful to Bill Weinert for sharing with me the following message earlier today. Personally, I found great solace in the message and the music. My very best wishes to you all.
Jamal
This video was compiled by our graduate David Chin. His BachFest Malaysia was invited to perform at the Leipzig Bach Festival in June, which I’m sure will be cancelled…
Here’s a video featuring musicians of Bachfest Malaysia and our friends around the world, singing a hopeful chorale from Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion”. We hope that this will be an encouragement to all of us who are currently experiencing the epidemic on different levels.
The sounds of the video are completely original, all recorded with each member’s cell phone. The video was done in less than 48 hours, from compiling to the final product. We would like to thank all our musicians who contributed to this project with such short notice. A huge shoutout to our intern Charlie who organized all the files and produced the instrumental track.