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In This Issue
Official News/General Announcements
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AU's Universal Design for Learning Task Force is pleased to share weekly tips to help faculty and staff provide an inclusive learning environment for all students, regardless of differences that may impact learning. This week's tip is:
Convey Meaning through Text Rather than Color
When creating materials for students, please ensure that students are able to engage with the content regardless of the use of color. It is important to convey meaning through the text itself, rather than relying solely on color. Not all individuals are capable of seeing color the same way. As a result, the students' understanding of colorful or highlighted text may differ from the intended meaning.
If colorful text is used, it is important to ensure good contrast between the font and the background for readability. The WebAIM Contrast Checker can help ensure that there is enough contrast between the text and background.
Link: WebAIM Contrast Checker
Submitted by: Meghanne Freivald
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As part of our educational mission at Alfred University, we are expanding our cybersecurity awareness efforts to include a weekly simulated phishing campaign for students. This program mirrors the initiative already in place for employees and is designed to help you recognize and respond to social engineering attacks that you may encounter both here and in your future workplaces.
Throughout the semester, you will receive simulated phishing emails created through KnowBe4, a leading cybersecurity education platform. These simulations are based on real-world tactics used by malicious actors. Your role is to become familiar with how phishing attempts look and to develop the habit of reporting suspicious messages promptly.
When you receive an email that appears suspicious, please use the Phish Alert Button in Outlook on your phone or computer. Selecting this button will report the message to ITS.
* If the email is part of the simulation, your report will be recorded as a successful identification.
* If the email is an actual phishing attempt that made it through our defenses, it will be quarantined, and ITS systems will automatically search for similar messages across campus to protect others.
Your vigilance strengthens our "human firewall," which helps safeguard not only your own information but also the broader university community.
To make this program more engaging, students who accurately report two or more simulated phishing emails during the semester will receive a small packet of Swedish Fish gummies. In addition, all successful reporters will be entered into a drawing for a used laptop computer at the end of the semester.
The provided link describes how to identify and report suspicious emails the Phish Alert Button on different platforms. If you have questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk at [email protected] or 607-871-2222.
Thank you for your attention and willingness to help protect our campus community.
Link: How to detect and report phishing emails
Submitted by: Gary Roberts
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An AI Open Mic Conversation will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, September 16, from 12:30 to 1 pm. This is an opportunity for faculty and staff to share their experiences with AI in a collaborative, informal setting. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask each other questions. The conversation will be guided by ITS staff and members of the AI Faculty Development Working Group, but there will be no formal presentation; the goal is to foster discourse on the topic of AI and learn from each other. The Zoom link is provided below (meeting ID: 959 6534 1892, passcode: 876755).
Link: AI Open Mic Conversation - September 16
Submitted by: Meghanne Freivald
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Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 through October 15 to recognize and honor the histories, cultures, traditions, and countless contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States.
The observance begins on September 15 because it marks the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with Mexico and Chile celebrating their independence shortly thereafter.
At Alfred University, our Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Kickoff Celebration provides an opportunity to come together as a campus community to celebrate the rich diversity of Hispanic and Latino cultures through music, food, art, storytelling, education, and shared experiences. The event is designed to foster connection, encourage cultural understanding, and recognize the many ways Hispanic and Latino individuals have shaped our communities, nation, and world.
Celebrating Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month is important because it promotes inclusion, strengthens our sense of belonging, and encourages us to learn from one another. By honoring diverse perspectives, traditions, and lived experiences, we build a more welcoming campus where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Through celebration, dialogue, and education, we reaffirm Alfred University's commitment to creating a community that embraces diversity as a source of strength and enriches the educational experience for all.
Link: https://youtu.be/yXEVXm2l1jQ
Attachment: Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Celebration
Submitted by: Angie Taylor
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On Monday, September 21, from 10:30am to 12:00pm, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Task Force will be hosting UDL Drop-in Hours. Faculty may stop by to seek assistance with applying UDL principles in their courses. Universal Design for Learning is the practice of creating learning experiences appropriate for all students, regardless of learning differences or diversity factors. The goal of UDL is to remove barriers to learning.
Faculty who visit the drop-in hours may choose to focus on one of the following areas:
- Applying UDL principles to a syllabus
- Applying UDL principles to an assignment
- Applying UDL principles to a Canvas course
- Increasing the accessibility of electronic materials
- A self-directed UDL goal related to teaching and course delivery
UDL Drop-in Hours will be held in Scholes 218. If seeking assistance with a syllabus or assignment, please bring two paper copies. Please bring your laptop if seeking assistance with Canvas, digital accessibility, or another goal involving technology.
Link: Universal Design for Learning
Submitted by: Meghanne Freivald
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ITS is pleased to announce that we will be migrating to a new platform for telephony on October 12th, 2026 (academic mini-break). This new platform is designed to work with a headset and your computer (desktop or laptop). As part of this project we will be providing everyone with a headset. The current desk phones will not be compatible with this new platform. This initiative supports our efforts to reduce equipment costs and aligns our communications environment with a more efficient operating model.
Under this new approach, we are encouraging departments and employees to move to telephone headsets. We believe headsets provide more comfort, flexibility, and usability while also being significantly less expensive than traditional handsets.
For locations or individuals that require a physical telephone handset, supervisors and budget managers should submit a brief business justification explaining the operational need to [email protected]. Each handset will carry an additional cost of $30 to the division.
ITS will provide additional details regarding the transition process, timelines, and planning requirements in the coming weeks.
This change will allow us to modernize aging equipment while managing costs and provisioning resources more effectively across the institution.
Submitted by: Gary Roberts
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The AI Faculty Development Working Group is pleased to host an AI reading group in conjunction with AU's Teaching and Learning Center. The book for this fall will be Real Intelligence: Teaching in the Era of Generative AI, by James F. McGrath and Ankur Gupta.
The discussion will consist of a singular meeting and will be hosted on Friday, October 2 from 1:20 to 2:10pm over Zoom, and will focus on the following chapters:
Chapter 2: Non-Solutions and Why They Don't Work Well
Chapter 3: The Process is the Point
Chapter 4: Starting with AI
The book is available for free at https://pressbooks.palni..... The Zoom link for the discussion is included below (meeting ID: 963 1661 9216, passcode: 573537).
All faculty and staff are welcome to participate, with no need to sign up. If you would like to request a calendar invitation, please email Meghanne Freivald.
Link: AI Reading Group Discussion - October 2
Submitted by: Meghanne Freivald
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The Office of Human Resources and Payroll Services
are currently operating with limited staffing.
Walk-in assistance is currently available during the following times:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Thursday - 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Please contact us by email or phone, and a team member will respond as soon as we are able.
For Title IX-related matters, please contact Michelle Carroll at [email protected] or extension 2375.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call Alfred University Public Safety at (607) 871-2108 or dial 911.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Submitted by: Deb Drain
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More than 30 alumni are returning to campus for Alfred University's third annual Mentorship Day on Friday, September 25. Students should register now through Handshake to ensure their spot at the day of conversations, connections, and career insights with alumni across a wide range of careers and industries.
Meet this year's alumni presenters and learn more about their backgrounds and areas of expertise on the Mentorship Day profiles page linked below.
All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend the keynote presentation by Patricia St. George '89, "Leading with Purpose: Mentoring Ethical and Creative Leaders Across Disciplines and Why Alfred University Students Have a Unique Opportunity to Do the Same."
Mentorship Day is a great opportunity for students to make connections, explore career paths, and learn from alumni experiences.
Link: go.alfred.edu/mentorshipday
Submitted by: Carol Marcy
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Are you an employee or student commuter who would benefit by having a place to stay in Alfred occasionally? The Saxon Inn currently hosts several guests who take advantage of having a regular, welcoming, comfortable place to stay one (or more) nights a week. If this sounds like you, why not get in touch with the Saxon Inn to learn about our special discounted rates! Depending on the frequency needed, we can offer rates under $100/night.
�
Contact Saxon Inn at [email protected], or phone 607-871-2600 and ask for details.
Submitted by: Rebecca Bergren
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Open Yoga, is FREE to all students, faculty,�staff, and community members.� The class is held on Wednesdays at 5pm at the Joyce Walton Center throughout the school year. Yoga props are available to borrow, or feel free to bring your own.� For questions or to get on the Open Yoga email list contact AU's Mindful Yoga Coach, Sharon McConnell:�[email protected]�
Attachment: Open Yoga poster
Submitted by: Sharon McConnell
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Wednesday, September 23
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
John's Room, 3rd Floor, Powell Campus Center
Take a break from your daily routine and join colleagues from across campus for a meaningful and engaging experience focused on connection, community, and belonging. Join fellow support staff for conversations that strengthen connections, celebrate the important role each of us plays in our community, and provide an opportunity to share ideas and hear different perspectives.
Participation is encouraged, but there is no expectation to speak or share. We invite you to engage at the level that feels most comfortable for you.
Whether you've been part of the Alfred family for years or are just getting started, your voice matters, and we hope you'll join us for the conversation.
Please complete the RSVP form below if you plan to attend. Lunch will be provided for registered participants.
This event is intended for support staff only.
Link: Support Staff Workshop Flyer
Attachment: Support Staff Workshop Flyer
Submitted by: Crystal Henshaw
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