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In This Issue
Official News/General Announcements
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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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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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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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Get ready for some spooky fun! We're excited to invite all departments to participate in this year's Faculty & Staff Halloween Competition!
Each department is encouraged to:
-Coordinate costumes among team members
-Welcome students who will be trick-or-treating across campus
A starter supply of candy will be provided to participating departments. Departments are encouraged to supplement the provided candy with additional candy as needed for their trick-or-treaters.
During the event, students will vote for their favorite department, and the winning team will receive a special prize!
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
If your department would like to join in the fun, please have one representative complete the participation form by Friday, October 9, 2026.
Please note: There will be no late submissions after October 9. This deadline is necessary so we can finalize the campus map for our trick-or-treaters.
Participation is completely optional! We hope to see you there!
Link: Halloween Competition � Participation Survey
Submitted by: Christine Harris
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The Union University Church recently installed a historical marker funded by the Pomeroy Foundation at the historic Seventh Day Baptist Church building which is now owned by UUC. The marker honors the contribution of the Seventh Day Baptist settlers who were instrumental in the founding of the village and of Alfred University.
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation� is a private, philanthropic organization located in Syracuse, N.Y. As the nation's leading funder of historical markers, the Pomeroy Foundation has awarded more than 3,300 grants for markers and bronze plaques in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
The public is invited to a thirty minute dedication ceremony on Friday, September 25, at 5 pm. Weather permitting, the ceremony will be held in front of the church building at 5 Church Street. Attenders might want to bring lawn chairs. Rain location will be inside the church.
Submitted by: Laurel Buckwalter
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Join us for an inspiring Mentorship Day keynote presentation with Patricia "Patty" St. George '89 on Friday, September 25, from 3:20 to 4:00 p.m. in Holmes Auditorium in Harder Hall.
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to hear St. George explore the power of mentorship and developing ethical, creative leaders in her presentation, "Leading with Purpose: Mentoring Ethical and Creative Leaders Across Disciplines and Why Alfred University Students Have a Unique Opportunity to Do the Same."
STUDENTS: Make the most of Mentorship Day! Register NOW through Handshake to reserve your spot and connect with alumni representing 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.
FACULTY AND STAFF: Join us for the keynote and be part of a campus-wide conversation about mentorship, leadership, and the relationships that can make a lasting difference. Faculty and staff do not need to register.
Link: go.alfred.edu/mentorshipday
Submitted by: Carol Marcy
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