All events

Vibrant paintings by Andrea Sanchez and Jaii Marc Renee on display in the Celeste LeWitt Gallery — Join us for a meet and greet from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29.

Registration Opens: June 1, 2025 Registration Closes: September 2, 2025 at 8:00pm Recruitment Orientation: September 2, 2025 6:00-7:30pm PNM Orientation #1 (Groups 1-8) 8:00-9:30pm PNM Orientation #2 (Groups 9-16) Scholarship Round: September 3 & 4, 2025 4:00pm - 10:15pm (Two Days) Philanthropy Round: September 5, 2025 3:00pm - 12:30am Sisterhood Round: September 6, 2025 11:0am - 9:15pm Preference Round: September 7, 2025 9:00am - 3:30pm Bid Night: September 7, 2025 7:30pm - 10:00pm

The exhibiting artists are Marsha Borden, Helena Chastel, Kathryn Frund, Phoebe Godfrey, Hugh MacDonald, Bob Pavlik, Dan Potter, and R. Douglass Rice. Open Air 2025 is open daily and will remain on view through October 6, 2025. June 19, 2025 iis the last day to visit indoor art exhibitions. Exhibitions inside the AVS Gallery will resume on September 11, 2025

The UConn Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (i.e., UConn Pepper Center), plans to submit an application for competitive renewal to the National Institute on Aging at NIH. At this time, the UConn Pepper Center Pilot/Exploratory Studies Core (PESC) seeks letters of intent (LOIs) for studies to be included in the application. Studies selected for inclusion in the application will be funded contingent upon continued funding of the UConn Pepper Center. We are seeking Letters of Intent (LOIs) for 1-year pilot and exploratory studies that focus on enhancing function and independence in older adults while also advancing knowledge in the UConn Pepper Center theme of Precision Gerontology, and that will support future grant applications. We welcome a variety of research approaches, ranging from biological to clinical/behavioral to health services/community-based research. Projects focusing on cognition and behavior, host defense and immunity, voiding and continence, and mobility and falls are of particular interest. For proposed studies involving human subjects research, secondary data analysis-based projects are encouraged. Projects involving primary data collection are allowed but must be sufficiently feasible to complete within 1 year. LOIs are due by September 10, 2025 Full-time UConn and JAX faculty are eligible to apply for PESC funding. Priority will be given to junior faculty/early-stage investigators as well as established investigators pursuing aging-related research (relevant to Precision Gerontology) as a new area of research. Investigators may request up to $50,000 (direct costs) for a 1-year pilot project. Those interested in submitting an LOI are strongly encouraged to contact the PESC Co-Leaders Dr. Lisa Barry (libarry@uchc.edu) Dr. Blanka Rogina (rogina@uchc.edu) and to visit the UConn Pepper Center website to learn more about the theme of Precision Gerontology and the UConn Pepper Center Research Resource Cores. https://health.uconn.edu/pepper-center/ Those seeking to apply for UConn PESC funding must submit the following by September 10, 2025: 1. A 1-page Letter of Intent (LOI) that includes:Brief description of the Specific Aims, Significance, and Approach; Statement as to how the proposed study aligns with the UConn Pepper Center theme of Precision Gerontology; Statement of how the proposed study will utilize applicable UConn Pepper Center Research Resource Cores. 2. On a separate page, a brief budget and timeline 3. NIH Biosketch for Principal Investigator. Please send LOIs to Ms. Laura Masi (masi@uchc.edu) Individuals selected to submit full proposals will be notified by the PESC Co-Leaders.

Body double. Focus up. Vibe out. Join us for a neurodivergent-friendly, low-pressure study session with chill music, cozy lighting, and quiet company. Whether you're tackling homework, journaling, or organizing your life, this is a therapeutic space to just be alone, but together. Come as you are and bring what you need.Locations and Times: TBD

Neurosurgery Thursday Residency Curriculum SeriesProvided by University of Connecticut School of Medicine Office of Community and Continuing Medical Education and the UConn Health Department of Neurosurgery.

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are essential to U.S. economic competitiveness and growth. STEM-designated programs drive innovation and advancement, widening career prospects and strengthening the world economy. Those studying STEM develop a valuable quantitative and analytical skill set, elevating one's candidacy for well-paying, high-tech jobs. As you think critically about your next steps in higher education, join the UConn School of Business to learn more about the three STEM-designated Specialized Master's programs: MS in Business Analytics & Project Management (BAPM) (https://analytics.business.uconn.edu/), MS in Financial Risk Management (FRM) (https://risk.business.uconn.edu/) and MS in Financial Technology (FinTech) (https://fintech.business.uconn.edu/). This session will provide you with key information about the benefits of a STEM-designation and give you the opportunity to interact with program administrative and career staff.

Students who may benefit from attending a Let's Talk: Mental Health Office Hours session include:Students who want help connecting to resources but are unsure where to begin Students who are looking for advice on a non-clinical issue Students who are unsure about therapy and are curious about what it is like to talk to a therapist Students who may have concerns about the mental health of a friend and seek advice on how to support their friend If a student is not an imminent risk, and is refusing your support in contacting our office, you may also consider contacting the UConn Student CARE Team (https://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/). This session is held by Fumi Sowah, LCSW (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/olufumilayo-sowah/)

Presenters: Jennifer Parker and Betsy Guala Are you or your students feeling isolated and anonymous in your online course? Want to learn strategies to overcome feelings of isolation and anonymity? If so, then join us to discuss ways to enhance instructor presence and student engagement in Online Asynchronous (OA) and Online Synchronous (OS) courses. Objectives: *Assess the current level of student engagement and instructor presence in your online classes *Define student engagement and instructor presence *Identify strategies to increase meaningful student engagement and instructor presence in your classes. Register - https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=3556 (https://fins.uconn.edu/secure_inst/workshops/workshop_view.php?ser=3556)

Offerings at the market may change each week, so stop by to see what we have. Bakery items may include freshly-baked pies, breads, cookies, bars, cake slices, and gluten-free/vegan offerings. Feel free to chat with the student farmers and learn more about some interesting varieties they grow, their farming practices, and what they love about Spring Valley Student Farm. Fall Market: Thursdays from Aug 28th through October 30 (pending produce/harvest availability, market may stop before October 30th)Where: Under the tents on Fairfield Way near the UConn Library Farm Fresh Market can only accept credit/debit. Open to all. Market updates: Please follow UConn Dining Services (http://instagram.com/uconndining) or Spring Valley Student Farm (http://instagram.com/springvalleystudentfarm) for market updates.

Write your memoirs to share in class. These can be short unrelated pieces or part of a larger work. New members are welcome.Facilitator: Cathy Belanger

Write your memoirs to share in class. These can be short unrelated pieces or part of a larger work. New members are welcome.Facilitator: Cathy Belanger

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Committee Amanda Denes, Ph.D., Department of Communication, Major Advisor R. Amanda Cooper, Ph.D., Department of Communication, Associate Advisor Elizabeth Hintz, Ph.D., Department of Communication, Associate AdvisorAbstract Relational maintenance is a complex process that is theoretically, contextually, and conceptually varied. Although scholarship on relational maintenance often centers on positive relational outcomes and prosocial maintenance strategies, there is little work investigating manipulative behavior within the context of maintaining interpersonal relationships. The current literature tends to examine manipulation as a single construct, underscoring its link to concepts such as Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, and sexual coercion. It is essential to demonstrate the importance of recognizing and mitigating detrimental relational outcomes; however, manipulation is not inherently negative. The present proposal uses self-determination theory to frame manipulation as an influential behavioral strategy that serves a psychological function and may operate to sustain relationships. A Model of Manipulative Maintenance (MMM) is presented, which outlines the antecedents to manipulative acts that partners engage in, how those behaviors are enacted, and the relational outcomes of manipulative behaviors. To test the model, a longitudinal study is proposed, utilizing weekly surveys to examine how psychological need fulfillment and personality traits predict manipulative behaviors and subsequent relational outcomes. A cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) within a multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) framework will be specified to assess the proposed pathways over time.

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Get comfortable using HuskyCT, StudentAdmin, Nexus, and other online tools you'll need for your classes at UConn. This workshop will show you how to find what you need, keep track of your work, and feel more confident using the technology that supports your academic success

Students who may benefit from attending a Let's Talk: Mental Health Office Hours session include:Students who want help connecting to resources but are unsure where to begin Students who are looking for advice on a non-clinical issue Students who are unsure about therapy and are curious about what it is like to talk to a therapist Students who may have concerns about the mental health of a friend and seek advice on how to support their friend If a student is not an imminent risk, and is refusing your support in contacting our office, you may also consider contacting the UConn Student CARE Team (https://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/). This session is held by Daveon McMullen, Psy.D (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/daveon-mcmullen/)

Meetings are open to Professional Staff of the Rainbow Center, Rainbow Center Staff, IRIS Mentors, and invited guests only. Meetings are for communicating important operational and program information for student staff to accomplish their tasks. If you have questions about the Rainbow Center Staff Meetings, please connect with a member of ProStaff for assistance.

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Shade Tolerance in Cool-Season Turfgrasses: Insights from Dwarf Mutants and Candidate Gene Analysis   Cool-season turfgrasses, such as tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), are widely used in managed landscapes but frequently suffer quality loss in shaded environments. Shade avoidance syndrome (SAS)—characterized by elongation growth, leaf etiolation, and reduced turf density—limits their performance and aesthetic value. This research combined physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses to investigate shade tolerance mechanisms in newly developed dwarf mutants, with the goal of identifying specific genetic targets for breeding and gene editing. Dwarf mutants were produced using traditional methods such as EMS and gamma ray mutation. These were screened under 90% shade for five weeks. Several mutants displayed superior shade tolerance, maintaining darker leaf color, suppressed elongation, and 30–50% lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to wild type—indicating reduced oxidative stress. Antioxidant assays revealed that peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were stable or elevated in tolerant mutants under shade, supporting a link between antioxidant capacity and stress resilience. Hormone treatment experiments showed altered gibberellin (GA) and brassinosteroid (BR) sensitivity; in some mutants, application of growth-promoting hormones reversed tolerance traits, suggesting reduced functionality in SAS-related growth pathways under normal conditions. Transcriptomic network analysis of a shade-tolerant genotype revealed co-expression modules enriched for hormonal signaling and stress regulatory genes. Key hub genes included FAR1-like transcription factors, peroxygenase-like proteins, and KAO1 (ent-kaurenoic acid oxidase), an enzyme critical to GA biosynthesis. Notably, KAO1 was downregulated under shade in the tolerant genotype, consistent with suppression of elongation growth and enhancement of stress tolerance. Gene ontology enrichment further implicated pathways related to ROS detoxification, membrane transport, and transcriptional regulation in shade adaptation. By integrating phenotypic, biochemical, and transcriptomic evidence, this research identifies distinct physiological and molecular signatures underlying tolerance. The perennial ryegrass mutant A7 exhibited low baseline MDA, strong antioxidant responses to GA application, and minimal height change under GA treatment, indicating a probable KAO1 loss-of-function mutation. This would reduce GA biosynthesis, attenuate SAS, and sustain antioxidant defenses. The tall fescue mutant BND-1 showed no biochemical or morphological response to BR treatment, suggesting brassinosteroid insensitivity consistent with BRI1 receptor loss-of-function. Such disruption in BR signaling would inherently suppress elongation responses to shade. Collectively, the findings show that dwarf phenotypes confer shade tolerance through a combination of reduced hormonal responsiveness and enhanced oxidative stress protection. Identifying KAO1 and BRI1 as candidate causal loci provides tangible molecular targets for CRISPR-based editing and accelerated breeding programs. These results advance the understanding of shade tolerance in turfgrasses and support the development of low-input, sustainable cultivars capable of maintaining quality in heavily shaded urban and recreational landscapes.

Shade Tolerance in Cool-Season Turfgrasses: Insights from Dwarf Mutants and Candidate Gene Analysis   Cool-season turfgrasses, such as tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), are widely used in managed landscapes but frequently suffer quality loss in shaded environments. Shade avoidance syndrome (SAS)—characterized by elongation growth, leaf etiolation, and reduced turf density—limits their performance and aesthetic value. This research combined physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses to investigate shade tolerance mechanisms in newly developed dwarf mutants, with the goal of identifying specific genetic targets for breeding and gene editing. Dwarf mutants were produced using traditional methods such as EMS and gamma ray mutation. These were screened under 90% shade for five weeks. Several mutants displayed superior shade tolerance, maintaining darker leaf color, suppressed elongation, and 30–50% lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to wild type—indicating reduced oxidative stress. Antioxidant assays revealed that peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were stable or elevated in tolerant mutants under shade, supporting a link between antioxidant capacity and stress resilience. Hormone treatment experiments showed altered gibberellin (GA) and brassinosteroid (BR) sensitivity; in some mutants, application of growth-promoting hormones reversed tolerance traits, suggesting reduced functionality in SAS-related growth pathways under normal conditions. Transcriptomic network analysis of a shade-tolerant genotype revealed co-expression modules enriched for hormonal signaling and stress regulatory genes. Key hub genes included FAR1-like transcription factors, peroxygenase-like proteins, and KAO1 (ent-kaurenoic acid oxidase), an enzyme critical to GA biosynthesis. Notably, KAO1 was downregulated under shade in the tolerant genotype, consistent with suppression of elongation growth and enhancement of stress tolerance. Gene ontology enrichment further implicated pathways related to ROS detoxification, membrane transport, and transcriptional regulation in shade adaptation. By integrating phenotypic, biochemical, and transcriptomic evidence, this research identifies distinct physiological and molecular signatures underlying tolerance. The perennial ryegrass mutant A7 exhibited low baseline MDA, strong antioxidant responses to GA application, and minimal height change under GA treatment, indicating a probable KAO1 loss-of-function mutation. This would reduce GA biosynthesis, attenuate SAS, and sustain antioxidant defenses. The tall fescue mutant BND-1 showed no biochemical or morphological response to BR treatment, suggesting brassinosteroid insensitivity consistent with BRI1 receptor loss-of-function. Such disruption in BR signaling would inherently suppress elongation responses to shade. Collectively, the findings show that dwarf phenotypes confer shade tolerance through a combination of reduced hormonal responsiveness and enhanced oxidative stress protection. Identifying KAO1 and BRI1 as candidate causal loci provides tangible molecular targets for CRISPR-based editing and accelerated breeding programs. These results advance the understanding of shade tolerance in turfgrasses and support the development of low-input, sustainable cultivars capable of maintaining quality in heavily shaded urban and recreational landscapes.

Join us for snacks and community! All are welcome.

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Soft Tissue Trauma Learning Objectives: Participants will (be able to): 1. Describe the principles of soft tissue healing 2. Explain and formulate a plan for common soft tissue injury 3. Identify factors that may make reconstruction more complex The University of Connecticut School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of _1.0___ AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Facial Nerve Reanimation Learning Objectives: Participants will (be able to): 1. Give examples of Sunderland classification 2. Identify common problems with facial nerve injury 3. Formulate plan for treatment of facial nerve injury The University of Connecticut School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of _1.0___ AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Opening reception for the exhibitionsFate & Magic: the Art of Maureen McCabe (https://benton.uconn.edu/fate-and-magic-the-art-of-maureen-mccabe/)Clouds: A Collaboration with Fluid Dynamics (https://benton.uconn.edu/clouds-a-collaboration-with-fluid-dynamics/)Encounters with the Collection: Exploring America at 250 (https://benton.uconn.edu/encounters-with-the-collection-exploring-america-at-250/) Light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar Everyone is welcome. FREE admission (Suggested donation $5) RSVP Appreciated but not required.

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Saturday, Aug. 23rd Monsters University Thursday, Aug 28th Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Friday, Aug. 29th Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Saturday, Aug. 30th Pirates of hte Caribbean: At World's End Thursday, Sept. 4th Shrek Friday, Sept 5th Shrek 2 Saturday, Sept. 6th Shrek the Third Thursday, Sept. 11th Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning Friday, Sept. 12th F1 Saturday, Sept. 13th Superman Thursday, Sept . 18th Batman 1989 Friday, Sept. 19th The Dark Knight Saturday, Sept. 20th The Batman Thursday, Sept. 25th Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Friday, Sept. 26th Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Saturday, Sept. 27th Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade