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Communication for the staff and faculty of
The University of Texas at Dallas |
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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 |
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COVID-19 Information, Resources
During the disruption of regular services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Communications is maintaining a collection of information and resources for staff, faculty and students. For the latest information, visit the COVID-19 website, which will be updated frequently with FAQs and the latest information.
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UT Dallas Presidential Town Hall in Microsoft Teams
Join President Richard C. Benson for a virtual town hall discussion about matters important to the UT Dallas community at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 22.
You are encouraged to submit questions in advance to [email protected]. The moderator will select as many questions as possible to cover a range of topics.
If you are unable to attend the live event, a recording will be posted on the UT Dallas website.
The Presidential Town Hall will be conducted live in Microsoft Teams. While not required, downloading Microsoft Teams to your computer will provide the fastest access to the event. The Microsoft Teams app is necessary to participate via mobile devices.
All audience members will be muted when entering the meeting and will have the opportunity to pose questions in writing via the “Q&A” function on the right side of the screen. Live closed captioning will be available. Please look for the CC button after you join the meeting.
If you have specific questions related to technical issues during the event, please call the UT Dallas Help Desk at 972-883-2911.
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Jessica Murphy Inducted into Academy of Distinguished Teachers
Dr. Jessica Murphy, dean of undergraduate education at The University of Texas at Dallas, has been inducted as one of four new fellows of the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers, which recognizes outstanding educators throughout its academic institutions.
“It’s very exciting,” Murphy said. “These are fabulous teachers who care a lot about their students and about improving how the student experience works, all across the UT System.”
The academy was created in 2012 and serves as an advocacy group to foster classroom innovation, promote interdisciplinary educational perspectives and catalyze the sharing of best practices.
Fellows are selected through a campus-based nomination process. Nominees must have received a Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. Read the News Center story
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Hear the Latest HR News at the HR Forum on May 6
The Office of Human Resources will host the next HR Forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 6, as a Microsoft Teams live event. Please install Microsoft Teams prior to joining. If you need assistance, contact the Help Desk.
Unlike a traditional Teams meeting, you are not able to “dial in” to a live event. Audio will stream from your computer. Please ensure your speakers are on or use a headset connected to your device. Closed captioning is available, and there will be a moderated Q-and-A forum.
Join the HR Forum and share this link with your colleagues. The agenda will be posted in the next edition of Intercom. For more information, visit the HR Forum page.
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Student Emergency Fund Supporters Help Ease Hardships
UT Dallas has created a Student Emergency Fund to assist Comets dealing with housing and food insecurity, elimination of jobs or reduced incomes, medical care, needs associated with remote learning and other unplanned expenses. Read more in last week’s News Center story. |
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UT Dallas staff members Hillary Campbell, Courtney Brecheen, Matt Johns and Whitney Vela distributed emergency boxes of food and supplies to students during the first weeks of campus closure.
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Drop Off Comet Cupboard Donations at UTDPD Lobby
The Comet Cupboard is still accepting donations. You can drop off items in the lobby of the UT Dallas Police Department. Needed items include:
- Dried pasta, rice, dried beans and vegetarian canned beans.
- Tomato Sauce and canned tomatoes.
- Boxed or canned chicken, beef or vegetable broth.
- Hearty canned soups (vegetarian and meat).
- Vegetarian canned pasta meals, pasta sauce and pouch/packaged meals.
- Cereal and oatmeal.
- Shelf-stable milk and shelf-stable milk substitutes (oat, soy, almond, etc.)
- Canned or jarred fruit.
- Canned or bottled juices (without added sugar).
- Personal care items such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and dental floss.
You may also make cash donations online to Comet Cupboard.
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Service Changes for Comet Cruiser Routes
Due to the stay at home mandate to slow the spread of COVID-19, UTD Parking & Transportation and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) are implementing a service adjustment for all 883 Comet Cruiser bus routes effective Monday, April 20.
In addition to the Comet Cruiser service adjustments, please note the following:
- All riders age 2 and older will need to wear an appropriate face covering when using public transportation, which includes Route 883. Those in noncompliance will be denied access to ensure compliance in maintaining the safety of riders and employees.
- On buses with rear doors, you are required to board through the rear.
- While physical DART passes are not available at this time, DART GoPass requests are being processed remotely, and these digital passes download directly to your mobile phone.
- All indoor transit center waiting areas are closed, but outdoor waiting areas are still open. You are required to practice appropriate social distancing while waiting for your bus or train.
- The lobby at DART Headquarters (1401 Pacific Ave) is closed to the public. This includes its lost and found office, which can be contacted at 214-749-3810. Likewise, the DARTmart store is closed, but GoPass Tap Cards can still be purchased or reloaded at local retailers.
- More details are available from DART’s news release and the DART Coronavirus Information page.
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Have a Question? Ask OBF Help
During these unprecedented times the Office of Budget and Finance encourages all staff and faculty to use OBF Help Desk to get answers for payroll, travel, eProcurement or budget questions.
The OBF Help Desk will be available weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
To ask a question, email [email protected].
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Volunteers Needed for ‘Make a Mask’
UT Dallas volunteers across campus have launched the “Make a Mask” project.
Their goal is to provide two reusable, washable face covers to employees who are regularly on campus for their job duties. They hope to provide masks for other employees who occasionally are required to report to campus, and for students residing on campus.
If you can donate your sewing skills and time or any supplies that may be used to make cloth face masks, please email UT Dallas Staff Council member Debra Greszler at [email protected].
For more details, visit UTD’s Telescope blog.
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UT System Launches Emotional Fitness Campaign
Work of Art is an emotional fitness campaign designed to help you learn skills that boost happiness and foster resilience. Living an emotionally healthy life is an art, but the activities and habits that lead to long-term success are grounded in science: enhancing mindfulness, sharing gratitude, increasing optimism and strengthening connections.
Pick activities that matter to you. You can repeat them and/or skip some. Logging begins Monday, May 4. The deadline to register is Friday, May 8. The last day to log your healthy activities is Tuesday, June 2.
Every Monday in May, you’ll receive details and guidance on one new activity from each of these categories: mindfulness, gratitude, optimism, connection and collage (miscellaneous). The goal is to complete one or two healthy activities at least four times each week. Each “work of art” is worth 100 points, with an overall goal of earning at least 400 points during the campaign. Those who meet the goal will receive a reward.
Faculty and staff across the UT System are invited to join a Work of Art webinar at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, or a webinar at noon on Wednesday, May 6. For more information, visit utlivingwell.com.
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Resources Available Through Employee Assistance Program
The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free service provided for benefits-eligible employees.
This program offers a wide variety of counseling, referral and consultation services. These services are confidential and can be accessed 24/7.
If you or your family need help in managing stress, anxiety or other issues, call 888-993-7650 or email [email protected].
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Connect with Colleagues at Watercooler Wednesday
It’s important to take breaks and stay in touch with colleagues as many staff and faculty work remotely. You are invited to virtually connect with staff and faculty on Watercooler Wednesday through a Microsoft Teams live event at 10:15 a.m. and 3 p.m., April 22 and 29. Each session will include a wellness activity.
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LGBT+ Resources Are Listed on Galerstein Site
The Galerstein Gender Center and QUTD have compiled a list of resources to help support the LGBT+ campus community during this difficult time. The resources point toward national hotline numbers, mental health resources, and some queer-inclusive music, art, movies, and shows.
For more information, email Matthew Winser-Johns.
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Office of Research Webinars
Techstars Global Startup Weekend Covid-19 Virtual Edition, April 24-26 — Techstars, a partner of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, will host inventors, innovators, developers and anyone with a passion to tackle COVID-19. The goal of the weekend is developing solutions that directly tackle challenges related to COVID-19. Each free virtual event is hosting up to 1,000 participants and several will offer cash prizes for teams to continue working on their solutions. To participate, visit covid.startupweekend.org.
For more information, email Dresden Goldberg.
Research 411: Human Subjects Research & Vulnerable Populations Talk Show, 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, April 28 — The Office of Research and the Galerstein Gender Center will discuss special considerations when conducting human subjects research projects that include members of the LGBT+ community. Registration is required. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Responsible Conduct of Research Development Series
Session 1: Introduction to RCR, 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, April 28
Session 2: Designing Your Research, Part 1, 2-3 p.m., Thursday, April 20
Join Office of Research professional staff and guest speakers as they share valuable information to support your efforts in conducting research at our University in a responsible fashion.
Completion of all eight 1-hour RCR sessions, in addition to the online RCR foundations training, is required to satisfy NSF and select NIH Grant funding requirements.
Advance registration is required for each of the eight sessions. Registrants will receive a confirmation email immediately with links to add the webinar to their online calendars. Instructions for how to join each online webinar will be sent to those who register prior to 9 a.m. on the day of each session.
For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Beyond the NIH: Other Federal Medical R&D Funding, noon-1p.m., Wednesday, April 29 — The majority of the U.S. government’s $1.5 billion annual spend on medical research and development, beyond NIH funding, is in the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USA MRDC). Dr. Dean E. Calcagni, a retired colonel in the U.S. Army and former MRDC program director, will cover several topics to familiarize attendees with the Command, its programs, and opportunities for funding for UT Dallas research. Registration is required.
For more information, email Anricka Ziller or call ext. 4553.
NSF CAREER Previous Awardee Panel, 2-3:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 29 — Drs. Kyle Fox, Yifei Lou and Faruck Morcos will provide practical tips and guidance on program development and writing, and what happens during the review process. Registration is required.
For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
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Reminders
Ensure Your Online Sessions Are Secure
Educational Technology Services has put together a Rapid Remote Teaching Resources page to assist faculty in transitioning from face-to-face to the online teaching environment. This page includes links to training, best practices and resources to help you collaborate online efficiently and securely.
For more information, download the Quick Guide for Secure Online Meetings.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave, Emergency Family and Medical Leave
UT Dallas is offering COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave (EFML) to all eligible UT Dallas employees pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The leave provided under the FFCRA does not modify an employee’s right to use sick or vacation time, as set forth in our current policies. Rather, these new provisions expand UTD’s employee benefits by requiring that UTD grant additional leave to certain employees due to COVID-19 through December 31, 2020. Read about the updated benefits.
Staff Members Launch Virtual Fitness Classes
VFit UTD, a new program launched by staff who are certified fitness instructors, has partnered with University Recreation to offer free virtual fitness classes to the campus community. Tune in via a livestream through Microsoft Teams each workday. New links for the workouts will be posted weekly on the UREC group fitness page.
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About This Newsletter
InterCom is the official University-wide newsletter for UT Dallas faculty and staff members. This periodic publication is designed to provide University employees with important information necessary for the workplace, as well as community news that supports the University's mission. Guidelines about content and submissions can be found here or contact Robert Tracy at [email protected] or ext. 3521. |
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