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Communication for the staff and faculty of
The University of Texas at Dallas |
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Wednesday, February 24, 2021 |
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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.
Vaccine Recipients Encouraged To Fill Out Online Form
UT Dallas encourages anyone who has received the COVID-19 vaccine to register using our voluntary registration form. Please fill out the form for each dose of the vaccine you receive.
For more information, email the Office of Emergency Management and Continuity Planning.
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HR Forum Scheduled for March 3
The Office of Human Resources will host its next HR Forum from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 3, as a Microsoft Teams live event. Please install Microsoft Teams prior to joining. If you need assistance, contact the Help Desk.
Each participant will have the option to turn on closed captioning. Participation will be through a moderated Q-and-A forum. Email your forum questions in advance to [email protected].
Please refer to the agenda:
- Welcome
- You Asked, We Answered
- Updates
- Return to Campus
- Living Our Values Task Force
- Guests Presenter: McDermott Library on LinkedIn Learning
- HR Updates
- HCM Fluid Update
- Flex Updates
- Talent Development Updates
- Closing Comments
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BrainHealth Lecture Highlights Benefits of Mid-Life Activities
The Center for BrainHealth invites you to attend its next Virtual Frontiers Lecture next month.
University of Cambridge professor Dr. Rik Henson will present Mid-Life Activities Are Important for Late-Life Cognition at noon, Friday, March 12.
Henson focuses on recollection of people's memory, specifically using the techniques of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electro- and magneto-encephalography (EEG/MEG) to examine brain activity.
For more information and to register, visit the page for the March 12 event.
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Virtual Coding Camps: 10% Discount for Staff, Faculty, Students
Virtual Coding Camps: 10% Discount for Staff, Faculty, Students
The Department of Computer Science will offer Virtual Coding Camps for students during spring break and summer.
Camps range from block-based coding with code.org for first- and second-graders to mobile app development for high school students.
For more information, visit the spring break coding camp page and the summer camp website.
UTD faculty, staff and students will receive a 10% discount in addition to the early bird discount available for summer camps.
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DFW Labor Market Update
Job postings in the Dallas-Fort Worth area rose 10% between November and December 2020, exceeding December 2019 job postings by 10 percent. Despite large employment gains since the start of the pandemic, DFW remained approximately 51,100 jobs short of February 2020 employment. Read the latest Labor Market Update for details on which industries and occupations were most affected.
For more information on how UT Dallas and our local economy affect each other, please contact Rachel Brasier in the Economic Development team. You can also subscribe to biweekly updates with the latest analysis and news from the Economic Development team.
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Register To Compete in Homecoming Virtual 5K
Sign up to participate in the UT Dallas Homecoming Virtual 5K — a run/walk event for all Comets wherever they are in the world.
UT Dallas students, alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends can support the UT Dallas Student Emergency Fund by running or walking their favorite 5K course during the month of March. A portion of every nonstudent registration fee goes directly toward the fund which supports UT Dallas students facing financial hardship. Race kits include an exclusive UT Dallas Homecoming 5K T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and a personalized bib.
Registration for the 5K is open through Wednesday, March 31. Cost is $40 for nonstudents and $30 for current UTD students. Time submissions can be made through Friday, April 30.
For more information, email Melanie Depoian. |
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Collect Items, Create Art in Raising Cans Competition
The Comet Cupboard, UT Dallas' on-campus food pantry supporting hungry Comets, invites individuals and teams to participate in the 9th Annual Raising Cans food drive art competition.
Student usage and need for food and personal care supplies has steadily increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cupboard is continuing to serve students each week, and your participation is critically important to supporting a #HungerFreeUTD.
Raising Cans participants will engage in a virtual building competition, culminating with a Teams Live event at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, to showcase all participants and to announce the winners in four different competition categories.
Competing teams will gather nonperishable food, school supplies, household goods and personal care items. Teams then assemble collected items into creative sculptures or depict them using creative graphics. After the event, the UTD Police Department building will serve as the collection site for all donated items.
Participating individuals or teams should register for the 2021 Raising Cans Virtual Competition using the Raising Cans 2021 Registration Form by Friday, March 12.
Participants will compete in the following categories:
- Best Photo Collage Graphic
- Best Themed Photo Album
- Best Overall Build
- Most Items Collected
Additional descriptions of the categories and the competition can be found on the Raising Cans 2021 Registration Form.
For more information, [email protected] or contact Whitney Vela at ext. 2709.
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Deadline To Apply for Staff Council Scholarships Is March 1
Staff Council sponsors scholarships to support staff members pursuing academic and vocational programs. Each semester, qualified applicants may apply for the following scholarships:
- UTD Staff Council Endowed Scholarship: Established in 2006 by Staff Council fundraising activities and matching funds from UT Dallas.
- Joellyn (Jody) Nelsen Staff Council Endowed Scholarship: Established in 2008 in honor of Jody Nelsen, a founding member of Staff Council who served UT Dallas for 17 years.
- Richard M. Dempsey Staff Endowed Scholarship: Established in 2019 in honor of Rick Dempsey and his 12 years of service in the Office of Facilities Management.
The deadline to apply for the spring scholarships is March 1.
For more information including applicant criteria, visit the Staff Council scholarships page.
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Office of Research Events
Research 411 Talk Show: The Heart and Mind Connection, 3-4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24 — During this interactive session, Dr. Chandramallika Basak, associate professor of behavioral and brain sciences, will discuss the heart and mind connection. Basak will share how her research on modifiable neuroprotective factors, arterial wall plasticity and physical fitness can prevent decline in executive functions. For more information, visit the Research 411 Talk Show Comet Calendar listing or email Tiffany Willoughby.
Responsible Conduct of Research, noon-1 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 2-11 — The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to conducting research in a scientifically responsible and ethical manner, and expects all students and employees to follow relevant guidelines, policies, and regulations. Students, postdocs, faculty and staff who participate in research at UT Dallas or any of its related centers or institutes may be required to participate in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training as part of their participation in federally sponsored research or as required in undergraduate or graduate research training programs. For certification, you must attend all classes in the series and complete the online training module and assessment. For more information, visit the RCR Series Comet Calendar listing or email Tiffany Willoughby.
Center Stage Seminar: TxACE with Dr. Kenneth O, noon-1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 26 — Dr. Kenneth O, Texas Instruments Distinguished University Chair, professor of electrical engineering, and director of the Texas Analog Center of Excellence (TxACE), will shine a spotlight on the research that takes place at the largest analog research center based in an academic institution. For more information, visit the Center Stage Comet Calendar listing or email Tiffany Willoughby.
Office of Research Spring Forum, 10-11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 4 — The Office of Research is pleased to announce this new forum as a means of engagement with the research and innovation community. The agenda includes discussion on internal awards, foreign influence, tips and tricks from principal investigators and more. For more information, visit the Spring Forum Comet Calendar listing or email Tiffany Willoughby.
“Picture a Scientist,” noon-1 p.m., Monday, March 8 — The Office of Research is partnering with the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Galerstein Gender Center and the Women's Employee Resource Group for a University-wide viewing of “Picture a Scientist” followed by a panel discussion. The documentary focuses on gender bias and equality, diversity, and inclusion in science. The goal of the film viewing and panel discussion is to bring awareness to systemic discrimination, then, reflect and discuss ways to make science more inclusive. Watch the film at your leisure anytime between March 5-8. Register to attend and a link to view the film will be distributed 72 hours prior to the panel discussion. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby.
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Attend Center for Teaching and Learning Workshops
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is offering the following virtual events:
Discovering and Sustaining Good Practices: Lessons from COVID Teaching, 9-11 a.m., Friday, March 5 — This interactive webinar will examine methods for teaching developed during the pandemic that can be used when we return to “normal” practice. Examples will include use of asynchronous, pre-recorded materials, adaptions to traditional forms of assessment with particular focus on more frequent and formative assessment, authentic assessment, use of digital tools to facilitate group work and collaboration. RSVP for the March 5 workshop.
Preparing Students as Global Citizens, noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, March 10 — Dr. Jamie Frueh, professor of global politics and director of the Center for Engaged Learning at Bridgewater College, will discuss approaches for institutions and instructors that help students understand themselves and others within the dynamics of a globalizing world. RSVP for the March 10 workshop.
Creating a Culture of Academic Honor, noon-1 p.m., Friday, March 12 — Dr. Carie King, chair of the committee on academic integrity, and Dr. Karen Huxtable, chair of the committee on effective teaching will lead a conversation about academic integrity, including UTD expectations, the importance of a culture of academic integrity and honor, and ways that the academic community can encourage a sense of honor among UTD students. RSVP for the March 12 workshop.
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Reminders
Compete Against Fellow Comets in Shelf Stars
The Comet Cupboard’s Shelf Stars program is returning for spring 2021. UT Dallas departments and student groups/organizations compete against each other in the monthly race to gather the most items for UT Dallas students in need.
Shelf Star teams focus on gathering one personal care and one or two food items during their assigned month. Here are the assigned Shelf Star monthly donation items:
- February: Microwave-ready vegetarian meals and body wash
- March: Medium- and low-sugar dry cereals and deodorant
- May: Dry pasta, pasta sauce (alfredo and marinara) and laundry detergent
- June: Rice, lentils and toothpaste
Shelf Stars teams will receive shoutouts on Comet Cupboard’s social media. Winning Shelf Stars will receive a framed certificate, an additional mention on the Comet Cupboard website, and, of course, bragging rights!
If you are up for some healthy competition that benefits a great cause, sign up to be a Shelf Star.
Those who register to be a Shelf Star will receive a follow-up email with helpful information and specific instructions.
The support of the UT Dallas community has been invaluable during the pandemic. Comet Cupboard appreciates all who have a donated to the Comet Cupboard.
Green Zone Classes Help Create Inclusive Campus for Veterans
The Green Zone program, presented by the Military and Veteran Center, is designed to establish a network of UTD Staff and Faculty to encourage a military-inclusive campus culture.
Green Zone will be taught virtually through Microsoft Teams in three sessions from 1-3 p.m. on March 11, 25 and April 1. Topics include military terminology and identities, transition to civilian life, community resources, transition to college life and campus resources.
For more information, email [email protected] or call ext. 4913.
Join Campus Connection for HR Info
To stay up-to-date on the latest news and information related to employment, immigration, wellness, benefits, talent development, as well as other Human Resources activities, join the HR Campus Connection in Teams. Use the code 4nstab6 to join.
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 colleagues on Watercooler Wednesday through a Microsoft Teams live event at 10-10:15 a.m. and 3-3:15 p.m. Each session will include a wellness activity. Join early or hang around after and visit with colleagues and meet new folks.
Visit the Campus Wellness Committee site for more information about Watercooler Wednesday and other virtual resources related to wellness.
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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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