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UT DallasInterCom
Feb. 12, 2014
Can Contest Aims to Build Hunger Awareness
Raising Cans

A team works on its sculpture at last year's Raising Cans event.

Faculty and staff are invited to join students participating in the second annual Raising Cans competition, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 31, on the Student Union mall.

At the competition, teams build "sculptures" using canned goods they collect for the Comet Cupboard, an on-campus food pantry that provides nonperishable food items to students in need. Participants can use anything from the needed items list. All donated items go to the Comet Cupboard. READ MORE

Lecture to Reveal Magic Behind Our Wired World
Christian Belady
Microsoft manager Christian Belady is a UT Dallas alumnus.

Christian Belady, general manager of data center services for Microsoft's Global Foundation Services and a UT Dallas alumnus, will speak about the wonders behind our increasingly connected world in this second installment of the ATEC Distinguished Lecture Series. Learn about datacenters the size of 20 football fields and how these centers are evolving in the midst of a revolution in the industry.

The event will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Edith O'Donnell Arts and Technology Building lecture hall. A limited number of complimentary faculty and staff tickets are available. Register online.

Golf Tournament to Benefit Scholarship Funds

Volunteers will tee up Thursday, April 24, for the 21st Annual UT Dallas Scholarship Golf Tournament at Sherrill Park Golf Course in Richardson. Tournament proceeds will benefit the Betty and Gifford Johnson Graduate, Patti Henry-Pinch Undergraduate and Academic Bridge Program endowments.

These scholarships assist undergraduates with research and travel expenses, allow graduate students to present their work at national conferences and support a program that provides mentoring and tutoring for first-generation college students. The value of these endowments has increased to nearly $400,000 in recent years. To register, make a donation or get more information, visit the tournament website or call 972-883-2213.

Leading up to the event, The Practice Tee will host UT Dallas Day from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9. Students, faculty and staff are invited to enjoy free pizza, drinks and the use of the facility's putting green, par-three course and driving range. Golf clubs will be available.

Researcher to Discuss Effects of Teen Texting
Dr. Sam Ehrenreich

Dr. Samuel Ehrenreich is a post-doctoral researcher at UT Dallas.

"Adolescent Text Messaging and the Development of Antisocial Behavior" will be the subject of a Feb. 14 talk as part of the Center for Children and Families spring lecture series. Dr. Samuel Ehrenreich, a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, will discuss the problem with texting and what parents, teachers and school administrators can do about it. The lecture starts at 9:30 a.m. in JSOM 2.106.

Lecture to Take a Look at Facial Expressions

Dr. Paul J. Whalen, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Dartmouth College, will discuss how "Neural Responses to Facial Expressions Predict Attention, Bias and Personality" in a Center for Vital Longevity lecture at noon Monday, Feb. 24. Whalen's research uses facial expressions to test his hypotheses about the function of the brain. The talk is part of CVL's spring Science Luncheon Series.

Containers Give Diners Earth-Friendly Options

The UT Dallas Dining Services' To-Go program is a new sustainable "take-out" option offered at the University's Dining Hall.

This program uses containers made of reusable polypropylene rather than Styrofoam to reduce landfill waste. The to-go containers also give participants the freedom to choose where they eat, whether outside under the Trellis or in an office workspace.

To participate, visit the Dining Hall, purchase a meal and fill a To-Go container. There is a one-time fee of $5 per academic year to cover the cost of washing and sanitizing the reusable containers.

After using, return the container to the Dining Hall on your next visit and either exchange it for a clean one, or receive a token for another container at a later date.

Budget and Finance Site Addresses Staff Questions

The Office of Budget and Finance has introduced Ask Your Online Data Assistant (askYODA), a website that offers answers to frequently asked questions about accounting, payroll, purchasing, travel, payables, budget and student financial services.

With more than 300 published references, askYODA helps users find the answers. If an answer is not currently in askYODA, users can forward their questions to Budget and Finance staff members by using the "Ask a Question" link on the home page. Visit askYODA and search "What is askYODA?" for more information.

University Appoints
Interim Athletic Director

Bill Petitt (left) takes over for Chris Gage, who has retired.

Bill Petitt, who has more than 20 years' experience in collegiate athletics, has been named interim athletic director for UT Dallas.

Petitt began his career at the University in 2007 as associate athletic director for external affairs. He has been responsible for the fundraising and marketing functions of the program. Before joining UT Dallas, he held posts at UT Arlington, UT San Antonio and West Texas A&M.

Petitt also has experience in sports reporting for both print and broadcast media. He received three “Best in the Nation” awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America.

A native of Lubbock, Petitt attended Texas Tech University and graduated cum laude from UT Permian Basin. He replaces Chris Gage, who retired from the position.

A search for a permanent athletic director is expected to take place in late spring.

Screen Filters Help Keep
Data Safe From Prying Eyes

The Information Security Office recommends screen privacy filters for individuals who work with confidential information when that data can be viewed by someone else.

The filters are useful for computer users working in a variety of settings, whether it be on a laptop at a coffee shop, at a desktop in an area with high foot traffic, or near windows or doorways where passers-by can view the screen.

The office also recommends setting a password-protected screen saver to start when a computer is inactive for a period of time and reminds employees to lock their screens before leaving their computers unattended.

Police Urge Including IDs
on Computer Flash Drives

As part of a new property recovery program, the UT Dallas Police Department is encouraging all students, faculty and staff to save their Net IDs on the flash drives and external hard drives that they own.

Officers will be able to more quickly locate the owner and return their property should such a device be lost, found and sent to the police.

Writing Good Proposals

The Office of Research Development will explain the difference between compiling a good research proposal and other types of writing at a seminar 3 to 4 p.m., Feb. 20 in FO 1.202. The seminar will also review common writing errors and principles for writing clearly and coherently. Register at explorer.utdallas.edu/classes. Contact Rebecca Everett at ext. 2313 with any questions.

Show your heart some love. Join the UT Dallas Wellness Committee at noon Friday for a Valentine's Day lunch-and-learn event in SU 2.602. Dr. Joshua Burack, a cardiologist with HeartPlace and the Methodist Health System in Richardson, will discuss heart health and preventative measures you can take against heart disease. A healthy lunch will be provided.