Dean to Serve as VP for Diversity, Community Engagement

Dr. George Fair, who has served as dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies since 1994, has been appointed to the position of vice president for diversity and community engagement at The University of Texas at Dallas.

In addition to continuing his role as dean, Fair will oversee the Office of Diversity and Community Engagement, which includes Faculty Diversity, Institutional Diversity Initiatives, Community Engagement, the Galerstein Women's Center and Multicultural Center.

The mission of the office is to enhance and celebrate diversity at all levels of the University and the community through the efforts of faculty, staff, students, the executive leadership and community partnerships. Read more

President Plays New Role in American Southwest Conference

UT Dallas President David E. Daniel has been named a member of the 2014-15 American Southwest Conference Executive Committee.

The conference announced the appointment at the group's recent annual meeting in Dallas.

Twelve colleges and universities located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas hold membership in the athletic conference.

UT Dallas became a part of the NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference in 1998. Read more

University Rolls Out Online Timesheets to More Departments

Payroll and Human Resources Management have been testing an online system to allow timesheet reporting and vacation requests to be submitted and approved via Web interface. Information Resources and Information Security began using the system, called Time and Labor, last month. Administration, Communications, the Provost’s Office and the School of Arts and Humanities started using it effective June 2. For more information, refer to the Time and Labor website or search askYODA, an online database of frequently asked questions run by the Office of Budget and Finance.

Benefits Fair Set for July 11, Before Start of Open Enrollment

The Office of Human Resources will host a Benefits Fair on July 11 to help faculty and staff members learn more about employee benefit options before the enrollment period starts. The fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Galaxy Rooms (SU 2.602).

The annual benefits enrollment period for eligible employees begins July 15 and ends at midnight CDT on July 31. During this time period, employees can:
  • Make changes to their benefits.
  • Enroll or re-enroll in UT FLEX.
  • Add or remove dependents from their coverage plans.
Consult the Benefits Services pages for more information.

Library Staffers Help Mall Fountain Guests Waddle to Safety
McDermott Library staffers (at right, from left) Matt Makowka, Susan Fisher, Doug Boedenauer and Julie Gaida recently came to the rescue of a brood of ducklings that were struggling to get out of a reflecting pool in the University’s mall.

The ducklings were too small to make the jump and join their mother when she left the pond and waited for them to follow her back onto dry land. Using a "Wet Floor" sign and a towel, the employees put together a ramp for the ducklings to use.

"Momma Duck didn't know what she was getting them into when she started the swimming lesson," Makowka said. "I'm glad we were able to get them all out."

For more pictures, check out the McDermott Library page on Facebook.

Workstation Encryption Leads to Significant Risk Reduction

Organizations like UT Dallas are using whole-disk encryption tools to address the threat of computer theft. When hard drives are protected by whole-disk encryption, the likelihood of a thief reading the information from the stolen computer is drastically reduced. Following direction provided by the UT System, the Information Security Office has been installing disk encryption in desktop computers purchased before September 2013 if the machine could be considered "high risk." The office will be working in the coming months to ensure that encryption rollout continues for new computers.

Office of Sponsored Projects: Research Certificate Series

Registration is required. Call Rebecca Everett at 972-883-2313 for more information.

  • Technology Commercialization – June 10, 10 to 11 a.m. (FN 2.106)
    The Office of Technology Commercialization will discuss protecting researchers’ intellectual property and the importance of timely invention disclosure.
  • Post Award – June 24, 10 to 11 a.m. (JSOM 2.903)
    The Office of Post Award Management will detail how it partners with principal investigators, school fiscal officers and others to ensure compliance with award terms and conditions.
  • Reporting/Closeouts – July 8, 10 to 11 a.m. (FO 1.202)
    The Office of Sponsored Projects will outline common reporting requirements of a sponsored project.

Reminders

June 17 — Find out what to do in the event of a campus emergency at the Disaster Preparedness Lunch and Learn hosted by the UT Dallas Wellness Committee from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, in the Student Union Galaxy Rooms B and C (SU 2.602). The event will feature speakers from the UT Dallas Police Department and Environmental Health and Safety teams. Lunch will be provided.