Charitable Campaign Sets 2014 Goal of 500 UT Dallas Donors

The University of Texas at Dallas launches its annual State Employee Charitable Campaign on Friday, Oct. 10. The campaign, which raises funds for a number of local, national and international nonprofit organizations, will run through Nov. 14.

In the past seven years, UT Dallas employees have raised more than $900,000. Gifts of any size by faculty and staff members make a statement about the University’s commitment to making a difference in the community.

Again this year, the campaign will be conducted entirely online. Employees will need an ID number to get started. Participants who created a login last year can reuse it or create a new one.

The University’s goal is 500 donors and $150,000 in support. You can give at givingnexus.org/_dfwsecc/. Two UT Dallas programs are eligible for support — the Academic Bridge Program and the Callier Center for Communication Disorders. Contact Molly Papin at extension 5353 with any questions.

Job Website Votes UT Dallas One of Top 25 College Employers

The University of Texas at Dallas was one of the top 25 universities named by career website Glassdoor in a recent rundown of how places of higher learning stack up as workplaces.

The rankings, published by Forbes on Sept. 19, drew on employee feedback gathered over a 12-month period that ended Aug. 31. UT Dallas was ranked No. 18.

“UT Dallas strives to create an environment where our employees can grow and succeed,” said Colleen Dutton, associate vice president for The Office of Human Resources. “This is an exciting time to be part of the campus community with opportunities at all levels to positively influence the work environment and future of UTD.”

Employees who responded to the survey on university employers extolled benefits like tuition reimbursement, working in an atmosphere of ongoing education and having the opportunity to make an impact on young lives, Forbes reported.

Musselman to Expand Administrative Role as Senior Vice Provost

Dr. Inga Musselman, professor of chemistry at UT Dallas, has been named senior vice provost for the University.

Musselman, an analytical chemist, joined the UT Dallas faculty in 1992 and has been associate provost since 2008.

In the Office of the Provost, she has overseen the process of faculty review, promotion and tenure. In her new expanded role, Musselman will continue to lead that process while assuming additional important responsibilities in the areas of personnel and finance. Read more

A&H to Host Russian Musicians; Tickets Free to Staff, Faculty

The Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, a classical music ensemble that has performed throughout its native Russia and beyond, will perform at a UT Dallas concert on Oct. 18. Tickets are free for University employees.

The orchestra, which was founded in 1991, has played in 24 countries. The group’s CDs have drawn praise from The New York Times and Gramophone magazine in the U.K., and won the Diapason d’Or award in France. Composers from Russia, Europe and the U.S. have written more than 20 pieces for the orchestra.

The performance will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building lecture hall. Tickets can be reserved by emailing Beth Wilson or by calling (972) 883-5100. Read more

Cybersecurity Institute to Celebrate Milestone With Lecture, Film

The Cyber Security Research and Education Institute will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Oct. 30.

The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. in the TI Auditorium with a lecture by Dr. Elisa Bertino, a cybersecurity researcher at Purdue University. Faculty will showcase their research in the lobby of the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building afterward.

At 6:30 p.m., the University will screen a movie on computing pioneer Alan Turing’s life called Codebreaker. Patrick Sammon, executive producer of the movie, will answer questions about the film and Turing’s life. Computer science faculty members will be present to answer technical questions about Turing's foundational contributions to computing.

Corporate Challenge to Wind Down With Ceremony Oct. 17

The closing ceremony for the 2014 Richardson Corporate Challenge will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the Richardson Civic Center. The celebration is free. Awards will be presented and refreshments will be served. UT Dallas is ranked fourth overall in its division, with five events remaining in the competition.

Raffle tickets are still available for $5 as part of the annual event‘s Special Olympics fundraising initiative. Prizes include three pairs of roundtrip airline tickets with hotel stays. Contact the Office of Administration at extension 2213 to purchase tickets. You can also donate online.

Save the Date

Employee Flu Shot Clinic Oct. 30-31 — Information regarding online registration, locations and the schedule will be announced soon.

Reminders

  • Police Offer Free Self-Defense Classes for Women
    The UT Dallas Police Department teaches women how to protect themselves as part of the Rape Aggression Defense program. Email Sgt. Kendra Penny for more information. The two-day courses are scheduled for Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m.; Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Nov. 14, 6-9 p.m.; and Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Microsoft Training
    Information Resources is offering free training in Microsoft Office’s suite of programs. Consult the Training Calendar for a list of upcoming classes.
  • Review Benefits Deductions on Oct. 1 Paychecks
    The Office of Human Resources strongly recommends that employees compare their Oct. 1 paycheck deductions with the benefits confirmation statements that were emailed to them after open enrollment. Report discrepancies by Oct. 31 to Richard Jordan at extension 2131, Nora Pena at extension 4559, or Debra York at extension 5338.
  • The Office of Research continues its series of classes. Check the list of Upcoming Training Classes for more information.