Veteran IT Manager David Crain Named CIO of UT Dallas

UT Dallas President David E. Daniel has named David Crain vice president for information resources and chief information officer for the University.

Crain has 17 years of experience in information technology management, including senior leadership positions at both the University of Missouri and Southern Illinois University, where he currently serves as chief information officer (CIO).

He will report to Daniel and will be responsible for the overall leadership of UT Dallas’ Information Resources function and staff. Offices within the unit include architecture and infrastructure services, enterprise application services, networking and telecommunication services, and technology customer service. Read more

Service Milestones Include Two Employees With 50 Years at UTD

President David E. Daniel congratulates Ron Lippincott for his 50 years of service to the University.
The University recognized 266 faculty and staff members last month for a combined 2,250 years of service to UT Dallas. For the first time, 50-year employees were honored.

The 28th Annual Service Awards presentation and reception honored the employees who reached service milestones of five, 10, 20, 30 and 50 years during the past fiscal year. Since the event’s inception, the University has presented more than 5,760 service awards.

President David E. Daniel led the celebration in the Alexander Clark Center and presented the honorees with their awards. He spoke about the importance of an institution’s culture. Read more

Research Office Appoints Assistant Vice President for Compliance

Sanaz Okhovat has assumed the role of assistant vice president for research compliance in the UT Dallas Office of Research.

The promotion recognizes Okhovat’s work to support faculty members in their research and the increasing scope of responsibilities that have been assumed by the Office of Research Compliance. Under Okhovat’s leadership, the office has moved beyond addressing issues of human and animal research to encompass export controls, conflict of interest, responsible research conduct and laboratory safety.

UT Dallas Employees Raise $126,000 for Charitable Causes

The UT Dallas State Employee Charitable Campaign concluded last month with UT Dallas employees pledging and donating more than $126,000. The money raised will support a variety of local charities, including UT Dallas’ Academic Bridge Program ($24,467.50) and the Callier Center for Communication Disorders ($26,673.50).

New Regulations Set for Veterans and People with Disabilities

The U.S. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has announced new regulations to strengthen federal contractors’ affirmative action and nondiscrimination responsibilities as they relate to veterans and people with disabilities. The new regulations require federal contractors to provide an opportunity for all job applicants, new hires and employees to voluntarily identify themselves in these two categories.

As a UT Dallas employee, you have the opportunity to complete the two voluntary self-identification surveys by logging in to Galaxy and navigating to “Staff Tools/Voluntary Self Identification.” For further information regarding the surveys, please contact the Office Institutional Equity at [email protected] or (972) 883-2223. If you are a person with a disability who requires a workplace accommodation, you may contact the Office of Human Resources, Employee Relations at (972) 883-2221 or [email protected]. Additional resources related to this new regulation include Section 503 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA).

Winter Break Reminders

  • Most University employees will be off for winter break from Monday, Dec. 22, through Friday, Jan. 2. Faculty and staff not taking extra vacation days should report back to work Monday, Jan. 5.
  • Many UT Dallas buildings will be closed Dec. 22 through Jan. 2. Facilities and services may operate under reduced hours in the weeks preceding and following winter break as well. Schedules for dining services , the Comet Cruiser, the library and the Activity Center and Rec Center West are available on their respective websites.
  • Mail Services and Central Receiving will be closed Dec. 22 through Jan. 2, and no mail will be processed during this time. All items to be delivered on these dates will require direct shipment to the intended department’s address or an alternative arrangement. Normal mail service hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 5.

Power and HVAC Outages to Affect Buildings Over Winter Break

Facilities Management will interrupt power to a number of campus buildings during winter break for annual maintenance, inspections and cleaning of critical equipment.

The Central Energy Plant and Supplemental Utility Plant will be shut down from 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, through Saturday, Dec. 27. Many buildings on the main campus will be without heating or air conditioning as a result during this period.

In addition, on Monday, Dec. 22, maintenance and inspection projects will require power interruptions at the following buildings:
  • Lloyd V. Berkner Hall
  • Eugene McDermott Library
  • Waterview Science and Technology Center
These buildings will be without electricity during this period, and no one will be allowed inside without prior authorization by the UT Dallas Police.

Save Energy by Getting Your Workspace Set for Winter Break

Help the University conserve energy and protect your equipment and data from power outages by taking a few simple steps before you leave for winter break:

  • Close all windows and blinds.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Turn off and/or unplug all equipment, such as computers, peripherals, coffee pots and printers.   
  • Power down lab spaces by closing fume hood sashes and unplugging unused equipment. 
  • And clean out your refrigerator. If you would like to have your refrigerator cleaned and serviced by the custodial team after all food items have been removed, submit a work request.
Facilities Management will be running a test and capturing data from the Naveen Jindal School of Management, Engineering and Computer Science North building, Activity Center, Cecil H. Green Hall, Eugene McDermott Library, Jonsson Academic Center, Administration Building and the Alexander Clark Center to see how much energy is saved over winter break.

Bus Route Alterations to Speed Service, Improve Retail Access

On Monday, Dec. 15, Route 883 will split into two routes: Route 883 East and Route 883 West.

  • Route 883 East will run from Bush Turnpike Train Station to Lloyd V. Berkner Hall. This service will include a stop at Synergy Park North and a loop through the parking lot of the Waterview Science and Technology Center.
  • Route 883 West will run from the intersection of Dickerson Street and McCallum Boulevard to Lloyd V. Berkner Hall. It will include stops at West Campbell Road and North Waterview Drive and at West Campbell Road and Mimosa Drive. To visit these new stops and still provide speedy service, the stops at Jonsson Boulevard and Tatum Street and at Jonsson Boulevard and Lake Park Way will be eliminated, and this route will not loop through the parking lot of the Waterview Science and Technology Center. On Fridays and Sundays, Route 883 West will extend to the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 425 Coit Road.
Download the Comet Cruiser Route Map

Construction on Loop Road Expansion to Begin in January

In partnership with the City of Richardson, UT Dallas Facilities Management will begin work to add a new segment to Loop Road in January. Once completed, the new road will cut through the center areas of parking Lots A, B, C and D, and will connect the existing Loop Road near Parking Structure 3 to the north with the existing Loop Road near Supplemental Utility Plant (SUP) to the south. The project includes a new bridge near Lot R and renovated road connections at West Lookout Drive and at Facilities Way.

Work on this project will be completed in phases, starting with Lots A and B. Portions of Lots A and B will be blocked off before Jan. 5 to allow crews to start work. The affected lots will still be open for parking, but there will be additional construction traffic and activity in the area. Once the road work is complete in Lots A and B, the lots will be resurfaced, restriped and fully reopened. Crews will then begin work in Lots C and D following the same process. Weather permitting, the parking lot phases of the project should be completed before the fall 2015 semester begins. All phases of the project will be completed by late fall 2015.

Visit the Pardon Our Progress site for additional updates on these and other campus projects.

Staffers Help Fill the Shelves for Comet Cupboard Food Drive

The UT Dallas community stepped up to collect more than 4,600 food items for the 2014 “Comets Can! Faculty Staff Homecoming Challenge.” Eighteen departments and offices gathered items for the Comet Cupboard, a resource for students in need. The Research and Operations Center won the challenge by collecting 834 items, followed by the Chemistry Department with 545 and the UT Dallas Police Department with 435. The event was organized by Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs.

Save the Date

  • Center for Children and Families’ Schedules Spring Lecture Series
    The Center for Children and Families has announced the lineup of speakers for its spring lecture series. The first lecture is Friday, Jan. 23. Researchers associated with the center will present the lectures, centered on the theme “Ensuring Children’s Success in School.” All lectures are free and open to the public, with no RSVP required. See the spring 2015 Lecture Series website for more information.
  • Wellness and Retirement Fair
    Mark your calendars for the UT Dallas Wellness and Retirement Fair, which will be hosted by the Office of Human Resources on Thursday, Jan. 29. More information coming soon.