ATEC Lecture Series to Host Design and Technology Innovator

ATEC Lecture Series to Host Design and Technology Innovator
Design innovator, computer scientist and educator John Maeda will explore “Turning STEM into STEAM” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Edith O'Donnell Arts and Technology Building Lecture Hall (ATC 1.102).

The ATEC Distinguished Lecture Series event was rescheduled after bad weather canceled the talk that Maeda was originally scheduled to give in the spring. Employees can use the ATEC2015 promo code for $5 discounts on up to four seats.

Maeda is a former president of the Rhode Island School of Design and is known for his efforts to turn STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) into STEAM by adding art. For tickets and more information, visit the ATEC Distinguished Lecture Series website.

Weekly Timesheet and Absence Processing Begins Nov. 1

The University will process payroll data submitted for vacation and sick leave on a weekly basis starting Nov. 1.

Employees and managers are encouraged to submit and approve timesheets with absence events every week. Absences submitted and approved by 5 p.m. on Fridays will be visible in Galaxy the following week.

This change will give employees more accurate and timely leave balances. Employees who already record their time and absences on a daily or weekly basis can use the “submit” button rather than the “save” button. If circumstances change, adjustments can be made by using the “edit” button and then resubmitting.

For questions related to this change, please call the Employee Benefits Team at 972-883-5343 or email [email protected].

Lecture to Explore Building a Culture of Information Security

Benjamin WrightBen Setnick
Two experts on electronic privacy will talk about “Avoiding Legal Pitfalls by Building a Culture of Security” in a free lecture Tuesday, Oct. 13. The presentation, sponsored by the UT Dallas Information Security Office, is at 4 p.m. in JSOM 11.214.

Benjamin Wright and Ben Setnick, both attorneys with experience in information security, will discuss how a security incident can affect every employee in an organization and how an educated and collaborative culture can head off trouble before it starts. The speakers will draw on lessons learned from an actual case at a California university.

This event is open to all faculty, staff and students. RSVP to [email protected].

Event Recognizes Achievements of Recently Promoted Faculty

The University of Texas at Dallas
President ad interim Hobson Wildenthal hosted a reception Sept. 10 to honor faculty members who were promoted recently.

The event honored 26 professors. Increasing the University’s ranks of tenured professors is one of the goals outlined in the UT Dallas Strategic Plan. Read More

Former U.N. Ambassador to Address Global Security Challenges

Former UN Ambassador to Address Global Security Challenges
Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering, a former U.S. envoy to the United Nations, will discuss “Global Security Threats” in an address to be delivered at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. The lecture will be in the Clark Center Auditorium (CN 1.112).

Pickering’s remarks will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Todd Sandler, the Vibhooti Shukla Professor of Economics and Political Economy at UT Dallas; and Dr. Jeffrey Fields, assistant professor of the practice of international relations at the University of Southern California.

The free event is sponsored by the American Friends of Bucerius, the American Council on Germany and the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, in cooperation with the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. Registration is required.

Farmers’ Market Days Scheduled for October and November

Farmers’ Market Days Scheduled for October and November
UT Dallas Dining Services will host a “Pop Up Farmers’ Market” 9-11 a.m. Oct. 13 and Nov. 10 at the Plinth.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to learn about sustainable and healthy food options, and shop the market’s produce, spices and prepared foods. Recipe cards with Dining Hall coupons will also be available.

Dietitians to Serve Up Vegetarian Nutrition Guidance

UT Dallas registered dietitians Deborah Hamlin and Sara Asberry will offer information about eating a balanced vegetarian diet on Thursday, Oct. 1, World Vegetarian Day. The event is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Activity Center.

Office of Research Launches Web Pages With Fresh Features

Office of Research Launches Web Pages With Fresh Features
Redesigned Web pages are now online for the Office of Research, as well as for the Applied Research Center and the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

In addition to a fresh look, the Office of Research site features rotating blog posts, an expanded social media feed and additional calendar listings of workshops and events.

There are also expanded resources in the Conflict of Interest, Institutional Review Board and Limited Submissions sections. The Office of Research also plans new training and outreach initiatives for research computing and software.

University Page Collects Campus Carry Law Information

Senate Bill 11, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June, requires that public universities and colleges allow handgun license-holders to carry concealed weapons on campus beginning in August 2016. The University has set up a Web page devoted to documenting the process of implementing that legislation at UT Dallas. The page will be updated periodically. Your input is welcomed. Please send comments to [email protected].

Corporate Challenge Update

UT Dallas recently won a gold medal in swimming, gold in table tennis, and one gold and two silvers in miniature golf in Richardson’s annual Corporate Challenge.

The games run through Friday, Oct. 16. Staff and faculty members can vote for UT Dallas in the T-shirt design competition until 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.

Reminders

Review Your October 1 Paycheck
The Office of Human Resources urges employees to compare the deduction amounts listed on their Oct. 1 paychecks with what was listed on the benefits confirmation statement previously emailed by the UT System Office of Employee Benefits. You must report any discrepancies to the UT Dallas Office of Human Resources Benefits team by Oct. 31.

Drive Seeks to Sign Up 150 for National Bone Marrow Registry
The Office of Student Volunteerism will host a Bone Marrow Donor Drive 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the Student Union Galaxy Rooms (SU 2.602). Read More

Next Human Resources Forum Scheduled for Oct. 7
The Office of Human Resources will host its next HR Forum 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in TI Auditorium (ECSS 2.102). Each forum offers updates from all areas of HR.

Financial Wellness Lunch and Learn
The UT Dallas Wellness Committee and HR Benefits team will host the “Retirement Expressway lunch and learn” noon-1p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in Student Union Galaxy Room C (SU 2.602). Register online.

SPN Wellness Center Now Open
The SPN Wellness Center, on the first floor of Synergy Park North, is open to faculty and staff weekdays 5:30-7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. For more information, visit the Wellness website.

Office of Research Seminars