Discount DART Passes Available to Employees for 2016

Discount DART Passes Available to Employees for 2016
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and UT Dallas are accepting orders for discount 2016 transportation passes for faculty and staff members. The passes are available for $300 until Friday, Feb. 12, after which they will rise to the DART corporate rate of $600.

To order an annual pass, download and complete a pass application and email it to [email protected]. Application processing will begin Monday, Jan. 4. You will be contacted when your pass is ready for pickup up at the Bursar office. Passes are effective through Dec. 31, 2016.

For more information, visit UT Dallas Parking and Transportation’s DART pass page, or call (972) 883-2344. Please note: Comet Cruiser routes will change Dec. 21 to accommodate campus construction.

Direct Deposit Tool is Back Online With a Safer Log-In

Direct Deposit Tool is Back Online With a Safer Log-in
The employee Direct Deposit tool is back online with an upgrade designed to heighten protection of employees’ financial information. To add, change or delete direct deposit information, sign in to Galaxy and follow the navigation from My Menu, to Staff Tools, then Payroll and Compensation, and finally Direct Deposit.

Direct Deposit now uses NetIDplus, a two-factor authentication application that makes it more difficult for hackers to access accounts online. Help with NetIDplus is available through the Help Desk at 972-883-2911 and the NetIDplus website.

University and Employees Get Ready for Winter Break

University and Employees Get Ready for Winter Break
The winter holiday break starts Wednesday, Dec. 23. Faculty and staff will report back Monday, Jan. 4. During this time, many UT Dallas entities will halt service or reduce hours of operation. For specific schedules, check the websites for dining, the Comet Cruiser, the McDermott Library, and the Activity Center and Rec Center West.

Other facility closings and power outages are as follows:

Parking Garage Closures
At 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, the top levels of Parking Structures 1 and 3 will close as a precaution against inclement weather over the winter break. During this time, cars with green permits will be allowed to park in gold spaces. The top levels of both parking structures will reopen the morning of Monday, Jan. 4, weather permitting.

Power Outages Planned
A number of campus buildings will be without heat or air conditioning from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, through Monday, Dec. 28, while the Central Energy Plant and the Satellite Utility Plant undergo maintenance.

In addition, maintenance projects will interrupt power to the Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory (NSERL) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, and the Administration building from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2. No one will be allowed in these buildings during the outages.

Save Energy and Protect Equipment
A few simple steps will help the University conserve energy and protect your equipment and data from power outages when you leave for winter break:

  • Close windows and blinds.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Turn off and/or unplug all equipment and small appliances, such as computers, peripherals, coffee pots and printers.
  • Power down your lab space by closing fume hood sashes and unplugging unused equipment.
  • Clean out your refrigerator.
Mail and Delivery Service to Take a Holiday
No mail or packages will be received or delivered to the campus Wednesday, Dec. 23, through Friday, Jan. 1. Normal service hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 04.

Green Zone Classes Seek Friendly Campus for Veterans

Green Zone Classes Seek Friendly Campus for Veterans
Transitioning from military service to a university campus can be a challenge for student veterans who need to mentally shift gears and negotiate a successful path in a distinctly different culture. To help them, faculty and staff are invited to register for Green Zone training, a program designed to help create a network of individuals across campus that can provide resources to help student veterans succeed.

The program name refers to what the military calls a safe zone for soldiers. UT Dallas Green Zone training topics include military terminology and culture, transition challenges, classroom considerations, and campus and community resources. Classes are led by staff and student veterans affiliated with the Veteran Services Center. Faculty and staff who participate will receive a certificate and a Green Zone decal for their offices.

The next class will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Jan. 8, in JSOM 11.305. Space is limited, and registration is required. For more information, email Archie Nettles or call the Veteran Services Center at 972-883-4916.

Reminders

IRS Insurance Coverage Form 1095-C to be Distributed by Jan. 31
The UT Dallas Office of Human Resources is preparing Form 1095-C for distribution to benefits-eligible employees by Sunday, Jan. 31. Required by the Affordable Care Act, the form is an annual statement outlining the insurance coverage available to staff and faculty members. Details will be provided soon.

TRS Reviewing Information After Wage Reporting Change
UT Dallas is now reporting compensation to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) in the month it is paid rather than the month it is earned. TRS will review wage information for all retiring employees to ensure TRS members do not lose compensation credit. Call TRS at 1-800-223-8778 for more information.