The Office of Human Resources will host its next HR Forum from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 1, as a Microsoft Teams live event. Please install Microsoft Teams prior to joining. If you need assistance, visit the OIT Help Desk. Unlike a traditional Teams meeting, you are not able to “dial in” to a live event. Audio will stream from your computer. Please ensure your speakers are on or use a headset connected to your device. Closed captioning is available, and there will be a moderated Q&A forum. If you have questions for the HR Forum, send them to [email protected].

UTD Wins Systemwide Contest, Retains Traveling Trophy

Thank you to everyone who participated in the UT System Spring Wellness Challenge, Feel Like a Million, and congratulations to everyone for taking steps to live healthy every day. Together, UT Dallas logged a total of 35,786,622 steps or about 17,500 miles during the monthlong challenge. Team UTD finished in first place overall and first place for the medium-sized institutions, establishing a winning streak for the traveling trophy. In addition to physical activity, brain-stimulating activity and time in nature were the most popular health behaviors for participants.

Wellness Committee Lunch and Learn: Nutrition and Environmental Health

You are invited to attend ‘Tis the Season To Eat in Season: Incorporating Sustainability into your Lifestyle (pdf), Wednesday, May 25, noon-1 p.m., in person (SSA 12.471) and on Microsoft Teams.

Guest speakers will be Avery McKitrick, sustainability coordinator, and Daniel Schultz, registered dietitian nutritionist in the Student Wellness Center. A limited number of participants may RSVP to attend in person; a boxed lunch will be included.

Mental Health Awareness Month & May EAP Newsletter

Mental health is an important part of overall health. Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. It's normal to need mental health support at times. It's human nature to have emotional ups and downs, and it's healthy to respond to the downs by talking through them with someone who can listen, sympathize and offer helpful support. Deer Oaks EAP can provide short-term counseling to help you resolve a mental health problem and can refer you to resources for long-term support. Employees and their family members have access to confidential counseling, newsletters and trainings. Mental health support is for everyone.

In May's EAP Newsletter (pdf), the following topics are discussed:

• On-demand seminar: Sleep Essentials
  • Explore strategies to start a healthy bedtime routine to help you reduce stress and improve your well-being.
  • Available on-demand from Deer Oaks EAP. Enter utdallas for the username and password to access the online seminar.
• Start Your Day with Intention
• Mental Health Awareness Month
• Hobbies Can Improve Your Life

LearnToLive: Digital Mental Health Platform

LearnToLive (L2L) is a digital mental health platform that delivers assessments, online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs and one-on-one services. It is available via BlueCross BlueShield of Texas Health Advocacy Solutions (HAS) to members age 13 and older.

There are five condition-specific programs, each delivered in a user-paced multimedia experience:

• Depression
• Stress, Anxiety & Worry
• Social Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Substance Use

Programs are built on the principles and tools of evidence-based CBT. They are available on-demand with the options for one-to-one coaching services. Download the LearnToLive newsletter (pdf) or visit Blue Access for Members for more information.

Limeade: New UT Living Well Platform

Are there any areas of your life you would like to improve? The wellness platform Limeade is your resource to help you take control of your well-being. UT SELECT and UT CONNECT members (employees, dependents and retirees) can enroll in Limeade and enjoy all these benefits:

• Explore UT Living Well programs.
• Access institution well-being resources.
• Participate in fun activities.
• Connect with peers and many more!

The Staff Ideas Competition is designed to engage our outstanding staff in UT Dallas' culture of innovation. The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship encourages staff and clinical faculty to submit their early-stage ideas for a startup or small business to compete for cash awards. The application period starts at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 26.

If you are interested in applying, register to attend the Staff Ideas Competition Information Session and Lunch, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, May 26, at Blackstone LaunchPad (Parking Structure 3). Learn about the application, requirements and process, and ask questions at the information session.

For more information, email Dresden Goldberg.

The Green Zone program, presented by the Military and Veteran Center, is designed to establish a network of University staff and faculty who shape a military-friendly campus culture. The next class is a two-part series offered in person from 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, June 14 and Thursday, June 16. Both sessions are required to earn the Green Zone designation.

An additional class also will be offered in person from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 13.

Training topics include military terminology and culture, transition challenges for student veterans, classroom considerations, and campus and community resources.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 972-883-4916.

The QuTD employee resource group invites members of the UT Dallas community to participate in the 2022 Dallas Pride Parade on Sunday, June 5 at Fair Park.

Register to attend. Your partner and/or family may attend, too. Please register each of them individually.

Research 411 Talk Show: Acoustic Neuroblastoma Therapy, 3-4 p.m., Wednesday, May 18 — Dr. Shashank Sirsi, assistant professor of bioengineering at UT Dallas, will discuss his research on effective treatment strategies and therapies for neuroblastoma, the most common cancerous tumor found in children. Tumor biology, neuroblastoma's response to therapy, drug resistance and so much more will be discussed. For more information, contact Tiffany Willoughby.

Staff Council Selling Graduation Bears, Cookbook

The UT Dallas Staff Council is taking orders for stuffed graduation bears for $9 each. They are available in two colors – ivory and orange – and may be purchased year–round.
Also, you can still purchase the Staff Council Cookbook for $8. The downloadable collection of over 50 recipes submitted by employees includes Filipino Ensaimada, Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup, Cheese Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups, Egg Roll in a Bowl, BLT Macaroni Salad, Keto Snickerdoodles, Apple Crisp with Salted Caramel Sauce, Triple Chocolate Cake and more.