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Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023
News for the staff and faculty of The University of Texas at Dallas
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Review Oct. 1 Paycheck for Correct Benefits Selections
The annual benefits enrollment period for UT Dallas benefits-eligible employees ended July 31. Elections made during annual enrollment went into effect Sept. 1, with deductions starting Oct. 2. New hires and newly eligible employees have 31 days to enroll in benefits from their employment or benefits eligibility start date.
Your Oct. 1 paycheck will reflect benefit deductions for the coverage you selected during the 2023-2024 annual benefits enrollment. New hires and newly benefits-eligible employees: benefits enrollments or changes made after Thursday, Sept. 13, may not be reflected on your October paycheck. As applicable, you will have retroactive contributions on your November paycheck. The Office of Human Resources strongly recommends you compare your paycheck deductions with the benefits confirmation available to be printed or viewed through My UT Benefits.
You must report any discrepancies to the Office of Human Resources – Employee Benefits Services by Oct. 31. Discrepancies due to clerical/administrative errors that are reported by this date will be reviewed and may be changed in accordance with the UT System administrative policy and requirements. All requests for error correction submitted beyond the 31-day period must include explanation and appropriate documentation, as applicable, from the employee. The request may be forwarded to the UT System Office of Employee Benefits (OEB) for determination. If approved, OEB will determine the effective date based on the specific circumstances. All OEB decisions are final.
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TRS State, Employee Contribution Change
Effective Sept. 1, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) employer and employee contribution rates toward the TRS Pension plan will change from 8% to 8.25%. The new rates will apply to all TRS-eligible compensation paid on or after Sept. 1. For more information, visit the TRS Website.
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Benefits Flash: Demo of Living Well Platform Powered by Limeade
The Benefits Flash highlights benefits information to UT Dallas employees. It was started in response to employee feedback from the Climate and HR Forum surveys.
Learn about the latest topic — Demo of Living Well Platform Powered by Limeade — on the Benefits Flash webpage.
A new Benefits Flash topic will be featured each month during the HR Forum, in the HR Campus Connection Teams Channel and in Intercom. Recommend a topic by emailing benefits@utdallas.edu.
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Dr. Rodney Andrews Celebration of Life
Celebrate the life of Dr. Rodney Andrews at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27, in the Founders Second Floor Atrium. Please send remembrances of Andrews to epps.deansoffice@utdallas.edu.
Andrews, a renowned labor economist and Fellow, Vibhooti Shukla Professor of Economics and Political Economy at UT Dallas’ School of Economics, Political and Policy Sciences, died May 12 at the age of 47.
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HR Forum Scheduled for Oct. 4
The Office of Human Resources will host its next HR Forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, as a Microsoft Teams live event. Closed captioning is available, and there will be a moderated Q&A forum.
Please refer to the agenda:
- Welcome
- HR Open House photos
- Guest presentations
- Update on accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Classroom technology and event support
- AccessAbility Resource Center and the ADA process
- HR Updates
- Benefits Flash: Demystifying the retirement process
- October paycheck reminders
- Flu shot clinic
- Understanding the leave tracker
- Employment and immigration reminders
- Crucial Conversations registration
- HR food drive in November
- HR staffing
- Staff compensation study
- Bright Leaders Program
- Forum feedback survey responses
- Q&A and closing comments
Join the HR Forum and share this link with your colleagues. If you have questions for the HR Forum, send them to hrforum@utdallas.edu.
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Wellness News
Support Team UTD in 2023 Corporate Challenge
UT Dallas thanks everyone who is participating in Richardson Corporate Challenge and all the people who have donated to help Team UTD reach its goal of raising $1,000 for Special Olympians!
Corporate Challenge Volunteers Needed
Each organization is responsible for helping with registration at one event during the challenge. UT Dallas has been asked to provide three volunteers for the three pickleball registration sessions in the UT Dallas Activity Center gym. To volunteer, please sign up to volunteer for one of the following shifts:
- Friday, Oct. 6, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 7, 8 to 11 a.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 8, noon to 4 p.m.
Raffle Tickets & Donation Gift
Corporate Challenge raffle tickets are available for $5. Each ticket buys you a chance to win a variety of prizes; all sales benefit Special Olympics Texas. Purchase tickets at the Office of Human Resources (AD 3.418). If you are unable to participate but would like to help with the fundraising efforts, donate to help Team UTD reach its goal of raising $1,000 for Special Olympics. Receive a free Team UTD T-shirt with a donation of $10 or more (while supplies last). Email CorporateChallenge@utdallas.edu for raffle tickets and T-shirt delivery.
Vote for Team UTD T-shirt Design
Support Team UTD from the convenience of your phone or computer by casting your votes in the T-shirt design contest.
Free Flu Shots
Flu Shot Clinics (pdf) for faculty, staff and retirees will be held Oct. 5-6 on main campus, and Oct. 6 at the Center for BrainHealth and Callier Center Dallas. Flu shots are free to employees with or without accepted insurance. Vitamin B12 shots will be offered for additional fees (not covered by insurance) and TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccines will be available at Callier Center Dallas only. Registration is required.
Sign up for a flu shot and get the necessary consent form. Bring the following items to your preferred location:
- Your filled-out consent form.
- Your Comet Card.
- A photocopy of your driver’s license or state-issued ID.
- A photocopy of your insurance card.
Thursday, Oct. 5
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Facilities Management Training Room (FM 1.502)
Friday, Oct. 6
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Library News & Events
Enhanced Library Security Measures
The Eugene McDermott Library has installed turnstiles in the lobby entrance. Staff, faculty and students are now required to present their Comet Card to enter the library.
The advanced card-reading system allows you to conveniently tap your Comet Card when entering and exiting McDermott Library. Non-UTD visitors must present a government-issued photo ID and complete a quick registration at the front desk before accessing the library premises.
This new program discourages potential theft, vandalism and unauthorized access. It also provides the library with valuable insights into the general usage patterns of the facility. By analyzing peak operational times, the library can tailor its services to the evolving needs of the campus community.
Enhancing library users’ experience is an ongoing endeavor, and the library welcomes your feedback.
Library Launches Mobile App
Over the course of the summer, the library has developed an app to respond to its library users’ demands.
The Ex Libris Library Mobile app is available on the App Store and Google Play. Once you download the app, select “University of Texas at Dallas, McDermott Library” and log in with your NetID and password.
Key features of the app include:
- Item availability: Check whether the library owns or licenses items such as journal articles, books, eBooks and streaming media.
- My account: Stay informed about your borrowed items, due dates and overdue materials.
- Course reserves: Access reading materials chosen by faculty for specific courses.
- Ask us: Connect with a professional chat service to ask a librarian your questions and get assistance.
- Study room reservations: Reserve a student study room for your convenience.
- Campus maps: Easily locate library buildings and facilities on the main campus and Callier Center Dallas.
- Seating availability: Get real-time information on available seats on each library floor.
McDermott Library plans to use the app to alert you about upcoming events and exhibits, as well as gather your feedback on various topics.
Upcoming Events
What Is OER? Introduction to Open Educational Resources, 3 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, Microsoft Teams — Open Educational Resources (OER) are openly licensed, freely available educational materials, from syllabi to full courses, that can be modified and redistributed by users. Register for the library workshop to receive the Teams link. For more information, email Alexander Rodriguez.
Library Resources for UTD Staff, 11 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Sept. 26, Microsoft Teams — Learn about the many library resources available to you as a member of UTD staff. Register for the library workshop to receive the Teams link.
McDermott Library Tours, several dates, McDermott Library — Staff will take you on a 30- to 40-minute walking tour of the library, beginning at the information desk. Learn what resources and services are offered, where to find them, a bit about the library’s history, and meet some of the staff who can assist you on your journey at UT Dallas. You must bring your Comet Card. All tour attendees will receive a free lanyard.
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September Is Passport Awareness Month
A passport is your portal to the world. If you’re planning an international trip, check your passport expiration date today and remember to apply for your passport six to nine months before the expiration date or well before your travel plans.
UT Dallas’ Passport Office is ready to serve you and your friends and family. Visit the Passport Office website to schedule your appointment at the office (ROC 2.902). You also can email passport@utdallas.edu or call 972-883-4715. The appointments are for first-time applicants or those ineligible to renew by mail. Passport photo services are included with scheduled appointments if needed. For the most up-to-date information on the application process, fees and processing times, visit the U.S. Passports site.
If you have a valid passport that is not going to expire soon but have travel plans, check to see what the entry requirements are for the country you are visiting and see if you need to submit a photo for a visa. The UTD Passport Office also can provide visa and immigration photos for most cases.
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Dallas-Fort Worth Labor Market Update
The latest DFW Labor Market Update (pdf) looks at a small increase in total employment this July, with certain sectors such as leisure and hospitality experiencing an unexpected decline from June. This, coupled with an overall decline in the number of local job postings, made for slower month-over-month growth in July.
For more information on how UT Dallas and our local economy affect each other, please contact the F&ED Economic Development team. You also can subscribe to biweekly updates with the latest analysis and news from the Economic Development team.
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UT Dallas Postdocs Invited to Join Group
The University of Texas at Dallas Postdoctoral Association (UTDPDA) invites all postdoc employees to join the group as it marks its first anniversary as a campus organization.
UTDPDA is a postdoctoral-led organization that supports and enriches the University by facilitating and assisting postdoctoral scholars in all schools and departments. The group advocates for resources, provides professional development training and seeks to build community.
Postdoctoral research associates or scientists (or “postdocs”) have earned a doctoral degree and conduct research as part of UTD labs and departments. There currently are approximately 160 postdocs at UTD.
National Postdoc Appreciation Week is being celebrated this week.
For more information, visit the UTDPDA website.
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Office of Research and Innovation Events
Guide To Cruising through Human Subject Research, 1 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27 — Attention, passengers. Come aboard as the Office of Research and Innovation guides you on a cruise through human subjects research. This journey will strengthen your understanding of the “why” behind submission requirements and prepare you for submission to the HSR Office. You’ll even receive a travel guide filled with resources to assist you along the way. For more information, email Arietha Lafayette.
Research Days: UT Dallas Research and Innovation Showcase, 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Sept. 27, IQ HQ — White Rock Coffee Company and UT Dallas researchers Dr. Ronald Smaldone and Dr. Christina Thompson will present “The Chemistry of Coffee.” Gary Cocke, UT Dallas director of sustainability, will provide an overview of sustainability in agriculture and discuss the benefits of composting. White Rock Coffee Company will serve complimentary specialty drinks, pour-overs and espresso. J’s Donuts will provide doughnuts. After the presentation, you may explore the facility to learn more about UTD research and innovation. Register to attend Research Days. For more information, email Arietha Lafayette.
Responsible Conduct of Research Development Series, noon to 1 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 3 through Oct. 26, Microsoft Teams — The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to conducting research in a scientifically responsible and ethical manner and expects all students and employees to follow relevant guidelines, policies and regulations. Students, postdocs, faculty and staff who participate in research at UT Dallas or any of its related centers or institutes may be required to participate in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training as part of their participation in federally sponsored research or as required in undergraduate or graduate research training programs. For more information, email Arietha Lafayette.
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Center for Vital Longevity Events
Science Luncheon Series, noon, Monday, Sept. 25, Center for Vital Longevity — Dr. Mandy Maguire will present “The Relationship Between Children’s Environments and their Brain and Language Development.”
Booziotis Distinguished Lecture, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1, Communities Foundation of Texas — Dr. Ralph Adolphs will present “Social Cognition, Autism, and the Human Brain” during this year’s Booziotis Distinguished Lecture. Adolphs is a world-renowned social neuroscientist and professor of psychology, neuroscience and biology at Caltech. This event is free. Spots fill up fast, register for the Booziotis Distinguished Lecture.
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Center for BrainHealth Events
BrainHealth Presents – Senior Moments and Brain Health: Rise and Resilience, 7 to 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21 — Meet Dr. Jeff Cummings and Dr. Kate Zhong, the husband-and-wife team of brain health advocates that is exploring the neuroscience tools that support dignified aging, brain health, and development of new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Cummings is an expert in neurodegenerative diseases. Zhong is a geriatric psychiatrist and pharmacologist. Register for virtual BrainHealth Presents or register for in-person BrainHealth Presents. The event is sponsored by an anonymous supporter and series sponsor KERA.
Frontiers of BrainHealth – The Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Development Pipeline: What’s New and What’s Coming? noon to 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, Center for BrainHealth — The speaker will be Dr. Jeff Cummings, scientist and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Brain Health. Lunch will be served. Register for Frontiers of BrainHealth.
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About this Newsletter
Intercom is the official University-wide newsletter for UT Dallas faculty and staff members. This periodic publication is designed to provide University employees with valuable information necessary for the workplace, as well as community news that supports the University’s mission. Visit the Intercom website for guidelines about content and submissions.
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