Events Mark PS4 Opening, Engineering Building Groundbreaking

Ribbon-Cutting of Parking Structure 4
University leaders and spirit team members, including President Richard Benson (center) and University mascot Temoc, commemorated the opening of Parking Structure 4.

The University recently celebrated the official ribbon-cutting of Parking Structure 4 (PS4) and the groundbreaking for the new 200,000-square-foot Engineering Building.

PS4, on the west side of campus, added 1,150 parking spaces this fall.

The Engineering Building, scheduled for completion in fall 2018, will feature research and teaching labs, faculty offices, student workspaces and a 300-seat auditorium that will be named in honor of Dr. Alexander Clark, a former vice president of academic affairs and one-time acting president of the University.

The next ribbon-cutting event will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, for the Callier Richardson Addition.

Campaign Gives Supporters Easy Way to Help UT Dallas Programs

SECC Texas

Last week, the University launched its annual State Employee Charitable Campaign. The campaign, which raises funds for a number of local, national and international nonprofit organizations, will run through Nov. 11. Two UT Dallas programs are eligible for support — the Academic Bridge Program and the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.

Over the past 10 years, UT Dallas employees have contributed more than $1.1 million. Gifts of any size by faculty and staff members make a statement about the University’s commitment to helping the community. So far this year, UT Dallas staff and faculty have given nearly $20,000 to the effort.

As in previous years, gifts can be set up online using payroll deduction. Employees will need an ID number to get started. Participants who created a login last year can reuse it or create a new one. Cash or check contributions can be made by contacting Gloria Muhammad.

The University’s goal is to engage 250 donors and raise more than $135,000. Contact Jill Arredondo at ext. 5380 with any questions.

Annual Service Awards Set for Nov. 18; Website Lists Honorees

UT Dallas employees are invited to attend the Annual Service Awards presentation and reception from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Lecture Hall. The University will honor staff and faculty members who have reached service milestones of five, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years with the University during the 2016 fiscal year. In a separate event, employees who reach their 25-year service anniversary are inducted into the distinguished Quarter Century Club.

To help further recognize them, the Office of Human Resources has launched an Employee Service Awards website that lists this year’s recipients. For questions about the website, email [email protected].

Join the Sweet Fun at Trunk or Treat on Oct. 28

Trunk or Treat

Faculty and staff are invited to bring their children to the annual Trunk or Treat from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28.

The event, hosted by Residential Life, will be in Northwest Parking Lot T and Residence Hall Northwest. Campus departments are also encouraged to register trunks.

Questions? Email Sarah Amberson or call ext. 7417.

Carter BloodCare Bus to Make University Stop on Oct. 27

UT Dallas Parking and Zipcar are hosting a blood drive on campus with Carter BloodCare from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. The bus will be at the Visual Arts Studio (AS) loading zone, on the west side of the building.

Comet Cupboard to Hold Food Drive Challenge

Comet Cupboard

The Comet Cupboard and the Homecoming Committee are challenging all faculty and staff departments to collect the most nonperishable food and personal care items for the Comet Cupboard. The Comets Can food drive runs from Monday, Oct. 31, to Friday, Nov. 11. Food items will be picked up by the Comet Cupboard Team on Nov. 11.

Register here. For questions or more information about the challenge, email [email protected] or call ext. 2950.

Human Resources also is sponsoring a food drive for the Comet Cupboard during November. Specific items in high demand are cereal and peanut butter and jelly, but all donations are welcome. Drop off items to the collection bin in AD 2.208.

Recycle Your Aging Electronics at E-Waste Roundup

Recycle

Have a printer that won’t print or a cellphone that won’t text? Recycle your outdated electronics at the UT Dallas E-Waste Roundup on Thursday, Nov. 10.

Items can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the collection station on the corner of the Drive A and Drive G intersection, near Lot Q and the northeast corner of JSOM.

Bring only personal electronic items. The roundup will not accept UT Dallas electronic property, which should be collected by the University’s Surplus office. This event is sponsored by UT Dallas’ Office of Student Volunteerism and Facilities Management.

Free Lecture to Address Zika, Ebola Outbreaks

Dr. Tara Smith

Faculty and staff are invited to attend “Zika and Ebola: Why We’ll Always Have Pandemics” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Lecture Hall.

The lecture, presented by Dr. Tara Smith, associate professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health at Kent State University, is part of the fall meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, which UT Dallas will host.

Smith is an expert on zoonotic infections — those that are transferred between animals and humans. She has studied infectious diseases for 20 years and has written three books on infectious disease topics. Her presentation will examine what we learned from the 2014 Ebola outbreak, if those lessons have impacted the recent response to Zika, and what needs to happen so we are prepared for whatever comes next.

The lecture is free, but tickets are required to attend. Register here.

Reminders

Review Your Oct. 3 Paycheck for Correct Deductions
Human Resources encourages employees to review the paychecks they received Oct. 3 to make sure benefit selections and amounts are correct. Discrepancies must be reported to HR by Monday, Oct. 31.

CARE Award Nominations Due Oct. 31
Nominations are being accepted for CARE Awards, which honor outstanding staff members in the fall and spring. Fall nominations are due Monday, Oct. 31.

Flu Shots Scheduled for Oct. 31, Nov. 1
Flu shot clinics for faculty and staff will be held Monday, Oct. 31 and Tuesday, Nov. 1, at several locations around campus. View the schedule and sign up for an appointment.

Police Offer Free Self-Defense Classes
The UT Dallas Police Department will offer free self-defense classes for staff, faculty and students in October and November at the UT Dallas Police Department (northeast corner of Parking Lot A). Upcoming classes will be from 5 to 9 p.m., on the following dates:

  • R.A.D. for Women — Oct. 27-29.
  • R.A.D. for Men — Nov. 17-19.

For more information or to register, email Officer Somer Fernandez at [email protected].

Green Zone Class Set for Nov. 17
The Green Zone program works to establish a University-wide network of staff and faculty members who can help shape a military-friendly campus culture. Training topics include military terminology and culture, transition challenges, classroom considerations, and campus and community resources. The next class will be from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 17, in SU 2.602C. Register online. Email Archie Nettles or call ext. 4916 for details.

Office of Research Seminars and Events

Organizational Development & Training

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 important information necessary for the workplace, as well as community news that supports the University's mission. Guidelines about content and submissions can be found here or contact Marc Johnson at [email protected] or ext. 4996.