Volunteers Needed for Fall Commencement Ceremonies

UT Dallas Graduates

Staff members interested in volunteering at the Fall 2016 Commencement Ceremonies are invited to sign up online by Friday, Dec. 2. Available shifts include:

Friday, Dec. 16

  • 7:30 a.m.-noon
  • Noon-6 p.m.
  • All day: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17

  • 7:30 a.m.-noon
  • Noon-2:30 p.m.
  • All day: 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Volunteers will be contacted to confirm shift scheduling after signing up. Fall commencement starts with a doctoral hooding ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 15. Two days of graduation ceremonies follow. There will be seven graduation ceremonies in all, with the last one scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

OIT Can Help Expand Your Creativity with Adobe on the Cloud

The Office of Information Technology is now offering Adobe Creative Cloud (ACC) for faculty and staff and ACC site licensing for UT Dallas equipment. ACC is a cloud-based suite of programs that can be used to produce creative and innovative content. The suite includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere, Dreamweaver, Muse, Stock and Animate. The Adobe site licensing also allows students to use the software in the University's public access labs.

Faculty and staff who wish to access Adobe Creative Cloud can request it through the Atlas Self-Service Portal. Simply log in, then select: Service Catalog, Software Services, Site Licensed Software, Request Adobe Creative Cloud. Each license can have up to two installations for home use. For questions or assistance with requesting an ACC license, contact the OIT Help Desk.

Sign Up to Get Your W-2 Form Electronically

Form 1040

As tax season nears, the Payroll Office is asking employees to make sure their address information and W-2 form preferences are up-to-date. Log in to Galaxy and navigate to Self Service / Staff Tools / Personal Information to verify that your address is current. If you have not already, consider electing to receive your W-2 electronically.

Benefits of the electronic W-2 include receiving your form earlier, the capability to print multiple copies and the ability to retrieve previous years' W-2s. Sign up now at Galaxy Self Service / Staff Tools / Payroll and Compensation / W-2 Consent. If you have consented previously to receive your W-2 electronically, you don't need to do so again. Contact the Payroll Office at ext. 2611 or [email protected] if you have questions.

Charitable Campaign Surpasses $60,000 Mark

SECC Texas

The State Employee Charitable Campaign concludes this week. Don't miss your opportunity to make a difference in our community. UT Dallas faculty and staff have already contributed more than $60,000. Gifts made by Friday, Nov. 11, will help the University reach its $135,000 goal.

Set up payroll deductions for one, nine or 12 months online. One-time gifts by check can be sent in care of Gloria Muhammad at mailstop SPN 10. Visit utdallas.edu/secc or contact Jill Arredondo at ext. 5380 for more information.

Human Resources Receives STAR Award for Retirement Program

Star Awards

The Office of Human Resources was recently honored with a STAR Award from the Mutual Fund Education Alliance that recognized the University's Retirement Express program and the office's commitment to help provide employees with an ongoing wellness program that includes financial wellness education. The ceremony was held Oct. 18 in Chicago.

Marita Yancey accepted the award on behalf of the Human Resources team.

Staff Council Fall Fundraiser

Staff Council's annual fall fundraiser has begun. A variety of poinsettias, cactuses and teddy bears are available for purchase online. Prices range from $8 to $12. The deadline to place orders is Friday, Nov. 25. Orders will be delivered to your office. All proceeds benefit the staff scholarship fund.

Dining Deals in November

UT Dallas Dining Services is offering several dining and catering specials this month, including 13 bagels and two shmears for $12 at Einstein Bros Bagels. Dining Hall West will continue its Dine Alfresco events on Wednesdays and its Spirit Friday program in which guests who wear UT Dallas colors or spirit gear can eat lunch for $5 (plus tax). The dining hall also will host a Thanksgiving feast on Thursday, Nov. 17.

New Guide Makes It Easier to Report No Leave on Timesheet

There is now a faster, easier way to enter your time in Galaxy if you have "No Leave to Report" (NTR). Follow the online quick guide to learn how.

Reminders

UT Flex Grace Period, Claims Filing Deadlines
The grace period for 2015-2016 UT Flex HCRA will end Tuesday, Nov. 15. It does not apply to the Dependent Day Care Reimbursement Account. Also, all claims must be filed with our new UT Flex Administrator Maestro Health by Wednesday, Nov. 30. Click here for more information about how to access your account information and file claims through Maestro's UT Flex portal. Read more.

E-Waste Roundup
Recycle your outdated electronics at the UT Dallas E-Waste Roundup from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10. Items can be dropped off 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. For questions, email [email protected].

Annual Service Awards
The 30th Annual Service Awards presentation and reception will be Friday, Nov. 18, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Edith O'Donnell Arts and Technology Lecture Hall. The University will honor staff and faculty members who have reached service milestones during the 2016 fiscal year. To help further recognize them, Human Resources has launched an Employee Service Awards website that lists this year's recipients. For questions about the website, email [email protected].

Comet Cupboard
The Comet Cupboard's Comets Can food drive runs until Friday, 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. Drop off items to the collection bin in AD 2.208.

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.