University Prepares for the Winter Holiday Break

UTD Plaza

The winter holiday break starts Wednesday, Dec. 21. Faculty and staff will report back Monday, Jan. 2. During this time, several UT Dallas entities will reduce hours of operation. Holiday hours for dining, the Comet Cruiser and Comet Cabs, the McDermott Library, the Activity Center and Rec Center West and the SPN Wellness Center are available on their respective websites.

Other facility closings and power outages are as follows:

Parking Garage Closures

The top levels of Parking Structures 1, 3 and 4 are closed as a precaution against inclement weather over the winter break. During the closures, vehicles with green permits are allowed to park on the fourth levels of the parking structures. The top levels of the structures will reopen the morning of Monday, Jan. 2, weather permitting.

Power Outages Planned

A number of campus buildings will be without heat or air conditioning from 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, through Wednesday, Dec. 28, while the Central Energy Plant and the Satellite Utility Plant undergo maintenance.

In addition, a campuswide power outage will occur from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22. No one will be allowed to enter the affected buildings during the outage.

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 and defrost your refrigerators.
Mail and Delivery Service

No mail or packages will be received or delivered to the campus Wednesday, Dec. 21, through Saturday, Dec. 31. Normal service hours will resume Monday, Jan. 2.

Discount DART Passes Available to Employees for 2017

DART Logo

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and UT Dallas are accepting orders for discount 2017 transportation passes for faculty and staff members. The passes are available for $300 until Friday, Feb. 10, 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. 2. You will be contacted when your pass is ready for pickup at the Transportation Office in Parking Structure 3. Passes are effective through Dec. 31, 2017. For more information, visit UT Dallas Parking and Transportation's DART pass page, or call ext. 7777.

Please note: Beginning Monday, Jan. 9, the Comet Cruiser will have changes that will affect some routes, stops and departure times. For example, the McCallum Connection Pilot Route will be absorbed into the DART Route 883 West. No stops will be removed, but some will be serviced by different routes. For more information, review the current and new route maps and schedules on the Comet Cruiser website. If you have questions, contact the Transportation Office at ext. 7777 or email [email protected].

Wellness Lunch and Learn: New Year, New Healthier You

Faculty and staff are invited to attend a free lunch and learn from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, in Galaxy Rooms B and C (SU 2.602). Dr. Daniel Scott, general and laparoscopic surgeon at UT Southwestern Medical Center, will present "Obesity Disease Risks and Treatment Options." The event has limited space. RSVP to [email protected] by Friday, Jan. 13.

Program Offers New 10K-A-Day Campaign

W2 Form

The University of Texas System’s Living Well initiative is offering 10K-A-Day, a physical activity campaign and tracking tool that challenges you to accumulate 10,000 steps each day, while virtually traversing a variety of global trails. It is the same tracking platform used during Walktober, but will now be available year-round.

If you didn’t participate in Walktober, you must register first at utlivingwell.com. Once you are logged in, you can opt to join the 10K-A-Day challenge.

For more information, go to the University’s Employee Wellness website.

Shelf Stars Food Drive Surpasses Goal

Human Resources extends a special thanks to faculty and staff for their support of the November Shelf Stars food drive, which benefits the Comet Cupboard. The office surpassed its donation goal, collecting 796 boxes of cereal, 121 jars of peanut butter, 106 jars of jelly and 46 other items to help students in need. To learn how your department can become a Shelf Star sponsor, visit the Comet Cupboard website or call ext. 2950.

Reminders

Inclement Weather, Emergency Closing Procedures
The campus community is asked to make note of the best ways to stay informed if inclement weather or other events require changes in campus schedules. Read more

Staff Council Newsletter
Read about some of the recent events on campus and meet your newest Staff Council representatives in the latest edition of The Sun.

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.