Nominations Sought for Alumni Awards

Nominations Sought for Alumni Awards

The Alumni Relations Office is seeking nominations for its three annual awards for outstanding alumni and community leaders.

  • The Distinguished Alumni Award is the University’s highest alumni honor, presented to individuals who are distinguished in their chosen professions or life's work and who demonstrate pride in the University.
  • The Green and Orange Award for Alumni Service honors graduates who have provided exceptional volunteer support to the University.
  • The Gifford K. Johnson Community Leadership Award recognizes non-graduates who have helped the University achieve its vision of becoming a leading national research university with their exceptional support, dedication and enthusiasm.

Submit your nominations here by end of day Friday, Sept. 15. Awards will be presented to the 2018 honorees at the annual UT Dallas Awards Gala in March.

Bike-Sharing Program Expanded

Bike-Sharing Program Expanded

UT Dallas has partnered with VBikes to bring an expanded bike-sharing program to campus. While VBikes can be rented and returned to any bike rack on campus, there are five main bike-sharing stations marked on the VBike map.

VBike rentals are $1 per hour. Get started by downloading the free VBikes app for Apple or Android.

Contribute to UT Dallas on North Texas Giving Day

Contribute to UT Dallas on North Texas Giving Day

North Texas Giving Day is Thursday, Sept. 14, but you can start giving a week early. From 8 a.m. on Sept. 7 through midnight on Sept. 14, gifts can be made online.

On the website, search for Foundation for the Callier Center and Communication Disorders, Foundation for Brain Health Advances, or just UT Dallas. To support a specific area at the University, include your designation in the notes section before completing your online contribution.

Contact Jill Arredondo, director of annual giving, at 972-883-5380 for more information.

Center for Teaching and Learning Hosts Presentations

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is hosting two presentations in September in evolving philosophies and methods of instruction.

The CTL and the Center for U.S.-Latin American Initiatives will sponsor “Simulations and Games in Teaching” on Monday, Sept. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. in the McDermott Library Auditorium (MC 2.410). The speaker will be Dr. Jonathan Truitt, director of the Institute of Simulations & Games and associate professor at Central Michigan University. RSVP here by Sept. 11. Lunch will be provided.

Dr. Robert A. Duke from UT Austin’s Music and Human Learning program will present “If We Learn Like That, Why Do We Teach Like This?” on Monday, Sept. 25, from noon to 1:30 p.m., also in the library auditorium. RSVP here by Sept. 18.

For more information or special accommodations, email [email protected].

Freedom from Smoking Class

Freedom from Smoking Class

The next Freedom from Smoking Class will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Oct. 4 to Nov. 15 in the Lone Star Conference Room (AD 3.104) in eight sessions across seven weeks. The class is open to all faculty, staff and students. To attend, register online or call 972-883-2213. To learn about the University’s tobacco-free campus policy, visit utdallas.edu/tobaccofree.

Corporate Challenge Fundraising Kicks Off

The UT Dallas team for the Richardson Corporate Challenge is raising funds for Special Olympics Texas, partnering on fundraiser events with restaurants such as MOOYAH, Panera Bread and iFratelli. Additionally, raffle tickets are available for $5, offering a chance to win one of three pairs of roundtrip airline tickets with hotel stays.

If you buy five or more raffle tickets, you will also be entered into a UT Dallas bonus prize drawing for restaurant gift cards and other prizes. Purchase tickets at the Office of Administration (AD 2.410), or call 972-883-2213 for more information.

The challenge runs through Oct. 12 with a wide range of events. For more information, visit the UT Dallas Corporate Challenge webpage.

Galerstein Lecture on Finding Support (& Voice) in the Margins

The Galerstein Gender Center and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies: Gender Studies Program are sponsoring “Finding Support (& Voice) in the Margins,” a lecture from UT Austin’s Dr. Kimberly Burdine (who uses she/her/hers pronouns), a licensed psychologist and diversity trainer. She’ll discuss the importance of finding and offering support for women of color in spaces that are historically dominated by people with privileged cultural identities.

The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14 in the McDermott Library (MC 2.404). There will be light refreshments and a question-and-answer period after the talk. Contact Lauren DeCillis, director of the Galerstein Gender Center, at 972-883-6555 for more details.

Green Zone Classes Seek Friendly Campus for Veterans

The Green Zone program is designed to establish a network of University staff and faculty to encourage a military-friendly campus culture. Training topics include military terminology and culture, transition challenges, classroom considerations, and campus and community resources.

At this time, the Military and Veteran Center is limiting Green Zone training to staff and faculty. Upon completion, participants are given a certificate and a Green Zone decal for their offices.

Space is limited, and registration is required. Email Archie Nettles or call the Military and Veteran Center at 972-883-4916 for more information.

Learn About Your Benefits at Express Session

The Office of Human Resources invites new employees and newly benefits-eligible employees to the UT Dallas Benefits Express Session from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 12 in the Founders Building 2nd Floor Atrium. The session will provide assistance with benefit and enrollment questions. Email [email protected] for more information.

Environmental Health and Safety Hosts Preparedness Fair

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, UT Dallas Environmental Health and Safety will host its 11th Annual Preparedness Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Plinth outside the Student Union. Students, faculty and staff are invited to experience safety, emergency and health information booths and demonstrations. Light refreshments and giveaways will be available.

PeopleSoft: Accessing Proposal and Award Documentation

The Office of Sponsored Projects will present a hands-on demonstration of how to access all proposal and award documentation via a custom PeopleSoft page.

Accessing Proposal and Award Documentation in PeopleSoft will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, in FO 1.206C. Seating is limited. Register to attend.

Reminders

NetID Upgrade Arriving This Weekend
A NetID system upgrade is scheduled for Sept. 9-10. The upgrade will end the sponsorship renewal requirement for current employees, extend the period between mandatory password resets, allow password changes to take effect in real time, and more. Your personal email address will become the primary mode of communication for password issues and unlocking accounts. Please update this information in Galaxy. To learn more, visit the FAQ section here.

Medical District Express Route Resumes Service
The Office of the Provost and Parking and Transportation have resumed the Comet Cruiser Medical District Express Pilot Route, which provides service to and from the main UT Dallas campus and the Center for BrainHealth, the Center for Vital Longevity, UT Southwestern, Parkland Hospital and Callier Center Dallas. Review the schedule, detailed route map and bus stop information online.

Celebrate National Payroll Week at Payroll Open House
The Payroll Office will celebrate National Payroll Week with an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, in AD 2.224. Staff members will be on hand to answer payroll-related questions. Refreshments will be served.

Women Leading in Diversity Networking Breakfast
The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement will honor five campus figures who have helped make UT Dallas an inclusive campus at its Women Leading in Diversity networking breakfast. This free event will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, in the McDermott Suite of McDermott Library (MC 4.4). Melanie Miller, lead facilitator at the Diversity Leadership Academy at the American Institute for Managing Diversity, will be the guest speaker. Tickets are available here.

Institutional Review Board Workshops Sept. 20
The Institutional Review Board’s fall workshop series continues Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon in ATC 1.201. Learn about applications or protocols for IRB review, amendments, or annual renewals of projects. Walk-ins are encouraged. No registration or appointment is needed. Check the Research event calendar for future workshop dates. Call Mary Beth Goodnight at 972-883-4595 for more information.

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 Stephen Fontenot at [email protected] or ext. 4405.