The Office of Communications has unveiled its redesigned Brand Standards website to achieve a cohesive visual identity for the University and reflect a campuswide commitment to excellence and consistency in all communication.

The new Brand Standards include guidelines for logos, colors and messaging to help the University achieve consistency across print and digital platforms and throughout academic and departmental units.

Communicators in individual schools, departments, offices and programs will be able to access templates and writing guidelines for digital and print products. These include the University logo, color palette, web redesign, mass email messaging, social media strategy, marketing collateral, promotional items and print services.

The website also includes Editorial Guidelines to help the University present consistent messaging for external readers — including prospective students and media outlets — as well as our campus community.

A quick reference guide on how to use the University’s logo, monogram, wordmark and emblem is available to print out and keep handy.

For more information, email [email protected].

The Galerstein Gender Center presents “Incarcerated Injustice,” a discussion of the overrepresentation of women of color in the criminal justice system, as part of its CommuniTEA series. The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, in SSB 4.300. Register here for this free event. For more information, email Jacqueline Prince.

Lincoln Financial will host a lunch-and-learn from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, in the Student Union Galaxy Rooms to help faculty and staff gain greater insight into the estate planning process. Financial advisor Lawrence Smith will cover estate basics, naming a guardian, life insurance, minimizing expenses, charitable giving and more. For more information, email Nora Pena.

Faculty and staff who were the first in their family to complete a four-year college degree are invited to become mentors for students who will participate in the new First-Generation Living Learning Community.

The new LLC will begin in fall 2018 to help first-generation college students understand how to navigate University life.

Faculty and staff mentors will serve as role models and share their professional passions to help to recruit and retain first-generation students. Time commitments can vary from contributing on a monthly basis to attending one event per year.

To support the First-Generation Living Learning Community, sign up here.

The Office of Research is sponsoring a seminar about the Air Force Office of Scientific Research from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the McDermott Library (MC 2.404). Dr. Harold Weinstock will discuss the Air Force research office program he manages, which focuses on materials that exhibit cooperative quantum electronic behavior and their potential use in future electronic systems. Registration is required. Refreshments will be served. For more information, email Suzanne Potts.

The Eugene McDermott Library will host a workshop, “Refworks: Introduction and the Basics,” from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Feb. 27, in MC 2.524. This web-based citation management tool is used to import and organize citations, and generate bibliographies or reference lists. The workshop covers creating an account, exporting citations from research databases, managing citations, creating bibliographies and more. To register, email Stephanie Isham.

The Center for Teaching and Learning invites faculty to its workshop, “Making the Most of Office Hours,” from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, in the McDermott Library (MC 2.410). This workshop offers a series of suggestions on how instructors might better plan office hours and consider nontraditional alternatives to achieve the same ends. Register here by Monday, Feb. 26. Seating is limited to 100 attendees. Lunch will be provided. For more information or special accommodations, email [email protected].

As flu season continues, it is important to take precautions to make sure you stay well. Information about the flu, symptoms and steps you can take to help stop the spread of the illness are available on the EHS website.

Green Zone Classes Seek Friendly Campus for Veterans
The Military and Veteran Center will offer Green Zone Training for staff and faculty from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, in SSA 14.250A. Green Zone Training topics include military terminology and culture, transition challenges, classroom considerations, and campus and community resources. Lunch is included. Space is limited, and registration is required. Register online or email Archie Nettles for more information.

New Form for Annual Performance Appraisals
The annual performance appraisal process has begun, and a new Appraisal Form is available on the Office of Human Resources website. Appraisals for those who worked for UT Dallas in 2017 are due April 6. Appraisals for new faculty and staff who began or will begin employment in 2018 (Jan. 1 to April 15) are due June 29. For more information, contact your department’s designated Employee Relations representative.

Science Building Groundbreaking
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Science Building will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, near the northeast corner of the Science Learning Center (SLC). The 186,000-square-foot building will house the Department of Physics, the William B. Hanson Center for Space Sciences, and several classrooms, offices, and teaching and research labs. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Cleaning Supply Drive
Throughout February, the Office of Student Volunteerism will collect cleaning supplies for foster youths in the CitySquare Transition Resource Action Center program. Sponges, hand soap, paper towels and detergent are especially needed. Donation boxes are in the OSV Office (SSA 14.431T), the Administration Building’s second-floor lobby near the elevators, the Student Union first-floor lobby, the Residence Hall North lobby and the ECS Student Services Office (ECSS 2.502).

Institutional Review Board Protocol Workshops
The Institutional Review Board offers informal workshops to researchers on applications or protocols for IRB review, amendments, or annual renewals of their projects. Get hands-on, specific assistance for your applications from IRB staff. Walk-ins are encouraged; all researchers are welcome to attend any session. The next workshop is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, in ECSS 3.503. Check the Research event calendar for later workshop dates.

Intercollegiate Recycling Competition
From Feb. 4 to March 31, the University will participate in RecycleMania, a nationwide competition and benchmarking tool for colleges to promote recycling on campus. To request additional recycling bins, email [email protected]. Ink cartridges and toners can be recycled in the designated collection bins across campus to benefit the Staff Council Scholarship Fund.

Police Department Offers Self-Defense Classes
The UT Dallas Police Department will offer free Rape Aggression Defense classes for women throughout the year. Class size is limited, so registration is required. The next classes are March 9-10. For additional information, email Cpl. Somer Fernandez.

Training Opportunities for 2018
A variety of professional development classes hosted by the Office of Human Resources, eLearning, Financial Management, Information Security, OIT, PeopleSoft, Procurement and Employee Wellness are available for free to faculty and staff. To view available classes and enroll, log on to Galaxy and click the LEO link.