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Communication for the staff and faculty of
The University of Texas at Dallas |
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Wednesday, August 28, 2019 |
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Review Oct. 1 Paycheck for Correct Benefits Selections
Your Oct. 1 paycheck will reflect benefit deductions for the coverage you selected during the 2019-2020 annual benefits enrollment. New hires and newly benefits eligible employees’ benefits enrollments or changes made after Monday, Sept. 16 may not be reflected on your October paycheck. As applicable, you will have retroactive contributions on your November paycheck. The Office of Human Resources strongly recommends that you compare your paycheck deductions with your benefits confirmation available to be printed or viewed through My UT Benefits.
You must report any discrepancies to the Office of Human Resources — Employee Benefits Services by Thursday, Oct. 31. Discrepancies due to clerical/administrative errors that are reported by this date will be reviewed and possibly changed in accordance with the UT System administrative policy and requirements. The UT institution benefits offices are not permitted to approve any error reported beyond 31 days. All error correction requests beyond the 31-day period will be forwarded to the UT System Office of Employee Benefits (OEB) with appropriate explanation and documentation from the employee. If approved, OEB will determine the effective date based on the specific circumstances. All OEB decisions are final.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please email [email protected] or contact a benefits administrator.
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Free Flu Shots Available Oct. 29-30
Flu shot clinics for faculty, staff and retirees will be held Oct. 29-30 on campus, as well at Callier Center Dallas, Center for Vital Longevity and the Center for BrainHealth. View the schedule and make an appointment online.
Bring your Comet Card, a copy of your insurance card and completed consent form, which is available through the link on your appointment confirmation emailed to you. Flu shots are free to employees with or without accepted insurance. Vitamin B12 shots, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccines and tuberculosis skin tests will also be offered for additional fees (not covered by insurance) at specific locations.
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Center for Students in Recovery Offers Services, Classroom Presentations
Substance abuse and process addictions are a growing issue for college students. As a service to faculty members, the Center for Students in Recovery offers 5-10 minute classroom presentations about counseling opportunities, support groups and other recovery-based events on campus.
The presentations cover common issues:
- Drug and alcohol addiction.
- Process addictions.
- Relationship and family issues.
- Sexual assault trauma.
They also include information about resources the center provides:
- One-on-one support with a licensed professional.
- Recovery meetings.
- Trainings: Naloxone and others.
- Sober social activities.
- Supportive community of peers.
- Volunteer/service opportunities.
For more information or to schedule a presentation for your classroom, email [email protected] or call ext. 7320.
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Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) State Contribution Change
Effective Sunday, Sept. 1, the state contribution rate toward the TRS Pension Fund will change from 6.8% to 7.5%. The new rate will apply to all TRS eligible compensation paid on or after Sept. 1. The employee/member contribution will remain at 7.7%
Future contributions approved by the Texas Legislatures are as follows:
Effective Dates |
State Contribution Rate |
Member Contribution Rate |
Sept. 1, 2019-2020 |
7.5% |
7.7% |
Sept. 1, 2021 |
7.75% |
8.0% |
Sept. 1, 2022 |
8.0% |
8.0% |
Sept. 1, 2023-2024 |
8.25% |
8.25% |
For more information, read TRS News.
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Sign Up for Naturally Slim in September
Lose weight and feel great while eating your favorite foods with Naturally Slim.
The online, video-based program teaches you skills to achieve lasting weight loss and health improvement. There’s no counting points or calories, eating boring meals, or spending money on specialty diet food. You’ll also learn how to sleep better and stay on track during special occasions like parties, holidays and vacations.
UT Benefits is giving you the chance to participate in Naturally Slim at no cost to you. Apply from Sept. 3-13. The program starts Monday, Sept. 30, and is available to all UT SELECT and UT CONNECT medical plan members age 18 and older including employees, retirees, spouses and dependents who have not participated in the last 12 months.
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RSVP for Dedication of ECSW Building
Students, faculty and staff are cordially invited to a ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Engineering and Computer Science West building (ECSW), 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, in the ECSW courtyard. There will be refreshments and tours.
ECSW, a LEED Gold building, is home to the Department of Mechanical Engineering and University labs that have already received a Lab of the Year Award Special Mention from R&D Magazine.
RSVP to [email protected] by Thursday, Sept. 19.
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UT FLEX Deadlines for Plan Year 2018-2019 Are Approaching
The last day to spend your UT FLEX Health Care funds is Friday, Nov. 15. The last day to submit claims for reimbursement is Saturday, Nov. 30. The deadline to incur Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) expenses is Saturday, Aug. 31. The deadline to submit your DCRA claims is Saturday, Nov. 30. Any unused amount by the deadline dates will be forfeited. To learn more about your accounts, deadlines and resources available to you, visit the UT FLEX site.
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Register to Compete in 17th Annual Oozeball
Get in the game by competing in the Oozeball 2019 on Friday, Sept. 13.
Oozeball is an annual mud volleyball tournament sponsored by the UT Dallas Student Ambassadors and University Recreation. Additional prizes and sideline games like tug-of-war, spikeball, bumper ball and slip-n-slide races will be played throughout the day.
Sign up online by Wednesday, Sept. 11. A portion of all proceeds will go to the Military and Veteran Center.
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Time Remains to Participate in Corporate Challenge
It’s been a great start to the 2019 Corporate Challenge. There’s still time to register for events. Download the schedule and UT Dallas team signup sheet, and return your completed form to [email protected].
Participants are still needed for the following events:
- Badminton
- Billiards
- Table tennis
- Ultimate Frisbee
Participate in 5K on Campus
Runners, joggers and walkers are encouraged to participate in the Corporate Challenge 5K on Sunday, Sept. 15, at UT Dallas. The team gets credit for everyone who participates. There are 20 timing chips for competitive runners. Wendi Kavanaugh will pick up 5K packets for participants who sign a waiver. For more information, email [email protected].
Call for Volunteers
UT Dallas has been asked to provide three volunteers for badminton registration from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, 8-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, in the Activity Center gym. To volunteer, please sign up online.
Raffle Tickets
Please help Team UTD reach its goal of raising $1,000 for Special Olympians! Purchase two Corporate Challenge raffle tickets and receive a water infuser bottle; purchase four or more tickets to get a T-shirt, while supplies last.
Each raffle ticket is $5 and buys you a chance to win one of three pairs of roundtrip airline tickets with hotels stays. All sales benefit Special Olympics Texas. Purchase tickets at the Office of Human Resources (AD 3.108), or call ext. 2072 for more information.
T-Shirt Competition
Please vote online for UT Dallas in the T-shirt competition before Thursday, Oct. 3.
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Help OSV by Donating School Supplies, Gift Wrap
The Office of Student Volunteerism’s School Supply Drive continues through August, collecting age-appropriate school supplies to be donated through Community Partners of Dallas.
During the month of September, the OSV will collect wrapping paper and gift bags through its Gift Wrap Drive, which benefits The Birthday Party Project. Collection bins are located in the OSV office (SSA 14.431T), the Administration Building near the second-floor elevator, the Student Union lobby and the Residence Hall North lobby.
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Center for BrainHealth Seeks Study Participants
Curious about your emotions, self-awareness and well-being? The Center for BrainHealth is recruiting Apple Watch and iPhone users age 18 or older to participate in the IntentWave Behavioral Study.
The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of how daily activities influence emotions and overall sense of mental well-being.
Participants are asked to reflect and identify their current emotion several times a day using their Apple Watch and iPhone via IntentWave’s Mindcurrent app. Participation is voluntary and lasts for 45 days.
For more information, visit the website or contact Lindsay Campbell.
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Office of Research Seminars
The Office of Research announces the following upcoming events and workshops:
Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2-4 p.m. (RL 3.204): The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Development Series is a blended learning, multi-session series designed to engage the UT Dallas research community in contemporary issues in research ethics and scientific integrity. Workshops will provide instruction commensurate with grant funding requirements for the NIH and NSF. Registration is required for attendance and seating is limited. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Subaward Processing, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2-3 p.m. (AD 2.216): You have your award and there is a subaward associated; what do you do now? The Office of Post Award Management will share the processes for getting a subaward ready including budgeting, account codes, requisitions and invoicing. Registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Faculty First Fridays: Venture Development Center & Blackstone LaunchPad — What Do We Offer? Friday, Sept. 6, noon-1 p.m., Blackstone LaunchPad: The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will host the inaugural First Friday Lunch. UTD faculty are invited to learn about the resources available for you to evaluate, develop and implement your ideas into commercialized technologies. Registration is required. Lunch will be served. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Practices for Engaging in Fundamental Research, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2-3 p.m. (AD 2.216): Join the Office of Research for a discussion of practices researchers can use to reduce their export control risk when hosting visiting scholars, performing sponsored research and traveling abroad. Registration is required and seating is limited. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Office of Sponsored Programs Administration Meet & Greet, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2-3 p.m. (AD 2.216): Please join the Offices of Sponsored Projects and Post Award Management as we introduce new personnel and exciting changes taking place this fall. Registration is requested. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
For a complete listing of Research events, visit Comet Calendar.
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Center for BrainHealth Events
The Center for BrainHealth announces the following upcoming events:
The Complexity of Meta Plasticity in the Motor System: Implication to Rehabilitation Medicine, noon-1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6, International Reception Hall, Center for BrainHealth: Dr. Yasin Dhaher of UT Southwestern is focused on understanding the basic biomechanical and neurophysiological properties of the lower limb after neurological lesions (disorders) or orthopedic injuries. Registration is required for the free lecture.
Sips & Science — The Power of Observation: What Color Is Your Apple? 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, Ellipse at the Brain Performance Institute: Develop your power of observation by exploring the color red with Bonnie Pitman, Distinguished Scholar in Residence. Understand how our eyes and brain perceive and process the color. Discover the different meanings of red throughout history and across cultures. Attendees are encouraged to wear red. Tickets are $25.
For a complete listing of Research events, visit Comet Calendar.
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CTL Event
The Center for Teaching and Learning hosts a variety of events and workshops throughout the year.
Stress, Incivility and Mental Illness in the Classroom, noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18 (MC 2.410) — This presentation will focus on helping teachers differentiate between incivility and mental illness, and will provide suggestions for coping with both. Strategies for recognizing and managing your own stress will also be included as both a classroom management tool and a personal imperative. Lunch will be provided while supplies last. RSVP by Thursday, Sept. 12. For more information or special accommodations, please contact [email protected].
For a complete listing of CTL events, visit Comet Calendar.
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Reminder
Important Information About Absences for Fiscal Year End
For the purposes of Fiscal Year End, the Office of Human Resources asks that all employees submit absence occurrences (sick/vacation) as they occur during August. Enter and submit all outstanding absence entries immediately if you have any outstanding entries from previous months.
All absence requests (sick/vacation) up to and including Aug. 31 must be submitted and approved by midnight, Aug. 31. All remaining saved and unapproved absences in the system as of Aug. 31 will be deemed as approved and will be processed by Human Resources and deducted from employees’ balances to ensure accuracy of the carry over balances for year-end financial reporting purposes.
When you submit your absence entries, please make sure the status reads “Needs Approval.” If the status reads “Saved,” then the time has not been submitted for approval.
Please contact Susan Lerry, leave analyst, with any questions or assistance with submitting or approving absence time (sick/vacation).
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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 Robert Tracy at [email protected] or ext. 3521. |
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