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Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022
News for the staff and faculty of The University of Texas at Dallas |
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COVID-19 Information, Resources
During the disruption of regular services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Communications is maintaining a collection of information and resources for staff, faculty and students. Visit the COVID-19 website, which will be updated frequently with the latest information. |
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Coverage for COVID-19 At-Home Test Kits, Medications
Consistent with guidance released by the federal government, coverage for COVID-19 at-home test kits and antiviral medication is provided under the UT SELECT and UT CONNECT prescription drug program for free FDA-approved COVID-19 diagnostic over-the-counter test kits. For more information, visit the UT System website. |
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HR Forum Scheduled for Feb. 2
The Office of Human Resources will host its next HR Forum from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 2, as a Microsoft Teams live event.
Please refer to the agenda:
- Welcome
- Campus COVID-19 management
- Guest presenters
- HR updates
- Annual performance appraisal process
- Campus climate survey update
- Bright Leaders program update
- HR staffing updates
- Q-and-A
- Closing Comments
Join the HR Forum and share this link with your colleagues. If you have questions for the HR Forum, send them to [email protected].
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Sign Up for Comets Giving Days 2022
Comets Giving Days is approaching. Mark your calendars for April 6-7 and join the Comet community for another 1,969 minutes of giving extravaganza.
All groups interested in fundraising and/or learning more about Comets Giving Days are encouraged to sign up. Info sessions will be in-person and available via Teams. If your area has participated in the past, please sign up. To be eligible to fundraise on Comets Giving Days, groups must have a working gift cost center.
For more information, email Brennae Wright.
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Dallas-Fort Worth Labor Market Update
November saw a massive increase in employment by 59,400 jobs and a new peak in job postings to nearly 408,000 for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This, coupled with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, indicate that the labor market has not only recovered from the pandemic, but is also seeing substantial growth in our region. To learn more, see the latest DFW Labor Market Update (pdf).
For more information on how UT Dallas and our local economy affect each other, please contact the Economic Development team. You can also subscribe to biweekly updates with the latest analysis and news. |
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Document Your Heart Walk To Earn a Pin
Join the 10-minute UT System-wide walk for heart health on campus or at home at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 10. Tag your pictures or videos of you wearing red on social media with #utheartwalk.
Join your colleagues virtually to raise awareness to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent heart disease and wear red to support women’s heart health.
Email your pictures or videos to [email protected] to receive the 2022 heart pin.
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CPR-Trained Employees Are Encouraged To Fill Out Form
University Emergency Medical Response (UEMR) at UT Dallas is working toward earning HeartSafe Campus designation from the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation.
One requirement for the recognition is reporting the number of CPR-trained individuals at UT Dallas. Staff, faculty and students who have received CPR training in the last two years are encouraged to fill out a short self-report form; proof of certification is not required.
UEMR also will host a Hands-Only CPR event from noon-3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Margaret McDermott Trellis Plaza. Anyone interested in learning or practicing CPR skills is welcome.
For more information, email Sheila Elliott.
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Register To Participate in Food Pantry Competition
The Comet Cupboard invites individuals and teams to participate in the 10th Annual Raising Cans food drive art competition.
Raising Cans participants will collect nonperishable food, household goods and personal care items. At 10 a.m., Friday, March 4, in the atrium of the Visitor Center and University Bookstore (VCB), they will assemble those items into creative sculptures or graphics. All teams’ art will be judged, and a winner will be announced. After the event, Comet Cupboard staff will collect all donated items.
Individuals or teams must register for the competition by Friday, Feb. 25. For more information, email [email protected] or call Whitney Vela at 972-883-2709.
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Staff members are invited to help Staff Council rebrand by submitting new, original artwork. A prize will be awarded to the person whose art receives the most votes.
Requirements and details:
- The art must use UT Dallas’ color palette.
- Artwork should promote love for UTD staff and community.
- Digital submissions can be made using any software (e.g., Canva).
The deadline to submit your artwork is Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day, naturally). Winner(s) will be announced by Friday, March 11.
For more information, email the Staff Council Communications Committee at [email protected].
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Lecture To Connect the Dots Between Engineering, Ethics, Equity
What does engineering have to do with social justice? Researchers have long noted the disconnect between engineering and societal impacts in the perceptions of the public, pre-college students and engineers themselves. One reason may be that the mantra “engineers are problem-solvers” has historically excluded a key element — people. More prevalent now than ever is the need to recognize the importance of solving problems with — not just for — people.
Dr. Yvette E. Pearson will present the Jonsson School Distinguished Lecture — Connecting the Dots: Engineering, Ethics and Equity, at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 28. The event will be streamed on Microsoft Teams.
Pearson, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion at UT Dallas, will share insights and engage the audience in discussions that draw connections among ethics and equitable engagement in engineering education, research and practice.
For more information, visit the lecture listing on Comet Calendar or contact Melissa Maxey at [email protected] or 972-883-6789.
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Callier Center FLASH Lecture Series Starts Jan. 28
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Center for BrainHealth Events
BrainHealth Presents: The Future of Well-Being with Dr. Deepak Chopra, 7-8:10 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10 — Hear Dr. Deepak Chopra’s vision of well-being and personal transformation, which can help unlock potential through improved brain health. Chopra, clinical professor of family medicine and public health at the University of California, San Diego, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. He has authored over 90 books including numerous New York Times bestsellers.
Meta-Research Computing, Brain Health and Neuroimaging, noon-1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18 — Learn about the advancement and demand of cyberinfrastructure for organizations that have high volumes of data, where currently the demand is outpacing qualified facilitators. Dr. Christopher Simmons, director of Cyberinfrastructure Researcher Support at UT Dallas, will discuss building solutions to better leverage research computing. |
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Reminders
Working Remotely Is Encouraged Through Feb. 4
Staff and faculty who can perform their work remotely are encouraged to do so through Friday, Feb. 4. Please work with your supervisor to determine the needs of your unit during this period. Supervisors are expected to be flexible and allow remote work through Feb. 4, if possible, without compromising operations. Additional information about work and health protocols can be found on the UT Dallas COVID-19 website.
Online Consent To Receive Form 1095-C for Calendar Year 2021
In accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, UT Dallas will have the 2021 Form 1095-C available on or before Jan. 31, 2022. The Form 1095-C includes information about the health insurance coverage offered to employees, retirees and their dependents. You will receive the Form 1095-C if you were enrolled in the UT Medical Plan or if you worked an average of 30 or more hours per week or were considered a full-time employee in 2021. Graduate student employees who are covered under the UT Student Health Insurance Plan will receive Form1095-B directly from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
If you provide consent, you can access your Form 1095-C online through Galaxy. If you provided consent in prior years, you do not have to do so again. The deadline to provide online consent is Jan. 17. If you do not provide the online consent, you will receive the form in the mail on or before the IRS deadline. The forms are expected to be available online on or before Jan. 31.
If you need to provide online consent, log in to Galaxy with your UT Dallas NetID and password. Then, go to Self Service, select ACA Form 1095-C and follow the on-screen instructions. Written instructions and FAQs are posted on the HR website for your reference.
If you have any questions, email [email protected] or contact the Office of Human Resources - Employee Benefits Team. If you have additional questions about your Form 1095-C, you may also visit the IRS website and the UT System Office of Employee Benefits website.
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View Online
The University of Texas at Dallas
800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021
972 883-2111
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