Nominate Colleagues for Regents’ Outstanding Employee Award

The UT System Board of Regents has established an annual Regents’ Outstanding Employee Award (ROEA), created to recognize full-time, benefits-eligible, non-faculty employees across all job categories who have shown superior performance, innovation, customer service and teamwork.

UT Dallas will nominate at least four employees. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Jan. 26. Visit the Staff Council website for more information, or email [email protected].

Stanford Genome Pioneer Lecture

Ronald Davis

The Center for Systems Biology in the Department of Biological Sciences will host a lecture by Dr. Ron Davis of Stanford University at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, in the TI Auditorium. The seminar, titled “Revolutionizing Biomedical Research Through Technology Development,” will discuss the next phase in the genomic revolution and the increasing personalization of health regimes.

Davis is the director of the Stanford Genome Technology Center. He holds more than 70 patents, and was listed as one of seven World’s Greatest Inventors by The Atlantic in 2013.

Institutional Review Board Protocol Workshops

The Institutional Review Board offers informal workshops 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. Researchers are welcome to attend any session.

The first workshops for the spring semester are from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, in ECSS 3.503; from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 1, in ATC 3.225; and from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Feb. 12, in BSB 11.302. Check the calendar for future workshop dates.

Mindful Meditation for Beginners

Mindful Meditation for Beginners Series

The Galerstein Gender Center is offering a four-week Mindful Meditation for Beginners series beginning Monday, Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in SSB 4.300. The curriculum will include a background on mindfulness, important brain health information, the study of the pillars of mindfulness and the practice of various mindfulness techniques.

This class is open to staff and faculty only. The course costs $60. Registration is required.

Writing a Statement of Teaching Philosophy

The Center for Teaching and Learning invites faculty to a workshop on “Writing a Statement of Philosophy,” designed to assist faculty members in preparing high-quality teaching statements. All faculty members who will be undergoing performance reviews in the coming year are encouraged to attend.

The workshop will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, in the McDermott Library (MC 2.404). Registration is open through noon on Friday, Jan. 19, and is limited to 50 attendees. Lunch will be provided. For more information, email [email protected].

Police Department Offers Self-Defense Classes

UTD Police Badge

The UT Dallas Police Department offers free Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes for women throughout the year. Receive instruction from UTD officers who are certified RAD instructors on awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance before learning the basics of hands-on defense.

Classes are open to all students, faculty and staff, and are held at the Police Department building at the northeast corner of Parking Lot A. Class size is limited, so registration is required. This semester’s classes for women are scheduled for Feb. 20-21, March 9-10, April 15-16 and May 16-17.

For additional information, email Cpl. Somer Fernandez.

1095-C Form for Calendar Year 2017

In accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, UT Dallas is preparing the 1095-C Form for calendar year 2017. The form includes information about the health insurance coverage offered to employees, retirees and their dependents. The Internal Revenue Service requires that the form be provided to benefits-eligible employees by Friday, March 2.

The University is taking all the necessary steps to have the 1095-C mailed or made available online on or before the deadline. UT Dallas is establishing Single Sign On (SSO) access to these forms online. Monitor your UT Dallas email for updates regarding online access.

Additional information will be made available in the benefits section of the Office of Human Resources website before the end of January.

Contact the Employee Benefits team with any questions.

Performance Appraisals Are Due April 6

Appraisals for faculty and staff who worked for the University in 2017 are due Friday, April 6. Appraisals for new faculty and staff who began or will begin employment in 2018 (Jan. 1 to April 15) are due Friday, June 29. A new appraisal form is available on the Office of Human Resources website. Contact your department’s designated Employee Relations representative with any questions about the appraisal process.

Women ERG Hosts Performance Appraisal Preparation Meeting

The Women Employee Resource Group (ERG) invites employees to attend its first meeting of the year from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, in SSA 14.245 to help them prepare for performance appraisals. Learn more about becoming your best advocate at your annual review while networking with other staff and faculty. Feel free to bring your own lunch. Seating is limited. For more information, email Samantha Preisser, secretary of the Women ERG.

Can Opener Drive

The Office of Student Volunteerism (OSV) is collecting new and gently used non-electric can openers throughout January for the Comet Cupboard. Donation boxes are in the OSV Office (SSA 14.431T), the AD 2nd floor lobby near the elevators, the SU 1st floor lobby, the RHN lobby, and the ECS Student Services Office (ECSS 2.502).

Right This Weigh Wellness Challenge

Employee Wellness is sponsoring the Right This Weigh challenge, an interactive program that takes you on a virtual journey while learning and practicing habits to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. As you record activity, you’ll be rewarded with vivid descriptions and spectacular images on interactive trails from around the globe. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and top three individuals. Registration is open at the UT Living Well site through Monday, Jan. 22.

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.

Reminders

University Co-Hosts Neuroimaging Symposium at UTSW
The Center for Vital Longevity will hold its biennial Science Symposium, “Neuroimaging Is a Team Sport: The Promise of Multimodal Imaging and Cross-Institutional Collaborations,” in conjunction with UT Southwestern Medical Center. The symposium is Friday, Jan. 26, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at T. Boone Pickens Auditorium at UT Southwestern, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas.

Departments Relocating to Synergy Park North 2
Renovations on Synergy Park North 2 (SP2) are done, and several departments will have completed their moves there by Monday, Jan. 22. A new student testing facility, aviation archives and most of the Office of Budget and Finance departments will be found at SP2. While the postal address is 3020 Waterview Parkway, the building is accessed via Stewart Drive. Additional parking and a staff entrance are at the back of the building.

Medical District Route Approved for Spring 2018
The Comet Cruiser Medical District Express Pilot Route has been renewed for the spring semester. This shuttle 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. The route operates Monday through Friday, with buses departing from the bus stop at Callier Center Dallas beginning at 7 a.m. each day. A full schedule, detailed route map and bus stop information are available online.

University Construction, Transportation Changes on Deck for Spring
To learn about construction and maintenance projects on campus, please see the recent News Center story and visit the Pardon Our Progress website. Also, remember to follow University procedures to stay informed if inclement weather or other events require changes to campus schedules.

Tobacco-Free Campus
UT Dallas became a tobacco-free campus on June 1, 2017. Please kindly remind coworkers, students and visitors that the use of tobacco products is prohibited on University property. To learn more, visit utdallas.edu/tobaccofree.

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.