The University is promoting its new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which was unveiled last week, across campus and online. Starting in fall 2018, Orbit will help all new Comets — first-time-in-college, transfer, international and graduate-level students — engage, explore and discover pathways to success during their first year at UT Dallas.

Orbit encourages students to find success through support programs aimed at providing new students with resources and activities to help them navigate their critical first year at UT Dallas. Learn more about Orbit and the QEP process here.

For more information, email Dr. Jessica Murphy or Dr. Amanda Smith.

Staff Council is accepting nominations for its CARE Awards for this semester. The awards honor staff members whose commitment to quality work serves the University’s mission. To receive a nomination form, please email [email protected]. Nominations will be open through Saturday, March 31.

The UT Southwestern Mobile Mammography Unit will visit the loading zone of Residence Hall South (RHS) off Rutford Avenue on Friday, March 9, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment, faculty, staff and spouses may call 214-645-2560 or 866-277-0710 with their health insurance information. Sponsored mammograms are available for patients without health care coverage. For more information, email Nora Pena at [email protected].

Environmental Health and Safety would like to remind staff and faculty members who are involved in an accident or incident on campus to report the information as soon as possible to Annette Rogers and David Liner in the Risk Management department. If an employee is injured during the course and scope of employment, they need to report this to Risk Management/EHS because it may result in a Workers’ Compensation claim.

In addition to on-the-job accidents and injuries, also report incidents in parking lots or property damage to objects such as parked cars or light poles. Risk Management tracks and investigates all incidents on campus, so they can make recommendations to improve campus safety and ensure compliance with regulations.

Dr. Klaus Truemper, professor emeritus of computer science, will present “Wittgenstein's Philosophy and the Creation Versus Discovery Question of Mathematics” as part of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 2, in the TI Auditorium (ECSS 2.102). Truemper has been a professor at UT Dallas since 1973, first in operations research and then in computer science. The lecture is appropriate for those of any level of knowledge in mathematics or philosophy.

Benefits-eligible employees can now view their “UT REWARD$ 4U – My Total Rewards Statement,” an annual statement of employees’ compensation and benefits package on My UT Benefits. The individualized statement demonstrates the total estimated annualized value of employees’ salaries plus longevity and other state and University benefits. For more information, email [email protected] in the Office of Human Resources.

March is National March Into Literacy Month, and the Office of Student Volunteerism is collecting new and gently used books for Friends of the Richardson Library, a local nonprofit. Books for any age reader will be accepted throughout March, including textbooks, comic books, graphic novels, audiobooks and foreign language material.

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).

The Center for Teaching and Learning invites faculty to its workshop, “Documenting Teaching Effectiveness,” from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, in the McDermott Library (MC 2.410). This workshop outlines a multidimensional scheme of teaching effectiveness and offers suggested indicators and materials that demonstrate effectiveness for each dimension. Register here by Friday, March 23. Seating is limited to 100 attendees. Lunch will be provided. For more information or special accommodations, email [email protected].

Employee Wellness is sponsoring presentations on the UT System Living Well Physical Activity Challenges. Join Rachel LaBerge of Health Enhancement Systems on Friday, March 9 at either 11 a.m., noon or 1 p.m. in Galaxy Rooms A and B (SU 2.602). Learn about the current UT Dallas challenge, “Right This Weigh,” and get stats on past challenges. Also learn about the next challenge, “Keep UT System Active,” a four-week test of practicing healthy habits while learning about each UT System institution. Healthy snacks will be available, and “Right This Weigh” participants are eligible for a prize giveaway.

The UT System Naturally Slim program, an online program that helps employees lose weight and improve their health, will begin Monday, April 2. Learn when and how to eat the foods you love while losing weight, boosting your energy and improving your health. UT SELECT Medical Plan members age 18 and older — including employees, retirees and dependents — are eligible to register from Thursday, March 1, through Friday, March 16.

Learn about services available to faculty and staff on and off campus at the UT Dallas Health Fair, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 5, in the Visitor Center and University Bookstore (VCB) atrium. For more information, email Austin Rupert.

Faculty and staff members who wear orange, green or UT Dallas-branded clothing on Fridays can eat lunch at Dining Hall West (DHW) for $5 plus tax from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spirit shuttles will run from Lot R in front of the Administration Building to DHW during these times.

Redesigned Brand Standards Website Online
The Office of Communications has unveiled its redesigned Brand Standards website that includes guidelines for logos, colors and messaging to help the University achieve consistency across print and digital platforms and throughout academic and departmental units. A quick reference guide on how to use the University’s logo, monogram, wordmark and emblem is available to print out. For more information, email [email protected].

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. 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 form is available on the Office of Human Resources website. Appraisals for employees who worked for UT Dallas 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. For more information, contact your department’s designated Employee Relations representative.

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; all researchers are welcome to attend any session. The next workshops are at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, in ECSS 3.503 and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, in ATC 1.201. Check the Research event calendar for future workshop dates.