Dr. Joseph J. Pancrazio, associate provost and professor of bioengineering, has been named vice president for research. The appointment is effective June 1.

The choice was made after a national search that attracted exceptional candidates, said UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson.

The Office of Research oversees research funding, grants and contracts; campus research facilities and information systems; technology commercialization and licensing; compliance and safety; and the institutional review board, which approves research involving human subjects.

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UT Dallas' Annual Benefits Enrollment period will be July 15-31. During this period, benefits-eligible employees can:

• Review and make changes to their benefits;
• Add or remove coverage for dependents;
• Enroll or re-enroll in UT FLEX (employees only; enrollment does not automatically renew).

The University also will hold a Benefits and Wellness Fair on Monday, July 23, in the Student Union Galaxy Rooms (SU 2.602) and Dining Hall (SU 2.905A) with information booths about benefits options, presentations on financial wellness and on-site health screenings.

Watch for more information about the enrollment process and benefits fair in your inbox soon.

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety has created an Emergency Reference Guide to help prepare students, faculty and staff for potential emergencies, such as severe weather, fire evacuation, or threats of violence. The guide offers specific emergency procedures for various situations and can be accessed on the department's website and the UT Dallas app. To request a printed copy for your office, please email [email protected].

In addition, the interactive campus map allows users to search for severe weather shelter areas in each building. On the map, click on a building and select “Storm Shelters” from the “Find” drop-down menu. Remember, a severe weather shelter area is usually any interior room without windows, such as a restroom, hallway, conference room, or office. Try to find shelter on the lowest floor of the building and stay away from large auditoriums or gyms.

The Carter BloodCare bus will be on campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 20, between the Activity Center (AB) and the Student Services Building Addition (SSA). Make an appointment online to donate. Participants will receive a T-shirt and 50 percent off select seats for a Texas Rangers baseball game after donating, while supplies last. For more information, email Mackenzie Hunter.

The Office of Emergency Management would like to remind students, faculty and staff to be prepared for the extreme heat this summer.

During extreme heat:

• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• Drink plenty of fluids, and replace salts and minerals in your body.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
• Protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• If you must be outdoors, make sure you apply sunscreen rated at least SPF 30.
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.

For more information, visit the office's website.

Want to know how sponsored project cost centers are closed? Unsure if you can move funds and what needs to be submitted? Join the Offices of Sponsored Projects, Post Award Management and Accounting and Financial Reporting as they demystify the closeout process from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 28, in FA 2.206. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby.

To celebrate LGBT+ Pride Month and mark the third anniversary of marriage equality, the Galerstein Gender Center will hold a free screening of the documentary, The Freedom to Marry, at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, in the SSA Auditorium.

A year ago, UT Dallas became a tobacco-free campus. This transition has helped create a healthier environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. More information about the UT System-wide tobacco-free culture and the University's tobacco-free policy, tobacco-free events and cessation resources is available online.

Faculty and staff are invited to enjoy a relaxing evening at Northside from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 7. Discounts on some food and beverages will be available at the American Tap Room and Northside Drafthouse. Learn more at the Night at Northside event page.

2018-2019 Employee Holiday Schedule Announced
The Fiscal Year 2019 University Employee Holiday Schedule is available on the Office of Human Resources website. If you have any questions or need additional information about the schedule, please refer to the holiday policy or email [email protected].

Summer Campus Construction, Planning and Maintenance
Summer will usher in the University's newest academic building, along with strategic planning for future campus infrastructure. Learn more about the Campus Master Plan Update, construction on and around campus, and parking lot maintenance in the recent News Center story or on the Pardon Our Progress website.

Summer Coding and Cybersecurity Camps
The Center for Computer Science Education & Outreach offers a 40 percent discount for children of faculty, staff and students for its summer coding and cybersecurity camps. Use discount coupon code UTDFAMILY at checkout. A UT Dallas email address is required. For more information, email [email protected].

Genome Center Seminar on Data Analysis Options
The Genome Center will host an informal seminar on options for RNA sequencing data analysis at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 13, in NSERL 3.204. Open-source and commercial software options will be covered. Register here. Walk-ins welcome.

Register for the 2018 Richardson Corporate Challenge
Registration for the 2018 Richardson Corporate Challenge is open. This annual, Olympic-style friendly competition raises money for Special Olympics Texas. The challenge runs from Aug. 10 to Oct. 11 with a wide range of events. If interested, download the UT Dallas sign-up sheet, and email the completed form to [email protected]. For more information, visit the University's Corporate Challenge webpage.

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

Booster Promotion for All Campus Customers
Booster Fuels, the on-demand fuel delivery service for campus, is offering a special promotion through Friday, June 15. Use code JUMPSTART5 to receive 5 cents off per gallon on your next fuel boost. Learn more on the parking website.