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Communication for the staff and faculty of
The University of Texas at Dallas |
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Wednesday, September 12, 2018 |
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University Mourns Longtime UT Dallas Lecturer Vincent Cirillo
Dr. Vincent Cirillo, a longtime senior lecturer at UT Dallas, died recently at the age of 92.
A memorial service for Cirillo will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel at Legacy Town Center in Plano.
Cirillo came to UT Dallas in 1992 after retiring from Stony Brook University in New York, where he taught, led research and served as chairman of the biochemistry department.
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UT System Offers Naturally Slim Program for Employee Health |
Learn how to lose weight and improve your health while eating the foods you love. The University of Texas System Office of Employee Benefits is offering the Naturally Slim online wellness program at no cost 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 this program in the past year.
Apply online through Friday, Sept. 14. The Naturally Slim program starts Monday, Oct. 1.
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IRS Encourages Taxpayers to Check Withholding Online
The Internal Revenue Service recommends that taxpayers do a “payroll checkup” to make sure that the right amount of payroll taxes are being withheld from employees’ paychecks in 2018. The 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has made changes to employees’ withholding; employees may check this online.
Employees may update their payroll check withholding elections at any time by accessing Galaxy > Staff Tools > Payroll and Compensation > W-4 Tax Information. There is no requirement to make any changes; however, the IRS encourages taxpayers to use the IRS Withholding Calculator and make any changes to withholding as needed. If you have additional withholding or personal tax questions, please seek assistance from a professional tax adviser.
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Join the ‘Make UTD Green’ Team
The Office of Sustainability has launched a Green Office Certification Program to help departments and offices on campus adopt more sustainable practices.
Participants will track practices such as using computer power-save settings, identifying how many employees use reusable water bottles and refilling stations, whether the office uses compostable and/or plastic foam coffee cups, the number of shared appliances used, and whether each workstation has a blue recycling bin.
Offices can rank as platinum, gold, silver or bronze based on the sustainable practices they implement.
“This is a great opportunity for UT Dallas employees to participate in a fun and engaging program that can recognize their contributions and showcase how sustainable we can be as a campus,” said Evan Paret, administrative project coordinator in Facilities Management.
Employees in certified green offices will receive an “I Make UTD Green” coffee mug while supplies last. Certified green offices will be recognized on the sustainability website and be provided a certificate and signage for their offices.
“It’s a matter of getting past the blockage that being sustainable will be more work. Once you give it a try, I think most people will see how easy it is to integrate sustainability into the office environment,” said Gary Cocke, associate director of energy conservation and sustainability.
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Registration, Submissions Open for Aging, Cognition Conference
The Center for Vital Longevity at The University of Texas at Dallas will present the 2019 Dallas Aging and Cognition Conference on Jan. 26-28 at the Dallas Marriott City Center Hotel. Researchers will share their latest discoveries and insights on the cognitive neuroscience of aging through talks and poster presentations. Registration is not required to submit a talk or poster, but submissions are due by Oct. 15. Visit the conference website for more information.
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Green Zone Classes Seek Friendly Campus for Veterans
The Green Zone program, presented by the Military and Veteran Center, is designed to establish a network of University staff and faculty to encourage a military-friendly campus culture.
The next class is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5. Training topics include military terminology and culture, transition challenges for student veterans, classroom considerations, and campus and community resources. Training is limited to staff and faculty.
Call ext. 4913 or email [email protected] for more information.
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Free Flu Shots Available Oct. 30-31
Flu shot clinics for faculty, staff and retirees will be held Oct. 30 and 31 on campus, as well as Callier Center Dallas, the Center for Vital Longevity and the Center for BrainHealth. View the schedule and make an appointment online. Bring your Comet Card, insurance card and completed consent form to your appointment. Flu shots are free to employees with or without the accepted insurance. Vitamin B12 shots, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccines and tuberculosis skin tests will also be offered for additional fees. For more information, view the flyer.
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Become a Shelf Star by Donating to the Comet Cupboard
The Comet Cupboard, a food pantry initiative dedicated to helping students in need, is asking employees to sign up to be Shelf Stars, donating specific items each month.
- September: Vegetarian packaged, ready-to-eat meals and/or pasta and pasta sauce.
- October: Vegetarian soups and/or personal care items.
- November: Cereal and/or peanut butter and jelly.
To sign up, please email the Comet Cupboard.
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Gift Bag, Wrapping Paper Drive
The Office of Student Volunteerism is collecting wrapping paper and new or gently used gift bags this month for The Birthday Party Project, which hosts parties for children at local homeless shelters and transitional living facilities. Collection bins are located in the OSV office (SSA 14.431T), the Administration Building near the second-floor elevator, the Student Union lobby and Residence Hall North.
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Office of Research Seminars and Events
Human Subjects Research Seminar Minimal Review Post-Launch, 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 12 (MC 2.404): The Institutional Review Board is in the process of rolling out a new electronic submission portal for minimal review applications. During this session, IRB administrators will demonstrate the application process and highlight features of the portal. Registration is required. For more information, email Suzanne Potts or call ext. 5317.
Quenching Curiosity, 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 12, Northside Drafthouse & Eatery: In recognition of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, Dr. Shayla Holub, associate professor, will present her research and discuss what families and caregivers can do to promote healthy eating habits and weight. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
OSP/OPM Seminar — Budget Overview, 10-11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 13 (MC 2.404): This course will answer common questions about the PeopleSoft Financial Budget Overview page. Attendees will also learn about UTD's Chart of Account structure for sponsored projects and financial management of your awards. Registration is required. For more information, email Suzanne Potts or call ext. 5317.
Designing Your Research, 10 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Sept. 19 (FA 2.206): Registration is required for the second workshop of the Responsible Conduct of Research Development Series. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, email Suzanne Potts or call ext. 5317.
Participating in Consulting & Advisory Boards, 10 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Sept. 26 (MC 2.404): Office of Research representatives will discuss the benefits and challenges of engaging with industrial partners as a consultant or advisory board member. For more information, email Conor Wakeman or call ext. 5317.
Graduate Professionals Week — Entrepreneurship, noon -1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2 (FA 2.206): Please join the Office of Graduate Studies in collaboration with the Office of Research and Blackstone LaunchPad as they host an entrepreneurship panel discussion. Registration is required. For more information, email Suzanne Potts or call ext. 5317.
Graduate Professionals Week — Industry vs. Academia, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2 (FA 2.206): A panel of early and midcareer professionals will share their career decision-making at this interactive session. Registration is required. For more information, email Suzanne Potts or call ext. 5317.
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Reminders
Fall SAFE ZONE Ally Training
The Galerstein Gender Center will offer SAFE ZONE Ally Training sessions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on both Friday, Sept. 28, and Friday, Oct. 19, in the Galaxy Rooms (SU 2.602). Ally Training provides a venue for participants to express concerns, ask questions and learn about issues affecting the LGBT+ campus and surrounding community. In its 10 years, SAFE ZONE has trained more than 650 student, staff and faculty allies on campus.
There’s Still Time to Compete in Corporate Challenge
The 2018 Richardson Corporate Challenge benefitting Special Olympics Texas continues through Thursday, Oct. 11. There is still time to register for several remaining events. You can sign up for any activity up to two weeks before the event start date. Download the event schedule and UT Dallas team signup sheet, and return your completed form to [email protected].
In addition, Corporate Challenge raffle tickets are available for $5. Each ticket 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 second-floor information desk in the Administration Building, the Office of the University Attorney (AD 2.412) or the SPN Wellness Center (SPN 1.702).
QuTD to Hold Monthly Mixer, Discuss Dallas Pride Parade
QuTD, the LGBTQ+ employee resource group on campus, will host a social mixer at 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 13, at Northside Drafthouse. The gathering will include a discussion on participating in the Dallas Pride Parade on Sunday, Sept. 16. All LGBTQ+ faculty, staff and allies are encouraged to attend.
For more information, to RSVP or join the QuTD mailing list, email Courtney Brecheen. For a schedule of events, visit the QuTD events page.
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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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