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Communication for the staff and faculty of
The University of Texas at Dallas |
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Wednesday, September 26, 2018 |
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Participate in Oozeball Mud Volleyball Tournament |
Sign up to compete in the sweet sixteen anniversary of Oozeball on Friday, Sept. 28.
The mud volleyball tournament for students, faculty, staff and alumni is sponsored by the UT Dallas Student Ambassadors and University Recreation.
Email [email protected] to register for the 4 p.m. faculty/staff vs. student game, located at the Oozeball courts.
Additional sideline games like tug of war, Spikeball, BumperBall and Slip ‘N Slide races will be played throughout the day. You don’t have to register to play in the sideline games.
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Review Your Oct. 1 Paycheck for Correct Benefits Selections
The Office of Human Resources urges employees to review the benefits selections on their Oct. 1 paychecks with the benefits confirmation statement previously emailed by the UT System Office of Employee Benefits to ensure their selections are accurate. Employees can also view a summary of their benefits online through My UT Benefits.
You must report any discrepancies to the UT Dallas Office of Human Resources by sending an email to [email protected] by Wednesday, Oct. 31. Discrepancies due to clerical error that are reported by Oct. 31 will be reviewed and processed in accordance with the UT System administrative policy and requirements. Discrepancies reported after Oct. 31 will require review from the UT System Office of Employee Benefits.
Please note that there are no changes to the benefits rates for Plan Year 2018-19. Higher individual life insurance rates will apply due salary increases and if your age on Sept. 1 corresponds to a higher age bracket.
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Chef Receives Culinary Honors
Gene Christiano, senior executive chef with Dining Services, was recently recognized with regional and national chef awards.
Chartwells, the University’s food services provider, named Christiano Chef of the Year for the mid-central region, as well as the corporation’s National Chef of the Year.
Christiano also received the Chef of the Year award from the Texas Chefs Association, a chapter of the American Culinary Federation. Read More
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UT System Fall Wellness Challenge Begins in October
UT Dallas faculty and staff members are encouraged to participate in the UT System Fall Wellness Challenge from Oct. 1-28. Participants will practice healthy habits such as tracking exercise minutes or steps, writing notes of gratitude, recording eating patterns and completing a daily quest activity. Register for the free program at utlivingwell.com by Monday, Oct. 8.
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Follow Policy, Guidelines for Programs, Events for Minors
Faculty, staff and student organizations planning to host a program, activity, camp or event (PACE) with minor participants — including research internships or mentorships with minors in laboratories — are required to follow the Programs for Minors policy UTDSP5015 — Programs for Minors and supplemental guidelines to register the program with the Programs for Minors office.
The policy and guidelines were developed to protect minors participating in University-sponsored PACE, as well as the University employees and others working with minors. The policy is applicable to all PACE for minors sponsored or co-sponsored by UT Dallas, with a few exceptions.
For a listing of requirements and forms needed to register a PACE for minors, please visit the Programs for Minors webpage. Questions may be directed to Carla Garner at ext. 3815 or email [email protected].
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Employee Resource Groups Signing Day
All faculty and staff are invited to participate in the 2018 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) Signing Day from noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, in the Visitor Center and University Bookstore Atrium (VCB). ERGs help attract and retain a mixture of talented people while promoting and celebrating diversity. ERG members gain visibility within the broader campus community and access to learning and leadership opportunities.
See the list of current ERGs. New groups are always welcome. For more information, email Rosie Peterson or call ext. 4560.
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Register to Attend Women’s Summit |
On Monday, Oct. 15, Dallas-area women entrepreneurs will share their experiences, offer guidance and talk through their careers with students and members of the University community.
Highlights of the Women’s Summit, hosted by the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, include finding investors and funding; where to get advice; the economic impact of women-owned businesses; networking, dinner and reception.
UT Dallas students, staff and faculty may email Dresden Goldberg for complimentary tickets.
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Surplus Bicycles for Sale
Surplus will hold a Bike Sale from 11 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Surplus Warehouse, near Facilities Management. The event is open to students, faculty and staff, and will feature bicycles priced between $20 and $60. Cash or check only, please. First come, first served. |
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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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UT FLEX Deadlines Approaching
The last day to spend your UT FLEX Health Care funds is Thursday, Nov. 15. The last day to submit claims for reimbursement is Friday, Nov. 30.
The deadline to incur Dependent Care Reimbursement Account expenses has passed. The deadline to submit your claims is Friday, Nov. 30. If your dependent care provider completes and signs a paper claim form, you do not need to include a detailed receipt or statement. If you submit a claim online, you must submit either a detailed receipt or statement that shows the dates of service, amount of service, dependent name and provider name.
Learn more about your accounts, deadlines and resources available to you. |
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UT Dallas Night at the Ballpark |
On Monday, Sept. 3, President Richard C. Benson threw out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers game at Globe Life Park in Arlington as staff, faculty, students and alumni cheered.
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Office of Research Seminars and Events
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. 4718.
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.
Human Subjects Research from an Engineer’s Perspective, 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3, (MC 2.404): Dr. Robert Gregg will discuss his research and experience with the Institutional Review Board. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Office of Research Community Workshops, 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Oct. 9 (NSERL lobby): Researchers in any department are invited to an informal one-on-one help session for researchers who have questions — from startup companies to export controls and more. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
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Eugene McDermott Library Events
Coffee Hour: Celebrating and Honoring Banned Books Week, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Sept. 26 (MC 1.204) — Hang out and get to know the library staff at this informal gathering that combines coffee hour with books that have been banned or challenged in schools and public libraries.
Mango Languages, 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Oct. 9 (MC 2.524) — McDermott Librarians will show you how to use the online language learning software.
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Reminders
IRS Encourages Taxpayers to Review Paycheck Withholdings
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 employee’s paychecks in 2018. The 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has made changes to employee’s withholding, and employees may check their withholding 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 advisor.
Gift Wrap Drive Ends Friday, Sept. 28
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.
Green Zone Class for Military-Friendly Campus
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. Call ext. 4913 or email [email protected] for more information.
Aging and Cognition Conference
The Center for Vital Longevity at The University of Texas at Dallas will present the 2019 Dallas Aging and Cognition Conference (DACC) on Jan. 26-28 at the Dallas Marriott City Center Hotel. Registration is not required to submit a talk or poster, but submissions are due by Oct. 15. Visit the conference website for more information.
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. Email [email protected] to get involved.
Comet Cupboard Shelf Star Program
The Comet Cupboard, a food pantry initiative dedicated to helping students in need, is asking employees or departments to sign up to be Shelf Stars, donating specific items each month. To learn more or sign up, please email the Comet Cupboard.
Corporate Challenge
The 2018 Richardson Corporate Challenge benefitting Special Olympics Texas is winding down, but there is still time to purchase raffle tickets to support local Special Olympian athletes. Each $5 ticket buys you a chance to win one of three pairs of roundtrip airline tickets with hotels stays. 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).
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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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