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Communication for the staff and faculty of
The University of Texas at Dallas |
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COVID-19 Information, Resources
During the disruption of regular services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Communications is maintaining a collection of information and resources for staff, faculty and students. For the latest information, visit the COVID-19 website, which will be updated frequently with FAQs and the latest information.
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Hear the Latest HR News at the HR Forum on May 6
The Office of Human Resources will host the next HR Forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 6, as a Microsoft Teams live event. Please install Microsoft Teams prior to joining. If you need assistance, contact the Help Desk.
Unlike a traditional Teams meeting, you are not able to “dial in” to a live event. Audio will stream from your computer. Please ensure your speakers are on or use a headset connected to your device. Closed captioning is available, and there will be a moderated Q-and-A forum.
Join the HR Forum and share this link with your colleagues. Please refer to the agenda:
- Welcome
- Colleen Dutton, chief human resources officer
- You Asked, We Answered.
- Update on COVID-19 response and return to campus plans.
- Vacation balances over the max.
- Communication and leading your team virtually.
- Workforce planning in challenging times.
- Staffing adjustments in HR.
- Make a Mask project update.
- Resources for employees and their families dealing with stress and the unknown.
- Care for yourself to care for others.
- General Announcements
- Guests
- Keri Burns, director of career services
- Update on student worker ePars and student employment.
- Brian Dourty, associate vice president and chief technology officer
- Update on telephone replacement and email integration.
- Benefits and Wellness
- Celeste Burnett, human resources group member
- Update on the FFCRA, EPSL and EFML process and time reporting.
- Marita Yancey, senior director of Human Resources
- Changes to the UT Voluntary Retirement Plans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
- Ellen Ammons, human resources group manager
- Annual performance review update.
- Terry Cartwright, human resources group manager
- Virtual training updates.
- Closing comments
For more information, visit the HR Forum page.
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Staff Council To Meet Virtually on May 13
The next Staff Council meeting will be online at 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 13.
To attend the meeting, check the Staff Council homepage for meeting connection information. All are welcome to join the meeting. |
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Volunteer To Assemble Celebration Packages for Grads
In celebration of the class of 2020, the University is preparing commemorative packages as a special surprise to be delivered to each spring graduate. Volunteers are requested to help assemble packages Monday, May 18 through Wednesday, May 20.
Package assembly will take place at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center. Volunteers will work in three-hour shifts and follow established social distancing measures to ensure a safe working environment. All individuals taking part in the assembly process will be required to wear a mask and gloves. Gloves will be provided on-site, and masks will be available as needed. Additionally, volunteers displaying any symptoms of illness are asked to stay home.
Any help you can provide is much appreciated. Sign up for a shift(s). |
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Your Brain Health During Time of Uncertainty
Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, chief director of the Center for BrainHealth, is reaching out to share science-based insights, tips and resources for coping during this challenging time.
Multitasking, social connectivity and compassion are a few of the subjects covered with a new perspective every week:
See them all online or sign up for the Center for BrainHealth monthly newsletter at the bottom of the Center for BrainHealth website. |
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Register To Attend OIT Forum
The Office of Information Technology will host virtual presentations on the latest technology news at UT Dallas during its OIT Forum from 9-11 a.m., Thursday, May 21.
Highlights will include a number of successful migrations made in the transition to e-Learning, as well as the additional support and resources offered to students. There will be updates from early adopters of the Telephony project and their feedback on the new devices offered. Information Security will share how it continues to keep the online learning environment secure. And there will be an update on the TechKnowledgy Bar that will be installed in the Student Union.
A Microsoft Teams live meeting link will be sent once you complete online registration.
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Connect with Colleagues at Watercooler Wednesday
It’s important to take breaks and stay in touch with colleagues as many staff and faculty work remotely. You are invited to virtually connect with colleagues on Watercooler Wednesday through a Microsoft Teams live event at 10-10:15 a.m. and 3-3:15 p.m. Each session will include a wellness activity. Join early or hang around after and visit with colleagues and meet new folks. Watercooler Wednesdays will run through the end of May.
Visit the Campus Wellness Committee site for more information about Watercooler Wednesday and other virtual resources related to wellness.
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Request LGBT+, Gender Equity Online Mini-Workshop
The Galerstein Gender Center provides a series of one-hour educational and experiential opportunities to students, staff and faculty upon request.
These online workshops use an intersectional approach to educate and provide practical tools to foster allyship practices that promote equitable and affirming climates across overlapping identities and communities.
Request a workshop.
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Drop Off Comet Cupboard Donations at UTDPD Lobby
The Comet Cupboard is still accepting donations. You can drop off items in the lobby of the UT Dallas Police Department. Needed items include:
- Dried pasta, rice, dried beans and vegetarian canned beans.
- Tomato Sauce and canned tomatoes.
- Boxed or canned chicken, beef or vegetable broth.
- Hearty canned soups (vegetarian and meat).
- Vegetarian canned pasta meals, pasta sauce and pouch/packaged meals.
- Cereal and oatmeal.
- Shelf-stable milk and shelf-stable milk substitutes. (oat, soy, almond, etc.)
- Canned or jarred fruit.
- Canned or bottled juices (without added sugar).
- Personal care items such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and dental floss.
You may also make cash donations online to Comet Cupboard.
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UT System Launches Emotional Fitness Campaign
Work of Art is an emotional fitness campaign designed to help you learn skills that boost happiness and foster resilience. Living an emotionally healthy life is an art, but the activities and habits that lead to long-term success are grounded in science: enhancing mindfulness, sharing gratitude, increasing optimism and strengthening connections.
Pick activities that matter to you. You can repeat them and/or skip some. The deadline to register is Friday, May 8. The last day to log your healthy activities is Tuesday, June 2
Every Monday in May, you’ll receive details and guidance on one new activity from each of these categories: mindfulness, gratitude, optimism, connection and collage (miscellaneous). The goal is to complete one or two healthy activities at least four times each week. Each “work of art” is worth 100 points, with an overall goal of earning at least 400 points during the campaign. Those who meet the goal will receive a reward.
Faculty and staff across the UT System are invited to join a Work of Art webinar at noon on Wednesday, May 6. For more information, visit utlivingwell.com. |
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Have a Question? Ask OBF Help
During these unprecedented times the Office of Budget and Finance encourages all staff and faculty to use OBF Help Desk to get answers for payroll, travel, eProcurement or budget questions.
The OBF Help Desk will be available weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
To ask a question, email [email protected].
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Resources Available Through Employee Assistance Program
The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free service provided for benefits-eligible employees.
This program offers a wide variety of counseling, referral and consultation services. These services are confidential and can be accessed 24/7.
If you or your family need help in managing stress, anxiety or other issues, call 888-993-7650 or email [email protected]. |
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Office of Research Webinars
Center Stage Seminar Series, 3-4 p.m., Wednesday, May 6 — Join the Office of Research as it hosts Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder and chief director of the Center for BrainHealth and Dee Wyly Distinguished University Chair. Chapman will showcase research taking place at the Center for BrainHealth. Registration is required. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby.
Research 411: Data Management Talk Show, 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, May 12 — Join the Office of Research professional staff for a discussion focused on data management issues inherent to working remotely. Concerns, valuable tools and best practices will be shared. Registration is required. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby.
OSPA Closeouts, 10-11 a.m., Thursday, May 14 — Join the Office of Research and the Office of Accounting and Financial Reporting as they detail the procedures involved in closing a sponsored project. They will walk through the process and break down the responsibilities of each party. Registration is required. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Development Series, 2-3 p.m.,
- Session 3: Designing your Research, Part 2, Tuesday, May 12
- Session 4: Conducting your Research, Part 1, Thursday, May 14
- Session 5: Conducting your Research, Part 2, Tuesday, May 19
Join Office of Research professional staff and guest speakers as they share valuable information to support your efforts in conducting research at the University in a responsible fashion.
Completion of all eight one-hour Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) sessions, in addition to the online RCR foundations training, is required to satisfy NSF and select NIH grant funding requirements.
Advance registration is required for each of the eight sessions. Registrants will receive a confirmation email immediately with links to add the webinar to an online calendar of their choice. Instructions for how to join each online webinar will be sent to only those who register prior to 9 a.m. on the day of each session.
For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby.
20/20 Focus on Research Online Seminar Series - "Beyond Antibiotics: Towards Novel Therapies for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection," 10-11 a.m., Friday, May 15 — Dr. Nicole De Nisco, assistant professor of biological sciences, and Dr. Kelli Palmer, associate professor of biological sciences, will discuss their work to develop new therapies for recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) by investigating two aspects of the host environment that are important for determining infection outcome: inflammation and the resident microbiome. Registration is required. For more information, email Anricka Ziller.
Lab to Launch: Online Seminar Series for Researchers Interested in Entrepreneurship - "How to Turn University Research Into a Startup Venture," noon-12:45 p.m., Monday, May 18 — Clinical associate professor Steve Guengerich, who has helped startups raise more than $200 million, will talk about what you can do to best position your research for an entrepreneurial venture, as well as cover the basics of the lean startup methodology. Registration is required. For more information, email Anricka Ziller.
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Reminders
Ensure Your Online Sessions Are Secure
Educational Technology Services has put together a Rapid Remote Teaching Resources page to assist faculty in transitioning from face-to-face to the online teaching environment. This page includes links to training, best practices and resources to help you collaborate online efficiently and securely.
For more information, download the Quick Guide for Secure Online Meetings.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave, Emergency Family and Medical Leave
UT Dallas is offering COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave (EFML) to all eligible UT Dallas employees pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The leave provided under the FFCRA does not modify an employee’s right to use sick or vacation time, as set forth in our current policies. Rather, these new provisions expand UTD’s employee benefits by requiring that UTD grant additional leave to certain employees due to COVID-19 through December 31, 2020. Read about the updated benefits.
Staff Members Launch Virtual Fitness Classes
VFit UTD, a new program launched by staff who are certified fitness instructors, has partnered with University Recreation to offer free virtual fitness classes to the campus community. Tune in via a livestream through Microsoft Teams each workday. New links for the workouts will be posted weekly on the UREC group fitness page.
LGBT+ Resources Are Listed on Galerstein Site
The Galerstein Gender Center and QUTD have compiled a list of resources to help support the LGBT+ campus community during this difficult time. The resources point toward national hotline numbers, mental health resources, and some queer-inclusive music, art, movies, and shows.
For more information, email Matthew Winser-Johns.
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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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