The Multicultural Center (MC) urges the campus community to rally in this dynamic celebration of freedom. The week of events highlights African American history. Show up for this evolving signature tradition that has existed on the UT Dallas campus for more than 30 years.

Juneteenth Community Cookbook, 3 p.m., Thursday, June 16 — A cookbook of recipes submitted by UTD community members will be available on the MC website.

Juneteenth Celebration, Friday, June 17, 5-6:30 p.m., VCB Atrium — Texas-style barbecue, Texas history trivia, sweet treats, games, live band, and the annual health and wellness fair featuring the Student Wellness Center, Student Health Center and more. Follow the MC on Instagram for updates.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions and stay tuned to the Multicultural Center on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more information.

The Office of Human Resources will host its next HR Forum from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 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. If you have questions for the HR Forum, send them to [email protected].

The UT Dallas Annual Benefits Enrollment is July 15-31. Save the date and be sure you have access to the Internet and your UT Dallas email so you can participate in the annual benefits enrollment period. During this time period, you can:

• Make changes to your benefits.
• Enroll or re-enroll in UT FLEX (employees only; enrollment does not automatically renew).
• Add or remove dependents from your coverage plan. Please review your dependents.
• You also may add/change your beneficiaries for your life and AD&D coverage. If you currently do not have your beneficiaries listed on My UT Benefits, we recommend you do so.

An email announcing the opening of the Annual Benefits Enrollment will be sent to all benefits-eligible employees on or before July 15. After you receive the email, log into My UT Benefits and follow the on-screen instructions to make your selections or changes. Make sure to print your confirmation statement after you make any changes.

Enrollment must be completed before midnight Central Time on Sunday, July 31.

The UT System Office of Employee Benefits will announce any changes to the FY2022-2023 benefits plans in the A Matter Of Health newsletter prior to the annual enrollment period. Please monitor your University email account for this information and for campus-specific details from UT Dallas.

Benefits-eligible employees may also attend the UT Dallas Virtual Benefits & Wellness Fair on July 18-19. Don't miss out on the educational opportunities and fun activities. Watch your email for more information about this event soon. Download the UT Dallas Benefits Fair App via Google Play and Apple App stores.

For assistance or more information, contact the UT Dallas Office of Human Resources — Benefits Services via email at [email protected] or on Microsoft Teams.

Summer Recharge & June EAP Newsletter

Recharging the mind is important to not only perform optimally at your job, but also to be in the present moment with friends and family. Strive to enjoy the summer and take charge of your own health and well-being.

Deer Oaks EAP provides information on a variety of topics such as stress management, health and wellness. These services can be easily accessed 24/7.

In this month's EAP Newsletter (pdf), the following topics are discussed:

• On-demand seminar: Finding Yourself Through Nature
  • Discover the importance of being outside; find your own way to enjoy nature and increase your well-being.
  • Available on-demand on Tuesday, June 21. Enter utdallas for the username and password to access the seminar.
• Dealing with difficult emotions.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month.
• Spending time in nature can boost your health and mood.

BCBSTX Fitness Program: New Member Special

New members can join the Fitness Program through UT SELECT and UT CONNECT and pay no enrollment fee. Sign up by Thursday, June 30. Members will be asked to enter the code WOTFP22 at checkout to qualify for the waived fee.

The Fitness Program offers flexibility, convenience and ease. Packages are as low as $10 per month. Members have access to a nationwide network of more than 10,000 participating facilities so they can work out whether traveling, at home or at work. Other features include:

• Online enrollment and tracking.
• Automatic monthly payment withdrawal.
• A choice of gym networks and studio classes to fit your budget and preferences.
• Mobile app with check-in and activity history.

To enroll, members can log in to Blue Access for Members at bcbstx.com/ut or bcbstx.com/utconnect and click "Wellness" for access to the Fitness Program. You also can enroll by calling 888-762-BLUE (2583) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Download the BCBSTX Fitness Program flyer (pdf) for additional information.

VOYA Financial Webinar: Mid-Year Financial Check-In

Learn what you can do now to impact your financial plans. Register to attend the Mid-Year Financial Check-In at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 15, on Zoom. You also can schedule a 1-on-1 appointment today by visiting utsaver.timetap.com. See the full lineup of 2022 VOYA-UT Financial Webinars (pdf).

Wondr Health Summer Session

UT Benefits is offering Wondr (pdf), a science-based digital weight-loss program that teaches you lifelong skills on how to eat the foods you love, lose weight, and keep it off. Wondr is available to all UT SELECT and UT CONNECT Medical Plan members ages 18 and above, including employees, retirees, spouses and dependents who have not started a class within the last 12 months. The deadline to apply is Sunday, June 26. The program begins Monday, July 11. Visit wondrhealth.com/livingwell to apply and learn more.

Nominations are now being accepted for open Staff Council positions for the coming year. All nominations must be submitted by June 30.

Benefits-eligible staff members who have worked for the University for six consecutive months may be nominated to serve on the council as a representative. Anyone may nominate a candidate, or candidates may self-nominate. Campus districts elect representatives to serve two-year terms. Once elected, representatives:

• Serve on one of four standing committees.
• May be selected to serve on University-wide committees.
• May run for the offices of president or vice president, which are elected annually by the council to serve one-year terms.

Learn more about opportunities to serve in the Staff Council bylaws.

If you would like to meet your current representative or have questions about becoming a representative, consider attending an upcoming meet your rep event.

Dallas-Fort Worth Labor Market Update

Despite many challenges, growth continues in the North Texas economy. While 37,000 new jobs were added in April, total job postings decreased for the first time since the fourth quarter in 2021. Learn more about these developments by reading the latest DFW Labor Market Update.

For more information on how UT Dallas and our local economy affect each other, please contact Economic Development. You also can subscribe to biweekly updates with the latest analysis and news.

Research 411 Talk Show: Correcting Cancer Using Targeted Genetic Therapies, 3-4 p.m., Wednesday, June 15 — Dr. Heather Hayenga, assistant professor of bioengineering, will discuss the need for systemic therapy to treat hemangiopericytoma (HPC), a rare nonhereditary brain tumor caused by an environmental fusion of two genes. She and her colleagues in the Vascular Mechanobiology Laboratory at UT Dallas are working to improve cancer therapies and delivery using genome editing, potential drug targets, and gene-targeted therapies to treat HPC brain tumors. For more information, contact Tiffany Willoughby.

Raise Funds For Your Group Through Impact UTD

Does your program or group need additional funding? You may be able to raise those funds through Impact UTD, the crowdfunding platform available to the UT Dallas community. Here's what you need to know about Impact UTD:

• It is open to all UT Dallas staff, faculty and students (access to a UT Dallas cost center is required).
• It allows you to raise funds from your professional and personal networks through gifts directly to UT Dallas.
• All gifts are tax-deductible.
• All funds raised go directly to your program.

Email [email protected] to learn more about ways to use Impact UTD crowdfunding.

Listen to Latest BBS Podcast Episode

”Research Reels: The Bilingual Language Lab School“ is the latest episode of the BBS Mindful Minutes podcast.

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences students Michelle Hagenimana and Anisha Patel sit down with associate professor Dr. Raul Rojas to discuss the work and inspiration behind the Bilingual Language Lab, which investigates the intersection between the bilingual student experience and its effect on academic achievement and opportunity. Rojas shares his personal experience as an immigrant working his way from the bottom up to establishing a successful lab that is making a difference in the Latinx community.

BBS Mindful Minutes is available on Anchor.fm and Spotify.

Submit Applications for Staff Ideas Competition

The Staff Ideas Competition is designed to engage the thousands of professionals among the outstanding staff in the University's culture of innovation. Staff and clinical faculty may submit their early-stage ideas for a startup or small business to compete for cash awards. The deadline to apply for the competition is Sunday, July 10.

For more information, email Dresden Goldberg.