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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.
Vaccine Recipients Encouraged To Fill Out Online Form
UT Dallas encourages anyone who has received the COVID-19 vaccine to register using our voluntary registration form. Please fill out the form for each dose of the vaccine you receive.
For more information, email the Office of Emergency Management and Continuity Planning.
Weekly Proactive COVID-19 Testing Available
Weekly proactive COVID-19 testing is now available to employees who are onsite one or more days a week. Participation is encouraged to help reduce any potential asymptomatic spread within our campus community. For more information on how to enroll in the program, please email [email protected].
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HR Forum Scheduled for July 7
The Office of Human Resources will host its next HR Forum from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 7, 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. If you have questions for the HR Forum, send them to [email protected].
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Event Planners Mini Forum Set for June 23
Staff and faculty whose roles include planning campus events are invited to attend the Event Planners Mini Forum from 9:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, on Microsoft Teams.
The agenda is:
- 9:30-9:45 a.m.: Opening Remarks and General Updates
- Rena Piper, University Events
- 9:45-10:05 a.m.: Campus Events Moving Forward
- Dr. Rafael Martín, vice president and chief of staff
- 10:05-10:55 a.m.: Campus Event Support Groups Update
- Michael Snyder, Media Services
- Brigette Robinson and Chris Miller, Facilities Management
- Alejandro Melendez Navarrete, Parking and Transportation
- Chief Larry Zacharias, University Police
- Bethany Erwin, Chartwells Catering
- 10:55-11:15 a.m.: Event Space Reservations
- Mara Jackson, Student Union
- John Kyle, Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center
- 11:15-11:30 a.m.: General Q-and-A
If you would like to be added to the annual Event Planners Forum distribution list, fill out the Event Planners Forum form.
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Employee Wellness Opportunities
The Office of Human Resources is promoting the following health and wellness resources for staff and faculty:
Wondr Health Summer Session
Wondr Health (formerly Naturally Slim) is a skills-based digital weight loss program that has helped hundreds of thousands of people in different stages of health.
UT Benefits is giving members the opportunity to join (see restrictions and eligibility info). No gimmicks. No food you need to buy. Through Wondr Health’s weekly videos, you’ll build lifelong healthy habits that can improve your physical and mental health.
The application deadline is Sunday, June 20. The program starts Monday, July 5. Space is limited. Visit Wondr Health to apply and learn more.
Available to all UTSELECT 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. Contact customer service for questions or additional information.
BCBSTX Fitness Program
The Fitness Program through UT SELECT and UT CONNECT will be waiving the enrollment fee (a value of $25) for eligible new members who sign up in June. Members will be asked to enter the code, JUNESTART, at checkout to qualify for the waived fee.
The Fitness Program offers flexibility, convenience and ease for just one low monthly fee. 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 of the program include:
- Online enrollment and tracking.
- Automatic monthly payment withdrawal.
- A choice of gym networks and studio classes to fit your budget and preferences.
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) discounts through the WholeHealth Living Choices Program; register at whlchoices.com.
To enroll, members can log in to Blue Access for Members at bcbstx.com/ut or bcbstx.com/utconnect and click "Fitness Program" in the Quick Links section. Or enroll by calling 888-762-BLUE (2583), between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
EAP Newsletter and Online Seminar: Building Healthy, Happy Relationships
Identify the ways to build and maintain healthy relationships with those around you, with a focus on the importance of boundary setting.
Visit Deer Oaks EAP and enter utdallas for the username and password to access the online seminar.
In this month’s EAP Newsletter, the following topics are discussed:
- Online Seminar Reminder: Building Healthy and Happy Relationships.
- Workplace Success: Enthusiasm and Attitude.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month June 2021.
- Gardening Health and Safety Tips.
- Father’s Day Gift Ideas.
- Smoothie Recipe.
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SPN Wellness Center Is Now Open
The SPN Wellness Center has reopened to faculty and staff. Workout hours are Monday-Friday from 5:30-7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and 5-8 p.m. In order to use the SPN Wellness Center, you must purchase a University Recreation membership. For more information, please contact Greg Melton.
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UT Dallas Celebrates LGBT+ Pride Month
LGBT+ Pride Month occurs every June across the nation with a goal to help all LGBT+ people embrace their authentic selves. The purpose of this commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBT+ individuals have had on history locally, nationally and internationally. The University of Texas at Dallas honors LGBT+ Pride Month with events to further an affirming and inclusive campus environment.
For more information, visit the Galerstein Gender Center website to see the full schedule of events.
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Office of Research Events
Research 411 Talk Show: Stabilizing Delicate Drugs, 3-4 p.m., Wednesday, June 23 — What does an exoskeleton have to do with drug stabilization? Therapeutics, such as the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, require refrigeration to maintain drug function. In an effort to bypass the expensive cold chain including vaccine distribution, storage, and usage, a team led by Dr. Jeremiah Gassensmith and Dr. Gabriele Meloni researched the development of an affordable, scalable and safe method for the enhancement of stabilizing lipid protein interactions. Learn more about their research and how an exoskeleton provides a shield against stressors. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby.
QPR Training, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, June 24 — The Student Wellness Center invites you to learn how to detect when someone may be considering suicide and acquire skills to prevent it. Information about resources and suicide among college students will be included. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby.
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Reminders
Celebrate Juneteenth at Multicultural Center Events
The Multicultural Center proudly presents the Juneteenth Week of Celebration 2021: Journey to Freedom. The following virtual events are designed to educate and entertain the campus community about Juneteenth traditions and history.
- Juneteenth Storytime, 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 16 through Thursday, June 17 — Kick off your summer reading with some great reads! Learn about African American literature that lends itself to the “Journey to Freedom” theme. Each Storytime on Microsoft Teams will cover a different genre and provide reading samples from each piece.
- Who’s Got Game? 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 16 — This virtual game night on Microsoft Teams will include trivia, bingo and more. Winning players will be awarded prizes.
- Juneteenth Celebration, noon, Friday, June 18 — Interact and celebrate Juneteenth this year on YouTube, Facebook and Twitch with live performances by students from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, words of wisdom by Vickie Washington Nance and live music by DJ Texas Tip.
Visit the Juneteenth website for access to events. For more information on these events, email Adrienne Watson.
Upcoming OIT Summer Training
Ready to return to campus but not sure how to navigate between having an in-person and online audience? Learn how to best host hybrid meetings and what equipment to purchase for your lecture halls and conference rooms. Register to watch a webinar on how to prepare for Hybrid Meetings at 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 29. The session will highlight specific technology available with Teams Enabled Conference Rooms. View the entire training catalog.
Register for BrainHealth Opportunities
Why Left of Boom Is Critical: Building Resilience Now, 7 p.m., Thursday, June 17 — Learn key insights on how to be a forward-thinker with Dr. Geoff Ling, professor and physician with Johns Hopkins and a co-leader of The BrainHealth Project and retired United States Army colonel medical doctor, former director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Biological Technologies Office.
Inside The BrainHealth Project — Learn how you can be your best self with The BrainHealth Project. It’s free, online, self-paced, interactive and entirely grounded in demonstrated science. This brain training teaches you to focus on your strengths and performance. There will be two, 30-minute virtual information sessions each month through August.
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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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