MavWire 2014 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, December 11, 2014

Santa's helper: Toys and games in the Neuroscience Primer: Holiday Gifts for Elementary School Kids list help young children with memory, numerical concepts, and interpersonal relationships.

Mind, brain, education researcher develops STEM gift guide for parents

Evie Malaia, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction and a neuroscience researcher in the College of Education, has developed a holiday gift guide that can help parents engage children ages 5 to 10 in science, technology, engineering, and math concepts.

The Neuroscience Primer: Holiday Gifts for Elementary School Kids was developed through a partnership between the college’s Southwest Center for Mind, Brain and Education and the Research and Learning Center, which was launched earlier this year in collaboration with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Read more about the Neuroscience Primer gift guide.

Commencement begins today

Fall Commencement ceremonies are Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 11-13, at College Park Center. For the complete Commencement schedule and detailed information about tickets, attire, parking, formalities, photography, special accommodations, and more, go to uta.edu/commencement.

Thursday, Dec. 11—College of Nursing and Health Innovation, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12—School of Architecture, School of Social Work, School of Urban and Public Affairs, University College, 11 a.m.; College of Education, College of Science, 3 p.m.; College of Liberal Arts, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13—College of Business, 11 a.m.; College of Engineering, 3 p.m.

Dr. Anand Puppala

Civil engineering project aims to extend life of Texas roads

A civil engineering team recently used a new road base mix to reduce soil sulfate heaving and extend the life of the highway as part of a new Texas Department of Transportation field implementation project.

Anand Puppala is leading the project on part of U.S. 82 near Bells, east of Sherman. Dr. Puppala is a Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Civil Engineering Department and associate dean for research in the College of Engineering.

The work could increase the longevity of the state’s roads and reduce their deterioration.

Read more about the TxDOT road base project.

Dr. Gautam Das

Research looks to unlock connections among social network data

Gautam Das, professor of computer science and engineering, has won a $450,000 Army Research Office grant to develop efficient analytic techniques for combining and understanding the data stored in online social networks.

Dr. Das, director of UTA’s Database Exploration Laboratory or DBXLab, says the grant will help find “implicit edges” in the uses of social networks. Implicit edges connect two seemingly unrelated occurrences on a social media platform.

The research could be used to improve military intelligence, make electronic commerce more efficient, help determine pharmaceutical side effects of certain drugs, and help identify topics generating media buzz and public interest, among other applications.

Read more about the social network data research.

Candidates for vice president for research to visit campus

Four candidates for vice president for research will meet with administrators, faculty, staff, and students Monday-Thursday, Dec. 15-18. The meetings will be 2:30-3:15 p.m. in Room 228 of the Engineering Research Building.

The name of each candidate will be released 24 hours in advance of his or her campus visit.

Visit the Senior Leadership Searches webpage to learn more about the search for the vice president for research, as details become available.

College Park garages, nearby lots used for Commencement guests

The College Park District garages and nearby parking lots will be used for guests of the Commencement ceremonies. Parking spaces will be reserved for Commencement starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11-Saturday, Dec. 13.

Contact Parking and Transportation Services at parking@uta.edu or 2-3907.

Maverick gifts are perfect for holidays

Several local retailers carry UT Arlington logo items that may be the perfect gifts for the Mavericks in your life.

WalMart on South Cooper has cozy slippers and cold-weather scarves emblazoned with Blaze. Target on South Cooper has UT Arlington T-shirts. Costco on Arbrook has embroidered hoodies. Anything Goes on West Park Row has UTA gift items including jewelry, cups, and home decor. The UTA Bookstore has the most Maverick spirit with a complete line of apparel, gift items, and supplies.

Visit Wear Your Maverick Pride on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest Maverick merchandise trends. 

Party time A bounty of food, fellowship, and music filled the Bluebonnet Ballroom for the annual Faculty and Staff Holiday Reception. President Vistasp Karbhari hosted the party Tuesday. See more photos.

Paychecks available for pick up Jan. 2; sign up for direct deposit by Tuesday

To avoid a trip to the University during your holiday break, sign up for direct deposit by Tuesday, Dec. 16.  

The next monthly pay day is Friday, Jan. 2, when the University will be closed for winter break. To accommodate employees who pick up their paychecks, Payroll Services will be open 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Jan. 2. 

All other payroll business or any payment issues will be handled when University offices open Monday, Jan. 5.

Email payroll@uta.edu for details.

Revision, new policy added to Handbook of Operating Procedures

Updates have been made to the Handbook of Operating Procedures.

A revision was made to HOP ADM 5-308: Minors in Laboratories or Similar Facilities. Questions?  Contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at 2-2185. 

A new policy titled HOP ADM 5-603: Administrative Office Roles and Responsibilities for Information Resources has been published. For questions, contact the vice president for information technology and chief information officer at cio@uta.edu

Texas Hall temporary closure, electrical outage starts next Monday

Texas Hall will be closed for electrical updates starting Monday, Dec. 15. The closure is expected to last three or four days.

The entire building will be without electrical service, and emergency power will not be on.

For questions, contact Toby Buhrkuhl at 972-832-1490 or Jeff Johnson at 817-798-8456.

Restroom facilities to close in some buildings

In order to replace a major campus sewer line, all restroom facilities will be closed Monday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Jan. 4, in the Chemistry and Physics Building, Chemistry Research Building, Geoscience Building, and Science Hall.

Research labs and departmental break rooms will not be affected. Winter intersession courses in these buildings have been moved, except for one in Science Hall that cannot be relocated.

Restroom facilities nearby are in Carlisle Hall, Hammond Hall, Nedderman Hall, Preston Hall, Ransom Hall, Trimble Hall, and Woolf Hall.

Expect limited access on the east/west mall between the Chemistry and Physics Building, Trimble Hall, Chemistry Research Building, and Central Library.

For questions, contact Jeff Johnson at 817-798-8456.

Lighting the way UT Arlington's float helped ring in the holidays at Arlington's evening Holiday Lights parade last Saturday.

Plan for departmental summer camps

If your department is interested in sponsoring a day or overnight summer camp, check the Conference Services website for information and requirements for making your program a success.

All camps are required to complete a Request to Host form for approval. Programs wanting overnight housing must submit forms by Monday, Dec. 15, for priority reservations.

Questions? Contact Maggie Quinn at mquinn@uta.edu.

Planetarium Place closed Dec. 16

Planetarium Place will be closed until noon Tuesday, Dec. 16, to accommodate construction equipment for the new cold storage facility in the Central Library.

Plaza Food Court banners available to promote your program

Twelve banner display cases are available in the seating area of the renovated Plaza Food Court in the E.H. Hereford University Center. University departments and student organizations can reserve banners for the spring and summer terms.

Each organization may reserve banner space for two weeks at a time for up to three times per semester. Artwork must be 36×24 inches.

For details, visit the Student Organizations desk in Room B120 of the University Center or call 2-2293.

Electrical outage set during winter break

Plan now to accommodate an electrical outage Friday-Saturday, Jan. 2-3.

Facilities Management has scheduled the outage to complete major electrical updates in Davis Hall, Fine Arts Building (Main Stage Theatre only), Central Library, Life Science Building, Physical Education Building, Preston Hall, Science Hall, Smart Hospital, Texas Hall, Trinity House, and University Hall.

For those buildings with emergency generators, power will be supplied to support egress lighting, life safety, UTA Police dispatch, and all research facilities currently connected to the generator. All buildings will remain locked during this time.

To prevent any possible damage, Facilities Management recommends turning off all electronic equipment in the offices including computers, scanners, and copiers before leaving for the winter break. These devices do not need to be unplugged from their electrical outlets.

All refrigerators/freezers should be cleaned out. 

If you have questions or concerns, special requirements during this time, or newly established research that must retain power, contact either Toby Buhrkuhl at 972-832-1490 or Jeff Johnson at 817-798-8456.

Thursday, Dec. 11

Engineering Speakers Series Fengnian Xia of Yale University discusses "Graphene Photonics and Plasmonics." Free. 3:30-5 p.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

Friday, Dec. 12

The Art of Listening Register online. Free. 9-11 a.m., J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Saturday, Dec. 13

2014-15 Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Information sessions and enrollment assistance for the 2014-15 Affordable Care Act Insurance Marketplace. Patient navigators who speak English, Spanish, and Vietnamese available. Co-sponsors are the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the United Way of Tarrant County. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Guadalupe Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nursing and Health Innovation, Rural Health Outreach Program.

Coming up

Integrating the A380 Jumbo Jet at DFW Airport Two consulting engineers describe changes to DFW Airport facilities that were required to accommodate flights by airlines using the double-decked Airbus A380 jumbo jets, which can hold more than 800 passengers. Light breakfast provided. RSVP. Free. 7-8 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Arlington Technology Association.

Faculty Peer Observation of Teaching Info Sessions Information sessions for faculty and academic administrators. 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, Room 601, Nedderman Hall, and 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Faculty Affairs.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

Hill top: Junior guard Johnny Hill scored 12 points including a driving layup in the final minute Saturday at College Park Center. The Mavericks topped Weber State 63-56 in a nonconference matchup.

Men's basketball evens record at 4-4

The Mavericks topped Weber State 63-56 in a nonconference matchup Saturday at College Park Center to snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 4-4 on the season.

Junior guard Johnny Hill scored 12 points, including a driving layup in the final minute. He also dished out six assists and had three steals.

Freshman guard Kaelon Wilson had nine points, seven rebounds, and two steals, and senior guard Lonnie McClanahan added 10 points.

The Mavericks travel to California to take on UC Irvine on Saturday, Dec. 13. The next home game is 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, against Howard Payne at College Park Center.

Women's team falls at Kansas State

Kansas State hit four of five free throws down the stretch to nip UTA 45-41 last Thursday in Manhattan, Kan.

The Mavericks (3-3) tied the Wildcats with back-to-back buckets by freshman center Rebekah Van Dijk with less than a minute remaining. Van Dijk recorded her fifth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The women’s team returns to action Saturday, Dec. 13, at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before hosting McMurry at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at College Park Center.

Intramurals continue through December

Upcoming entry deadlines for intramural sports include College FB Bowl Pick 'Em, Saturday, Dec. 13; racquetball, Wednesday, Dec. 17; table tennis, Wednesday, Jan. 7; badminton, Tuesday, Jan. 13; and poker, Thursday, Jan. 15.

See the intramural sports schedule. Pick up entry forms at the Services and Information Desk of the Maverick Activities Center. For questions, call 2-3277 or email imsports@uta.edu.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, uta.edu/movinmavs, or uta.edu/campusrec.)

Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 11-13

Commencement ceremonies Graduating students celebrate their achievements. See the Commencement schedule. College Park Center.

Coming up

Women's Basketball Mavericks vs. McMurry. Tickets $7. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. Also, vs. Georgia Southern, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30; vs. South Alabama, 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. All at College Park Center. Athletics.

Men's Basketball Mavericks vs. Howard Payne. Tickets $7. 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Also, vs. Georgia Southern, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30; vs. South Alabama, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. All at College Park Center. Athletics.

Ongoing

Max Sullivan Gallery: Statera-Hymns of Balance Paintings by Andrew Kochie. Gallery hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Free. Max Sullivan Gallery, Room 206, Architecture Building. Through Dec. 15. Architecture.

Cuba: Histories of the Present Explore daily life in modern Cuba through photographs by David LaFevor, assistant professor of history. Sixth floor, Central Library. Through Dec. 22.

Special Collections: The Price of Manifest Destiny Discover how maps and war interlock in the 19th century in a new exhibit. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Feb. 7, 2015. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

Visual Resource Commons and Gallery The African Art Collection is a multi-dimensional collection of 11th-20th century art and artifacts. Free. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Suite 2109, Fine Arts Building. Art and Art History.

Planetarium The winter schedule through Dec. 21 features Season of Light; Holiday Music Magic; Back to the Moon for Good; Experience the Aurora; One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure; Pink Floyd; and Spacepark 360 Infinity. Planetarium.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)