MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, May 7, 2015

Building the future: Graduates of the new architectural engineering bachelor’s degree program will be prepared for in-demand jobs in the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors

New bachelor's degree combines architecture, engineering to meet growing industry demand

Beginning this fall, UT Arlington will offer the first architectural engineering bachelor’s degree program in North Texas to prepare a new generation of students for careers in design-, construction-, and engineering-related fields.

The program will be based on 120 semester credit hours and incorporates courses in civil engineering, architecture, studio design, and engineering design. Graduates will be ideally suited to fill in-demand jobs in the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors.

The new degree plan will be offered jointly by the College of Engineering and the proposed College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, an integration of the existing School of Architecture and School of Urban and Public Affairs.

Read more about the architectural engineering degree program.

Interdisciplinary Research Program established to promote collaboration across fields

UT Arlington’s new Interdisciplinary Research Program will provide funding of up to $20,000 to faculty research teams representing different disciplines.

The initiative is intended to advance interdisciplinary research in alignment with the four guiding themes of the University's strategic plan: Health and the Human Condition, Sustainable Urban Communities, Global Environmental Impact, and Data-Driven Discovery.

The program will help foster interactions and new, preliminary research across campus to enable teams to effectively compete for major external research grant funding.

Duane Dimos, vice president for research, will host an information session 2:30-4 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, May 19-20, in Room 245E of the Business Building.

Requests for proposal (RFP) submissions are accepted through 4 p.m. Monday, June 15.    

Gloria Maceiko

UT Arlington opens California office to match University technologies with investors, businesses

UT Arlington has a new partnership with a longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur and alumna who will establish a strategic outpost to match technology developed at the University with investors and corporate partners.

Gloria Maceiko ’82, who earned her undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, will lead the effort. As part of the partnership, Maceiko has facilitated an agreement between GrandCanal Solutions, a supply chain optimization company, and the Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering.

The company and UT Arlington researchers will focus on supply-chain science and resolving industrial engineering issues within the complexity of today’s outsourced supply-chain environments.

Read more about UTA's California partnership.

Candidates for College of Liberal Arts dean visit campus

Candidates for dean of the College of Liberal Arts will meet with administrators, faculty, staff, and students.

Paul Wong, dean of the College of Arts and Letters at San Diego State University, is the second candidate. His public session is 1:30-2:30 p.m. today, Thursday, May 7, in Room 204 of the Architecture Building. A feedback survey is available through 5 p.m Friday, May 8.

Jeffrey Williams, professor of ethnology and linguistics in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at Texas Tech University, is the third candidate. His public session is 1:30-2:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, in Room 108 of University Hall. A feedback survey will be available from 8 a.m. Friday, May 8, through 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9.

The fourth and final candidate session open to the University community is 1:30-2:30 p.m. Monday, May 11, in Room 108 of University Hall. The candidate's name will be released 24 hours in advance of his or her campus visit.

Each candidate will speak and then answer questions.

Visit the Senior Leadership Searches webpage to learn more about the dean search for the College of Liberal Arts, as details become available.

Take survey to help UTA make 'Top 100 Places to Work' list

UT Arlington is in the competition for The Dallas Morning News' annual “Top 100 Places to Work.”

Workplace Dynamics LLC, an independent research company, will send a survey to your UTA email address today, Thursday, May 7. The fully confidential survey will remain open for 10 business days.

Paper surveys will be available Monday, May 11, and will be available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese for employees who do not have access to email.

Other points about the survey are:

• Each survey will take about five minutes to complete.
• Some employees will receive a paper survey.
• If you accidentally delete the survey email, you will receive a reminder email a few days later that will allow you to take the survey.
• Do not forward the survey email to a colleague, as each email has a unique code to prevent multiple responses from a single person.

Results of the Top 100 will be released in late July. Winners will be published in The Dallas Morning News in November. 

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Workplace Dynamics at 1-800-749-0187 or reply to your survey email.

Flexible Summer Hours program begins June 1

UT Arlington again will offer the Flexible Summer Hours Program June 1-Aug. 7.

Participating employees work a compressed week of four 10-hour days with one day off during the work week. Employees who wish to participate must have their manager's written approval of their flexible schedules before beginning the program. Schedules for non-exempt employees also must include a minimum 30-minute lunch break.

Departments or employees who choose not to participate in the program will continue to work their regular schedules.

Questions? Contact Eunice Currie at currie@uta.edu or 2-7091.

Distinguished company New members of UTA's Academy of Distinguished Scholars include Qilian Liang, professor of electrical engineering; Chaoqun Liu, professor of mathematics; and Pranesh Aswath, associate dean of the College of Engineering. The trio were recognized at Tuesday's Spring Meeting of the Faculty and Associates. Read more about the faculty honors.

Section of South Nedderman Drive closed on Friday

South Nedderman Drive from Cooper Street to Planetarium Place will be closed 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, for repairs to the Life Science Building. 

Planetarium Place will remain open and can be approached from West Street.

Use contracted vendors for your department's office supplies

The University has two exclusive office supply companies: Today's Business Solutions, an OfficeMax partner, and Summus Industries, which partners with Staples. Use of these office supply vendors is mandatory.

Both vendors provide UT Arlington with significant savings on a wide variety of products and excellent customer service. 

Procurement Services has information on these exclusive office supply providers. 

Lots 26 and 27 used this weekend

Parking spaces in Lot 26 and 27 surrounding Maverick Stadium will be used Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, for the Annual Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games.

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

Get in shape with SAC's Slimdown

The Staff Advisory Council encourages all UT Arlington staff to live a healthier lifestyle by participating in the annual SAC Summer SlimDown campaign May 18-Aug. 7.

Teams of three to six members can register online May 1-14. If you do not have a team, you can still participate; email slimdown@uta.edu.

Initial weigh-ins  re Monday-Wednesday, May 18-20, at the MAC and Health Services Center. Closing weigh-ins are Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 5-7. There are giveaways for all participants, and awards will be presented at the end-of-the-program reception Friday, Aug. 21.

This year’s campaign includes new Wellness Points and free temporary passes to the MAC for participants only. Sessions will cover topics such as weight management, eating patterns, exercises, and more.

For details, email slimdown@uta.edu.

Hammock time Lightweight hammocks pop up around campus in the best shady spots. Students use the portable loungers for studying and snoozing.

Participate in emergency response exercise May 21

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the Office of Emergency Management's annual Clery Act tabletop exercise. The event is 2:15-3 p.m. Thursday, May 21, in the Hospitality Suite at College Park Center

The exercise will focus on a discussion over emergency notification, shelter-in-place process, and evacuation on a campus-wide scale. Key officials, internal and external, will participate in the discussion.

Individuals needed for information resource roles

University deans and vice presidents are invited to appoint individuals to information resource roles on the IT Governance SharePoint group. Add names to the IT Governance SharePoint site or send an email with the appointee's name to itgovernance@uta.edu.

For more information about the appointment of the information resource roles, see Procedure 19-2. 

Steam service outage planned

The Thermal Energy Plant has planned its annual outage of campus steam service to complete inspection and repair requirements of the system components. The outage is scheduled to begin at 1 a.m. Monday, May 18, until midnight Wednesday, May 20.

During the time designated, the buildings served by the Thermal Energy Plant will be without hot water and steam. Electrical power, air conditioning, and chilled water services will still be available.

For questions on buildings or equipment impacted by the outage, contact Santiago Pink at pinks@uta.edu or 2-2564.

Get in shape for Blazing Race on May 20

Team up for the 2015 Blazing Race at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 20. The race begins at College Park Center.

Participants can walk or run either a low- or high-impact campus adventure course. The Wellness Committee hosts the free event. Find details and registration information online or email wellness@uta.edu.

Catering Services offers variety for your event

When ordering food and beverages on campus, utilize Catering Services.

The on-campus catering provider has a variety of menu offerings and pricing categories for plated meals, buffets, casual catering, and pick-up orders, large or small. Call to customize your menu, or create your own on CaterTrax. For details, contact Tina Gil, catering services coordinator, at 2-2304 or catering@uta.edu.

Read the University's policy for food and beverages, HOP ADM 5-309 of the Handbook of Operating Procedures.

Thursday, May 7

Social Work Colloquium Jeffrey Jenson is guest speaker at the Colloquium on Agency Collaboration and Community-Based Human Service Innovation. He will discuss the public health approach for preventing child and adolescent health and behavior problems and preventive interventions aimed at promoting positive youth development. Dr. Jenson is the Philip D. and Eleanor G. Winn Professor for Children and Youth at Risk at the University of Denver. Register online. 1-4 p.m., Room 107, Social Work Complex General Academic Building. Social Work.

Coming up

U.S. Manufacturing Symposium The symposium is a Walmart initiative to create affordable, flexible, automated solutions to bring manufacturing back to the United States. See the schedule. Admission $35, $120 for exhibitors; 25 free passes for students. Wednesday, June 3, UTARI, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S., Fort Worth. UT Arlington Research Institute.

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

Double up: The Maverick tennis doubles team of Elizabeth Thoms, left, and Angeles de los Rios will represent UTA in the 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championships. The doubles competition is May 20-25 at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco.

Baseball team plays final home series this weekend

The Mavericks host Appalachian State for three games Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, at Clay Gould Ballpark in the season's final home series.

UTA fell 12-6 at No. 15 Dallas Baptist on Tuesday. Last weekend, the Mavericks swept Arkansas-Little Rock in a three-game series at Clay Gould Ballpark. Sophomore right-hander Joel Kuhnel pitched eight scoreless innings in Sunday's 7-2 victory.

The sweep moved UTA into seventh place in the Sun Belt Conference. The top eight teams qualify for the conference championship May 20-24 in Troy, Ala.

Enjoy discounts, freebies at weekend baseball games

Maverick baseball will fill this weekend with discounts for a trio of games against Appalachian State at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Military Appreciation Night on Friday, May 8, means free general admission seating for anyone with a valid—active or retired—military ID. The first 50 UTA students get a coupon for free Papa John’s Pizza, and the first 100 receive a free digital camo UTA hat.

On Little League Baseball Day—Saturday, May 9—use code LLBS2 for $3 general admission tickets.

The code CHURCH for Heavenly Sunday gets you $3 tickets for Sunday, May 10.

Softball season ends with Sun Belt tourney loss

A record-breaking campaign came to a close Wednesday as the Mavericks dropped a 6-1 decision to Louisiana-Monroe in the Sun Belt Conference Championship first round in San Marcos.

UTA finished the season with a 27-28 overall record, the team's highest win total in Kristie Fox's three years as coach. The Mavericks set single-season team records in batting average, runs, RBIs, hits, and walks.

Seniors Nina Villanueva and Meagan Michele marked the end of their UTA careers. Villanueva leaves the program with the second-best career batting average at .363.

Sports Shorts

• The doubles team of Elizabeth Thoms and Angeles de los Rios will represent the Mavericks as automatic qualifiers in the 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championships on May 20-25 in Waco.

• Freshman golfer Aaron Guanlao was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference second team, and fellow freshman Jake Greenspoon was named honorable mention.

• The men’s and women’s track teams compete Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, at the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Intramural deadlines wrap up with poker

The last entry deadline for spring intramural sports is a poker tournament today, Thursday, May 7.

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.)

Friday, May 8

Baseball Mavericks vs. Appalachian State. Tickets $5-7; $3 students. 6:30 p.m. Also, 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9; 1 p.m. Sunday, May 10. All at Clay Gould Ballpark. Athletics.         

UTA Dance Ensemble Recital Performances and choreography by students and faculty. $5 with student ID, $7 general admission. 8 p.m., Mainstage Theatre. Also, Saturday-Sunday, May 9-10. Theatre Arts Department.

Thursday-Saturday, May 14-16

Commencement The Class of 2015 graduates. Tickets required. Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m., College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Friday, May 15; 11 a.m., School of Urban and Public Affairs/School of Social Work/University College/School of Architecture; 3 p.m., College of Science; 7 p.m., College of Liberal Arts. Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m., College of Business; 3 p.m., College of Engineering; 7 p.m., College of Education. All at College Park Center. Commencement. 

Ongoing

BFA Art Exhibit The work of 43 Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates includes painting, drawing, sculpture, glass, printmaking, film/video, photography, digital imaging, and visual communication. Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through May 16. The Gallery at UTA.

MavsArt The semi-annual UTA community art show features 67 works by 25 artists who are UTA students, faculty, and staff. Through May 15. UT Arlington Libraries, MavsArt.

Gallery 76102: Testament The exhibit is a collection of 12 photographs that explore the spiritual labor of bearing weight, submission, futility, and persistence. Gallery hours noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Through May 23. Free. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Juneteenth in Texas: 150 Years of Freedom More than 60 photographs explore issues of Texas African-Americans from Emancipation to the Civil Rights era. Hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Aug. 9. Sixth floor, Central Library. Center for Greater Southwestern Studies.

Special Collections: !Viva Mexico! A Comic Book History of Mexico A rare look inside the rise of comic books in 20th century Mexico, their literary, cultural, and entertainment value, and influence by the Mexican government. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Aug. 8. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

Planetarium The spring schedule features Black Holes, Dynamic Earth, Pink Floyd, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. Planetarium.

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