MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Monday, May 11, 2015

UT Arlington students reach academic pinnacle during commencement ceremonies

About 5,000 students are scheduled to earn their degrees this spring during commencement ceremonies Thursday-Saturday, May 14-16, at College Park Center.

The UT Arlington Class of 2015 includes more than 3,500 undergraduates and nearly 1,400 master’s students. More than 100 students will receive doctoral degrees during commencement weekend.

Read more about spring commencement. See the full schedule of commencement week activities.

Men's track team wins Sun Belt championship

The men’s track and field team repeated as Sun Belt Conference champions after turning in a stellar performance Sunday in Gulf Shores, Ala. The men's conference outdoor title is UTA's 10th all time and the fifth under coach John Sauerhage.

The Mavericks finished with 166 points to post an 18-point victory over second-place Arkansas State. The women’s team improved upon last year's finish by two spots, claiming fourth.

Senior sprinter Clayton Vaughn registered the most impressive performance of the day, clocking a winning time of 9.93 in the 100 meters. The time shattered his own school record (10.07) and established a new meet record. It ranks as the third-fastest time in the NCAA this year.

Read more about the men’s SBC track championship.

Final candidate for College of Liberal Arts dean visits today

The fourth and final candidate for dean of the College of Liberal Arts will meet with administrators, faculty, staff, and students today, Monday, May 11.

Scott Barclay, professor of political science and head of the Department of History and Politics at Drexel University, will meet with the campus community 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Room 108 of University Hall. A feedback survey is available through 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 12.

Visit the Senior Leadership Searches webpage to learn more about the dean search for the College of Liberal Arts.

Learn about Interdisciplinary Research Program at info sessions

UTA's new Interdisciplinary Research Program supports faculty research teams representing different disciplines.

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.

Smart house Dr. Manfred Huber, associate professor of computer science and engineering, explains details of the model “Smart Care” apartment to Congressman Joe Barton during an open house Thursday. The apartment is infused with intelligent care technology designed to reduce risks encountered by older adults and those with disabilities who want to live independently in their own homes. Read more about the Smart Care apartment.

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, sent a survey to your UTA email address Thursday. The fully confidential survey will remain open for 10 business days.

Paper surveys will be available today, 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 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 workweek. 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.

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.

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 through Thursday, May 14. If you don't have a team, you can still participate; email slimdown@uta.edu.

Initial weigh-ins are 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.

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.

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.

Friday, May 29

UTARI Seminar Samir Iqbal, associate professor of electrical engineering, discusses "Early Stage Cancer Diagnostics with Micro and Nanoscale Strategies." Free. Noon, boardroom, UTARI, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S., Fort Worth. UT Arlington Research Institute.

Wednesday, June 3

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. UTARI, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S., Fort Worth. UT Arlington Research Institute.

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

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. 

Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24

Mejia Ballet Under the direction of Paul Mejia, master teacher and choreographer, the company’s breathtaking spring repertoire will feature Romeo and Juliet, Brahms’ Waltzes, Sylvia Pas de Deux, and For Five. Tickets $15-$70. 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Texas Hall.

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 Dynamic Earth, Pink Floyd, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. The summer schedule is May 26-Aug. 23 and includes Texas Stargazing; Stars of the Pharaohs; One World, One Sky; Cosmic Color;  Dynamic Earth, Pink Floyd, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. Planetarium.

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