MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, June 11, 2015

Integration plan: Anand Puppala, associate dean for research for the College of Engineering, is director of the new Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure.

New NSF center, industry partnership may lower costs, lessen need for infrastructure maintenance

A new National Science Foundation center at UT Arlington will determine how to best use composite materials to extend the life cycle of civil infrastructure, resulting in less maintenance and lower costs to taxpayers.

The Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI), an NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center, will highlight the sustainable benefits of using composites in infrastructure construction because traditional methods of repairing roads, bridges, and other structures are not working.

The center has university partnerships with other centers housed at West Virginia University, University of Miami, and North Carolina State University. CICI researchers have formed partnerships with several outside companies and agencies that will serve on the industrial advisory board.

Anand Puppala, associate dean for research for the College of Engineering, is the center’s director.

Read more about the Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure.

Dr. Taylor Johnson

Computer scientist's research to better control cyber-physical systems

Taylor Johnson, assistant professor of computer science and engineering, will investigate emergent behavior in cyber-physical systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites using a two-year, $499,546 grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory to model, predict, monitor, and control potential emergent behavior.

Emergent properties are those that spontaneously emerge in the execution of engineered systems, particularly when those systems have software and physical components, such as UAVs or satellites.

Read more about the emergent behavior of cyber-physical systems.

Dr. Priscila Cacola

Toys, household items important in infant's motor skills development

A new UT Arlington study finds that many parents are unaware of the significant role household items play in their infant’s motor skills development.

Priscila Caçola, assistant professor of kinesiology, co-developed a simple questionnaire for caregivers of infants age 3 to 18 months that she says can aid in the evaluation of toys and other items in the home known as home affordances.

The study appears in a recent issue of the journal Physical Therapy.

Read more about the infant motor skills study.

American Heart Association names UTA Fit-Friendly Worksite

UT Arlington has received the Fit-Friendly Worksite Award from the American Heart Association.

The University received a Gold Achievement Award for recognition of companies that have demonstrated commitment to employee wellness. The award consists of fulfilling criteria that offer employees physical activity opportunities, encouraging healthy eating options and education at work, and promoting a wellness culture.

New director named for UTA Bookstore

Jason Smith is the new director of the UTA Bookstore. He has worked in the bookstore industry for 20 years, including six years at the campus bookstore at Dallas Baptist University.

Paul Beaulieu, the former director, was promoted by Follett Higher Education Group.

20 years of powwow Representatives of numerous Native American tribes participated in the 20th Annual Benefit Powwow on Sunday at the E.H. Hereford University Center. The event raises money for scholarships and is sponsored by UTA's Native American Student Association. Bottom, Joseph Bohanon, left, was honored as founder of NASA at UTA. He teaches Native American studies and psychology at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and is the co-owner of Native Insights Consulting Firm.

Library's microfilm cabinets relocated for more study space

UTA Libraries has moved microfilm cabinets and readers to the basement of the Central Library. The move frees up significant space on the second floor, which will be used to expand student study areas.

The move is part of the library's summer construction phase, which includes expanding the UTA FabLab on the first floor.

Registration for student Leadership Retreat now open

Tell students about the annual fall Leadership Retreat for students Sept. 11-13. The retreat focuses on resilience in leadership development. Working with small group leaders, students will have the opportunity to push the boundaries they have set for themselves. Cost to students is $60, which includes transportation, lodging, and food.

The Leadership Center and the Division of Student Affairs host the retreat.

For questions, email leadership@uta.edu or call 2-9220.

Faculty ISO new discussion site on Blackboard

A faculty discussion board—Faculty ISO—is available on Blackboard and has forums on the four themes of UTA's Strategic Plan: Health and the Human Condition, Data-Driven Discovery, Sustainable Urban Communities, and Global Environmental Impact.

The forums can help you find a guest lecturer, service learning expertise, or an expert in teaching large classes.

To access Faculty ISO, log in to Blackboard using your NetID and password. Add Faculty ISO to your organizations in Blackboard. Contact Blackboard Support for technical assistance.

Parking entrances change for road closure

Summit Avenue between Greek Row Drive and UTA Boulevard will close for upgrades starting Monday, June 15, for at least 45 days.

Parking is available at Meadow Run (access from Greek Row Drive) or lot 24 at Summit Avenue and UTA Boulevard at the YWCA Child Care Center.

The entrance to the Greek Row parking lot between Davis Drive and Summit Avenue will be temporarily relocated to Davis Drive. 

Big stage UTA's A Cappella Choir opened the Rolling Stones' encore with “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” on Saturday at AT&T Stadium. Singer Mick Jagger complimented the group after the song. Watch the performance.

Emergency generator test Friday

Facilities Management will test the emergency electrical generators 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, June 12.

Buildings involved are the College Park Central and South garages, Health Center, Kalpana Chawla Hall, The Heights on Pecan Apartments, and the E.H. Hereford University Center.

The test will only affect the electrical services tied to each building’s generator, not the entire building. There will be a slight “blip” lasting a half-second as the electrical service transfers to the generator and another as it is transferred back to the normal building service. Keep computer work in progress saved during this time to prevent any possible data loss.

Questions? Call Toby Buhrkuhl at 972-832-1490 or Jeff Johnson at 817-798-8456.

Lot 33 to close for camps

The west side of lot S33 will be closed Wednesday-Friday, June 17-19, for the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas iCan Bike Camp.

The same space will be closed Sunday-Thursday, June 21-25, for the annual UT Arlington Marching Band Camp.

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

Purchasing year-end deadlines near

The Office of Procurement has implemented procedures to ensure that year-end purchasing is efficient and effective.

The deadlines for submitting the Requisitions and Associated UTAFlow Approval forms to Procurement for purchases that might exceed $5,000 will improve the overall processing for the end of the fiscal year.

Deadlines are:

Friday, June 19—Fiscal Year 2015-16

Friday, July 24—Fiscal Year 2014-15

Items for the 2015-16 fiscal year budget must have the budget date changed to 09/01/2015. Make the date change using the Line Defaults page or on the distribution line (budget information tab). For questions, contact Nancy Czarowitz at 2-7146 or czarowitz@uta.edu.

All Requisitions and Associated UTAFlow Approval forms received in the Office of Procurement after 5 p.m. Friday, July 24, will be processed against fiscal 2015-16 funds.

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.

Friday, June 12

Statistical Software: SPSS SPSS training. Free. 1-3 p.m., Room 04, University Hall. Also, SAS training, Friday, June 19. OIT Statistical Services.

Monday, June 15

Interdisciplinary Research Program RFP Deadline Request for proposals (RFP) for the new Interdisciplinary Research Program due by 4 p.m.

Tuesday, June 16

Motivating Your Employees Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Thursday, June 18

Management Leadership Tools: Compliance Register online. 10-11:30 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Monday, June 22

Writing and Designing NSF Proposals A one-day program geared on winning research proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Register online. $375 with discounts available. 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Houston Marriott Medical Center, Houston. Also, Monday, July 13. Webinar 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. Writing and Designing for National Institutes of Health Proposals, Tuesday, July 14. Grant Training Center.

Coming up

Human Resources Training Register online. Advanced Supervisory Skills, 9-11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 25; Dealing with Difficult Employees and People, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8; Writing Effective Email, 9-11 a.m. Thursday, July 16; Dealing Effectively with Conflict and Confrontation, 9-11 a.m. Thursday, July 23; and Coaching Skills for Supervisors, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, July 28. All in Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

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

Welcome, coach: New golf coach Stuart Deane, center, met with Maverick fans—including President Vistasp Karbhari, left, and Athletic Director Jim Baker—at a meet-and-greet Wednesday evening at the Rolling Hills Country Club. Deane served as assistant coach since February and has played in the PGA. He will help create the new women's golf program that starts in 2017-18.

Vaughn qualifies for NCAA finals

Senior sprinter Clayton Vaughn advanced to the finals of the men’s 100 meters Wednesday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. 

Vaughn posted a time of 10.085 to claim eighth place in the semifinals, edging teammate Quentin Butler by 1/1000th of a second for the final qualifying spot.

Emil Blomberg, UTA’s record holder in the 3000-meter steeplechase, was unable to finish his race Wednesday. Junior Roland Sales competes Friday, June 12, in the finals of the high jump.

The 100-meter final is scheduled for Friday at 7:25 p.m. Watch live coverage on ESPN, and view live results at NCAA.com.

Scott, Tornberg selected in MLB Draft

The final day of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft saw a pair of UTA seniors selected.

First baseman Levi Scott was picked in the 28th round by the Toronto Blue Jays, while right-handed pitcher Colin Tornberg went in the 32nd round to the Seattle Mariners.

The Mavericks have had at least one player selected in 17 of the last 18 drafts, including the last seven in a row. The 2015 MLB Draft marked the 15th time in UTA baseball history that multiple players have been chosen.

Mavericks land spot in 2015 Preseason Women's NIT field

The women’s basketball team has been selected to participate in the 2015 Preseason Women’s National Invitational Tournament in November.

UTA posted a 17-13 record in 2014-15 after finishing with just four wins the previous year. The Mavericks were led by Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Rebekah VanDijk and feature a lineup that returns five starters from last season.

The 16-team WNIT field includes 10 schools that advanced to postseason play in 2015, including NCAA Final Four participant Baylor. Matchups will be announced later this month.

Summer intramural sports available

Intramural team sports and deadlines are softball, June 17; and sand volleyball, June 24.

Individual sports are free and include racquetball, June 24; billiards, June 25; badminton, July 14; poker, July 23; and MavStrong competition, Aug. 6.

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, June 11

Free Outdoor Movie: 'The Divergent Series: Insurgent' Bring a chair or a blanket, a picnic, and friends for outdoor movies each Thursday. Free popcorn. Upcoming movies are Cinderella (2015), June 18; Jurassic Park (1993), June 25; Furious Seven (2015), July 9; The Breakfast Club (1985), July 16. Free. 9 p.m., lawn behind the Maverick Activities Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Friday, June 12

Discount Rangers Tickets Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins. Visit texasrangers.com/grouptickets, click on University of Texas at Arlington, and use the password GOMAVS to get your discounted tickets. 7:05 p.m., Globe Life Park. Also, 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14.

Tuesday-Wednesday, June 16-17

Blood Drive Roll up your sleeve for Carter Blood Care. Register to donate. Library and University Center malls.

Saturday, June 20

ArlingCon Arlington’s comics, anime, and sci-fi convention features local artist appearances, a cosplay runway, a free showing of Guardians of the Galaxy, drawing workshops, anime screenings, Lego scenes, demonstrations of 3D printing for cosplay, and a swag table. Free. Noon-5 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center. Arlington Public Library, UT Arlington Libraries.

Tuesday-Thursday, June 23-25

Discount Rangers Tickets Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics. Visit texasrangers.com/grouptickets, click on University of Texas at Arlington, and use the password GOMAVS to get your discounted tickets. Various times, Globe Life Park.

Ongoing

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 summer schedule 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.)