MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, July 9, 2015

Dr. Colleen Fitzgerald

Linguistics professor to serve as new National Science Foundation program director

Linguistics & TESOL Professor Colleen Fitzgerald has accepted a position at the National Science Foundation as the new director for the agency’s Documenting Endangered Languages Program.

Dr. Fitzgerald, who serves as director of the Native American Languages Lab in the College of Liberal Arts, begins her assignment in August and will return to teaching after one year.

The new role will require her to review grant applications on research related to endangered languages as well as develop opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations at the federal level. She says her experience researching Native American languages as well as leading the Native American Languages Lab at UT Arlington should prove invaluable at the NSF.

Read more about Fitzgerald's appointment.

Dr. Kathleen Tice

Tice awarded national literacy grant focused on early English language learners

Kathleen Tice, clinical assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education, has won a 2015 Literacy Grant from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. She is one of only 14 recipients nationwide to receive the award.

The grant will be used to support a service-learning program run by UT Arlington with Open Door, a Dallas nonprofit that serves preschool-aged children who are learning English. Most of the students are from ethnically diverse and economically challenged families with parents who do not qualify for Head Start and cannot afford preschool.

Read more about Dr. Tice's literacy grant.

Dr. Sandy Dasgupta

UT Arlington-UNTHSC collaboration to build prototype shunt flow monitoring system

Scientists from UT Arlington and the University of North Texas Health Science Center are building a prototype for an implantable in-line shunt flow monitoring system that would deliver both on-demand and continuous readings of hydrocephalus, a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

Sandy Dasgupta, UTA's Jenkins Garrett Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Aditya Das, senior research scientist at the UT Arlington Research Institute, received about $100,000 for the project from the Texas Medical Research Collaborative. The UT Arlington researchers are working with Dr. Anthony Lee, a UNTHSC surgeon.

Current treatments for the condition utilize a cerebral shunt, or catheter to drain excess fluid. These catheters often can become blocked, infected, or outgrown.

Read more about the shunt monitor research.

Annual benefits enrollment starts Wednesday

Annual enrollment is your opportunity to enroll or make changes to your current insurance coverage without a family status change. The enrollment period is July 15-31.

Learn about changes for 2015-16 at the Benefits Fair 9 a.m.-noon Friday, July 17, in the second-floor lounge of the Maverick Activities Center.

Both insurance and retirement plan providers will be available to answer questions as well as conduct presentations throughout the day. Representatives from the Office of Employee Benefits with the UT System also will be at the fair. Sign up for the door prizes.

Read more about the benefits overview, premium rates, and other topics for the 2015-16 year. Changes in benefit programs will be effective Sept. 1.

For more information regarding annual enrollment and UT Arlington benefits for the 2015-16 plan year, see Employee Benefits Services, call 2-5554, or email benefits@uta.edu.

Use new Title IX policy in publications, forms, catalogs

UT Arlington has updated its Title IX policy according to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights requirements.

The DOE's guidance package requires publishing and widely distributing a nondiscrimination and Title IX notice. The notice must be included in any electronic and printed publications for general distribution, including bulletins, announcements, publications, catalogs, application forms, and recruitment materials.

The statement below must be included in any future publications for general distribution. The policy reads:

The University of Texas at Arlington does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, genetic information, and/or veteran status in its educational programs or activities it operates. For more information, visit uta.edu/eos. For information regarding Title IX, visit uta.edu/titleix.

For questions about Title IX, contact Jean Hood, Title IX coordinator, at jhood@uta.edu. Staff and visitors may contact Eddie Freeman at efreeman@uta.edu, and faculty may email Maria Martinez-Cosio at mcosio@uta.edu.

Parade showcases Maverick pride Patriotism and UT Arlington pride were on display at the 50th annual Arlington 4th of July Parade. UTA’s entries included two floats, as well as the University’s spirit groups and Formula SAE race cars. See more photos

Parking regulations change Aug. 1

Changes in parking permits and regulations begin Saturday, Aug. 1.

Faculty and staff parking permits will be $200 per year. Reserved parking will be $600 and limited to those who qualify.

The hourly meter rate will be set at $2.50.

Read more about the 2015-16 parking permits and regulations.

Apply for Professional Learning Community groups

Faculty and staff can apply to participate in the 2015-16 Professional Learning Community (PLC), sponsored by the divisions of Digital Teaching and Learning and Faculty Affairs.

The PLC includes software experimentation, course redesign, group conference attendance, informal learning, and a project based on the theme of the group. Collaboration will take place through on-campus and online sessions among the group members and with national and international leaders in educational technology.

Groups for 2015-16 are Blended Learning and Synchronous Learning in a Digital Environment.

Applications are due Monday, Aug. 3.

Student Legal Services to close

Student Legal Services will close permanently after Friday, July 17.

Remind students who utilized Student Legal Services that they can obtain their files in Suite 216 of Davis Hall. To pick up a file, send a request to legalservices@uta.edu by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. Identification is required when picking up a file. 

For questions, email legalservices@uta.edu or call 2-3771.

Emergency generator test Friday

Facilities Management will test the emergency electrical generators 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, July 10.

Buildings involved are Carlisle Hall, Engineering Lab Building, Engineering Research Building, Geoscience Building, Nedderman Hall, Science Hall, and Woolf Hall.

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.

Nominations open for Staff Advisory Council representatives

Nominate yourself or a fellow staff member to serve on the Staff Advisory Council. Nominations are due by Wednesday, July 15. Voting is July 20-27.

SAC acts as a channel of communication for the staff to the University administration.

Questions? Send an email to staff_advisory_council@uta.edu.

Fulbright program seeks faculty for SubSahara program

Faculty members can apply for the Fulbright SubSahara program by Monday, Aug. 3.

Scholars can teach and conduct research at educational institutions and nonprofit organizations in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Zambia.

All disciplines are needed in some areas, while others focus on business administration, economics, and finance; journalism and broadcasting; engineering and environmental sciences; and AIDS and AIDS-related research.

For more details, contact the Office of International Education at 2-2355.

Presenters needed for student leadership retreat

Share your insight on leadership and resilience at the student Fall Leadership Retreat on Friday, Sept. 11. The annual program is sponsored by the Leadership Center and Student Affairs.

More than 200 UT Arlington students participate in leadership development through educational sessions and experiential learning activities.

Apply online by Friday, July 31.

Summer faculty development series in July

UT Arlington Libraries and the Division of Faculty Affairs will host a series of workshops to assist faculty with grants, publishing, impact analysis, and curriculum building. Workshops will be at 2 p.m. Wednesdays in July in Room 315A of the Central Library.

Programs are "Course Texts: Build It, Borrow It, OER," July 15; "Author's Rights," July 22; and "Copyright and Blackboard," July 29.

For more information, contact Gretchen Trkay at gtrkay@uta.edu.

Give feedback on University Club

The University Club is seeking feedback regarding its summer menu. Take the five-minute survey on the menu, say what items you'd like added, and rate your satisfaction on food and service.

Student engineers to host 15th annual Texas Autocross Weekend July 17-19

The UTA student Formula SAE racing team will host at least a dozen teams from across North America for the 15th Annual Texas Autocross Weekend Friday-Sunday, July 17-19, on the UT Arlington campus.

Bob Woods, adviser to the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers student racing team and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, says this year’s event features about 30 student-built race cars.

Each year, students from across campus converge in Woolf Hall to design and build a formula race car from scratch. Most students are from the College of Engineering, but some have hailed from architecture, liberal arts, and other schools and colleges at UT Arlington.

The UT Arlington team previously has been ranked No. 5 in the world and No. 1 in the United States.

The UTA team will host an open house at 3 p.m. Friday, July 17, at the Arnold E. Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering in Woolf Hall's southeast corner. Competition starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 18, and 10 a.m. Sunday, July 19, both on Lot 49.

Read more about the Texas Autocross Weekend.

Law enforcement competition to include real-life scenarios

More than 600 participants, judges, and law enforcement officers from around Texas will be on campus Thursday-Sunday, July 30-Aug. 2. 

The Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Advisors Association's State Explorer Competition features teams of youth and adults competing in 20 different “real-life” law enforcement scenarios over a two-day period.

The scenarios will take place in various campus locations including parking lots, classroom buildings, the University Center, and residence halls.

Questions? Contact the UTA Police Department at 2-3381.

Share UT Arlington's stories

University Communications wants to hear your ideas for stories that illustrate the excellence that is UT Arlington.

Submit your ideas for stories for University publications, websites, social media, and external media through a new form available on the UT Arlington News Center.

Benefits now available for same-sex marriage

As of July 1, UT Arlington's Benefits Office can enroll same-sex spouses of benefits-eligible employees and retired employees in all self-funded coverages upon application and presentation of a valid marriage certificate. 

UTA benefits-eligible employees and retirees who enter into a valid same-sex marriage after July 1 may enroll their spouse and eligible dependent children for benefits within 31 days following their marriage date.

Read more about UTA benefits and same-sex marriage benefits.

For more information, contact Employee Benefits Services at benefits@uta.edu or 2-5554.

Employment information

Check out employment opportunities at uta.edu/jobs. Have questions? Call Human Resources/Employment Services at 2-3461 or TDD 2-8139, or email employment@uta.edu. The University of Texas at Arlington is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Thursday, July 9

Intellectual Property Teri Schultz, right, director of technology management for Research Administration, discusses intellectual property ownership, patents, trademarks, and more. Register online. Noon-1 p.m., conference room, Planetarium. Graduate Studies.

Wednesday, July 15

Safe Zone Ally Training Learn how to be supportive to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other community members. Register by noon Monday, July 13. Free. 1-4 p.m., Red River/Concho Rooms, E.H. Hereford University Center. LGBTQA Program.

Thursday, July 16

Writing Effective Email Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Wednesday, July 22

Research and Strategic Plan 2020 Learn about the guiding themes of the Strategic Plan 2020 and how UTA can be more competitive for major research awards and grants. Rachel Croson, right, dean of the College of Business, and Krish Prabhu of AT&T present "Data-Driven Discovery and Knowledge Management." Register online. 2-4:30 p.m., Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Also, 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, and 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5. Office of Research Administration.

Thursday, July 23

Dealing Effectively with Conflict and Confrontation Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Friday, July 24

UTARI Seminar Susan Juarez, right, UTARI grant writer, discusses Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer funding mechanics. Register online. Shuttle available. Lunch provided. Noon, UTARI, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S. UT Arlington Research Institute.

Tuesday, July 28

Coaching Skills for Supervisors Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Wednesday, July 29

Peer Observation of Teaching Training Learn about this powerful tool for professional growth, documenting great teaching, and sharing new ideas. Register online. 1-4 p.m. Also 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Aug. 17, and 1-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. All in Room 415, Central Library. Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Faculty Affairs.

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

Women's basketball releases 2015-16 schedule

The women’s basketball team has released its 2015-16 nonconference schedule, which includes three opponents that reached the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

The Mavericks tip off Nov. 13 at Baylor, which advanced to the Elite Eight last year, in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. The nonconference schedule also includes home games against 2015 NCAA Tournament teams Seton Hall on Nov. 24 and Western Kentucky on Dec. 13.

UTA finished last season 17-13 overall, posting the largest turnaround in NCAA Division I. See the 2015-16 schedule.

Golf coach qualifies for U.S. PGA Cup team

Golf coach Stuart Deane has qualified for the 2015 United States PGA Cup Team, which will compete Sept. 18-20 in San Martin, Calif.

He earned a spot on the 10-player team for the first time based on a two-year rolling points system. The U.S. is facing a combined team from Great Britain and Ireland, with the prestigious Llandudno Trophy on the line.

Last week, Deane participated in the PGA Professional National Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.

Former star Haynes signs with Italian champs

Former UTA All-America guard MarQuez Haynes has signed a contract with Italian champion Dinamo Sassari for the 2015-16 season.

Haynes, 28, spent last season with Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv, his second full Euroleague campaign. He averaged 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists coming off the bench in 25 Euroleague games. In the Israeli League, he averaged 8.3 points, 2.3 assists, and 2 rebounds.

Haynes played two seasons for the Mavericks (2008-10) after transferring from Boston College. As a senior, the Irving native was named Player of the Year in the Southland Conference and was third in the nation in scoring at 22.6 points per game.

Summer intramural sports available

The deadlines for individual sports are 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.)

African masks feature unique, cultural art Examine the design and style of decorations on African masks in the exhibit  Ornament and Adornment: The Decoration and Application Techniques of African Masks. The masks are on display in the Visual Resources Commons, Room 2109 of the Fine Arts Building. Mask materials include iron nails, tin appliques, shells, beads, plant fibers, hair, leather, pigments, and resins, all with cultural significance. Pinned, stamped, tied, woven, painted, and carved, these embellishments were meant to accentuate movement, replicate human characteristics, and evoke meaning as they heighten the viewer's experience of performance and ceremony. The works are selections from the Dowdey-Campbell and Brodie African Art Collections in the Department of Art and Art History. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. The exhibit runs through Aug. 31.

Thursday, July 9

Free Outdoor Movie: 'Furious Seven' Bring a chair or a blanket, a picnic, and friends for outdoor movies each Thursday. Free popcorn. The next movie is The Breakfast Club (1985), July 16; Pitch Perfect 2, July 23; Dirty Dancing (1987), July 30; and Tomorrowland, Aug. 6. Free. 9 p.m., lawn behind the Maverick Activities Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Friday-Sunday, July 10-12

Discount Rangers Tickets Texas Rangers vs. San Diego Padres. 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. Upcoming games are New York Yankees, July 27-30; Houston Astros, Aug. 3-5; Tampa Bay Rays, Aug. 14-16; Seattle Mariners, Aug. 17-18; Toronto Blue Jays, Aug. 25-27; Baltimore Orioles, Aug. 28-30. Texas Rangers.

Ongoing

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.

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.

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.)