MavWire 2016 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, March 10, 2016

Education collaboration: UTA President Vistasp Karbhari, left, and Arlington schools Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos sign an agreement Monday to launch the new Teacher Academy.

UTA, Arlington school district launch Teacher Academy to increase educator talent pipeline

The Arlington school district and UTA have partnered to create an innovative Teacher Academy to encourage aspiring young educators to pursue careers in teaching and provide them a clear path to success.

Arlington schools Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos and UTA President Vistasp Karbhari celebrated the initiative Monday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding at Seguin High School. More than 100 high school students who already are participating in the district’s “Ready, Set, Teach” education career program attended the ceremony.

The Teacher Academy will provide high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn both university semester credit hours and high school course credit, giving students primed for a teaching career an advantage as they become college—and workforce—ready.

Read more about the Teacher Academy.

Dr. Ioannis Schizas

UTA researcher would transform sensor network into device with supercomputer power

Ioannis Schizas, assistant professor of electrical engineering, is working to develop a framework for a network of simple sensors that could be as powerful as a supercomputer, but smaller and less costly.

Dr. Schizas will use a three-year, $150,000 National Science Foundation grant to create a sensing environment that will use many simple devices to process data that currently requires the use of a supercomputer.

The network of sensors could be applied to surveillance and defense, healthcare applications such as detection of sleeping disorders, or structural monitoring for bridges and buildings.

Read more about the supercomputer sensors research.

Dr. David Keller and Dr. Paul Fadel

Two professors receive $376,000 NIH grant to combat hypertension among African-Americans

Two faculty members of the College of Nursing and Health Innovation have won a $376,000 National Institutes of Health grant to investigate the inherent differences between blacks and whites in blood pressure regulation and how it relates to nearly half of African-American adults being at risk of developing hypertension.

David Keller, associate dean and chair of the Department of Kinesiology, and kinesiology Professor Paul Fadel, director of clinical translational science, say insights gained through their study will help fight and significantly reduce the scourge of hypertension among African-Americans as well as in other populations.

Read more about the hypertension study.

MyMav maintenance set for this weekend

MyMav will be unavailable from 6 p.m. Friday, March 11, until 6 a.m. Monday, March 14. The Office of Information Technology will perform essential maintenance to improve the performance of the MyMav system. During this maintenance window, users attempting to access this system will receive a scheduled maintenance notification page.

Visit the OIT status page for updates about the maintenance. For questions, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@uta.edu or 2-2208.

Nursing honors dream makers Anne Bavier, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, seated, was joined by kinesiology graduate student Steve Boyton, left, UTA President Vistasp Karbhari, and Kendra Stephen, nursing senior, in thanking donors at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation's 15th annual Dream Makers Scholarship Luncheon on Monday. Since its inception in 2002, the event has raised more than $3 million to support student scholarships. See more photos.

Suggest students for Welcome Center jobs for summer, fall

Suggest a MavElite student apply for jobs at the Dan Dipert University Welcome Center for summer and fall. Positions include tour guides (SNAP Job 8855) and campus visit assistants (SNAP Job 8856). Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, March 30.

The Students Needing A Part-time Job (SNAP Job) system lists a variety of jobs for students. Register at uta.edu/snapjob.

For more details, contact the SNAP Job office at snapjob@uta.edu or 2-3463 or come to the SNAP Job Office and computer lab in Room B200 of the Wetsel Service Center at 140 West Mitchell St. The SNAP Job office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.

Performance reviews due April 4; training for supervisors offered

Annual performance reviews for employees must be completed by Monday, April 4. The reviews do not include faculty members and graduate assistants.

Understanding Performance Reviews Forms and Procedures for supervisors is offered 2-3 p.m. Thursday, March 10; and 9-10 a.m. Thursday, March 24. If you are unable to attend a training session on the dates provided, a training session for your department can be planned.

Another class for supervisors is Writing Effective Performance Reviews at 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 29.

All sessions are in in Room 200 of the J.D. Wetsel Service Center.

Employees are encouraged to complete a self-evaluation for the performance review process.

Evaluation forms are online. For questions, email hrperformreviews@uta.edu or call 2-5554.

Complete conflict of interest form by March 25

Go to the Outside Activity Portal to disclose potential conflicts such as service on a board or uncompensated activity outside of UTA, significant interest in a business, or gifts received. Approval is not required for immediate family members, but disclosure may be required.

Log into the portal and click on the Make New Disclosure tab to complete the form.

If you did not participate in any outside activity, click on the Report No Activity tab.

To request approval for outside activities, use the Request Approval tab.

If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Chapman in University Compliance Services and Legal Affairs at 2-2080 or compliance@uta.edu.

Steps to Retirement class today

Learn more about Retirement eligibility, retiree insurance, and how UT Select and Medicare coordinate at a Steps to Retirement class. The session is 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, March 10, in Room 205R of the Wetsel Service Center.

For details, call 2-5554 or contact Yvette Rodriguez at email yvette@uta.edu.

Emergency generator test on Friday

Facilities Management will test the emergency electrical generators on some buildings 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, March 11.

Buildings to be tested are College Park Center, College Park Center and South parking garages, the Maverick Activities Center, Texas Hall, The Heights on Pecan Apartments, and the E.H. Hereford University Center.

There will be a slight “blip” of a half-second as the electrical service transfers to the generator and another as it is transferred back to the normal building service. The test will affect only the electrical services tied to each building’s generator, not the entire building.

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

SAC Benefits Fair includes blood drive, health screenings

Bring your Mav ID and join the Staff Advisory Council at the ninth annual Celebrating Maverick Spirit Benefits Fair 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Meet with vendors and organizations that provide services or discounts for the UTA community.

Giveaways, door prizes, and free food—first come, first served—await all employees.

Register online for food allergy testing and a cardiovascular screening with 100 percent coverage by insurance.

Bring your insurance and ID cards. Sign up for the Carter BloodCare blood drive.

Register a booth for your department.

Input needed on proposed certificate in sustainability

Complete a survey to help UTA develop a certificate in sustainability.

The program will use a multidisciplinary approach to integrate business, society, and sustainability into a coherent program of study and engagement. The certificate would offer working professionals an opportunity to learn how to integrate the principles and values of sustainable practices.

See the new website for UTA's Institute for Sustainability and Global Impact.

You can help with transition to new email system

Volunteer to be part of the Office of Information Technology's email service upgrade. If you would like to have your email and calendar moved early to the new system, fill out the Request to Move Early form on the Exchange upgrade website.

On Monday, March 21, the Office of Information Technology will begin migrating email and calendars to the new system.

Prepare for the switch by organizing your current mailbox.

Delete—Quickly review your inbox and determine which messages you do not need to keep. This may include calendar invites, email chains, or random subscription-based advertisements.

File—Organize files in folders or use flags to indicate the importance of the emails.

Archive—Archive files in a location on your computer or inbox.

For updates, detailed instructions, recommendations, and more information, visit the Exchange upgrade website. For specific questions, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@uta.edu or 2-2208.

Buy tickets for UTA Night at the Rangers to reserve unique cap

A UTA-themed Texas Rangers cap is waiting for you when you buy tickets now for the game Friday, Aug. 26, when the Rangers take on the Cleveland Indians.

Get your ticket before Tuesday, March 15, to guarantee your one-of-a-kind cap.

Buy tickets online for the promotion. Claim your cap on game day at Globe Life Park.

More caps will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for fans purchasing after March 15.

Volunteers needed for ACES

Lend a hand at the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES), a University-wide symposium highlighting the best in student research and creativity.

Faculty, staff, and students can serve as volunteers. Shifts for morning or afternoon sessions are available. Register to volunteer.

ACES is Wednesday, March 23, in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Tax help available at Central Library

Representatives of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) are available to help with figuring out your taxes. The free service runs through Tuesday, April 12, in Room B20 of the Central Library. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Mondays-Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-6 p.m. Sundays.

Thursday, March 10

Walter Prescott Webb Memorial Lectures The 51st annual program presents lectures on the topic "Deportations in the Americas: Histories of Exclusions."
See the schedule. 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center. History, Center for Mexican American Studies.

Film Screening: 'Age of Champions' A screening of an award-winning and inspiring documentary following five older adults who sprint, leap, and swim for gold at the National Senior Olympics. A discussion follows with panelist Chris Ray, associate dean for research for the College of Nursing and Health Innovation; Clay Krames, a gold medal Senior Olympian; Chelsea Couch of the Texas Department of Disability and Aging Services; and Sydney Farrier, a social worker. 5-8 p.m., Room 109, Social Work Building A. Social Work.

Friday, March 11

Materials Science and Engineering Seminar Series Csaba Janaky, of University of Szeged-Hungarian Academy of Sciences, “Hybrid Nanoscale Architectures of Semiconductors and Carbon Nanomaterials: Synthetic Aspects and Photoelectrochemical Applications.” 10 a.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Materials Science and Engineering.

Introduction to TracDat Register online. 4-5 p.m., Room E200E, Workforce Development Building. Institutional Effectiveness and Reporting.

Coming Up

K-12 Focused Technology Series Explore online learning in K-12 and higher education. Makerspaces and UTA FabLab, noon-1 p.m., Room 111, Trimble Hall. Also, Jim Holland, Google Classroom, Canvas, and anything related to LMS/CMS, Tuesdays, March 22 and 29. Education.

Unit Effectiveness Process Refresher Register online. 1-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 22; 10-10:45 a.m. Monday, March 28; 2-2:45 p.m. Thursday, March 31; 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 5; 3:30-4:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 4. All in Room E200E, Workforce Development Building. Institutional Effectiveness and Reporting.

Introduction to TracDat Register online. 1:45-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22; 10:45-11:30 a.m. Monday, March 28; 2:45-3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31; 9:45-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 5; 4:15-5 p.m. Wednesday, May 4; all in Room E200E, Workforce Development Building. Institutional Effectiveness and Reporting.

Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students The University-wide symposium highlighting the best in student research and creativity. Wednesday, March 23, E.H. Hereford University Center. Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES).

RAD Self Defense Class Self-defense course for female faculty, staff, and students. Register online. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., March 26, April 9, Room 102-B, Maverick Activities Center. UTA Police.

CPR/AED/First Aid Class A single, five-hour class covering the American Red Cross first aid basics, medical and environmental emergencies, adult CPR, and AED use. Registration at MAC Services and Information desk. $50. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Room 223, Maverick Activities Center. Also, Saturdays, April 9 and May 21. Campus Recreation.

Art Lecture Mohamed Keshavjee of the Institute of Ismali Studies in London, author of Into That Heaven of Freedom: The Impact of Apartheid on an Indian Family’s Diasporic History. 5 p.m. Monday, April 18, auditorium, Architecture Building. Art and Art History.

(For an expanded list of events, see the Events Calendar.)

Championship season: UTA's four basketball teams headed to championship tournaments this week. The women's teams played Wednesday, and the men on Friday in the Sun Belt Conference Women's and Men's Basketball Championships in New Orleans. Top from left, are Erick Neal, Rebekah VanDijk, women's coach Krista Gerlich, men's coach Scott Cross, Cierra Johnson, and Kennedy Eubanks. The Movin’ Mavs and the Lady Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball teams are ranked No. 2 in their divisions going into the NWBA Intercollegiate Division National Championship Tournaments Thursday-Saturday at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. Bottom from left, Movin' Mavs top scorers are Andreas Kraft, Jan Gans, Abby Dunkin, and Rose Hollermann.

Basketball Mavs head to SBC Championships

The 2016 Sun Belt Conference Women's and Men's Basketball Championships begam Wednesday and continue through Sunday, March 13, at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, as eight teams each compete for a berth into their respective NCAA Basketball Championship Tournaments. 

In Wednesday's women's game, No. 3 Louisiana-Lafayette shocked No. 6 UTA with a run in the final minutes to defeat the Lady Mavericks 59-53 in the first round. The Lady Mavericks ended the year with a 15-16 record after falling in the tournament's first round for the second consecutive year.

UTA's men's team locked down the third seed for the Sun Belt Championship tournament by running past Troy 90-55 Saturday at College Park Center. The Mavericks are 22-9 overall and 13-7 in conference play. Third-seeded UTA will open in the quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, against the winner of Thursday's first-round matchup between No. 6 Georgia State and No. 7 Texas State.

Keep up with the men’s action on ESPN3 and 1630 AM. Tickets are available at utatickets.com.

Sophomores point guard Erick Neal, Rebekah VanDijk, and Cierra Johnson were named to Sun Belt All-Conference teams. Neal was named to the first team. VanDijk, the 2014-15 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, made the second team for the second time. Johnson was named to the third team.

Both Movin' Mavs teams ranked No. 2 for national championships

The Movin’ Mavs and the Lady Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball teams are ranked No. 2 in their divisions going into the NWBA Intercollegiate Division National Championship Tournaments. The championships are Thursday-Saturday, March 10-12, at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.

The men’s team secured the No. 2 seed with a 12-2 college record and an overall 17-4 record and is seeking its first national title since 2006. The team will be led onto the court by top point scorers Andreas Kraft and Jan Gans. The game starts at 10 a.m. Thursday against No. 7 Edinboro.

The Lady Mavs will face No. 3 seed and defending national champion Alabama at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Movin’ Mavs bring an overall 16-6 mark with top shooters Rose Hollermann and Abby Dunkin. Hollermann, a member of the 2012 U.S. Women’s Paralympic team, and Dunkin are both hopefuls for the 2016 U.S. Women’s team.

The tournament will be webstreamed live at www.nwba.org.

Sports Shorts

• Senior Roland Sales has qualified for the 2016 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in the high jump. Sales is tied for sixth nationally in the event based on his school-record clearance of 7 feet, 2½ inches achieved in early February. The meet will be Friday-Saturday, March 11-12, in Birmingham, Ala.
• UTA’s baseball team took three out of four in a series against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last weekend at Clay Gould Ballpark and fell 4-1 to TCU on Tuesday in Fort Worth. Sun Belt Conference play begins against Arkansas State at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 11; 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12; and 1 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Mavs are 8-5 overall.
• An undefeated Maverick softball team swept a three-game series against Southeastern Louisiana with a 5-0 victory Sunday and is now 18-0 for the season. The Mavs return to Allan Saxe Field this weekend for the Maverick Classic when they host Arizona, Samford, and Texas. UTA faces Texas at 6 p.m. Friday, March 11; Samford at 1 p.m. and Arizona at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 12; and Samford at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 13.
• A 4-2 win by the men’s tennis team against Wichita State on Saturday afternoon pushed the Mavs to 10-5 for the season. The team plays in a tournament Friday-Sunday, March 11-13, at Sacramento State.
• UTA’s women’s tennis downed Temple 6-1 last Thursday and Penn 4-3 Tuesday at the UTA Tennis Center, improving to 7-1 for the season. The Mavs play New Mexico at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12.
• The men's golf team finished seventh in the Louisiana Classic on last week.

Intramural deadline for MavStrong competition

Upcoming intramural sports deadlines are MavStrong competition, Thursday, March 10; NCAA Tournament pick 'em, Thursday, March 17; NCAA Sweet 16 bracket challenge and fantasy baseball, Thursday, March 24; sand volleyball, Friday, March 25; badminton doubles, Friday, April 1; table tennis, Thursday, April 21; wheelchair football, Monday, April 25; battleship, Monday, May 2; FIFA video game, Wednesday, May 4; and poker tournament, Thursday, May 5.

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.)

Gallery 76102 exhibit constructs, deconstructs Within paintings and drawings, artist Layla Luna constructs and deconstructs spaces and architectural structures in "The More I Build You," the current exhibit at Gallery 76102 in the Fort Worth Center. Luna, a Fort Worth native, will discuss her works 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 24. Shown is Ohakune Chair with Cactus. The exhibit runs through Thursday, March 31. The gallery is open noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays at the Fort Worth Center in the Santa Fe Station, 1401 Jones St., Fort Worth.

Thursday, March 10

Woodwind Chamber Recital Free. 5:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Friday, March 11

Friends of the Library Carmen Goldthwaite, author of Texas Ranch Women. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Friends of the Library, UTA Libraries.

Saturday, March 12

Museum Day Live! Free admission to planetarium show, lectures, solar and science demonstrations, exhibits. Noon-5 p.m., Planetarium. See the schedule. Planetarium at UTA.

Coming Up

Music Concerts and Recitals Free. Guest Recital with the Duo Sacromonte, Monday, March 21; UTA Flute Studio and Maverick Flute Choir Concert, Wednesday, March 23; University Singers Concert, Thursday, March 24; Faculty Vocal Recital with David Grogan, Monday, March 28; Clavier Recital, Tuesday, March 29; Double Bass Studio Recital, Wednesday, March 30; and Faculty Double Bass Recital with Jack Unzicker, Thursday, March 31. All 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Ongoing

The Gallery at UTA: 'Whew…That’s a Relief! The Madcap World of John Hernandez' A retrospective exhibition by San Antonio artist John Hernandez that spans four decades. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through March 30. The Gallery at UTA.

UTA Libraries: 'Score' Using Special Collections photos, the exhibit showcases the early days of baseball, basketball, and track; the end of Maverick football; and Olympians and Paralympians from UTA. Through April 30. Also, Academic Evolution: The University of Texas at Arlington runs through Aug. 31. Sixth floor, Central Library. UTA Libraries.

(For an expanded list of events, see the Events Calendar.)