MavWire 2016 Archive » MavWire — Monday, March 21, 2016

Dr. Amanda Alexander

Amanda Alexander honored as regional Higher Education Art Educator of the Year

The National Art Education Association (NAEA) has named Amanda Alexander, assistant professor of art education, at the 2016 Western Region Higher Education Art Educator of the Year.

The award, determined through a peer review of nominations, recognizes the exemplary contributions, service, and achievements of an outstanding NAEA member annually at the regional level within their division. The award was presented at the NAEA National Convention last weekend in Chicago.

Dr. Alexander, who joined UTA in 2011, teaches five undergraduate courses and works as the liaison between the Art and Art History Department and the College of Education for the art education students. Her research explores community-based arts and learning, sustainable social and culture development, and social justice. She serves on many interdisciplinary advisory boards at UTA and with statewide, national, and international arts and art education organizations.

ACES symposium displays student research

Students will show their research and creativity at the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES) symposium 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Poster presentations will be in the Bluebonnet Ballroom, and oral presentations are throughout the University Center. An awards presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Rio Grande Ballroom. See the ACES booklet.

Undergraduate and graduate students work with faculty mentors in their disciplines to write and submit abstracts for the competition. The approved abstracts are then turned into oral presentations or posters to be presented at the symposium.

ACES is an interdisciplinary event in which any student from any program can participate.

Dan Cavanagh

Cavanagh demonstrates hands-on music technology

Dan Cavanagh, associate professor of music, wants to prove that music really can work hand-in-glove with technology. He will discuss “Intersections: Musical Improvisation and the Blending of Acoustic and Electronic for Live Performance" at his Focus on Faculty talk noon Wednesday, March 23, on the sixth floor of Central Library.

Cavanagh developed fingerless gloves embedded with bend, rotation, and gyroscopic sensors that capture hand movements. The gloves connect wirelessly to a computer running software that maps the stream of sensor data to a library of sounds and controls. If a performer holds their finger up, for example, the gesture introduces a particular sound to the performance.

Focus on Faculty is a lecture series highlighting the research of UTA faculty. A reception follows the talk.

Meet candidates for parking director at forums this week

Faculty and staff can meet candidates for director of Parking and Transportation Services on Thursday-Friday, March 24-25. The forums will be 7:30-8:30 a.m. in Room 609 of the Business Building. Additional forums will be held April 11 and April 14.

Email upgrade starts today

A new and improved email experience has arrived at UTA. The Office of Information Technology has begun migrating employee and department mailboxes to the new Microsoft Exchange 2013.

The migration will begin today and will continue until all employees and departments have been moved. After their mailboxs have been moved, employees may receive pop-up notifications and will be required to restart Outlook.

The first three weeks of the Exchange Migration schedule are available online. At the end of each week, the Office of Information Technology will update the Exchange website to include additional departments until the completion of the project. Please visit the website on a frequent basis to see when your department is scheduled for this new email upgrade.

For the latest updates, detailed instructions, recommendations, and information on what to expect, visit uta.edu/exchangeupgrade.

If you have any questions or require additional assistance, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@uta.edu or 2-2208, option 3.

Maverick Service Excellence program includes manager session

Learn the key points of the Maverick Service Excellence: The Total Service Experience program, a strategic, University-wide initiative of President Vistasp Karbhari.

Manager Overview will include an interactive environment where you can ask questions and provide feedback. The session is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.

Register online. Seating is limited.

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 9-10 a.m. Thursday, March 24. If you are unable to attend, a training session for your department can be planned.

Another class for supervisors is Writing Effective Performance Reviews at 9-11:30 a.m. 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

All full-time employees must complete the UTS180: Conflicts of Interest, Conflicts of Commitment, and Outside Activities form for the 2015 calendar year by Friday, 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.

Tuesday, March 22

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

Unit Effectiveness Process Refresher Register online. 1-1:45 p.m., Room E200E, Workforce Development Building. Also, 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. Institutional Effectiveness and Reporting.

Introduction to TracDat Register online. 1:45-2:30 p.m., Room E200E, Workforce Development Building. Also, 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. Institutional Effectiveness and Reporting.

Wednesday, March 23

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

How to Write a Successful SBIR/STTR Grant Application Lisa Kurek and Karen LeVert present practical, hands-on tips on how to write an application that establishes performance credibility with funding agency program managers and wins awards. RSVP to sbchelp@uta.edu. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Room 228, Engineering Research Building. Research Administration.

LINK Lab Lecture Series Georg Graetz of Uppsala University in Sweden, “The Polarization of Employment: Explanations and Implications.” Noon, Room 246, Nedderman Hall. LINK Research Lab.

Documentary Film: 'You Are The One' A documentary about sexual assault on campus. Free popcorn and drinks. Free. 7:30 p.m., Maverick Activities Center. Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention.

Monday, March 28

Digital Presence for Academic Productivity and Student Engagement A roundtable with faculty and staff discussing digital tools for collaboration, promotion, and student learning. Register online. 1-3 p.m., Room 246, Nedderman Hall. LINK Research Lab, Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, UTA Libraries.

Coming Up

Social Work Colloquium Joanne Sobeck, associate dean and director of the Center for Social Work Research, “Building Research Capacity.” RSVP to michael.olayiwole@mavs.uta.edu. 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, Room B107, Social Work Complex B. Research and Professional Development, Social Work.

RAD Self Defense Class Self-defense course for female faculty, staff, and students. Register online. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., March 26 and 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 Ismaili 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.)

Monday, March 21

Guest Recital with the Duo Sacromonte CANCELED. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Tuesday, March 22

Baseball Mavericks vs. Baylor. Tickets $5, $3 students. 6:30 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. Also, vs. Incarnate Work, 6:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, March 24-25, and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26; vs. TCU, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29. Athletics.

Wednesday, March 23

UTA Flute Studio and Maverick Flute Choir Concert Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Thursday, March 24

University Singers Concert Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Game Night The Third Thursday Game Night moved this month because of Spring Break. Enjoy video games or board games and fresh, hot popcorn. Free. 6-9 p.m., basement, Central Library. UTA Libraries.

Saturday, March 26

Track and Field: Bobby Lane and UTA/Bowie Invitational See the schedules. Maverick Stadium. Athletics.

Coming Up

Spirit Week Social Media Challenge, all week; “Get the Scoop” about the UTA Ambassadors, Monday, March 28; tailgate and baseball game, Tuesday, March 29; Mavs Take Over: Grease Monkey and Trivia Night, Wednesday, March 30; canned food drive, Thursday March 31; pep rally, Friday, April 1. UTA Ambassadors.

Music Concerts and Recitals Free. 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.

Film screening: 'The Head of Joaquin Murrieta' Filmmaker John Valadez goes on a quest for the remains of Joaquin Murrieta, a legendary Mexican outlaw who was killed by bounty hunters in 1853 and had his head placed in a jar for public display across California. Free. 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, Room 148, Fine Arts Building. Center for Mexican American Studies.

Maverick Speakers Series "Gombe and Beyond: An Evening with Dr. Jane Goodall." Sold out. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, College Park Center. Maverick Speakers Series.

Glass Art Sale and Show Vases, paperweights, platters, and other glass art by art students and faculty. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., silent auction 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Studio Arts Center, 810 S. Davis St. Art and Art History.

International Week Soccer tournaments, Saturday, April 2; Parade of Banners, Monday, April 4; International Food Fair, Tuesday, April 5; fashion show, Wednesday, April 6; Global Extravaganza, Friday, April 8. Office of International Education.

Earth Day 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, University Center mall. Institute of Sustainability and Global Impact.

Maverick Film Festival The competition features four-minute films by students. 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. Art and Art History.

Administrative Professionals Day A luncheon for UTA's administrative professionals. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, April 25, Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Human Resources.

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.

Gallery 76102 'The More I Build You' Within paintings and drawings, artist Layla Luna constructs and deconstructs spaces and architectural structures. Artist talk, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 24. Gallery hours noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, Fort Worth Center, 1401 Jones St., Fort Worth. Through March 31. Gallery 76102.

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.)