MavWire 2014 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, November 13, 2014

Homecoming around the corner; order tickets, register now

Register now for the fun activities, heart-pounding sports action, and unbridled enthusiasm for all things Maverick happening during Homecoming 2014, Monday-Saturday, Nov. 17-22.

Chili chefs will serve up hot stuff at noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, on the University Center mall. Register online to cook up a batch by Friday, Nov. 14. Call Student Affairs for details at 2-6080.

Sign up for the Homecoming 5K, which takes off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, from the Maverick Activities Center for a scenic route through the campus. Register through Thursday, Nov. 20, at uta.edu/homecoming or at runsignup.com. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Center for Students in Recovery.

Enjoy an evening with the best at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards on Friday, Nov. 21.

The Bash starts at 9 p.m. Friday with DJs, performers, aerialists, dancers and a huge light show. Admission is $6 for students, faculty, and staff or $12 for community members.

Saturday's events start with the 5K run/walk and a golf tournament, followed by reunions. 

The pre-game street festival, which starts at 3:30 p.m., gives you a chance to soak up the College Park District atmosphere and get blue and orange spirit going before the game. Games, food, music, and more are planned. The Party on the Plaza begins at 4 p.m. on the Moritz Plaza.

Line Spaniolo Drive for the parade, filled with dignitaries, beautiful floats, and some traditional golf-cart entries. It starts at 5:45 p.m. and winds up with a pep rally in front of College Park Center, where the men's basketball team plays Houston Baptist at 7:30 p.m. Stay around after the game for fireworks outside.

Order Homecoming event tickets online.

Volunteer for one or more Homecoming events.

See the schedule and details for Homecoming 2014.

Terry Foundation establishes scholarships at UTA

UT Arlington has been selected to be part of the Terry Foundation Scholarship program, the largest private source of scholarships in the state. The program will help cover the full cost of attending college for 16 UT Arlington students.

Unlike with most other educational aid programs, Terry Scholarships are not awarded solely on financial need, test scores, or grade point average. Instead, students also must exhibit leadership abilities. 

The first class of Terry Scholars at UT Arlington will come from a pool of 32 nominees to be interviewed by the Terry Foundation in April. Sixteen students will then be awarded the scholarships beginning fall 2015.

Read more about the Terry Foundation Scholarships.

UTA ranked nationally among 100 'Best for Vets' colleges

UT Arlington is one of the 100 best colleges in the nation for United States military veterans, according to the Best for Vets: Colleges 2015 rankings by Military Times.

Ranked No. 36 of 100 four-year schools that offer bachelor's or graduate degrees or both, UTA was one of only four Texas colleges ranked in the top 40.

UT Arlington has one of the largest populations of student veterans and active duty military personnel in Texas, Veterans Administration surveys show. UTA has nearly 3,000 student veterans or their dependents among its more than 40,000 students around the world.

Read more about UTA's Best for Vets ranking.

Dr. Matthew Wright

Computer scientist wins grant to help bolster online privacy

Matthew Wright, associate professor of computer science and engineering, is studying smarter route selection and adaptive cover traffic as ways of protecting computer privacy.

Dr. Wright was awarded a $250,000 National Science Foundation grant to quantify the capabilities of powerful adversaries and develop defenses to overcome them. 

He says the research aims to route traffic around the eavesdroppers, preventing them from learning enough to break the anonymity. The research also will look at users’ traffic patterns and examine ways to add noise to the traffic to confuse adversaries.

Read more about Wright's computer security research.

Musical notes Dr. Anne Healy, assistant professor of theatre arts, brought more than lecture notes to Wednesday's Focus on Faculty program, which examined the new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre. Students in the program performed for the audience at the Central Library event.

Emergency electrical generator testing set for Friday afternoon

Facilities Management will test the emergency electrical generators on some buildings 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.

The test will affect only the electrical services tied to each building’s generator, not the entire building. 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.  

Buildings to be tested are the Architecture Building, Chemistry Research Building, Carlisle Hall, Fine Arts Building, Central Library, Maverick Activities Center, Nanofab Building, Science Hall, and the E.H. Hereford University Center. 

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

Proposals needed for academic advising conference

The UT Arlington Advising Association is looking for interactive, innovative, and engaging presentations for its 18th annual advising conference. "Academic Marvels: Unleashing Your Advising Super Powers" is set for Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.

Abstracts of approved proposals will be included in the conference program and on the conference website. Submissions are due by Monday, Dec. 1. 

Lot 49 reserved this weekend

Parking spaces in Lot 49 between Cooper and West streets and north of Mitchell Street will be reserved for the city's annual Computer Roundup on Saturday, Nov. 15. The lot will reopen about 2 p.m. that day.

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

UT System Day moves inside Friday

Cold weather has caused the UT System Day celebration to move from outside to the Palo Duro Lounge in the E.H. Hereford University Center. The festivities are 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and include popcorn, commemorative cups, and $1 burgers.

Departments can join the celebration with a table to distribute promotional materials.

UT System Day is sponsored by the Office of the President, Administration and Campus Operations, Staff Advisory Council, the UT System Employee Advisory Council, and the Office of Human Resources.

See more information on UTA's UT System Day website.

Home winterization tips in fall Issue of 'Maverick Safety Matters'

Peek inside Environmental Health and Safety’s seasonal newsletter, Maverick Safety Matters, for home fire safety tips for cold weather and how to decorate your office this holiday season with UTA's Guidelines for Decorative Displays. Department safety liaisons were recognized for their service recently.

Honoring those who served An Honor Guard stood outside Carlisle Hall for Veterans Day activities Tuesday. A wreath was placed there, and names of UTA alumni who served in the military were read. A breakfast, resource fair, and social also were part of the day.

McNair Scholars Program extends deadline

The UTA McNair Scholars Program has extended its application period through Monday, Nov. 17. Faculty are asked to encourage students to apply for the program that helps eligible undergraduates prepare for the Ph.D. and careers in university research and teaching.

Applications are available in Room 202 of Ransom Hall and online. For more details, email mcnair@uta.edu or call 2-3715.

State Employee Charitable Campaign extended to Saturday

The deadline for State Employee Charitable Campaign gifts has been extended until Saturday, Nov. 15.

Your department representative has pledge forms and a listing of agencies and organizations that benefit from your gift. Fill out that form and return it to your SECC representative.

Pledge online at dfwmetroplexsecc.org by clicking Pledge Online, then select University of Texas Arlington, register, and create your pledge.

Make a one-time gift or pledge monthly. Donations may be made to one or more organizations.

Questions? Contact Chris Muller at cmuller@uta.edu.

College Park Center's West Corridor unveiled at reception Nov. 19

Faculty and staff are invited to a reception showcasing the newly branded West Corridor on the College Park Center concourse. The corridor reflects the partnership between UTA Athletics and Texas Trust Credit Union.

The event is 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the West Corridor. RSVP to Amanda Keomanivong at 972-595-1765 or akeomanivong@texastrustcu.org.

Recruit for your program at transfer New Maverick Orientation

During the fall and winter months, Involvement Fairs take place at orientation sessions for students transferring to the University in the upcoming spring term.

University departments and registered student organizations may host a table to provide information about their programs to incoming students.

Upcoming sessions are Saturday, Dec. 6; Wednesday, Dec. 10; Monday, Jan. 12; and Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Learn more and register online.

UT Flex filing deadline, grace period ends Saturday

The use-it-or-lose-it rule applies to all UT FLEX reimbursement accounts. The grace period for your 2013-2014 UT FLEX Health Care Reimbursement Account will end on Saturday, Nov. 15.

All UT FLEX claims for the 2013-2014 plan year must be submitted no later than Sunday, Nov. 30, to be eligible for reimbursement.

For questions regarding your UT FLEX account, visit utflex.com or contact PayFlex Customer Service at 866-887-3539.

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, Nov. 13

LINK Research Lab Speakers Series Tom Reeves of the University of Georgia presents "Inquiry with Impact: The Promise of Educational Design Research" and a workshop on educational design research. RSVP to both. Lecture, 11 a.m.-noon; workshop 12:30-4:30 p.m.; both Room 303, Chemistry and Physics Building. LINK Research Lab, Education.

Change the Name: R-word Panel Discussion Yolonda Bluehorse and Peggy Larney discuss the derogatory significance of the NFL's Washington team name. Bluehorse organized a protest at a recent Dallas-Washington game in Arlington. Larney lobbies to have American Indian Heritage Day recognized as a holiday in Texas. Free. 7-8:30 p.m., Room 108, University Hall. Native American Student Organization.

Critical Conditions: Minority Health Panel and Discussion Experts from mental health, health psychology, and nursing cover prevalent health issues faced by minority communities including mental health disparities, and sickle cell disease. Free. 5:30-7 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Center for African American Studies.

Friday, Nov. 14

EMBA Info Session Experience a class session with current EMBA students and network with the class members, faculty, and EMBA alumni. Register online. Free. 5 p.m., The Fort Worth Club, 306 W. 7th St., Fort Worth. Fort Worth Center.

Monday, Nov. 17

Curriculum and Instruction Brown Bag Stephanie Gutierrez, biology and UTeach undergraduate, and Ann Cavallo, associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Education, present findings from a study of undergraduate perceptions and beliefs on evolution, and exchange student Amanda Selkee discusses her experiences with Finnish and American high schools. Free. 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m., planetarium conference room, Chemistry and Physics Building. Curriculum and Instruction.

DocNet Ph.D. Info Session Learn about DocNet, a global consortium of business doctoral programs and an affiliate of AACSB International. Free. 5 p.m., Hospitality Suite, College Park Center. Business.

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Financial Investments: The Rules of the Road Joseph Way, financial adviser with Edward Jones, will discuss 10 principles for sound investing and how to identify the most common investment mistakes. Free. Noon, sixth floor atrium, Central Library. African American Faculty and Staff Association, Faculty Affairs.

Moving Beyond the Spectrum Lindsey Anderson discusses the NeuroQueer Project, which challenges cure-centric models of autism and embraces multiple, intersecting identities. Free. 5:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Disability Studies, Office for Students with Disabilities, Women and Gender Studies.

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Time Management Register online. Free. 9-11 a.m., J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Faculty Research Incubator Seminar Series Terry Skantz, associate professor of accounting, presents “The Informativeness of Pro Forma and Street Earnings: An Examination of Information Asymmetry Around Earnings Announcements.” Free. 2-3:30 p.m., Room 241, Business Building. Business.

Coming up

Engineering Speaker Series Ali Erdemir of Argonne National Laboratory discusses "Facing the Hard Truth about Friction and Its Impact on Global Energy Consumption." Free. 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

Qualitative Research Meetup Sabrina Williams, assistant professor of communication, talks about video data collection and analysis. Free. Noon-1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, Room 521, University Hall. Qualitative Research Meetup.

Management Lecture Series Laszlo Tihanyi of Texas A&M University discusses "The Governance Drivers of Competitive Actions." Free. 2 p.m., Room 609, Business Building. Business.

Human Resources Training Welcoming Diversity, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; Conducting Effective Meetings, 9-11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 5; Managing Stress in the Workplace, 9-11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9; Partnering with Your Boss, 9-11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10; and The Art of Listening, 9-11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 12. Register online. Free. J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Management Lecture Series Daniel Armanios of Stanford University presents “Is Policy Enough? Understanding the Government Sector in the Midst of Reform.” Free. 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, Room 609, Business Building. Business, Management.

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

Basketball tips off with season openers

The men’s and women’s basketball teams begin play this week with various ticket options.

For the women, College Park Center hosts the team's first action against Missouri Valley College at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and a 3 p.m. game Sunday, Nov. 16, against Houston Baptist.

The men open the season on the road at Bradley in Peoria, Ill., with tipoff at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14. The team returns home to face Buffalo at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at College Park Center.

See the men's schedule and women's schedule for other Maverick basketball dates.

Faculty and staff can see all the action with the All-Sports Pass for $99, good for all Mavericks sports. Individual tickets are $5 each. See more ticket options and purchase online at utatickets.com. 

Can't make it to the game? Watch online via College Sports Live.

Sports shorts

• The volleyball team won a four-set match over South Alabama on Sunday at College Park Center. The win puts the Mavericks at 22-7 this season and 12-5 in the Sun Belt Conference. The team travels to Louisiana-Lafayette for a game at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.
• The Sun Belt Conference champion women's cross country team and the men's cross country team compete at the NCAA South Central Regional in Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday, Nov. 14.
• The men and women's tennis teams wrapped up their fall seasons, bringing home five titles. The women won four of five titles at the Wild West Shootout at UNT, while the men captured a singles title from the FGCU Fall Invitational in Fort Meyers, Fla.
• The men’s baseball team wrapped up fall practice Friday with the Fall World Series at Clay Gould Ballpark. The team opens the 2015 season Feb. 13 in the Stephen F. Austin Tournament in Nacogdoches.

Intramural entries due for poker

Upcoming entry deadlines for intramural sports include poker, Monday, Nov. 17; innertube water polo, Sunday, Nov. 23; MavStrong, Wednesday, Dec. 3; and CollegeFB Bowl Pick 'Em, Saturday, Dec. 13.

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, Nov. 13

UTA Symphony Concert Featuring student Concerto Competition winners. Tickets $9 adults, $6 youth/students, $6 seniors. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music. 

Friday, Nov. 14

Women's Basketball Mavericks vs. Missouri Valley College. Tickets $5. 5 p.m., College Park Center. Athletics.

Saturday, Nov. 15

International Games Day Celebrate the popularity and educational, recreational, and social value of video and board games. Game stations available. Free. 1-4 p.m., first floor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries.

Holiday Extravaganza Attend the annual family-oriented holiday celebration with arts and crafts representing a variety of winter holidays, cookie decorating, and pictures with Santa. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Freshmen Leaders on Campus.

Documentary: 'Endless Abilities' From rehabilitation patients to Paralympic athletes, see how sports are the great equalizer, unifying people of all abilities on a level playing field. A discussion with local Paralympians and international and national team members. The film is subtitled and the discussion is real-time captioned. For disability-related accommodation, contact Sarah Rose at srose@uta.edu or 2-2861. Part of the Jim Hayes Memorial Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Free. 6:30 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center.  Movin' Mavs Adapted Sports and Recreation, Disability Studies Minor, Office for Students with Disabilities.

UT Arlington Wind Symphony Concert The UT Arlington Wind Symphony, Douglas Stotter conductor, presents a concert in celebration of the music of guest composer William Bolcom. National Medal of Arts, Pulitzer Prize, and Grammy Award-winner Bolcom is in residence at UTA for the week leading up to the concert. Also performing is the SMU Meadows Wind Ensemble, Jack Delaney conductor. Tickets $9 adults; $5 students, seniors. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Sunday, Nov. 16

Volleyball Mavericks vs. Georgia State. Tickets $5. Noon, College Park Center. Athletics.

UT Arlington Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Band Concert The UT Arlington Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Band, John Zastoupil conductor, present their final concert of the semester. Free. 3 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Women's Basketball Mavericks vs. Houston Baptist. Tickets $5. 3 p.m., College Park Center. Athletics.

Wednesday, Nov. 19

'A Streetcar Named Desire' The Maverick Theatre Company presents a Tennessee Williams classic. Tickets $7 faculty, staff, students, seniors; $10 public. Box office 2-2669. 8 p.m., Mainstage Theatre. Also, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 20-22, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23. Theatre Arts.

Ongoing

The Gallery at UTA: Philip Van Keuren and Liz Ward Philip Van Keuren presents atmospheric black-and-white photogravures. Liz Ward's work includes colorful watercolors and meticulous silverpoint drawings. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays, The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building North. Through Nov. 15. The Gallery at UTA.

Max Sullivan Gallery: Statera-Hymns of Balance Paintings by Andrew Kochie. Gallery hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Free. Max Sullivan Gallery, Room 206, Architecture Building. Through Nov. 27. Architecture.

Gallery 76102: Above & Beyond Kalee Appleton's series is inspired by time and time’s tendency to both transform and preserve. Gallery hours noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, Gallery 76102, 1401 Jones St., Fort Worth. Through Nov. 30. Fort Worth Center, Gallery 76102.

MavsArt The semi-annual UTA community art show features 67 works by 25 artists who are UTA students, faculty, and staff. Through Dec. 3. UT Arlington Libraries, MavsArt.

Special Collections: The Price of Manifest Destiny Discover how maps and war interlock in the 19th century in a new exhibit. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Feb. 7, 2015. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

Visual Resource Commons and Gallery The African Art Collection is a multi-dimensional collection of 11th-20th century art and artifacts. Free. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Suite 2109, Fine Arts Building. Art and Art History.

Planetarium The fall schedule includes Astronaut; One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure; Pink Floyd; Spacepark 360 Infinity; Two Small Pieces of Glass; and We Are Astronomers. Planetarium.

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