MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, August 6, 2015

Excellent results: The College of Nursing and Health Innovation is one of only 12 nursing schools in the country this year to be designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing.

College of Nursing and Health Innovation earns coveted national Center of Excellence designation

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation has been designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing, the nation’s foremost organization for nursing faculty and leaders in nursing education.

UT Arlington is one of only 12 nursing schools in the country to earn the designation this year.

The college achieved the honor by demonstrating sustained, evidence-based, and substantive innovation in the category of “Creating Environments that Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development."

The designation, which extends through 2019, also acknowledges UT Arlington’s ongoing research to documenting the effectiveness of its innovations, for setting high standards, and showing commitment to quality improvement.

Read more about the Center of Excellence designation.

Dr. Paul Fadel

Distinguished kinesiology professor joins College of Nursing and Health Innovation

Paul Fadel, a prominent physiology integrative researcher and expert in neural cardiovascular control in health and disease, will join the College of Nursing and Health Innovation this fall as the college expands its health science focus.

Dr. Fadel, formerly of the University of Missouri School of Medicine, will serve as a professor of kinesiology and director of clinical translational science.

His recent studies have focused on issues such as blood flow control in diabetic patients, the impact of physical inactivity on cardiovascular health, and mechanisms triggering sympathetic nervous system overactivity and hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Read more about Fadel's appointment.

UT Arlington Libraries deliver health care learning, mobile FabLab to young hospital patients

A new partnership between the UT Arlington Libraries and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth will mean new high-tech health care learning opportunities for pediatric patients.

Thanks to an Emerging Technology Award from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region, UTA Libraries will be able to help children and their families explore health conditions and treatments using 3-D printers, 3-D scanners, and microelectronics.

The effort combines the University’s emphasis on health and the human condition with technologies in the UT Arlington FabLab and the library’s long-standing focus on providing literacy information opportunities to K-12 students.

Beginning this fall, UTA Libraries’ personnel will bring a mobile version of the FabLab to patients at Cook’s day camps and support groups.

Read more about the FabLab-Cook Children's partnership.

UT Arlington Research Institute teams with Dallas firm to build new solar optics system prototype

The UT Arlington Research Institute and Dallas-based Skyven Technologies have been awarded a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research program grant to build and test a Phase 1 prototype of a novel optics system for concentrating sunlight more than 1,000 times the usual amplification.

Arun Gupta, founder and chief executive officer of Skyven Technologies, and Aditya Das, senior research scientist at UTARI, received the $25,000 grant to develop a test model of this cost-efficient solar energy technology of the future.

“Once installed, these solar panels can last 20 or 30 years without any major maintenance,” Dr. Das says. “This will cut down the cost on an electricity bill, something that matters to the average consumer.”

Read more about the solar panel research.

No decals needed with new parking permits

UT Arlington’s virtual parking management system, MAVPark, is an online service that allows faculty, staff, students, and visitors to purchase parking permits, manage payments for campus parking meters, and review and pay parking citations—all without standing in line.

The system increases efficiency for customers and eliminates the need for parking decals and paper citations.

MAVPark uses vehicle-mounted license plate readers to identify license plate numbers of parked vehicles for comparison against the virtual database of permitted vehicles.

To purchase a parking permit, visit uta.edu/MAVPark and click on Obtain a Permit under the big blue P.

Faculty and staff can purchase general parking permits now. Reserved space permit renewals begin Saturday, Aug. 15.

Users may enter up to three license plates in the system, which provides greater flexibility for those who may drive more than one vehicle to campus. Permits allow only one registered vehicle to park on campus under a single permit at any time.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 1, e-citations may be issued for unpermitted vehicles parked on campus. The person who registered the vehicle will be notified by email or by mail.

Read more about MAVpark.

Volunteers needed for 2015-16 Maverick Stampede events

The countdown is on to the kickoff of Maverick Stampede beginning Monday, Aug. 24.

Volunteer for two hours at the Residence Hall Move-in Event on Monday, Aug. 24. Faculty, staff, and student volunteers help new residents unpack and settle in. Volunteer online.

Register to volunteer for other events, such as the Parent and Family Center Cookout, Waffleopolis, the MavsMeet AfterParty, Late Night Shopping at Target, and Ask Me Days.

Don't miss MavsMeet Convocation at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at College Park Center or the AfterParty on The Green at College Park.

Be a Maverick Cookout volunteer for a 30-minute shift 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Read more about the Maverick Stampede schedule of events.

Emergency generator test on Friday

Facilities Management will test the emergency electrical generators 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7.

Buildings involved are the Central Library, College Park Central and South parking garages, Davis Hall, Life Science Building, The Heights on Pecan Apartments, and University 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.

CrashPlan offers a continuous backup to secure your files

To help avoid potential loss of University data and information, the Office of Information Technology and the Information Security Office recommends installing CrashPlan on all University computers.

CrashPlan is a comprehensive desktop solution that backs up important data for Mac, Windows, or Linux computers. The software includes a desktop application managing your backups and restoring your files. CrashPlan provides little impact on performance and runs quietly in the background to avoid work disruption.

Read more and download CrashPlan.

McNair Scholars present summer research today

Sixteen McNair Scholars will present their summer research 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 6, in Room 101 of College Hall.

The students researched topics ranging from the mathematics of recycling to the logos for the 2016 presidential primary candidates. See the schedule.

Windows 10 testing underway

The Office of Information Technology is testing Windows 10 and its compatibility with other software used at UT Arlington.

Do not upgrade your Windows 7 or Windows 8 Operating System until all testing is completed and OIT announces that upgrades can be done.

Questions? Email desktop@uta.edu or itssupport@uta.edu.

Scam using Texas Tuition Promise name, asking victims to forward cash

On July 15, the Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts was made aware of a fraudulent check scam in which criminals are using the name Texas Tuition Promise Fund® to defraud the public.

Intended victims—usually students—will receive a check in the mail identifying the Texas Tuition Promise Fund as the payer. The checks may appear to have been issued from a SunTrust Bank account, but are, in fact, fraudulent. Shortly thereafter, the intended victim will be contacted via email and asked to deposit the check in their bank account, withdraw an additional sum, and forward the cash to another person.

The Texas Tuition Promise Fund is in no way involved in this fraud. No person legitimately representing the Texas Tuition Promise Fund would ever request that a payee forward funds to anyone.

The Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in conjunction with NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC (the fund administrator) has contacted SunTrust Bank and notified the proper authorities of this fraud.

If you receive an unexpected check from the Texas Tuition Promise Fund and are asked in turn to send money to someone else, contact NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC at 1-877-826-9777.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of this crime or information related to it, call the UT Arlington Police Department at 2-3381.

Nominate a speaker for TEDxUTA 2016

Suggest a great speaker for TEDxUTA 2016. Complete the nomination form online.

TEDxUTA provides an opportunity for people to share ideas. An independent organization, TEDxUTA is designed to give communities, groups, and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue at the local level.

Follow up on your annual benefits enrollment

If you made an annual enrollment election, you should have received a confirmation statement the next day via email. Review your confirmation statement carefully to be sure your elections for the new plan year are correct. If you notice any discrepancies, contact Employee Benefits Services at 2-5558 or benefits@uta.edu.

Read more about annual enrollment review.

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.

Tuesday, Aug. 11

Managing Across Generations Register online. 9-11 a.m., Wetsel Service Center. Also, The Art of Listening, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. Human Resources.

Wednesday, Aug. 12

Financial Statements and the Reconciliation Process For employees responsible for reconciling the monthly financial statements. Register online. 8:30-10:30 a.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education. Also, Managing Department Funds, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Business Affairs.

Monday, Aug. 17

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

Coming up

Human Resources Training Register online. Professional Telephone Techniques, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19; Conducting Effective Meetings, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9; Fundamental Skills for Supervisors and Managers, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16; Partnering with Your Boss, 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 18; Leadership Skills for Supervisors, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22; Managing Stress in the Workplace, 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24; Developing Assertive Communication Skills, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29; and Advanced Supervisory Skills, 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. All in Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Business Affairs Training Register online. Timekeeper, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18; ProCard, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19; Position and Workforce Management, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20; Travel and Expenses, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25; Requisitions, 2-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26; and Payment Vouchers, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. All in Room E200C, Continuing Education. Business Affairs.

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

Outstanding Mavs: A Maverick coach and three athletes earned honors recently. Details are at left about (top, from left) Kristie Fox, head coach of softball; Tanner Gore, sophomore golfer; (bottom, from left) Gabriela Alfonzo, a distance runner in track and cross country; and Drew Charles, junior guard for men's basketball.

Mavericks to face Fordham on Homecoming

The men’s basketball team will take on Fordham University in the Homecoming game Saturday, Nov. 14, at College Park Center. Game time will be announced later.

A member of the Atlantic 10, Fordham in the Bronx, N.Y., is facing UTA for the first time. The Mavericks return nine players from last season’s 16-15 team.

UTA begins its third season in the Sun Belt Conference this fall. The schedule and season ticket information will be released at a future date.

Fox to help lead junior national team

Softball coach Kristie Fox has joined the junior national team as an assistant coach ahead of the WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship in Oklahoma City.

Team USA is conducting its final training camp of the summer before beginning play Sunday, Aug. 9, in the JWWC.

Fox played for Team USA in 2006 and won gold as a member of the USA Elite team in the College World Games in Taiwan.

Tickets on sale for 2015 volleyball season

Season and single-game tickets for the 2015 UTA volleyball season are on sale at utatickets.com or by calling the College Park Center box office at 2-9595.

Season tickets are $40 for all 13 home matches at College Park Center, while single-game tickets are $5 for general admission seating.

The Mavericks open the season at home hosting the Maverick Classic on Aug. 28-29. Opponents are Campbell, Grambling, and Texas A&M Corpus Christi. See the full schedule.

Sports Shorts

• Sophomore golfer Tanner Gore claimed his first El Paso men’s city championship Sunday at Painted Dunes Golf Course. He finished the three-round tournament at 5-under par to post a five-shot victory.

• Distance runner Gabriela Alfonzo has received 2015 All-Academic recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The international business major will be a senior this fall.

• Men’s basketball guard Drew Charles was named to the 2014-15 NABC Honors Court by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The finance junior also has earned two Sun Belt Conference academic honor roll awards and UTA Scholar Athlete of the Year recognition.

• The Maverick Open, formerly the Chip-N-Classic, will take place Thursday, Sept. 10, at Texas Star Golf Course in Euless. To reserve your place, contact Kris Wood at kriswood@uta.edu or 2-9613.

Fall intramural sports deadlines approaching

Upcoming intramural sports deadlines are Madden NFL '15 Tournament, Monday, Aug. 31; co-rec flag football, fantasy football, and college football pick 'em, Thursday, Sept. 3; tennis, Friday, Sept. 4; foosball, Tuesday, Sept. 8; softball, Wednesday, Sept. 9; and racquetball, Friday, Sept. 11.

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.)

'White Room: 02B3' a 360-degree film The Planetarium's $2 movie returns in August with a film that covers every angle. White Room: 02B3 follows six strangers who wake up in a white room to find out they are part of an extraordinary experiment that could change the face of humanity forever. The first film of its kind, the Roddenberry Entertainment production was shot using a cutting-edge 360-degree camera system. Set in the middle of the single-room set, the camera captures 360-degrees outwardly in high-definition panoramic video with no gaps or distortion. All actors are filmed simultaneously, presenting a unique challenge for writers, producers, actors, and the director. White Room: 02B3 stars Breckin Meyer, Tamlyn Tomita, David Blue, and Rachel True, as well as Internet icons Tony Janning and Milynn Sarley. The movie is not recommended for children under 13. Showtime is 7 p.m. Fridays in August. See the rest of the Planetarium's schedule. The fall schedule begins Thursday, Aug. 27.

Thursday, Aug. 6

Free Outdoor Movie: 'Tomorrowland' Bring a chair or a blanket, a picnic, and friends for outdoor movies each Thursday. Free popcorn. Free. 9 p.m., lawn behind the Maverick Activities Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Friday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 16

Discount Rangers Tickets Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays. 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 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.

Ornament and Adornment: The Decoration and Application Techniques of African Masks Examine the design and style of decorations on African masks from the Dowdey-Campbell and Brodie African Art Collections. Gallery hours 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Through Aug. 31. Visual Resources Commons, Room 2109 of the Fine Arts Building. Art and Art History.

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