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Faculty/Staff Holiday Reception features food, music and fun

The annual Faculty/Staff Holiday Reception celebrates the season from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

All faculty and staff are invited to enjoy songs of the season performed by faculty and students from the Department of Music. A festive buffet with a variety of food and drinks is planned.

The University's recently unveiled video holiday greeting will be played outside the ballroom.

President James D. Spaniolo is the host and featured speaker, delivering his Maverick interpretation of a traditional holiday reading.

H1N1 vaccinations offered to all Tarrant County residents

Free H1N1 vaccinations are now available to all Tarrant County residents, Tarrant County Public Health officials announced.

Since early October, TCPH has followed the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offering the vaccine only to specific target groups. However, TCPH has determined that the vaccine is now widely available in both the public and private sectors.

The vaccine is available at five new store-front clinics as well as seven health centers. A sixth store front will open later this month. A mass vaccination event is being planned for next week in northwest Tarrant County.

Store front clinics closest to campus are at 5415 S. Cooper St. #125, in Arlington, south of campus, and 1550 Eastchase Parkway #100, off Interstate-30 in east Fort Worth. The store front clinics are open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Arlington Public Health Center is at 536 W. Randol Mill Road, slightly east of North Cooper Street in Arlington. The health centers are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

For other locations, go to the Tarrant County Public Health Web site.

For more information about H1N1 vaccinations, call 2-1-1 or go online to:

• Dallas County Public Health

• Participating pharmacies in Dallas County

• Texas Department of Health

Office holiday decoration contest slated for next week

Sign-up deadline for the office holiday decoration contest is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9. Judging will be Friday, Dec. 11. Register your office by contacting Kala Ellison at 2‑3277 or kala@uta.edu.

Awards will be given for top tree, best theme, most creative, tastiest treats and overall winner. All departments will receive a list of judging times Thursday, Dec. 10.

Winners will be announced at a holiday reception at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Maverick Activities Center. Refreshments will be provided along with a visual presentation of all entries.

Making his point Garrison Keillor recounted tales of his childhood and a recent stroke Monday night to a packed Texas Hall. The author and host of A Prairie Home Companion radio program also recited poetry and sang some original songs. He appeared as part of the Evening with an Author series, sponsored by the Star-Telegram and UT Arlington.

Electrical upgrades
to affect four buildings

Electrical upgrades are scheduled during the winter break for Science Hall, the Geoscience Building, the Engineering Lab Building and the Fine Arts Building.

These buildings will be closed at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, with electrical service restored no later than Sunday, Jan. 3.

The buildings will remain closed during this electrical outage. Prior approval from both Facilities Management and the Police Department is needed to enter the buildings.

Special accommodations for temporary electrical service for research-related projects are available. Contact Jeff Johnson at 2‑3232 or Walt Tenery 2‑3091.

Doctoral and post-doctoral
fellowships available

Applications and nominations are being accepted for doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships. The purpose of this program is to develop scholars from underrepresented groups for possible tenure-track appointments as available and appropriate.

For more information, see Faculty Resources on the Diversity Web page.

Complete your compliance training by Friday

Friday, Dec. 4, is the last day to complete the annual compliance training requirement. The training is brief and important for all faculty and staff. Access the University's training Web site at www.uta.edu/training. Contact Jennifer Chapman at 2‑2080 for more information about the University's Compliance Training Program.

Absorbing aromatherapy Elizabeth Swift, a library research assistant, takes a whiff of aromatherapy during the spa retreat Monday at the Palo Duro Lounge in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Therapists provided massages, manicures and yoga information at the event, hosted by the Student Health Advisory Council.

Advising Association seeks items
with previous logo

Does your department have extra promotional items with the previous UT Arlington logo sitting in storage?

If so, the UT Arlington Advising Association will accept donations of those items for an upcoming conference. Notepads, pens and pencils are particularly useful, and other items will be accepted as well.

To donate extra promotional items, contact Suzanne Despres at 2‑0783 or sdespres@uta.edu.

Outside employment forms
should be completed

Faculty and staff must complete the online Outside Board Service and Outside Employment form no later than Friday, Dec. 18.

The Regents' Rules require that each full-time employee complete the form.

Contact Eunice Currie or Robert James at 2‑5554 for more details.

Fall commencement ceremonies scheduled to begin Dec. 10

Fall 2009 commencement ceremonies are Dec. 10-14. Commencement information can be found at www.uta.edu/commencement.

University and city co-host New Year's Eve celebration

UT Arlington and the City of Arlington host New Year's Eve Midnight Mardi Gras starting at 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Arlington Museum of Art, 201 W. Main St., in downtown Arlington.

Tickets start at $25 and include food, entertainment and a champagne toast at midnight. The evening features music by UT Arlington artist-in-residence Adonis Rose and the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra and food from Pierre's Mardi Gras Café. Reserve tickets through the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation.

Videoconferencing another virtual meeting option

UT Arlington offers live two-way videoconferencing at selected sites on campus. All participants must have access to videoconferencing facilities on their end, so please confirm that capability before contacting CSS (see below).

Nekima Booker leads the Fresh Start tobacco cessation classes for faculty, staff and students. As health promotion and substance abuse educator for Health Services, she will be in the forefront as UT Arlington becomes a tobacco-free campus by Aug. 1, 2011. Q: What is the value of attending a program such as Fresh Start from Tobacco in a person's effort to quit? A: We want to equip students, faculty and staff with the resources and support to be free from tobacco. The program provides assistance with cessation as well as education and understanding. In the first part of the program, tobacco users need to study their opposition: tobacco and its addicting factor, nicotine. It is imperative to understand what you are up against in order to know how to conquer it. Q: What's the hardest part of quitting? A: The nicotine addiction. It is a very powerful substance, and it goes straight to your brain in seven to 10 seconds. It increases dopamine and triggers endorphins. This leads to the habit of lighting up at certain times when stressed or frustrated or even to relaxation. Q: What advice do you have for people who are trying to quit during the holidays? A: Be aware of potential triggers. Those may be visiting family members, alcohol consumption, shopping at busy times or social environments where tobacco and celebration go hand in hand. Also, remove tobacco paraphernalia from your home like ashtrays or lighters. Have your teeth cleaned and your carpets, curtains and linens cleaned if you smoke at home. Get your car detailed, and clean out the ashtray and put change in it or remove it. Then tell the people closest to you that you are trying to quit and you need their support, even those who still smoke. Q: Are new programs planned for students or faculty/staff in the spring semester? A: Our Fresh Start program is still new, so we'll continue to offer those classes on campus. This program is not just for tobacco users. It is for anyone that is a friend or loved one of a tobacco user, and it is for those who would like to understand addiction better. During the transition to a tobacco-free campus, Health Services will offer other services that can benefit anyone's overall health.

Meetings must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. An advance test can be arranged with the meeting participants' remote sites.

For details, contact Terry Tisdale in Classroom Support Services at 2‑7394 or terrance@uta.edu.

Several other options for virtual meetings are available. Contact Jenny Jopling at jenny@uta.edu for a recommendation of which type best suits your needs.

Holiday Baking offered
by Continuing Ed

Be prepared to dazzle friends and family with lessons from Holiday Baking, a course offered by Continuing Education. Have fun learning to make a Yule log, crème brulee, fruit tray arrangement and sauces for several desserts. Enroll online. $249. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and 12, Division of Enterprise Development, 140 W. Mitchell St.

Get Organized: Keys to Everyday Office Success

If your office is a mess and you are drowning in your to-do list, then this class is for you. Participants will learn how backlogs happen, how to manage paperwork, how to eliminate clutter, and discover the benefits of organization. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Shawn DuMond, 2‑5518, dumond@uta.edu.

Dealing with
Difficult People

Never again fall victim to those who love to make life miserable for the rest of us. This training gives you concrete techniques for dealing with difficult people in the workplace and at home. It provides specific strategies for getting adversaries to cooperate, bullies to back off, wallflowers to open up and chronic complainers to quiet down. Knowing how to deal with difficult people at work will allow you to approach your job with more enjoyment and your co-workers with greater confidence. Cooperation, collaboration and compromise will create a more productive and efficient workplace for everyone. 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Shawn DuMond, 2‑5518, dumond@uta.edu.

OIT still offering training this month

A few more training classes are scheduled this semester with the Office of Information Technology.

• Web Development I: Introduction to HTML The first of a two-part introduction to Web design and publishing covers basic HTML. 2-4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7, Room 311A, Ransom Hall.

• Web Development II: Style Sheets This second of a two-part introduction to Web design and publishing covers more advanced HTML by incorporating tables, style sheets and more. 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, Room 311A, Ransom Hall.

• Introduction to MavSpace You will learn how to use MavSpace to manage your documents and grant permissions for others to view or update your documents. You will learn how MavSpace can allow you to collaborate with others, including how to use versioning and comments. 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, Room 311A, Ransom Hall.

Register online for these classes.

Mindful Moments

Take a break from the stress of your day with Mindful Moments at 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 235 of the Business Building. Free. Health Services, 2‑2626.

Employment information

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

Dynamic defender: Senior guard Brandon Long leads the Mavericks in steals and is second in scoring.

Mavericks on the road at Drake Classic

Games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights in the Drake Hy-Vee Classic as the men's basketball team travels to Des Moines, Iowa, this weekend.

Coach Scott Cross's team, which stands 3-2 after a Monday win over Houston Baptist, will face North Dakota at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and then Drake or Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at either 5 or 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Women face Oklahoma tonight

After starting the season 3-3, the women's basketball team travels to Norman, Okla., to face the University of Oklahoma at 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Dec. 3, at Lloyd Noble Center.

The women won their last outing Sunday, downing the University of San Francisco 70-67 in the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tournament at Lubbock.

Three Mavericks earn volleyball All-Conference honors

Sophomores Tara Frantz and Emily Shearin were named to the All-Southland Conference volleyball first and second team, respectively. Junior Bianca Sauls earned honorable mention. The all-conference teams were voted on by league head coaches and sports information directors.

Frantz led the Mavericks with 232 kills and 2.76 kills per set this season. Shearin led the Southland Conference in blocks during league play, averaging 1.25 per set. Sauls finished second on the team with 215 kills and 2.11 per set.

(For more sports news, go to www.utamavs.com)

Thursday, Dec. 3 FERPA Webinar "FERPA Update 2010: Understanding What the New Year Will Bring." Free. 1 p.m., Room 609, College of Business. Heather Snow, 2‑2354.

Friday, Dec. 4 Downtown Arlington Farmers Market Fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, organics, and arts and crafts provided by local vendors. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 215 E. Front St. 817-303-2800, info@downtownarlington.org.

Friday, Dec. 4 Friends of the UT Arlington Library The Upscale Quartet sings, followed by a reception. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor atrium, Central Library. Betty Wood, 2‑7421, bwood@uta.edu.

Wednesday, Dec. 9 UT Arlington Bookstore Holiday Open House Refreshments, discounts and more are planned. 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. open house, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. refreshments. UT Arlington Bookstore, 400 S. Pecan St., 2‑2785.

Through Dec. 12 Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition Showcase for recent work created by the graduating seniors of Art and Art History. Free. 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, opening reception. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building.

Through Dec. 22 Selected 2D Works Five accomplished artists from the Fort Worth area share their works. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays; 2-6 p.m., Wednesdays, Fridays. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Through Dec. 31 UT Arlington Planetarium programs Check the Planetarium Web site for the schedule, which includes Season of Light and Holiday Music Magic. Contact the Planetarium at 2‑1183 or planetarium@uta.edu for tickets.

Through Jan. 9 Everything Is Interrelated Special Collections' fall exhibit features "Alexander von Humboldt and Our Nineteenth-Century German Connections." Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. See Special Collections.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar)

Editors: Jim Patterson, Teresa Newton Web Developer: James Barberousse Photographers: Beth McHenry, Robert Crosby Executive Director for University Publications: Mark Permenter Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing: David Johnson Vice President for Communications: Jerry Lewis Published by University Communications © 2009 The University of Texas at Arlington

MavWire is published by the Department of University Communications on Mondays and Thursdays (except for holidays) during the fall and spring semesters, and on Wednesdays during the summer. To submit items for possible inclusion in MavWire, e-mail mavwire@uta.edu. Items must be received three working days before distribution. Inclusion of events and activities in MavWire does not necessarily constitute an endorsement by the University. Read the MavWire Guidelines. MavWire welcomes any non-employees of UT Arlington who would like to subscribe.