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UT Arlington to go tobacco-free by 2011

President James D. Spaniolo announced Friday that UT Arlington will be a tobacco-free campus beginning Aug. 1, 2011. In a letter to the University community, Spaniolo said the University will be more vigilant in enforcing the current prohibition on smoking within 50 feet of any campus building or air intake in the months leading up to implementation of the new policy.

"Many of us remember a time when smoking used to be commonplace in offices, malls, airplanes, public buildings, sports arenas, and even hospitals," President Spaniolo says. "But times have changed, and it is time for UT Arlington to take the next step forward in protecting the health of our campus community."

Read the full text of the president's letter.

Faculty, staff and students who would like assistance in stopping their use of tobacco products are urged to call 2‑2771 to enroll in free classes offered by Health Services or see information on the University's Web site.

H1N1 flu vaccination available Tuesday in Arlington

Tarrant County Public Health will hold a one-day H1N1 influenza vaccination event 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way.

The H1N1 vaccine is being made available to target groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The groups include:

• pregnant women

• household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months old

• health-care and emergency medical services personnel

• anyone age 6 months to 24 years old

• anyone age 25 to 64 with health conditions associated with a higher risk of medical complications from influenza

For more information, call 2-1-1 or contact:

Landscape architecture ranked among nation's top 20 programs

For the first time, UT Arlington's landscape architecture program is ranked among the nation's top 20, according to Design Intelligence, a national architecture journal. The program is listed at No. 15.

The survey, conducted in mid-2009, tapped professional practice leaders who have had direct experience in hiring and evaluating the performance of recent architecture and design graduates.

"This is another indication of the rising reputation and influence of the School of Architecture and our graduates," Dean Donald Gatzke says. "Increasingly, it's taking on the very difficult challenges of regional development and environmental rehabilitation."

Check mates: College of Engineering Dean Bill Carroll, left, and Department of Civil Engineering Chair Nur Yazdani, right, accept a ceremonial check from ASCE Fort Worth Branch President Scott Berman ('01 BSCE, '05 MBA).

Local engineering group establishes scholarship endowment fund

The Fort Worth Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers has created an endowment fund to provide scholarships for civil engineering undergraduate and graduate students at UT Arlington.

The branch has committed to raise $25,000 in five years, an amount that will be matched by the Maverick Match program, bringing the total value of the endowment to $50,000.

The scholarships will be awarded based on scholastic achievement, financial need and participation in extracurricular organizations such as the ASCE.

Read more about the ASCE scholarship endowment.

Save the date for Faculty/Staff Holiday Reception

The annual Faculty/Staff Holiday Reception will be held from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom at the E.H. Hereford University Center. A festive buffet will include a variety of food and drinks.

President James D. Spaniolo will be the featured speaker and musical entertainment will be provided. All faculty and staff are invited to attend.

Staff Advisory Council needs your input on proposals

The Staff Advisory Council has created an Issue Proposal Process to enable staff members to communicate interests, concerns and issues that affect the UT Arlington workplace and its employees.

Searching the net Google researcher Daniel Russell discussed Web search engines as part of the Focus on Technology lecture series Thursday in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. His job is to see what searchers are looking for on Google and discern ways to help improve the searches. He explained the best route to successful Google use and also cautioned against some of the common traps.

Proposals can be submitted online or via paper to any SAC representative or alternate in your district. Visit the Staff Advisory Council's Web site at www.uta.edu/sac to submit a proposal, locate your district representative and stay up to date with the council's activities.

Outside board service and outside employment must be reported

In accordance with Regents' Rules and Regulations, all full-time employees must complete the outside board service and outside employment form found at webapps.uta.edu/OutsideEmployment. This information must be provided annually.

A form must be on file for each full-time employee whether or not you have any outside board service and outside employment. Complete the requested information for each outside board service or outside employment activity, and update the information as needed during the year.

Complete your compliance training
online by Friday, Dec. 4

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

Wednesday is last day to apply for seed grants

Submissions for the Intellectual Engagement Seed Grants offered by the Office of Graduate Studies are due Wednesday, Nov. 25. A proposal template and cover page are online. Contact Joslyn Krismer at 2‑0298 or krismer@uta.edu for details.

Deadline extended for MavPack finals kits

The deadline for ordering MavPack finals kits has been extended until Monday, Nov. 30. The kits are packed with office and school supplies, spirit items, snacks and study tips. The Student Alumni Association offers the kits, which can be sent to a favorite student with a personalized message. Order online or contact Jasmine Stewart at 2‑2594 or jasmine@uta.edu for more information.

MavWire returns next Monday

MavWire will not be published Thursday, Nov. 26, because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. MavWire will resume Monday, Nov. 30.

Holiday schedules, closings include libraries, Planetarium, UC, MAC

Microsoft Entourage

Learn how to manage your e-mails, quota, appointments and scheduling features more effectively with Entourage, the e-mail program for Mac OS X. Register to attend. 2-4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, Room 216, Ransom Hall. See the complete list of OIT training classes.

Food for Thought: Wellness Wheel

Explore the six dimensions of life that, when balanced, lead to overall well-being: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, occupational and intellectual. Noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2, Room 101B, Maverick Activities Center. See the complete list of HR training classes.

Use your phone for a meeting at your desk

Up to seven individuals can meet via their desk phone using handset or speakerphone. Contact Teresa Brasher in telecommunications at 2‑5011 or tbrasher@uta.edu for more details.

Larger groups can meet by phone through Qwest audio conferencing services. This is useful for meetings with people off campus. Your departmental phone will be charged at a reasonable rate. All other participants are given a toll-free number for accessing the call. Contact Christina Curry at 512-338-5727 and tell her you're with UT Arlington.

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.

Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 23-24 Food/Clothing Drive Collection boxes are available for donations of food and clothing. Items collected will be donated to Mission Arlington. Sponsored by the Residence Hall Association and UTA Radio. Noon-1 p.m. Central Library mall. Michelle Leverett, 2‑1214, amy.leverett@mavs.uta.edu.

Monday, Nov. 23 Sustainable Fuel and Vehicle Technologies Merhdad Ehsani, director of the Advanced Vehicle Systems Research Program at Texas A&M University, discusses technology trends of the present and near future, leading to viable, sustainable automobile and fuel technologies. Rescheduled from an earlier date. Free. 1:30 p.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Babak Fahimi, 2-2667, fahimi@uta.edu.

Monday, Nov. 30 Spa Retreat Enjoy a day of relaxation, compliments of the Student Health Advisory Council. The Palo Duro Lounge will be set up as a spa, and professional technicians will help you relax. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Health Services, 2‑2619, dnsmith@uta.edu.

Monday, Nov. 30 Design Practice Academy Ava Abramowitz hosts a workshop on "Negotiations: How can everybody get what they need?" Attendance is limited to 60. 6-9 p.m., Room 204, Architecture Building. Ana Peredo-Manor, ampmanor@uta.edu.

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

Monday, Nov. 23 Vocal Studio Recital Features the vocal students of music Professor Jing Ling Tam. Free. 4 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2‑3471, music@uta.edu.

Monday, Nov. 23 Academic Integrity Series View a movie and join the discussion on academic integrity. Free. 7 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. Andrea Barefield, 2‑2354, barefield@uta.edu.

Monday, Nov. 23 An Evening with Clive Cussler Fiction author discusses his latest book, The Wrecker. Free, but tickets required. Check with box office at 6 p.m. for available seats. Co-sponsored by UT Arlington. 7 p.m., Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth. Melinda Mason, 817-390-7579.

Tuesday, Nov. 24 Opera Workshop Performance Students perform songs and scenes from various operas and plays. Free. 2 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2‑3471, music@uta.edu.

Tuesday, Nov. 24 Women's Basketball UT Arlington vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City, $4 faculty, staff. 4 p.m., Texas Hall. www.utamavs.com.

Tuesday, Nov. 24 Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. UT Permian Basin, $4 faculty, staff. 7 p.m., Texas Hall. www.utamavs.com.

Tuesday, Nov. 24 Clavier Series Piano Recital Piano students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2‑3471, music@uta.edu.

Through Nov. 27 The Getty Sketchbooks Internationally acclaimed architects' sketchbooks for the Getty Villa/Museum renovations. Free. Architecture Gallery, Architecture Building.

Monday, Nov. 30 An Evening with Garrison Keillor Sold out. Part of the Star-Telegram author series. 7 p.m., Texas Hall.

Through Dec. 3 Growing with Tradition The Native American Student Association and area tribal leaders host an exposé of ethnographical influence on modern American society. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., University Center Gallery, E.H. Hereford University Center.

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 Planetarium programs Check the Planetarium Web site for the schedule, which includes Microcosm: The Adventure Within. 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.