University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 08-12-2010

Park and shuttle: A new interactive map shows parking lots, shuttle routes, and information kiosks to help faculty, staff, and students navigate the campus.

Parking permits, shuttle routes provide campus options

UT Arlington is undergoing unprecedented growth in enrollment and in the physical makeup of the campus. Enrollment is expected to reach 30,000 students this fall, a 20 percent increase over the past three years. Construction projects totaling more than $300 million are reshaping the campus, adding academic, event, residential, and retail space.

"Our University is in the midst of a major transformation, including several critically important construction projects," says James D. Spaniolo, president of UT Arlington. "We are doing everything possible to minimize temporary inconveniences, such as parking, as we develop exciting new dimensions to our campus."

As a matter of fact, the University has gained more than 300 parking spaces as of this fall by adding new lots and maximizing the capacity of others. UT Arlington has streamlined the parking permit system and updated campus shuttle routes to help faculty, staff, and students navigate the 420-acre campus.

Faculty, staff, and students should be aware of several important changes that affect parking and campus transportation:

• You must order your parking permit online at uta.edu/mymav. Decals will be mailed directly from the printing company, not UT Arlington Parking Services. (Only reserved space permits and permit upgrades will be issued from the Parking Services Office in the Wetsel Service Center, 1225 W. Mitchell St.)

• Remote decals are less than half the price. Faculty and staff working east of Davis Street can choose to park in Lot 26 at Maverick Stadium and may purchase an "R" remote lot permit for $60. The full rate for faculty and staff is $150.

• New shuttle routes will serve stops across campus every 10 minutes. The free service runs 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning with the fall semester. Patrons should arrive on campus early enough to allow for wait times. Routes and schedules are available at uta.edu/shuttle.

• Maverick Ride escort service is available from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. UT Arlington police encourage faculty, staff, and students to avoid walking alone after dark. To request a security escort, call 2-3381.

For the most current information about parking, parking permits, and campus shuttle service, visit uta.edu/parking and uta.edu/shuttle.

UT System honors seven outstanding faculty for teaching success

Seven UT Arlington faculty members were honored with Outstanding Teaching Awards by the UT System Board of Regents on Wednesday night.

Receiving the awards were James Epperson, Theresa Jorgensen, and Barbara Shipman from mathematics; Anand Puppala, civil engineering; Lauri Jensen-Campbell, psychology; Joanna Webb Johnson, English; and Jane Himarios, economics.

In its second year, the program rewards faculty who deliver the highest quality of undergraduate instruction through a demonstrated commitment to teaching. Awardees also are recognized for showing a promising future of excellence in all aspects of instruction.

President James D. Spaniolo nominated the honorees based on recommendations from department chairs, deans, and a committee established by Provost Donald R. Bobbitt.

"UT Arlington appreciates the Regents investment in recognizing faculty committed to actively engaging students and making the University a place of exciting intellectual exploration," Bobbitt said.

For more information, see teaching awards.

New voice messaging system begins tonight

The new Avaya Voice Messaging System will "go live" after 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 12.

Log in to your current mailbox and retrieve your voice mail prior to that time. Currently stored messages will not be available after 6 p.m. today.

Telecommunication Services requests that you log in to the new system and change your password during your first session. Voice messaging user guides are available to browse, download, or print on the Telecommunication Services web page.

You will need the following information in order to log in to your new mailbox.

• Your new mailbox number is the same as your old mailbox number.

• Your new password is your mailbox number preceded by a 1. If your mailbox number is 2xxxx, then your password is 12xxxx.

• Access your new mailbox the same way you accessed your old mailbox. Use the MWK key or the Message key on your phone, or dial 2-6991.

• Follow the voice prompts to set up your mailbox.

If you have any questions regarding the new system, contact Telecommunication Services at 2-2011 or tbrasher@uta.edu.

University launches sustainability website

The University launched the new sustainability website Tuesday, providing a link to all news, events, initiatives, research, and academics related to environmental efforts across campus.

Produced by University Communications, working in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, the site is the place to go for one-stop news concerning innovative, real‑world solutions to address how we use, conserve, and renew resources.

"The website is a gateway to sustainability resources for faculty, staff, students, and outside community," says Meghna Tare, director of sustainability.

The site includes multimedia and videos from faculty, staff, and students explaining how sustainability affects the campus and how each of us can help.

Volunteer to welcome, help students at annual Residence Hall Move-in Event

There's still time to show your Maverick pride and volunteer for the 11th annual Residence Hall Move-in Event 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23. Move-in will continue until 4 p.m. for Arlington and Kalpana Chawla halls.

The Move-in Event is a campus-wide initiative to help residence hall students move into their new homes. Faculty, staff, and student volunteers are on hand throughout the day to welcome students and parents.

The event is sponsored by Apartment and Residence Life and is part of Maverick Stampede Welcome Week.

Faculty, staff reception to follow MavsMeet Convocation

A reception for faculty and staff follows the MavsMeet Convocation at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, in the University Club. Refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, and door prizes will be available.

The MavsMeet Convocation will take place at 4 p.m. in Texas Hall. This year's guest faculty speaker is physics Professor Kaushik De. Other speakers include President James D. Spaniolo, Provost Donald R. Bobbitt, Vice President for Student Affairs Frank R. Lamas, and Student Congress President Aaron Resendez.

The kickoff ceremony also includes a spirited performance by the UT Arlington Marching Band and a musical offering from Tim Ishii. For more information, call 2-6080.

Construction cam Bookmark the special events center web cam and keep up with the construction progress. Also, follow the final stages of the Engineering Research Building construction at the College of Engineering web cam.

Fiscal year-end deadlines listed online

Fiscal year 2009-2010 year-end financial deadlines have been established and can be viewed online. Many deadlines are before the end of the month. Your efforts in meeting these deadlines ensure that the University's financial position is accurately stated as of Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Parking lot entrances get makeovers

The south entrances to F-13 and Lot 39 are closed this week for gate installations. During construction, the north entrances should be used. F-13 traffic should enter from Third Street. Lot 39 traffic should enter at the Bookstore.

Once the gates are operational, both the north entrances to F-13 and Lot 39 will be closed permanently to improve lot security and to address traffic control issues along Pecan Street.

Get a free two-week pass at the MAC

Faculty and staff can sign up for a free two-week pass to the Maverick Activities Center. The pass is valid Aug. 12-25 and can be obtained at the MAC Services and Information desk with a valid University ID.

The MAC features cardio machines, circuit training units, free weights, group exercise rooms, basketball courts, volleyball courts, indoor tracks, racquetball courts, badminton courts, a game room, and a climbing wall. Memberships for employees and retirees can be paid monthly, by semester, or by payroll deduction. Memberships for spouses of employees also are available. For more information, call 2-3277 or visit uta.edu/campusrec.

Tickets only $5 for AirHogs, Cats baseball game Saturday

Faculty and staff are invited to see minor league baseball as the Grand Prairie AirHogs play the Fort Worth Cats at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie.

Presented by the Staff Advisory Council, discount tickets are $5 each and must be pre-paid (cash only) by 2 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 12. Make payments to Debbie Villagomez, Elizabeth Heyerdahl, or Nicole Caron (2-2932) in Suite 216, Davis Hall, or to Jeanette Hood (2-2878) in Suite 234, College of Business.

Parking is free, and there will be a post-game fireworks show.

Writing Effective E-mail

Since e-mail has become an essential communication tool for most individuals and organizations, it is important to identify and learn all the basics of e-mail communication as well as all the dangers. In this course, participants will learn the keys to effective e-mails as well as proper cyber manners and how to avoid e-mail overload. 9-11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 17, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. See a complete listing of HR training classes.

AHA HeartSavers: First Aid with CPR and AED

Would you know what to do if someone around you was having a heart attack? The skills you learn in this class could save a life. Participants will receive CPR certification card. 9 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Aug. 18, Training Room, Environmental Health and Safety, 500 Summit Ave. See a complete listing of HR training classes.

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 e-mail employment@uta.edu. The University of Texas at Arlington is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Seasoned leader: Diane Seymour begins her seventh season as head volleyball coach for the Mavericks.

Volleyball prepares for season opener with scrimmage

Coach Diane Seymour's volleyball team will hold its annual intrasquad Blue/White scrimmage at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, in Texas Hall. The scrimmage will begin with an hour warm-up prior to the game. Admission is free.

Fans can catch their first glimpse of this year's team as they continue preparation for their season opening tournament Friday-Saturday, Aug. 27-28, in the Sooner Legends/Nike Invitational at Norman, Okla. Tournament opponents are Miami, Oklahoma, and Wichita State.

The Mavericks open their home season Friday-Saturday, Sept. 3-4, in the UT Arlington Maverick Classic as Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech, UT-Pan American, and Arkansas-Little Rock round out the field.

Sports shorts

Former UT Arlington baseball player Michael Choice has been named co-winner of the 2010 Howard Green Metroplex Collegiate Player of the Year Award presented by the DFW Hall-Ruggles Chapter for Society of American Baseball Research. Choice shares the award with TCU pitcher Matt Purke. ... Megan Turner and Brittany Culbertson were selected to the 2010 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Track and Field Team. The UT Arlington women's track program earned USTFCCCA Division I All-Academic team status. More than 20 student-athletes on the women's team registered a GPA above 3.0, while the team combined for a 3.16 overall GPA.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, utamovinmavs.com, or uta.edu/campusrec.)

Thursday, Aug. 12

Mavs Book Club The book for this month is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The club, sponsored by the Library, is a monthly book discussion group open to faculty, staff, and students. Meets second Thursday of each month. Free. 5:30 p.m. Central Library basement. Mavs Book Club, Diane Shepelwich, dianec@uta.edu, 2-7521.

Fort Worth Abstract Opening reception for the Gallery 76102 exhibit. Fort Worth artists Jane Helslander, Winter Rusiloski, and Cecil Touchon display their abstracts with various media, including paint, collage, photographs, and found images. Free. 6-8 p.m., Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center, 1401 Jones St., Fort Worth.

Friday-Saturday, Aug. 13-14

$2 Movie: Fly Me to the Moon Three young houseflies stow away aboard Apollo 11. Rated G. 5:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Planetarium, 2-1183.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

$2 Movie: Where the Wild Things Are Max's imagination gets wild. Rated PG. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Planetarium, 2-1183.

Ongoing

MFA Summer Exhibition The third annual summer exhibition by 16 Master of Fine Arts students represents the Department of Art and Art History graduate program in intermedia studio, glass, visual communication, and film and video. Free. Summer hours 1:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. Through Tuesday, Aug. 31. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. 2-2891.

Texas Rangers Baseball The Texas Rangers offer discounted tickets to selected games for faculty, staff, students, alumni, family, and friends. Access texasrangers.com/uta and use the password rangers to purchase tickets for designated games through Oct. 3.

Downtown Farmers Market Arlington's downtown farmers market features locally grown produce and locally made baked goods, arts, and crafts. Co-sponsored by UT Arlington Dining Services. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays, 215 E. Front St.

Planetarium Programs See shows on the big screen Tuesday through Sunday. Planetarium schedule, 2-1183.

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