University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 06-17-2010

Research lighting: Dr. Jian Yang, right, works with Richard Tran, left, and Samira Usman in studying fluorescent polymers. The polymers are used to make nerve guides for nerve regeneration.

Grant allows bioengineering professor to help teachers

Jian Yang, assistant professor of bioengineering, wants to take his message about a university education and research to high schools.

He's getting started this summer, as Samira Usman, the Advanced Placement chemistry teacher at Martin High School, and some of her students have started working in Dr. Yang's lab as he develops a new education model for introducing college-level fundamentals to high schools.

They, along with doctoral student Richard Tran, will be working on Yang's major research—drug delivery methods for cancer—and identifying suitable items from research that can be used to improve the current high school curriculum.

The work is part of a $500,000 National Science Foundation Early Career Development (CAREER) grant that has a five-year life. This is the ninth time in five years that a UT Arlington College of Engineering faculty member has received an NSF CAREER grant.

"It's a great way to learn on the university level and take that back to students who didn't have the opportunity to work in the college lab," Yang said. "Samira can relay all she learns in the lab back to high school students. We need to better prepare these students for the rigors of college programs."

For more information, see online.

Fracing process begins on campus for additional natural gas wells

Fracturing for eight new natural gas wells begins Friday, June 18, at the southeast corner of campus.

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., the Houston-based company that is developing the University's natural gas resources, has drilled 16 new wells at the site since January 2009. Carrizo completed the fracturing, or "fracing," of eight wells in April 2010. Those wells are online and producing gas.

Fracing of the other eight wells is expected to take about six weeks, with completion anticipated in late July or early August. At that point, 22 gas wells are expected to be operating from the site.

Truck traffic and equipment noise at the site may increase temporarily during the fracing process. To mitigate any additional noise, Carrizo has installed a 32-foot, high-tech acoustic sound curtain around the site.

The University requires that sound from the site not exceed the levels of ambient sound measured in the area before the facility's installation. The requirement is more restrictive than City of Arlington noise ordinance standards.

Truck traffic is required to follow surface road routes approved by the City of Arlington for this specific purpose and is not allowed to take other routes through residential neighborhoods surrounding campus.

For more information on the University's natural gas program, please visit uta.edu/naturalgas. 

Park it: Order permits online, find reduced pricing for remote lots, pick up reserved decals in person

Faculty and staff parking permits for the 2010-11 academic year are now available online at uta.edu/mymav. All employees need a permit to park on campus. Faculty and staff must have their permits no later than Aug. 31.

Current employees who work at least 30 hours per week may use payroll deduction, which starts with the Oct. 1 paycheck for eight months.

After signing in on the opening MyMav page, click on "Parking Permit-Garage Request" indicated by the big blue and white P. Follow directions.

Options include pre-tax or after-tax payroll deduction or charging to your University account. Reduced pricing and additional shuttle routes on remote parking are available to all faculty and staff because of construction on campus.

Print the confirmation receipt and post on the front right-hand, passenger side of the vehicle window. This receipt is good for two weeks from the date of order while the decal is mailed within two weeks from the printing company.

Only reserve space owners and permit upgrades will be issued in person at the Parking Office. Reserved permits will not be offered online, but are available at 1225 W. Mitchell, Suite 112, in the Wetsel Service Center.

Call the Parking Office at 2-3907 or e-mail mabry@uta.edu for more details.

Submit questions now for upcoming Staff Advisory Council's annual Staff Forum

Submit your questions for the Staff Advisory Council's annual Staff Forum through an online survey. Complete the survey by 5 p.m. Friday, June 25, to allow ample time for research and to ensure that the appropriate administrators will be available to answer questions.

The Staff Forum is 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom at the E.H. Hereford University Center. Lunch will be provided for the first 200 employees in attendance. Administrators will be present to answer questions about issues concerning staff members.

Questions also can be submitted to staff_advisory_council@uta.edu. All questions submitted will remain anonymous.

Premium rate increase and changes due for medical plan

UT Arlington employees with dependent medical coverage will have an increase in out-of-pocket expenses for 2010-11.

The UT SELECT medical plan administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is self-funded by the UT System. As a self-funded plan, all claims are paid by UT System through premium sharing money allocated by the State Legislature, UT System, and your monthly out-of-pocket cost (for dependent coverage).

The claims for the current benefit year (2009-10) have increased 9 percent for the UT System, and premium rates are deficient by 5 percent. That means there will be an increase in monthly premium rates and a change in plan design.

Because of the rate of increase in claims, medical premium rates for dependents will increase 12 percent for the 2010-11 plan year. This will result in an increase in out-of-pocket cost of approximately $20 each month for employees and retirees with spouse or children coverage and $40 each month for employee/retiree with family coverage.

Full-time employees and retirees with no dependent coverage will continue to have no out-of-pocket premium costs.

See more Annual Enrollment details in the June edition of A Matter Of Health newsletter.

Exterior design Rebecca Boles, right, assistant professor of architecture and director of the interior design program, helps Skyline High School student Stephanie Cedillo with her SEED (Strategies, Events, Episodes + Devices) project in the Architecture Building courtyard. The School of Architecture's two-week program allows students to design constructions. The final products will be exhibited at a reception from 4-5:30 p.m. Friday, June 18, in the architecture courtyard.

Special orientation sessions geared toward military veterans

For the first time, UT Arlington has scheduled one-day orientation sessions specifically geared toward military veterans who have been accepted to attend the University this fall. The sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, June 23, and Monday, July 26. Student veterans can register online.

Student veterans will meet with financial aid representatives who will provide detailed information about tuition, housing, and other benefits available through the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other veterans' programs. They also will receive information about registering for classes and support services, such as counseling, career placement, and tutoring.

A panel of student veterans will answer questions during a complimentary lunch. For more information, call 2-3373 or e-mail va@uta.edu.

Surplus property available online

Looking for a vintage barber chair or a road bike? Check out University surplus property sold online at slapsale.com. Surplus items are available from UT Arlington and other universities. Generally, the items are listed to be sold through an online auction over 14 days. A valid credit card is required to complete registration.

The current sale on UT Arlington items ends Tuesday, June 22, while sales on other items have various end dates. For more information, contact Basil DeMars, at surplus@uta.edu or 2-3012.

Join the SAC Six-week Summertime Slimdown

Need a little motivation to help you meet those exercise goals this summer? Commit to a Healthy Lifestyle and join the Staff Advisory Council for the Six-week Summertime Slimdown from July 5 through Aug. 16. For challenge rules, registration, and additional tips on jump-starting your lifestyle changes, visit uta.edu/sac/slimdown. Hurry, registration ends Wednesday, June 30.

Sign up today for Lone Star Park Night

Sign up today, Thursday, June 17, for a fun night of horse racing at the annual Lone Star Park Night, set for Thursday, June 24.

Cost is $25 per person and includes admission, reserved seating in a climate-controlled area, parking, a barbecue buffet, and race program. The Department of Campus Recreation hosts the event. For more information, contact Chris Muller at 2-3277 or cmuller@uta.edu.

Lot 47 south closed starting Monday

The south portion of Parking Lot 47, located west of Kalpana Chawla Hall, will be closed for restriping and other upgrades for approximately three weeks starting Monday, June 21.

The north portion of Lot 47 will remain open for student parking. For more information, see the Blazin' Construction blog.

Undergraduate Academic Adviser

This course provides training for undergraduate academic advisers. Topics include:

• advising and registration student services center, academic progress, and service indicators

• advising and reports class schedule, transfer credit, and MAP (degree audit)

• curriculum management class section, schedules, rosters, and enrollment/drop

• Texas Success Initiative test scores and exemptions

• viewing test scores (MPT, CRT, and others)

• program/plan stack career summary, changing a major/minor

• advising comments adding and viewing

Free. Register online. 9 a.m.-noon. Monday, June 21, Room E200D, Continuing Education.

Discovering Purpose

What is your purpose? Having a clear purpose helps guide your decisions and empowers you to act in a clear and focused manner. This course offers participants the tools for discovering purpose and keys to putting the purpose into your every action and response. 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. See a complete list of HR training classes.

Recycling Training

Want to know how UT Arlington's recycling program works? This presentation will explain it all. E-mail registration is required. Free. 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, Room 109, Nedderman Hall. Becky Valentich, becky@uta.edu. Office of Sustainability, 2-9299.

Take a break with Mindful Moments

Take a break from stress with Mindful Moments each Wednesday this summer. Mindfulness draws on one's internal resources to cultivate awareness and practice being present in each moment of our lives. The summer session continues through Aug. 11. Free. 12:15-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Room 235, Business Building. Marie Bannister, 2-2771.

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.

It's a hit: Preston Beck batted .352 with 27 multi-hit games this spring.

Beck earns Freshman All-American honor

Outfielder Preston Beck was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball.

Beck becomes the third player in school history to earn Freshman All-American honors, joining Darrell Preston (2001) and Michael Choice (2008).

He had a standout freshman season, leading all Southland freshmen in batting (.352), base hits (82), and at-bats (233). Beck led the team in base hits and had 27 multi-hit games.

Beck finished the season with a 20-game hitting streak, which is a UT Arlington freshman record. During the streak Beck batted .420 (37-for-88) with 13 runs, eight doubles, one home run, and 26 RBI. He had 13 multi-hit games during the streak, with two three-hit games and one four-hit performance.

Sports shorts

Outfielder Michael Choice was named to four All-American teams this week. He was selected to the first team by Baseball America and Yahoo! Sports, second team by Ping, and third team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He also was named to the first team All-South Central Region team by the American Baseball Coaches Association. ... Cordero Gray advanced to the semifinals in both the 100- and 200-meter events in the men's division of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships last week in Eugene, Ore. In the women's division, Jasmine Walls advanced to the semifinals in the 200. ... Intramural entries for sand volleyball teams are due Thursday, June 24. Faculty and staff with a Campus Rec membership are eligible.

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

MFA summer exhibit in The Gallery at UTA The third annual summer exhibition by 16 Master of Fine Arts students in The Gallery at UTA represents the Department of Art and Art History graduate program in intermedia studio, glass, visual communication, and film and video. The works represent a varied investigation of material, mood, memory, and human experience as they relate to self awareness and perception. While the pieces included are diverse in approach and execution, collectively they confront issues of identity as defined conceptually through personal experience and expressed through each artist's respective area of study. The artists in the exhibition deconstruct materials, then re-purpose and reconstruct them to articulate their viewpoints. A closing reception is set for 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. Summer hours are noon-2 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. The Gallery at UTA is located in the Fine Arts Building.

Thursday, June 17

Readings from the works of James Thurber An ensemble of six actors will take a trip through the funny, absurd, and unique works of James Thurber. The program will give lively voice to his comedic, thoughtful pieces via brief excerpts and will provide biographical information about the author. Actors include Natalie Gaupp ('93 BFA, '99 MA), senior lecturer in theatre arts; Nicholas Irion ('10 BFA); and Steven McGaw ('10 BFA). Free. 7:30 p.m., Room 143, Fine Arts Building. ngaupp@uta.edu.

Free Summer Movie: Brooklyn's Finest Rated R. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concession for drinks, candy. Free popcorn. Free. 8:45 p.m., West lawn, Maverick Activities Center. EXCEL Campus Activities, excel-entertainment@uta.edu.

Friday-Saturday, June 18-19

$2 Movie: Planet 51 Animated film. 5:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Planetarium, 2-1183.

Thursday, June 24

Free Summer Movie: Clash of the Titans Rated PG-13. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concession for drinks, candy. Free popcorn. Free. 8:45 p.m., West lawn, Maverick Activities Center. EXCEL Campus Activities, excel-entertainment@uta.edu.

Through July 3

Summer Concert Series Concerts each Wednesday through Sunday. All concerts are free except for the special benefit concert featuring Three Dog Night on Saturday, June 26. Co-sponsored by UT Arlington. Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram. levittpavilionarlington.org, 817-543-4301.

Leading Ladies Anne Healy, adjunct lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, directs this comedy. The show includes work from alums Chase Mitchell ('09 BFA), Casey Hines ('10 BFA), and Jack Hardaway ('76 BA), plus students Stephen Howell and Miguel Marin. Thursdays-Sundays through July 3, Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St. theatrearlington.org.

Through July 31

New Works: UTA Photography Faculty The work of photography faculty members Kenda North, Andrew Ortiz, Leighton McWilliams, Bryan Florentin, and Scott Hilton. Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Through Aug. 7

For All Workers: The Legacy of the Texas Labor Movement, 1838-2010 The personal papers of labor and political activist John "J.W." Jackson, as well as numerous items from the Texas Labor Archives at UT Arlington. Free. Summer hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Special Collections, sixth floor, Central Library. 2-7511.

Ongoing

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 more about the Planetarium in The Starry Messenger. $4 faculty, staff. Planetarium, 2-1183.

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.

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