University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 07-05-2012

Laptops must be encrypted by Aug. 31

All UT Arlington laptop computers must be encrypted by Aug. 31, according to a recent directive from the UT System.

Following the adoption of “Encryption Practices for Storage of Confidential University Data on Portable and Non-University Owned Computing Devices” in 2007, UT System institutions have avoided a number of serious data exposures by having laptop computers encrypted prior to becoming stolen or lost.

However, UT System institutions have experienced security incidents in which encryption had not been in place on stolen or lost computers. Thus, 100 percent compliance of the encryption process is necessary to avoid costly emergencies and exposure of sensitive information.

To have your laptop encrypted, you may drop it off at the Office of Information Technology lab in Room 231 of Nedderman Hall. Drop-off hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Normal processing time is 24 hours.

Users should back up their data prior to drop-off and must provide the computer's power cord. At the time of pickup, the computer user should be present in order to log into the machine to complete the encryption process. If users have already had SecureDoc software installed on their laptops, they do not need to do anything further.

Contact the OIT Help Desk to make alternate drop-off and pickup arrangements.

If you have questions regarding this directive, contact Maurice Leatherbury, vice president for information technology, at leatherbury@uta.edu, or 2-5602.

Benefits Fair highlights Annual Enrollment

Annual Enrollment for the 2012-13 benefit plan year is July 15-31 and will feature a Benefits Fair 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, July 20, at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

During Annual Enrollment, you may enroll, change your group insurance benefit elections, and add or remove dependents from coverage.

Insurance and retirement representatives will answer questions in the Bluebonnet Ballroom during the Benefits Fair. In the Rosebud Theatre, insurance presentations are at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. A Medicare presentation is at 11:30 a.m., information on changes for the 2012-13 plan year at 12:30 p.m., and retirement workshops 1-2:45 p.m.

For more information regarding Annual Enrollment and UT Arlington benefits for the 2012-13 plan year, see Employee Benefits Services, call 2-5558, or email benefits@uta.edu.

Formula for success: Cars in the Texas Autocross are designed, built, and raced by students from UT Arlington and other universities.

University hosts Texas Autocross

Ready for some high-speed racecar action? On July 14-15, UT Arlington will host the 12th annual Texas Autocross Weekend. Admission is free and open to the public.

Top cars designed and built by student members of the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers will compete for bragging rights on two different autocross tracks on Lot 49 near Cooper and Mitchell streets. The competition measures speed and precision.

The public festivities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 14. For the first time, Texas Autocross Weekend will include a formal Sports Car Club of America race on campus, rather than relocating to Pennington Field in Bedford as in years past. The SCCA event is set for 10 a.m. Sunday, July 15, on Lot 49.

Among the UTA Racing entries is the H11, a hybrid car project two years in the making. In May the car won the GM Best-Engineered Hybrid Award at the international 2012 Formula Hybrid competition at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

"If you've never seen this kind of racing, you will be amazed. These cars are fast," says Bob Woods, professor of mechanical engineering and team adviser of UTA Racing.

See a review of the 2011 Texas Autocross Weekend.

International Mystery Book Club meets July 20

The Silence of the Rain by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza is this month's selection for the International Mystery Book Club, which meets Friday, July 20. All faculty and staff are invited to join the group at noon at the Mellow Mushroom, 200 N. Center St. in Arlington.

The club, hosted by the Department of Modern Languages, is discussing mysteries by non-U.S. authors this summer.

The Silence of the Rain is the first in a series of Inspector Espinosa mysteries by Garcia-Roza, a Brazilian author. Inspector Espinosa is a character in his mid-40s with a failed marriage behind him, an old-fashioned attitude, and a love of books with a touch of Inspector Clouseau mannerisms.

For more information, see the International Mystery Book Club.

VPN system change set for Monday

The Office of Information Technology will simplify the campus VPN remote access system by eliminating the “No Split” logon feature of this service Monday, July 9.

The “No Split” feature has historically been used to access library catalog and subscription services available via the Internet that required special licensing for access. OIT and the Library identified resources that require such security provisions and have taken steps to accommodate this access using the standard default VPN service.

No July meeting for Mavs Book Club

Mavs Book Club will not meet in July. Next scheduled meeting is at noon Friday, Aug. 10, at the University Club in Davis Hall.

Lance Liguez energizes UTA Radio Lance Liguez, lecturer of communication, teaches Radio Production and serves as adviser for UTA Radio, which can be found on the Internet at utaradio.com. Q: What are your duties with UTA Radio? A: I’m responsible for shaping the sound of the station. College radio is supposed to be a bit quirky and subversive compared to traditional radio, and I try to instill that mindset in my students. In addition to hiring student staff, I also spend a great deal of time marketing the station to record labels, local and national media, industry contests, and the UT Arlington community. This is something that was not done to great extent before I got here. Q: How are students involved with the station? A: The students really do most of the work. The staff hierarchy is set up like traditional radio with a station manager and various directors. They’re charged with promoting the station through on-campus remotes and activities. Our sports director, for example, schedules staff for play-by-play duties and works closely with Athletics. In addition, we have advanced DJs who do their own shows (usually deviating from the main format). These students are the best of the best from my Radio Production classes. Q: What should people know about the University's Internet radio station? A: We are a source of news, sports, and music information for UT Arlington. But we’re also ambitious. We look for regional and national opportunities to give our students exposure and experiences they would not get in the classroom. For instance, we were the only North Texas university to broadcast from Super Bowl XLV. Last fall, two of my radio students produced a public service announcement that won a Radio Mercury Award. We sought out and negotiated a spot on iHeart Radio’s college platform. And most recently, UTA Radio was named the Texas headquarters for College Radio Day. That’s an annual international effort to draw attention to the service college radio provides. Q: What will we hear on UTA Radio? A. You will mostly hear alternative/indie rock, which is our main format. We’ve been working hard to include artists from DFW who would otherwise not get any airplay, such as Igneous Grimm (made up of former UT Arlington students), Sayonara, and The Apache 5 (also UT Arlington connected). That’s an area that separates us from other stations in this market. You also will hear us call men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, and baseball, along with some coverage of Rangers and Cowboys games. Our listenership spikes during sporting events.

Weight/Strength Training

Learn proper lifting techniques, basic exercises for each muscle group, human anatomy as it relates to your workout goals, and how to structure your workouts to reach your goals. Sign up at the services and information desk in the Maverick Activities Center by Monday, July 9. $120. 1-2 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 10-Aug. 16, MAC Fitness Center. Campus Recreation, Jeremy Roden, jroden@uta.edu.

Dealing Effectively with Conflict and Confrontation

Explore how to manage conflict and improve skills to reduce conflict for win-win results. Learn how to diffuse conflict in the workplace and in your personal life. Empower yourself to handle crisis situations in a more effective manner. Free. 2-4 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources Training Classes and Events.

Summer CPR

This four-hour class covers first-aid basics, medical emergencies, injury emergencies, environmental emergencies, adult CPR, and AED use. Participants who complete the class receive an American Heart Association certification card valid for two years. Sign up at the services and information desk in the Maverick Activities Center. $40. 1-5 p.m., Friday, July 13, or Thursday, Aug. 2, Room 102B, Maverick Activities Center. Campus Recreation, Jeremy Roden, jroden@uta.edu.

Solving Problems/ Making Decisions

Explore real problems and discover how to develop strategies to map out the problem and discover a real solution. Discover the tools for creatively brainstorming solutions and facing obstacles from a whole new perspective. Participants are invited to bring one in-depth problem for the class to discuss. Free. 9-11 a.m., Tuesday, July 17, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources Training Classes and Events.

Mindful Moments

Take a break with Mindful Moments. Free. 12:15-12:45 p.m., Wednesdays, Room 219, Health Services Center. Health Services.

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.

Wednesday, July 11

Arlington Technology Association Pranesh Aswath, right, professor of materials science and engineering, presents "The Role of Soot in Wear and Friction in Diesel Engines," and his efforts to formulate products to improve engine lubrication. Free for first-time guests, $5 others. 7-8 a.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Arlington Technology Association.

Wednesday, July 18

Government Procurement Conference Small business leaders have an opportunity to meet local, state, and federal government buyers and their prime contractors. Hosted by UT Arlington Business Extension Centers (Cross Timbers Procurement Center, the SBDC for Enterprise Excellence, and TMAC). $90. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Arlington Convention Center. Jennifer Wilson, jennifer.wilson@uta.edu, 2-5909, Government Procurement Conference.

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

Mavs now official members of the WAC

A new era began this week as UT Arlington officially took up residence in the Western Athletic Conference on July 1. The Mavericks join the WAC after almost 50 years in the Southland Conference.

UT Arlington will compete with conference members UT San Antonio, Texas State, Denver, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Seattle, and Utah State.

In May 2013, the Mavericks will host the WAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and the conference baseball tournament will be played at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie.

UT Arlington will compete in the WAC for only one year before entering the Sun Belt Conference starting in the 2013-14 academic year.

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

Thursday, July 5

Outdoor Movie: American Reunion Enjoy free popcorn or buy soft drinks and snacks at the concession stand. Bring a blanket or chair for the lawn seating. Children under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free. 9 p.m., west lawn, Maverick Activities Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Thursday, July 12

Outdoor Movie: The Hunger Games Enjoy free popcorn or buy soft drinks and snacks at the concession stand. Bring a blanket or chair for the lawn seating. Children under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free. 9 p.m., west lawn, Maverick Activities Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Ongoing

897 Square Exhibit features artists who live and/or work in Tarrant County, including UT Arlington faculty, staff, and students. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 4-8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays. Through Tuesday, July 31. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Texas 'Identity' Politics: 1900-Present See how politics have become intertwined with our identities through different groups advocating for their civil rights in relation to various aspects of their identities, such as worker, mother, or citizen. Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Through Sunday, Aug. 5. Special Collections, sixth floor, Central Library.

Texas Rangers Baseball Get tickets for faculty, staff, students, alumni, family, and friends. Access texasrangers.com/uta and use the password MAVS12 for designated games through Wednesday, Sept. 26.

India Unveiled: The Photography of Robert Arnett A collection of images highlighting the diversity of India and its various regions. Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Through Jan. 5, 2013. Special Collections, sixth floor parlor, Central Library.

Planetarium Enjoy a '60s style laser light show set to the music of Pink Floyd. 7 p.m. Saturdays. Planetarium.

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