MavWire 2016 Archive » MavWire — Monday, January 11, 2016

Piped up: Dr. Nick Fang, associate professor of civil engineering, shows American Concrete Pipe Association members a demonstration of the impact of extreme weather events on urban drainage systems using UTA’s hydraulic flume.

National concrete pipe association selects UTA for inaugural show, school

UTA's cutting-edge, civil engineering research research drew more than 500 engineers and executives from the American Concrete Pipe Association to campus last week for its inaugural Pipe Show and School.

The show and school offered industry leaders a chance to hear about new trends and learn from top researchers.

Using UTA’s hydraulic flume, Nick Fang, associate professor of civil engineering, showed the group a small-scale simulation modeling the stress urban drainage systems experience during extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods.

Read more about the American Concrete Pipe Conference.

Handwritten letters strengthen children’s literacy skills, family ties

Young children who exchange letters with extended family members improve their literacy skills and develop a stronger connection with distant relatives, according to a UTA study.

Kathryn Pole, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, followed 22 kindergarten students at a public school for one school year. She wanted to track their progress when they wrote and exchanged letters with relatives such as a grandparent, aunt, or other extended family member.

The study of 5- and 6-year-olds, called “Why Downt You Riyt Back to Me?” appears in The Reading Teacher, a journal of the International Literacy Association.

Read more about Dr. Pole's letter-writing research.

Maverick Speakers Series events feature political insiders

Tickets are available online to see Ron Paul and Donna Brazile in the next two Maverick Speakers Series events.

A former congressman and physician, Dr. Paul will speak on "Liberty Defined: The Future of Freedom" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Texas Hall. A question-and-answer session and a book signing will follow the lecture.

Since his retirement from Congress, Paul has continued to work for limited constitutional government through organizations he founded, including the Foundation for Rational Economics and Education (FREE), Campaign for Liberty, and the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity. Paul is the author of several best-selling books, including the recently released Swords Into Plowshares.

Political strategist and commentator Donna Brazile will discuss "Politics and Beyond" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Texas Hall. A question-and-answer session will follow the lecture.

Brazile is an adjunct professor, author, syndicated columnist, and vice chair of voter registration and participation at the Democratic National Committee. Her work as campaign manager for Al Gore made her the first African-American woman to manage a presidential campaign. Her many accolades include the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s highest award for political achievement.

General admission is free, but tickets are required. Preferred ticket packages are available and include reserved seating, parking, and more. For all these ticket options, go to utatickets.com.

For VIP packages, contact Mark LaVelle at mlavelle@uta.edu or 2-5235.

Warm thoughts and feet Santa helpers at UTA's Veterans Upward Bound say gathering donations of socks for homeless veterans was a great holiday treat for them. They delivered the gifts to Liberty House in Fort Worth. Watch the video.

Entrance to Davis Hall basement closed Saturday afternoon

The sliding glass door at the main entrance of the Davis Hall basement will be replaced Saturday, Jan. 16. The entrance will be unavailable 1-5 p.m.

The first floor entrance from the Texas Hall courtyard will not be affected.

For questions, call Jeff Johnson at 817-798-8456.

Info session on Strategic Research Appointments changed to Friday

An information session on the Strategic Research Appointments for Faculty program is at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, in Room 327 of Davis Hall.

The new program enables faculty members to conduct research at other institutions and develop research collaborations.

Read more about Strategic Research Appointments for Faculty.

Sign up for a table at Activity Fair Day

University departments, programs, and student organizations are encouraged to host an information table at the spring Activity Fair Day on Wednesday, Jan. 27, in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Register online by Monday, Jan. 25.

Events celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

UT Arlington will pay tribute this month to Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate those who have shared the late civil rights leader’s dream of equality and justice.

The annual Advancing the Dream Awards Banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. The banquet honors recipients of the MLK Living Legend Awards and presents scholarships. Banquet tickets are $45 at utatickets.com.

The MLK Poetry Slam Competition is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. Admission is $20 at utatickets.com. The winner receives $1,000.

"Make it a Day On, Not A Day Off" is the theme for the annual MLK day of service Monday, Jan. 18. Gather at 9 a.m. at Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram St., for breakfast and assignments. For details, contact Toni Kincaid at tkincaid125@gmail.com  or call 817-472-7963.

See more MLK Day events at arlingtonmlk.com.

Help students with their first year success

MAVS 1000 is recruiting dynamic faculty and staff with a passion for helping first-year students succeed for the fall 2016 semester.

Informational sessions are 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3; noon Thursday, Feb. 4; and 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5. All are in Room B170F in the E.H. Hereford University Center. The application deadline is March 11.

For more details, visit the First-Year Experience website, or email Molly Albart at molly@uta.edu.

Be aware of tax-related phishing attacks or social engineering

Tax season is in full swing, so expect to see related phishing emails and attempts to lure you into inadvertently installing computer viruses.

Use caution when clicking Web or email links or opening attachments related to tax returns. The IRS does not initiate any contact with taxpayers by email, text, or social media.

Many of the messages will have an urgent tone in the subject line and contents. Examples of subject lines from last year:

• Final reminder: Tax Refund Notification
• Your 2013 - IRS Tax Refund Payment
• Your IRS tax bank transfer is not approved.
• Income Tax Refund REJECTED

If you receive an email that appears suspicious, send it to the Information Security Office at security@uta.edu. Do not click on the links or open attachments.

Always be cautious about providing your personal information over the phone, especially to individuals who initiate the call. In such cases, always offer to hang up, verify the nature of call, and to call them back at a number they provide. Seek out the organization's official number and contact them directly. If you suspect attempted fraud or fall victim to a scam, contact your local law enforcement.

Mileage reimbursement rate changed

The standard mileage reimbursement rate for travel Jan. 1 and after will decrease from 57.5 cents per mile to 54 cents per mile. This rate is consistent with the Internal Revenue Service’s standard mileage rate.

The rate of reimbursement is affected by the travel date, not the reimbursement date.

For assistance with mileage reimbursement, or any other travel-related question, call Travel Services at 2-2194.

NetIDplus required for UTShare log in

The UT System now requires the use of NetIDplus for every UTShare log in off-campus. This requirement is a continuation of the UT System two-factor authentication mandate.

Help sessions are set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 11-12, in Room 123 of Hammond Hall.

Enroll in NetIDplus early if you regularly access UT Share. NetIDplus is now required for all VPN access.

Self-enroll in NetIDplus at any time using the enrollment site. User guides for how to enroll, managing devices, and more are on the NetIDplus website. The enrollment process requires the use of a computer and an authentication device, such as a cell phone, landline, or tablet.

For more information, visit the NetIDplus website and two-factor authentication site or contact Help Desk at helpdesk@uta.edu and 2-2208.

Know the rules about political activities

As another election year begins, please remember public employees are prohibited from engaging in political activity during work hours or using any UTA resources—including office email, equipment, or their position at UTA—for the purposes of supporting a candidate or issue.

See the UT System's memo on employee political activity.

Tuesday, Jan. 12

ProCard Register online. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education Building. Business Affairs.

Dealing with Difficult Employees and People Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Wednesday, Jan. 13

Position and Workforce Management Register online. 8:30-10:30 a.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education Building. Business Affairs.

Thursday, Jan. 14

Managing Department Funds Register online. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education Building. Business Affairs.

Friday, Jan. 15

Writing Effective Emails Register online. 10 a.m.-noon, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

Join fellow Mavs at UTA Day at the Rodeo Experience Fort Worth's Western heritage at UTA Day at the Rodeo on Sunday, Jan. 24. The whole family will enjoy the day at the 120th Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations, The day includes a barbecue lunch, with vegetarian and gluten-free options, and a University update by President Vistasp Karbhari. Lunch is at noon in the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth. The rodeo starts at 2 p.m. inside the Will Rogers Coliseum. Come early to partake of all livestock events, educational programs, commercial exhibits, and the midway. Tickets are $25 each. Parking is $10 per car, cash only.

Friday, Jan. 15

Martin Luther King Jr. 'Advancing the Dream' Banquet Awards, scholarship presentation, entertainment, and more. Tickets $45. 6 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Friends of the Library Editor Michael Duty, Deep in the Art of Texas. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Friends of the Library.

Saturday, Jan. 16

MLK Poetry Slam Competition Tickets $20. 7 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Thursday, Jan. 21

Basketball Double Header Mavericks vs. Arkansas State. National Hugging Day going for Guinness World Record, Blue Out. Knit caps for first 150 students, and UTA Koozies for first 250 fans. Meet the 2016 Maverick baseball team. Tickets $7-20 general public, $3 students. Maverick women's game 5 p.m., men's game 7:15 p.m., College Park Center. Athletics.

Saturday, Jan. 23

Basketball Double Header Mavericks vs. Arkansas-Little Rock. Carnival Day, Blaze's Kids Club Day. Meet the 2016 Maverick softball team. Tickets $7-20 general public, $3 students. Maverick women's game 5 p.m., men's game 7:15 p.m., College Park Center. Athletics.

Women's Tennis Mavericks vs. Tarleton State. Free. 10 a.m., UTA Tennis Center. Athletics.

Ongoing

Special Collections: Ringside: Memories of WCC Wrestling 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Jan. 16. UTA Libraries Special Collections.

Planetarium See the schedule. Planetarium at UTA.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)