MavWire
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Bryan Samuels

Samuel named new VP

Bryan Samuel will join UTA in early May as the inaugural vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

He will head the new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which will act as an administrative, intellectual, and community-oriented hub.

Dr. Samuel was selected after a competitive, comprehensive national search that included an opportunity for him to engage with our campus and share his vision for pursuing inclusivity and excellence at UTA.

RAPID self-driving shuttle

UTA partners with city on self-driving shuttle

Officials from UTA and the city of Arlington were among the first to ride in a unique, on-demand, self-driving shuttle service known as RAPID, which will provide free rides to UTA students for the next year.

The city is operating RAPID (Rideshare, Automation, and Payment Integration Demonstration) in partnership with the University, Via Rideshare, and May Mobility, a leader in autonomous technology and fleet services, through a grant provided by the Federal Transit Administration.

Watch the city's RAPID video.

Summer and fall semester plans

In anticipation of an improving situation, UTA is planning for the summer 2021 semester to begin with classes mostly online and the resumption of some events on campus.

Looking further ahead, we are optimistic about returning to more regular operations in fall 2021.

Read more about the plans for the summer and fall semesters.

All adults eligible for COVID vaccine starting Monday

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that all adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas beginning Monday, March 29. UTA students and employees are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated.

The University's COVID-19 Vaccination Information and Resources page can help you monitor public health websites for appointment availability.

Free COVID-19 tests for employees are available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 435 Spaniolo Drive in the College Park District. Make an appointment.

Maverick Speakers Series: Vivek Wadhwa, March 25

Don't miss Thursday's free virtual Maverick Speakers Series event

Sign up for a reminder to watch the free virtual Maverick Speakers Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25. The talk will be livestreamed at uta.edu/maverickspeakers and is free to watch.

Vivek Wadhwa, technology entrepreneur and bestselling author, will speak on “Navigating Technological Change at Light Speed." His latest book, Your Happiness Was Hacked: Why Tech is Winning the Battle to Control Your Brain—and How to Fight Back, was published in 2018.

Maverick Moguls

From selling delicious baked goods to launching kids to STEM success, good business ideas are easy to find in the Maverick community. The Maverick Entrepreneur Program and Award Fund provides them a boost.

Accessibility insight

Ron Lucey, executive director of the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities, speaks on his experiences with accessibility and design at noon Friday, March 26, on Teams.

Grad Finale at UTA Bookstore

Grad Finale runs through Thursday, March 25, at the UTA Bookstores for all your graduation needs, including regalia, the official UTA class rings, graduation announcements, and invitations.

Avoid unemployment fraud

Over the last several months, the Office of Human Resources has worked on a number of fraudulently filed unemployment claims.

To help UTA employees avoid their name and Social Security number from being used to file for unemployment benefits in any state, the Office of Human Resources recommends watching out for a major warning sign and a subsequent course of action:

  • Remain vigilant and open all mail from unemployment agencies regardless of the state. If you have not attempted to file for unemployment, do not disregard mail from an unemployment agency as unimportant or a mistake. This mail could be a sign that someone is attempting to use your identity.
  • If you receive a notice regarding unemployment, contact Mary Schmenk in the Office of Human Resources at mary.schmenk@uta.edu or 817-272-9680.

Read more about the flood of fraudulently filed unemployment claims perpetrated by transnational and domestic actors across the U.S. that has sparked an investigation by the Department of Justice.

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