UTA’S E‑NEWSLETTER FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2023

The College Tour

UTA’s episode of The College Tour will stream on Amazon Prime beginning in February 2024, but you can get a sneak peek at some of the episode’s segments on UTA’s website. Top-notch students take you on a tour of UTA, highlighting our unique traditions, incredible learning opportunities, extracurriculars, and much more.

Out-of-this-world opportunities

Jorge Levario came to UTA for its world-class engineering department and its reputation for academic excellence. UTA’s College Work Experience Program helped Levario land his first internship with Lockheed Martin, which led to internships with NASA and SpaceX. Let Levario tell you how UTA has helped him achieve his lifelong dreams.

Finding inspiration while gaining experience

UTA’s Performing Arts Department has allowed Niamh O'Neal to gain real-world industry experience on local film sets while also learning from UTA professors and participating in extracurricular activities such as Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company. Learn how the University has positioned O'Neal perfectly for the next steps in her career.

The need for speed

Charles Graham, a senior majoring in industrial engineering, is the chief engineer for UTA’s champion racing team. Each year since 1982, UTA Racing students have designed, built, and raced a car in the international Formula Society of Automotive Engineers series, competing against universities across the globe. Join Graham on a tour of the UTA Racing facilities.

Gift yourself knowledge this holiday season

This holiday season, invest in yourself and enroll in Coursera, a free program offering professional certificates in a range of disciplines from industry experts. Explore courses in digital marketing, data analytics, cybersecurity, UX design, and more.

Rajib in Nature

Adnan Rajib, assistant professor of civil engineering, spoke to Nature about how global flooding disasters have been made worse by the effects of land use and infrastructure. Humans have dammed and diverted two-thirds of the world’s large rivers, drained as much of 87% of global wetlands and degraded 75% of Earth’s land area. “We need to let nature play its original function,” Rajib told the journal. “Water doesn’t have anywhere to go.”

Electrical shutdowns December 26-December 29

Electrical outage scheduled to complete upgrades

The Office of Facilities Management is planning electrical upgrades that will require electrical shutdowns for buildings and areas across campus. Electrical shutdowns affecting the following buildings will start at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, and will remain continuous until sometime on Friday, Dec. 29.

Brazos Pavilion
College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs
College Hall
College of Business
Earth And Environmental Sciences
Engineering Lab
Fine Arts
Health Center
Nanofab
Nedderman Hall
University Center
Woolf Hall

Building generators will support limited electrical needs for research, building security, remote locking, and networking. To prevent data loss, keep computer work saved during this time frame. To prevent damage, turn off all electronic equipment including computers, scanners, and copiers (these devices do not need to be unplugged from their electrical outlets) prior to this outage. Remove all perishable items from the refrigerators and freezers in breakrooms and kitchens and turn off all the ice makers.

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If you have research that needs to be added to the building generators, please either email Jeff Johnson, call his cell phone at 817-798-8456, email Joshua Tanner, or call his cell phone at 682-414-2133.

A mission to serve

After recovering from a combat brain injury, Air Force veteran Lamiea Ezell started a new chapter and earned a master’s degree in special education from UTA. Her experience with her two sons, who are both autistic, inspired her to continue helping others, this time as an advocate for neurodiversity. Watch her story on NBC DFW.

Kiana Lacy shares her education journey

Since she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing 13 years ago, Kiana Lacy has faced multiple personal losses, but she never gave up. Her drive, cheerful outlook, and support system both on and off the UTA campus- allowed Lacy to persist to master’s and doctoral degrees. She crossed the commencement stage for the first time Friday against all odds.

UTA Boulevard Closure

As of 8 a.m. today, Monday, Dec. 18, UTA Boulevard is closed from Cooper Street to Davis Drive for the final phase of the city of Arlington’s water line project. This closure will last through Friday, Dec. 22. There will be a pathway into Timber Brook Apartments, the YWCA Day Care, and West Hall. The city of Arlington is providing the traffic plan, traffic control barricades, and signage for the project.

Payroll Office open Friday, image of person handing a check to another person

Payroll Office to be open Friday

Even though the University will be closed Friday, Dec. 22, the Payroll Office will be open. To pick up your check at the main payroll office, stop by between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Power energy savings by turning off electrical devices

A few actions on your part can help conserve energy on campus during the winter break. The Office of Facilities Management suggests these steps to realize maximum energy savings:

Turn off and unplug electrical devices. Many devices remain in a standby mode or use power even when turned off, including computers, monitors, scanners, printers, copiers, chargers, power supplies, appliances, and other electrical devices. If items are plugged into power strips, simply turn off the power strips.
Lower the heating temperature and turn off air conditioning. Areas controlled directly by an occupant should have the air conditioning and fans turned off. Heating and air conditioning in many campus buildings are controlled by a computerized energy management system that will set these areas to maximize energy conservation during the break.
Turn off all lights when you leave. Parking lot lighting schedules have been adjusted where feasible, taking campus safety and security into consideration.

Holiday transportation schedule

UTA's shuttle bus and late-night escort services will be adjusted during Winter Break. View the holiday transportation schedule.

Rendering of what the pedestrian bridge will look like

Bridges under construction

As of today, both the north and south pedestrian bridges are under construction, with no elevator service available. The South Bridge will reopen Jan. 15, 2024, and the North Bridge will remain closed until March 15, 2024. When the South Bridge reopens, the Office of Facilities Management will be checking the elevators daily to ensure they are functioning properly. The Central Bridge will remain open and available throughout the construction project.

Clean up now to prevent post-holiday surprises

The Office of Facilities Management suggests cleaning break rooms before the winter break.

Wipe down and clean out break rooms or common areas of any food items or candy to keep from attracting insects.
Empty the refrigerator and turn off the ice maker.
Remove all perishable items from the refrigerator and freezer. Check all expiration dates and dispose if expired.
Clean the inside of the refrigerator. Wipe down the drawers, shelves, sides, and floor of the fridge. Dry thoroughly.
Place baking soda, a bowl of dried oats, or a shallow bowl of dry, fresh coffee grounds and crumbled newspaper inside the refrigerator to combat mildew, mold, and bad odor. When you return, remove newspapers and oats/coffee grounds and wipe down the drawers and sides.

Hiring: inSTEM coach

Employees interested in taking on additional duties are encouraged to apply for the Office of Undergraduate Research’s coaching opportunity for UTA scholars in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The deadline to apply for the inSTEM coaching position is Sunday, Dec. 31. For more information, email Kayunta Johnson-Winters.

Climate Action Plan Kickoff, image of globe

UTA Climate Action Plan Kickoff

The Office of Sustainability is initiating its Climate Action Plan, a significant step toward addressing the pressing issues of climate change and sustainability. Organizers will outline goals, strategies, and collaborative efforts to combat climate change at the UTA Climate Action Plan Kickoff, set for Jan. 22, 2024, 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Rio Grande Ballroom of the University Center. RSVP for the event.

Shut off space heaters for winter break

If you have written permission for a space heater in your area, make sure to turn it off and unplug the heater before Winter Break and any time the area is not occupied. For details, see UTA's space heater policy.