UTA’S E‑NEWSLETTER FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

UTA MavWire

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Total solar eclipse, April 8, 2024, UTA, Sponsored in Part by Whataburger

Solar-bration at UTA

Visit the Solar-bration webpage to find answers to your questions about UTA’s plans for the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Register as a Solar-bration Volunteer to help distribute glasses and answer questions on the day of the event.

Drone image of a UTA Parking lot

Expect traffic, parking delays for solar eclipse

On Monday, April 8, your usual parking lot will likely fill to capacity earlier than normal. With a parking permit, you will be allowed to park in other areas of campus that your permit normally doesn’t provide access to. The lots that are closest to the viewing areas are expected to fill by 11 a.m., with the possibility of the reduced-rate and remote lots along Greek Row to remain available throughout the day. Spaniolo Drive will be closed from 1st Street to 3rd Street from 6 a.m. to 4.pm. Expect delays and detours. Navigate to the FAQ section at the bottom of the Solar-bration website for details on parking and traffic conditions.

Left: Sun by ESA's PROBA2 satellite, Right: Photo during 2017 eclipse, Photo S.R. Cranmer and A.R. Winebarge

An hour pause on non-essential activities

As announced by President Cowley, UTA will cancel classes and labs and pause non-essential University services from 1-2 p.m. on Monday, April 8 so that students, faculty, and staff can gather to witness the eclipse. As stated in an email from the Office of the Provost and the Office of Talent, Culture, and Engagement, staff members should work with their supervisors for approval to attend the Solar-bration activities. If your manager approves your request to attend, there is no need to submit the time in TCP. 

UTA Planetarium Eclipse Glasses

Eclipse glasses

One pair of eclipse glasses per person will be available for the UTA campus community the week prior to the eclipse. Glasses can be picked up at the information desks in the University Center and the Commons April 2-5, while supplies last. There will also be glasses available at the viewing locations on the day of the eclipse, while supplies last.

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If you wish to guarantee that you will have glasses, or you need more than one pair, you may purchase them in advance for $4 each from the UTA Planetarium online or at the Planetarium between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week and next week.

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The UTA Planetarium offers eclipse glasses for UTA departments at a discounted rate. The glasses are $2.50 each with a minimum order of 25 and a maximum order of 500. To submit an order, email planetarium@uta.edu and provide a cost center.

Blaze, UTA's mascot, wears eclipse glasses and points up at the sun

Eclipse safety tips

When looking at the sun before or after the short period of totality, make sure to use proper protection so that you don’t blaze your eyes. Watch this video for eye safety tips from McKenna Dowd, UTA planetarium program coordinator.

Map of Eclipse Viewing Locations

Where to watch the eclipse

Prime eclipse viewing locations include: UTA Planetarium Mall, Brazos Park, University Center Mall, Library Mall, and Spaniolo Drive/College Park Center. Click here for a map of viewing locations.

UTA Planetarium

Eclipse planetarium show

Join the UTA Planetarium for a special eclipse-themed planetarium show on Sunday, April 7, 1-2 p.m.

Total solar eclipse, April 8, 2024, Arlington, TX, UTA Libraries Special Collections

Pre-eclipse celebration

Join the UTA History Department and UTA Libraries Special Collections on Monday, April 8 for a pre-eclipse celebration on the sixth floor of the Central Library. Starting at 9 a.m., students will give poster presentations, and at at 10:30 a.m., there will be a special presentation, "A Total Eclipse of the Heart: How solar eclipses struck fear and wonder in the hearts of people for thousands of years," by Clifford Cunningham, research fellow at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.

Eclipse concert

Evening concert

Join the UTA Planetarium and College of Science for an evening of music, atmosphere, food, activities, and fun! Register your departments or organizations to host an activity at the Eclipse Concert, which will take place on Saturday, April 6, from 6-9 p.m. at Brazos Park. Registration closes Saturday, March 30.

UTA Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Join UTA to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with events held on campus and virtually throughout April. The Intercultural Student Engagement Center celebrates in April intentionally to allow students to enjoy events with their peers before leaving for the summer. The first Asian Pacific American Heritage month event of the year will be One Night in Asia, set for Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the University Center. It will be an opportunity for student organizations to showcase their skills, talents, and culture with the larger University community.

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Trinity Hall at UTA

Student Service Learning Showcase

Individual students and student teams from across disciplines will present service learning projects to faculty, administration, staff, nonprofit partners, and alumni at the annual Student Service Learning Showcase tomorrow, Friday, March 29, 8-10:30 a.m. in Room 104 of Trinity Hall.

National Public Health Week April 1-5, 2024

National Public Health Week

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation has activities planned for National Public Health Week (April 1-5), including a discussion on time management, a public health career and internship fair, a research roundtable, a mental health edition of Family Feud, and more.

I-Week April 1-5, UTA Department of Global Engagement

International Week

International Week (I-Week) will be April 1-5. This year will mark the 47th I-Week in UTA history! Get a taste of the world during the International Food Fair, play and learn about games from around the world during International Game Night, and finish up the week by dancing the night away at the International Gala Night. Learn more by visiting go.uta.edu/i-week.

UTA Belonging and Engagement, International Employee Network, Image of a globe

Global Gathering

The International Employee Network invites you to Global Gathering: Empowering International Employees, on Thursday, April 4, 3:30-5 p.m. in Room 104 of Trinity Hall. All employees are welcome.

John Mather

Astrophysicist to discuss James Webb Space Telescope

The College of Science Distinguished Speaker Colloquium will feature John Mather, senior astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics. Join the discussion on Tuesday, April 9, from 4-5 p.m. in Room 298 of the Science and Engineering Innovation and Research Building.

Button that will appear in your teams window that will allow your to try the new Teams before the update on Friday

New version of Microsoft Teams

Microsoft is moving all UTA Teams users to a new version of Teams at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 29. When you log in to your device after March 29, restart Teams. You can see more details on the Office of Information Technology website.

Spring Forward, learn more at go.uta.edu/wellness

Spring fitness challenge

The UT System Spring Fitness Challenge is coming soon! The UT Living Well "Spring Forward" Team Challenge will last from Monday, April 1, through Sunday, May 5. Stay tuned for details on how to sign up and join this year’s Wellness challenge. For more information, visit go.uta.edu/wellness.

 

Coming Up

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

Softball vs. Southern Utah

MONDAY, APRIL 1

Double Bass Studio Recital

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

TinkerCAD Workshop: Intro to 3D Modeling

UTA Fort Worth Virtual Information Session

See more at events.uta.edu,

webapp.uta.edu/hr-training, and

uta.edu/business-affairs/training.

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