UTA'S E-NEWSLETTER FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

MONDAY, NOV. 10, 2025

🐴🔥 The first official Homecoming week was held in 1953. Back then you could find traditions like a bonfire using 185,000 pounds of wood.

Today's MavWire is 1,159 words, a four-minute read.

UTA Traditions

Off to a wonderful Homecoming week

Windows painted on campus for Homecoming

Homecoming week is officially underway. Today's spirited festivities kicked off with the annual Paint My Ride tradition and the Homecoming Golf Tournament.

Why it matters: Homecoming brings together faculty, staff, and alumni to celebrate everything that makes UTA special—from long-standing traditions to new events that remind us there’s no place like Homecoming.

Getting involved: There’s still plenty to join in on, including the following events coming later in the week:

Homecoming Chili Cook-Off: Think you can handle the heat? Head to the University Center and witness teams of faculty, staff, and alumni competing to be crowned cook-off champions.
Homecoming 5K: You still have time to join your colleagues for the scenic race supporting the UTA Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps students facing financial hardship from sudden emergencies cover essentials.
NPHC Homecoming Step Show: UTA's Divine Nine (D9) chapters are bringing the heat with the theme "Ease on Down the Culture: Embracing Fashion, Music, and Historical Movements.

Don't forget to get tickets to the men’s and women’s Homecoming basketball games now before they sell out.

University News

Spring 2026 graduation change

Graduates standing at the 2025 spring commencement ceremony.

A scheduling conflict at Globe Life Field means our intended date for spring 2026 commencement ceremonies is no longer available.

Why it matters: After consulting with leaders across campus for possible alternatives, the Office of the Provost and Student Affairs, determined that Sunday, May 3, 2026, is the best option for UTA to host commencement at Globe Life Field.

This date will present challenges as it occurs during final exams and is prior to course completion for many of the students who will participate in commencement.

Zoom in: Our partners at Globe Life Field recently informed us that our intended date for the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies is no longer available due to baseball games scheduled for the Texas Rangers.

Student Affairs looks forward to working with you to minimize these challenges, adapt plans as needed, and clearly communicate to students the requirement to complete final exams and assignments due following commencement.

What’s next: Please reach out to Dr. David Eberhardt with any questions about this change and any assistance you may need. The Office of the Provost and Student Affairs is notifying Commencement Coordinators for each college and will work with them to ensure additional information is shared in the weeks and months ahead.

Campus Updates

Get to know your workers' compensation procedures

Stock image of the exterior of an emergency room

UTA Environmental Health and Safety would like to remind employees of the process to follow if they experience a work-related injury or occupational illness during the course and scope of employment.

Why it matters: If a workplace injury or illness occurs, it is important to follow the proper procedural steps to receive compensation and ensure legal compliance.

Going deeper: If an employee experiences a work-related injury or occupational illness, they should follow these steps to make sure they are compliant:

Immediately notify your direct supervisor of the incident. If your supervisor is unavailable, inform the next available supervisor.
Complete required forms; both the employee and supervisor must fill out the necessary workers’ compensation documentation.
Submit forms within 24 hours of the initial injury notification to workerscompensation@uta.edu.

Important information: Employees must use a provider within the Med-Select Network, managed by the Injury Management Organization. Approved local providers in the metroplex include:

CareNow
Concentra
Fit Temple 365
Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care

In the case of an emergency, employees are urged to seek treatment at the nearest emergency facility. For prescriptions, use RxBridge First Fill for medications prescribed during treatment. Your treatment is covered at no cost when using approved network providers.

For more information visit the official UTA Workers’ Compensation website.

Employee Training

Maverick hands don't haze

This fall, UTA students were required to complete a hazing awareness and prevention course. Now, faculty and staff have their own training course available for enrollment.

Why it matters: Hazing endangers the well-being of individuals and undermines our campus community values of trust, respect, and belonging. When faculty and staff are informed, they are empowered to recognize, report, and stop hazing.

Going deeper: Online prevention training is a vital tool in the effort to prevent hazing. This course will provide you with UTA-specific policy information, explain reporting processes, outline Texas and federal hazing statutes, and provide you with the tools to recognize hazing and how to support and refer students to appropriate resources.

To enroll, please visit the Hazing Awareness and Prevention Training Course enrollment page.

Campus Updates

Updated Low-Speed Vehicle Route enhances campus travel

Photo of a UTA-branded golf cart on campus.

An updated Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) Travel Route was published to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents across campus.

Why it matters: Incidents involving LSVs have highlighted the importance of adhering to safe driving practices. The route provides guidance for travel around campus and reduces conflicts with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.

Going deeper: Employees who operate LSVs are encouraged to review the updated map and become familiar with recommended travel paths. Remember these rules when operating LSVs:

You must use the designated travel route when operating on campus.
You may only cross Cooper Street at the designated locations identified on the updated map.
Speed limits, stop signs, and right-of-way rules must always be followed.
Pedestrian bridges and sidewalks are strictly off-limits to LSV traffic.

For more information, contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office.

Mav Bites

❤️ Help restock the Maverick Food Pantry with the Fill the Pantry, Fill the Heart food drive. No Maverick should worry about putting food on the table and by donating the most needed items, we can assist our UTA community. Donate today through Saturday, Nov. 15.

🏅 The Office of Talent, Culture, and Engagement is launching MavPossible, an interactive 30-day challenge that takes you across campus and brings UTA’s shared values to life. Registration is required. Monday, Nov. 17 to Monday, Dec. 15

🗣 Join the Process Improvement Community for "From Frustration to Dialogue: Talking About Process Improvements." This session introduces strategies that help employees engage in constructive conversations about process challenges. Thursday, Nov. 20.

👩‍🎓 The Scholarships Office will begin accepting forms for the spring 2026 Employee Tuition Affordability Program Monday, Nov. 17. The deadline for spring 2026 regular session is Monday, Dec. 22. Refer to the website for additional information.

👨‍🔬 Research Integrity: Meeting Compliance Requirements for Regulated Research Activities presents an overview of federal regulations and procedures for conduct of regulated research activities, including human subject, animal, and recombinant DNA research. This workshop is open to all faculty and staff. RSVP is required for in-person attendance. Friday, Nov. 21.

🧪 The Office of Research and Innovation is excited to announce that the Research Enhancement Program (REP) is now open for 26-27 REP Proposals. Take this opportunity to collect data and develop proposals for future extramural funding. The submission deadline is Friday, Dec. 5.