UT Arlington Staff Advisory Council

01/03/2022

The University of Texas at Arlington is requiring that all faculty, staff and students complete an initial round of mandatory COVID-19 testing as we begin the Spring 2022 academic semester. We request all members of our community complete this testing requirement prior to your arrival on campus for work, class or move-in however we are affording a window through February 4th, 2022 to satisfy this required testing. The portal will remain open an additional two days for you to upload your result should you take your test off campus. This must be a test administered no earlier than today's date to satisfy this requirement.

UTA is requiring all students, faculty and staff to participate in the COVID-19 testing program, regardless of vaccination status or prior compliance with our testing requirements. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, you may forego this testing requirement by uploading a copy of your positive test result into the health portal.

If you are FULLY online with no intention of physically coming to campus this fall you may ignore this notice as the requirement does not apply to you.

UTA has several on-campus testing options available. Results from off-campus tests will be accepted, but you must upload them into the portal accessible in your MyMav health portal.

If you completed your testing requirement at an on-campus location, those results may have not yet been uploaded into our database as that process does take a few days. You may disregard this message.

For more information and updates, visit UTA's COVID-19 Information website.

08/13/2021

Required COVID-19 testing – regardless of vaccination status

Read the Full letter here: https://www.uta.edu/enews/email/2021/08-13-president-employees-new-precautions.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=MavWire%20Extra_2021-08-13&utm_campaign=MavWire%20Extra

UTA announced Friday that it is implementing new health and safety measures to help reduce the spread of COVID 19 in our community. Read the full message here.
Regardless of vaccination status, all employees coming to campus in any capacity for the fall 2021 semester must provide a viral test (antigen test or nucleic acid amplification test such as a PCR) by Sept. 8, 2021. Similarly, these testing protocols apply to all students living on or coming to campus in any capacity.
UTA has a number of on-campus testing options that meet the required criteria and are free. In addition, the results from our on-campus options will be automatically reported to UTA with no further action required on your part. Results from off-campus testing sites will be accepted, though you will not be reimbursed for costs.
You will be able to upload and submit your COVID 19 test results from off-campus testing sites to a digital portal that will be made available to campus in the coming days. Please continue to monitor your UTA email and the UTA COVID 19 Information website for updates. Employees already working on campus may submit their results as soon as the portal becomes available, but no later than Sept. 8. Negative results from tests conducted more than 72 hours before the portal is made available will not be accepted.
For more information, read the full message.

07/19/2021

Staff Listening Session
Tune in to a repeat of the Staff Listening Session about the return to campus and the COVID 19 Academic Year 2021 22 Campus Operation Plan.

On July 15, 2021, UTA leadership hosted a listening session for faculty to hear and ask questions about the University's plans for the upcoming academic year, outlined in the COVID-19 Academic Year 21-22 Campus Operation Plan.

07/19/2021

Virtual Benefits Fair on Tuesday
Learn more details about your options at UTA's virtual Benefits Fair (https://www.uta.edu/hr/benefits-fair/index.php?utm_medium=email&utm_source=MavWire_2021-07-19&utm_campaign=MavWire) 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 20. Benefit vendors will provide valuable information and hold drawings for prizes. Click on the link to find the agenda, info on insurance, wellness, and retirement, as well as the Benefit Focus app and the prize drawing.

Eligible employees will be able to make changes through Saturday, July 31, during Benefits Annual Enrollment for 2021 22. Manage your benefits and find this year's enrollment highlights (in print and video), the Enrollment and Resource Guide, and the virtual enrollment page at the UT System Annual Enrollment website (https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/insurance/annual-enrollment).

06/29/2021

Join us for the 2021 Staff Conference. This year we are focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Register here: https://www.uta.edu/sac/staff-conference.php

06/23/2021

Listening sessions
Learn more about plans for the 2021-22 academic year and the planned return to campus at the Staff Listening Session at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, and the Faculty Listening Session at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 15. Both are in Teams.

Staff Listening Session 2pm link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_MTI5ZDQwODAtNDAyNi00MTA2LWIzOGYtYTVlMjNiNDA4MTRl%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%25225cdc5b43-d7be-4caa-8173-729e3b0a62d9%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25223ea59978-1b3b-4127-89c8-ae5acf0c5ab4%2522%252c%2522IsBroadcastMeeting%2522%253atrue%257d%26btype%3Da%26role%3Da%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=7c6b8874-5344-4371-ab63-2142da434a77&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true
Faculty Listening Session 3pm link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_MWZhNGMyNDUtYmMyNi00NjUzLTlmMDEtMTYzOGViYmM1NmU5%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%25225cdc5b43-d7be-4caa-8173-729e3b0a62d9%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522a9ccd9c7-42c5-4e3e-a434-b3de6af162cc%2522%252c%2522IsBroadcastMeeting%2522%253atrue%257d%26btype%3Da%26role%3Da%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=2ae726fa-acff-40fc-b66f-fd046c7281ea&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true

06/15/2021

Mission Arlington School Supply List
Starting school with the basic essentials such as paper, pencils, rulers and more is important to the success of students. Below are the basic start-up school supplies required by the Arlington Independent School District. Please help the youth of our community receive a head start.

• Back packs
• Binders – 3 ring
• Colored pencils – 12 count
• Composition books – black marble
• Construction paper – 9”x12”
• Crayons – 24 count
• Erasers – pencil top
• Eraser – pink
• Folders with brads and pockets
• Glue – white bottles (4 and 8 oz)
• Glue sticks
• Highlighters
• Markers – Washable 8 count
• Manilla paper – 9”x12”
• Notebook paper – wide ruled
• Notebook Dividers
• Pencils - #2
• Pencil bags
• Pencil boxes
• Pens – red, black and blue
• Protractors – 6”
• Rulers
• Scissors
• Spiral Notebooks
Drop-off Locations
Chemistry and Biochemistry office-CPB 130
Pickard Hall 6th floor receptionist desk
Engineering Research Building- ERB 226
Carlisle Hall-203C

06/11/2021

Creative Escapes
4 pm - 5 pm, June 16, 2021

Join Us!
Creative Escapes
Session 1
Wednesday, June 16, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Presenters:
Dr. Nila Veerabathina, Department of Physics, College of Science
Title: Celestial Beauty: Spot and Shoot

Dr. Ramon Lopez, Department of Physics, College of Science
Title: Electric Space

Upcoming Session Dates and Topics:
June 30: Psychology of Marketing
July 14: Music, Trauma, and Quality of Life
July 28: The Uniqueness of Our Brain
August 11: Forensic Science Fact and Fiction
All sessions are from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in Microsoft Teams Live
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
RSVP below and a link to join the session in Microsoft Teams will be emailed.

Register Here:
https://utaedu.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=J3rge92c9Vk%3D

06/07/2021

Couple of announcements to make everyone aware of:

New schedule for campus deliveries, pickups
Beginning July 1, Property Management will move to a new schedule for all mail deliveries, outgoing mail pickups, and work order requests.

President's Forum recording available
The Staff Advisory Council on May 25 hosted the President's Forum with guests Teik C. Lim, interim president; Jewel Washington, chief human resources officer; and Bryan Samuel, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion.
A recording of the forum is now available.

Active parking permit needed before returning to campus
As the phased return to campus outlined in the UTA COVID 19 Summer 2021 Campus Operation Plan takes effect, employees should check the status of their parking permits.
Employees who canceled their parking permits or no longer have active parking permits should purchase a new, prorated permit. Hourly, daily, and monthly permit durations are available. All long-term permits expire on August 20.
Fall 2021 permits will go on sale no later than August 1.

05/20/2021

May 20, 2021
Dear UTA students and employees,
We would like to update the UTA campus community on the new executive order from Gov. Abbott that prohibits government entities from mandating face coverings. Beginning Friday, May 21, UTA will no longer mandate the wearing of masks on campus. This action comes on the heels of the CDC’s updated guidance that masks are optional for those who are fully vaccinated.
While these developments indicate we are making progress during this pandemic, we also recognize the discomfort some in the Maverick community may feel with the end of the mask requirement. That’s why the University continues to strongly encourage and recommend that Mavericks wear masks, particularly when inside campus buildings. We will also continue to promote our other health and safety protocols and recommendations, including:
• COVID-19 Vaccines: UTA students and employees are encouraged to participate in COVID-19 vaccinations. The University has established partnerships to provide access, free of charge, to the vaccine on campus and throughout the metroplex. Please visit the UTA COVID-19 Vaccination Information and Resources page to access registration links and information for vaccine opportunities.
• Testing for COVID-19: UTA encourages all Mavericks to be tested frequently to help curb asymptomatic spread in our community. Information about testing options available to you are continually updated on our website.
• Social Distancing: UTA strongly encourages social distancing when feasible to provide the healthiest possible environment.
• Daily Self-Monitoring: The UTA mobile app provides a convenient, confidential tool to assist with conducting a daily self-assessment for COVID-19 symptoms. You can download the daily self-monitoring checklist for easy access. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please remain or return home.
Thank you for your continued diligence in contributing to safety protocols and your flexibility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We strongly encourage you to consider getting vaccinated if you have not already and continue to follow UTA’s Coronavirus Information website for updated information.

Sincerely,
John Hall
Vice President for Administration and Campus Operations
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Executive Task Force
Lisa Nagy
Vice President for Student Affairs
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Executive Task Force

05/07/2021

Welcome to SAC Slimdown 2021

This year the Slimdown will begin Monday May 17th and will run until July 30th. Please go to link and register yourself or a team (up to 6 individuals)
https://utaedu.questionpro.com/t/AQpQKZmVPj

You and everyone on your team will need to complete the Release & Indemnification Agreement form.

Please email Margie ([email protected]) your beginning weight on Thursday May 13th or Friday May 14thth.

I will create a SlimDown Team and add all SlimDown participants. All information and challenges will be posted to the SlimDown Team.

Any questions please contact Margie at [email protected].

Let’s try and lose the COVID-19 weight.

05/05/2021

UTA has established a partnership with OptumServe to provide all interested employees and students access to COVID 19 vaccines at a convenient on-campus location and free of charge.

This newest opportunity and the previously announced Texas Health vaccine opportunity are for the first dose of the COVID 19 vaccine only. Participants will be given instructions on scheduling their second dose at their first-dose appointment.

UTA students and employees are strongly encouraged to participate in COVID 19 vaccinations if they are able. Each opportunity and what it offers is outlined below. Please visit the UTA COVID 19 Vaccination Information and Resources page to access registration links and instructions for both vaccine opportunities.

OptumServe
Effective May 5, OptumServe, powered by a partnership between Tarrant County and the University of North Texas Health Science Center, will be operating a COVID 19 vaccination site from UTA’s Physical Education Building at 801 Greek Row Dr. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until the end of June.

This site is open to the public and operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. During its first weeks of operations, OptumServe will be administering the Pfizer vaccine.

This site is available for appointments and walk-ins. The hour of 4-5 p.m. each day will be dedicated to walk-ins, though you can also show up at any time. If you arrive for a walk-in visit and they are fully booked, you will be scheduled for the next day.
Parking for all visitors is available in Lot 30 adjacent to the Physical Education Building.

Texas Health
As previously announced, Texas Health is offering priority access for UTA employees and students at six Texas Health Community Clinics around the DFW Metroplex. Texas Health is administering the Pfizer vaccine. With UTA’s priority access, you will be able to schedule your appointment for as soon as 48 hours from the time you register.

Priority access with Texas Health is offered only to UTA employees and students and cannot be forwarded or transferred.
Visit UTA’s COVID 19 Vaccination Information and Resources page to access registration links and detailed instructions for both OptumServe and Texas Health.

UTA has established partnerships with Texas Health and OptumServe to provide access, free of charge, to COVID-19 vaccines for all interested employees and students. UTA students and employees are strongly encouraged to participate in COVID-19 vaccinations if they are able.