HR Highlights
Chancellor Lesa Roe’s next UNT World Town Hall will be held on December 12 at 9 a.m. in Room 109-11 of the MET Building at UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth (address below). This very special Town Hall will not only feature a moderated discussion with Chancellor Roe, but also discussion with all three UNT World presidents – Bob Mong (UNT Dallas), Neal Smatresk (UNT) and Michael Williams (UNTHSC).
UNT World Town Halls are held each quarter to keep you informed and to provide an opportunity to ask the Chancellor and other key UNT System leaders work-related questions.
As always, UNT World faculty and staff from all institutions are welcome to attend the Chancellor’s town halls in-person, pending supervisor approval. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the town hall discussion will be live streamed and archived on the UNT System web site for those that cannot attend in person.
Full details of this open event for UNT World team members are as follows:
- WHAT:Quarterly UNT World Town Hall with Chancellor Lesa Roe
- WHEN:Thursday, December 12 at 9 a.m.
- WHERE:UNT Health Science Center
MET Building, Room 109-111
1000 Montgomery Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107 - CAMPUS MAP:https://www.unthsc.edu/campusmap/
- LIVE STREAM:The Town Hall will be streamed live at www.livestream.com/unthsc under the label “Chancellor’s Town Hall Dec. 2019." The video will also be available on the UNT System web site once the town hall concludes.
Faculty and staff with work-related questions for Chancellor Roe and/or Presidents Mong, Smatresk and Williams, may email those items in advance to communications@untsystem.edu Questions will also be taken on site during the town hall.
WOW!: UNT Dallas' Dr. Monica Williams honored as Women of Wisdom
Dr. Monica Williams, Vice President for Advancement and President & CEO of the UNT Dallas Foundation, last month was honored by Elite News at its Women of Wisdom Sixth Annual Gala. "An accomplished fundraiser and passionate advocate for the underrepresented, Dr. Williams has devoted the majority of her career to social services and the advancement of underserved communities by raising money to support an array of worthy causes," Elite News wrote.
UNT Dallas Holds Criminal Justice Career Expo
A cold, damp day didn't stop more than 1,100 high school and college students from the surrounding area, and even as far away as Brownsville, from attending the Fourth Annual Criminal Justice Career Expo on Friday, Oct. 25. The expo is the largest of its kind in North Texas, and allows for criminal-justice-minded students to engage directly with the men and women who work in the professions they hope to pursue. Students from Dallas ISD, Forney, Ennis, Waxahachie, Red Oak, Cedar Hill and more, plus from Dallas County Community College District and Tarrant County College engaged with representatives from more than 50 local, state and federal criminal justice agencies. For the first time, we able to hold this growing event in Campus Hall at the Student Center.
Check out coverage from Fox 4 news.
UNT Celebrates Opening of New $70-Million College of Visual Arts and Design
The expanded and renovated four-story College of Visual Arts and Design building provides a world-class space for the college’s unique resources and award-winning programs in art education, art history, design and studio arts.
The open concept of the College of Visual Arts and Design’s 238,000-square-foot building inspires creativity and encourages people to stay, sit and collaborate. Sky bridges and wide hallways offer plenty of light and space for pop-up exhibitions. Floor to ceiling windows bring the outdoors inside and reveal the creative work happening in classrooms.
“We’ve worked to design a building that functions around creativity and collaboration,” said Greg Watts, dean of the College of Visual Arts and Design. “We wanted a very porous structure that would encourage everyone from our UNT and Denton communities, and beyond, to be curious. And, in turn, have the opportunity to see what we do – to witness our practice.”
Click here to read more.
UNTHSC GME Coordinator Helps Young Doctors in Residencies
When Aurea Baez-Martinez and her husband arrived in the United States with their daughter in January 2017, they had nothing but each other, a few clothes and a couple of toys for the little girl.
It was a big move for a family that had spent their entire lives in Puerto Rico, but a life-changing opportunity awaited Baez-Martinez at UNT Health Science Center, and she couldn’t pass it up.
Four days after arriving, Baez-Martinez started her new job as a Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator with the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. She now serves as the GME Coordinator at Medical City Weatherford, where she helps young doctors in residencies cope with this phase of their medical education.
Click here to read more.
"The Leadership Challenge" (sixth edition) by Kouzes and Posner
Our first recommendation is "The Leadership Challenge" (sixth edition) by Kouzes and Posner. This should be the first leadership book in any professional’s library. According to Amazon.com, the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership(R)–the model that Jim and Barry derived from studying personal-best leadership experiences–continues to prove its validity as a clear, evidence-based path to achieving the extraordinary for individuals, teams, organizations, and communities. Real-life examples of the behaviors that all leaders at all levels demonstrate when they are at their personal best are provided, and the book clearly shows that leadership is not about personality; it's about an observable and learnable set of skills and abilities. "The Leadership Challenge" turns the abstract concept of leadership into easy-to-grasp actions and behaviors that can be learned by anyone willing to step up and accept the challenge to lead.
Once a month, Organizational Development & Engagement will recommend a book for personal professional development.
(click course titles to register)
Using the ePAR System
Covering ePAR standard functions (hiring, employee changes, transfers, terminations, approving, etc.) and important information regarding budget changes, additional pay items, timely approval, correcting errors, and related EIS functions.
- When: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Where: UNTHSC, CBH-240 - When: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Where: UNT Dallas, DAL 1-201D - When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Where: UNT, WH-313
Diversity and Respect in the Workplace (EAP Webinar)
Cultural disrespect is not an "agree to disagree" situation. Recognizing and respecting individual differences is paramount to working comfortably and effectively in today's workplaces.
- When: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Where: Online
Managing Leave and Attendance
Explore factors to take into account when considering different types of leave and effective approaches to managing employee's overall attendance.
- When: Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Where: UNT Dallas, FH-136
Behavioral Interviewing
Explore how behavioral interview strategies can help identify top talent and improve your hiring. Practice developing great interview questions, identify what to look for in a candidate's answer, and learn the legal guidelines for interviewing.
- When: Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Where: UNT Support and Services Building, SSB - 102
Breaking the Q12 Code:Understanding the Elements of Employee Engagement – Q11 & Q12
Join Campus HR as we describe each of the 12 elements of employee engagement in detail, including the two elements of focus for UNT for FY20 - Q1 and Q8. Each session will be informative, collaborative, and fun!
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Where: UNT Support and Services Building, SSB - 102
Electronic Communications for Supervisors
The Electronic Communications for Supervisors session focuses on how to use electronic communication, such as texting, instant messaging, videoconferencing, social media and email following appropriate and professional etiquette.
- When: Wednesday, November 13, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: UNT, ESSC-152 - When: Friday, November 22, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: UNT Dallas, FH-136
Art of Successful Coaching
Grow your coaching skills. Learn how the right coaching conversation can empower and engage your team. Explore how coaching differs from managing, mentoring or counseling. Practice identifying powerful questions that inspire and catalyze new thinking.
- When: Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: UNT Dallas, FH-306
Developing Positive Relationships
Learn how to unite others around a common mission, value diversity, rise above personal slights, take responsibility, and to cultivate an environment based on trust.
- When: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: UNT, SSB-102
Breaking the Q12 Code:Understanding the Elements of Employee Engagement – Q5 and Q12
Join Campus HR as we describe each of the 12 elements of employee engagement in detail, including the two elements of focus for UNT for FY20 - Q1 and Q8. Each session will be informative, collaborative, and fun!
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Where: UNT, SSB-102
Business Email Etiquette (EAP)
Is my email going to answer the question or fuel the reply in this training, you can expect a candid conversation regarding our electronic presence and our professional presence. It requires thoughtful consideration regarding audience, tone, and content.
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Where: Online
Supervisor Communication Skills
Develop strong communication techniques such as; how to use body language, maintaining assertive communication, responding to feedback, and knowing how to handle emotionally charged conversations.
- When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: UNT, SSB-102
PeopleAdmin Training
The UNT System is upgrading the PeopleAdmin System that is used to post jobs and screen job applicants. Training sessions are available on all campuses. Please reach out to HREmployment@untsystem.edu for more information and keep an eye out further updates.
- When: Monday, Nov.11, 2019 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Where: UNT Dallas, DAL1-222 - When: Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 9:30 AM-11:30 AM
Where: UNTHSC, IREB-230 - When: Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 1:30 PM-3:30 PM
Where: UNTHSC, IREB-230 - When: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: Downtown Dallas System Office, Room 421 - When: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Where: UNT, SSB-102 - When: Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: UNT, SSB-102 - When: Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Where: UNT Dallas, DAL1-222 - When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 9:30 AM-11:30 AM
Where: UNTHSC, IREB-230 - When: Tuesday, Nov.19, 2019 1:30 PM-3:30 PM
Where: UNTHSC, IREB-230 - When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: UNT, SSB-102
If you would like assistance with creating a customized learning plan for your team, please contact the System HR Organizational Development and Engagement (ODE) team at ODE@untsystem.edu
HR Launches New Website to Better Serve All Institutions
We are excited to announce the launch of our new web site for UNT System Human Resources that will better serve all of UNT World.
Now live, fully-functional and available both through the UNT System home page, as well as by directly visiting http://hr.untsystem.edu, the new site is designed to make critical information easier to find. The HR site now features streamlined navigation and includes clickable drop-down menus in the main navigation bar, as well as static link menus on the homepage, to make finding key information and forms related to benefits, careers, employee resources, hiring processes and equity, diversity & inclusion easier than ever.
While a vast upgrade from our previous HR site, please be advised that our web team is still running tests for minor bugs or glitches that sometimes occur when new sites are launched. Should you encounter any errors or missing information, please email untsweb@untsystem.edu. Look for content improvements and additional functionality upgrades in coming weeks, as we continually work to make the user experience better.
Flu Season Is Upon Us
Pharmacy Benefits: If you get your flu shot (or any covered vaccine) at the pharmacy, please use your prescription card OptumRx®. Regular flu vaccines are covered at 100% when employees use in-network retail pharmacies.
For a list of network pharmacies, go to:
- Go to www.HealthSelectRx.com.
- Click on Find a network pharmacy.
- Click on Filters and advanced search.
- Check Vaccines/immunizations from the drop down list.
For more information about flu and the flu vaccine, click Education information at HealthSelectRx.com, and see Flu Awareness & Prevention under Current topics. For additional questions call OptumRx toll free at (855) 828-9834 (TTY: 711).
Network Doctor’s Office or a health clinic: If you get your flu shot (or any covered vaccine) at your doctor’s office or health clinic, use your health plan ID card. This includes a retail health clinic within the pharmacy, such as MinuteClinic at CVS, RediClinic at HEB or one of the health clinics at Walmart.
UNT Dallas Plants Community Garden
On Thursday, Oct. 24, UNT Dallas and St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas officially launched the Community Garden, a joint initiative in which UNT Dallas Urban Agriculture Community Gardening students will plant and maintain garden beds on the property of the St. Vincent Center in Lancaster. Vegetables and herbs grown in the garden will be donated to the adjacent Jan Pruitt Community Pantry, operated by St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas, Catholic Charities Dallas and the North Texas Food Bank.
About two dozen UNT Dallas students under the direction of professor Jerrod Tynes planted broccoli, radishes, spinach, carrots and other vegetables and herbs. As part of their course work, the students will maintain the gardens and then harvest the crops. At Thursday’s launch event, UNT Dallas provost Betty Stewart spoke of the importance of this project will supply fresh vegetables to residence who do not have easy access to whole foods.
"UNT is Out of This World!"
UNT's Homecoming 2019 is this week, with a full slate of activities planned.
Highlights include:
Thursday, Oct. 31, 12:30 PM
- Homecoming Halloween Hullabaloo
Free food, organization fair, and costume party
Library Mall
Friday, Nov. 1, 8:00 PM
- Bonfire
Apogee Stadium North Parking Lot
Saturday, Nov. 2, 9:30 AM
- Parade
Highland Street to Denton Square
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2:30 PM
- Mean Green Football vs. UTEP
Apogee Stadium
For a more detailed list of events, click here.
UNTHSC President Michael Williams and Sen. Jane Nelson Pen Opioid Crisis Op-Ed
"The national opioid epidemic affects every community, including North Texas. The opioid-related overdose death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Staggs in Southlake this summer was a highly publicized reminder.
Fort Worth paramedics respond to about three opioid overdoses every day, and nearly 1,500 Texans died from opioid-related overdoses in 2017."
--excerpt from "Every Texan can play a role in defeating the opioid addiction crisis"
The UNT Health Science Center is preparing future providers in its six schools to innovate solutions to the epidemic, Williams and Nelson write. To read the full column, which appeared Oct. 24 in the Star-Telegram, click here.
Tomorrow, October 31, is the deadline for UNT World faculty and staff to give back through the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC).
Did you know faculty and staff can help North Texas recover from this month's tornado strikes by contributing to the SECC? UNT System Chief Communications Officer Paul Corliss, whose North Dallas neighborhood was in the direct path of the strongest twister's path of destruction, explains how in the short video linked below.
For more than 25 years, State of Texas employees have embraced fellow Texans through the SECC, contributing millions of dollars annually. Last year alone, UNT World team members raised more than $180,000 among UNT, UNT Dallas, UNT Health Science Center and UNT System Administration.
For more information on how you can make a difference through the SECC, please click the appropriate link for your institution below. Together, we can make a difference.
UNT SECC Info - UNT Dallas SECC Info - UNTHSC SECC Info - UNT System Administration SECC Info
(click course titles to register)
Engagement Action Planning
Want to create an engagement action plan with your team but don’t know where to start? Join us in an informative session where we will review a few ways to conduct an engagement conversation with your team and jump-start your plans!
- When: Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: UNT Support and Services Building, SSB - 102
Progressive Discipline
Learn the process to deal with performance and conduct issues when other developmental opportunities fail. Evaluate how to consistently and fairly manage employee behavior and performance. Identify laws and policy requirements affecting discipline.
- When: Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: UNT Dallas, DAL1-212
Using the ePAR System
Covering ePAR standard functions (hiring, employee changes, transfers, terminations, approving, etc.) and important information regarding budget changes, additional pay items, timely approval, correcting errors, and related EIS functions.
- When: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Where: UNTHSC, CBH-240 - When: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Where: UNT Dallas, DAL 1-201D
Managing Leave and Attendance
Explore factors to take into account when considering different types of leave and effective approaches to managing employee's overall attendance.
- When: Monday, Nov. 4, 2019 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: UNT Support and Services Building, SSB - 102 - When: Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Where: UNT Dallas, FH-136
Breaking the Q12 Code: Understanding the Elements of Employee Engagement – Q8
Join Campus HR as we describe each of the 12 elements of employee engagement in detail, including the two elements of focus for UNT for FY20 - Q1 and Q8. Each session will be informative, collaborative, and fun!
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Where: UNT Support and Services Building, SSB - 102
Facilitating Evaluations
This session will outline an effective approach to performance evaluations that will help you use the annual evaluation as a tool to communicate performance expectations and goals, develop competencies, and evaluate performance.
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: UNT Support and Services Building, SSB - 102
Diversity and Respect in the Workplace (EAP Webinar)
Cultural disrespect is not an "agree to disagree" situation. Recognizing and respecting individual differences is paramount to working comfortably and effectively in today's workplaces.
- When: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Where: Online
Behavioral Interviewing
Explore how behavioral interview strategies can help identify top talent and improve your hiring. Practice developing great interview questions, identify what to look for in a candidate's answer, and learn the legal guidelines for interviewing.
- When: Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Where: UNT Support and Services Building, SSB - 102
Breaking the Q12 Code: Understanding the Elements of Employee Engagement – Q11 & Q12
Join Campus HR as we describe each of the 12 elements of employee engagement in detail, including the two elements of focus for UNT for FY20 - Q1 and Q8. Each session will be informative, collaborative, and fun!
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Where: UNT Support and Services Building, SSB - 102
Electronic Communications for Supervisors
The Electronic Communications for Supervisors session focuses on how to use electronic communication, such as texting, instant messaging, videoconferencing, social media and email following appropriate and professional etiquette.
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: UNT Eagle Student Services Center, ESSC - 152
Art of Successful Coaching
Grow your coaching skills. Learn how the right coaching conversation can empower and engage your team. Explore how coaching differs from managing, mentoring or counseling. Practice identifying powerful questions that inspire and catalyze new thinking.
- When: Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: UNT Dallas, FH - 306
If you would like assistance with creating a customized learning plan for your team, please contact the System HR Organizational Development and Engagement (ODE) team at ODE@untsystem.edu
UNT Dallas Police to Hold Two SHARP Classes
The UNT Dallas Police Department will hold a Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention (SHARP) class for women at both the UNT Dallas main campus and the College of Law. SHARP is approximately a three-hour self-defense class for women ages 17 and up.
Women of all physical fitness and ability levels are welcome and encouraged to attend. The life skills and mental awareness taught to students in these classes are essential tools necessary for women to successfully defend themselves during hostile encounters. Instructors teach easy-to-learn self-defense techniques for a variety of situations. Details below:
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT PREVENTION CLASS FOR WOMEN
College of Law
- WHEN: Monday, Nov. 4, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Law Commons Room on Level B1
RSVP: Email: Georgia.Maher@untdallas.edu
UNT Dallas
- WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE:DAL 1, Room 222
RSVP: Email: Georgia.Maher@untdallas.edu
UNTHSC Professor Receives Prestigious Presidential Award
UNTHSC Regents Professor Jamboor K. Vishwanatha, PhD is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. He is one of three educators in the state and 15 nationwide who were honored.
Dr. Vishwanatha, Vice President and Principal Investigator for the National Research Mentoring Network and Director of the Texas Center for Health Disparities, received the award in a Washington, D.C., ceremony last week.
The Presidential Award is a great honor, especially to be recognized among such excellent educators and mentors, Dr. Vishwanatha said.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to make a difference in the lives of many individuals,” he said. “It is gratifying to see them as successful citizens contributing to the scientific advancement in our country. The award is a recognition of the important role of mentoring in developing and diversifying our national science workforce.”
FINAL REMINDER: UNT Faculty, Excellence & Staff Appreciation Awards
It’s time to nominate your colleagues for the 2020 Presidential, Faculty Excellence and Staff Appreciation awards. Recognizing UNT’s best of the best is a way for us to shine a spotlight on the dedication and enthusiasm that goes into making our university an exceptional place to work, teach and learn. Please thoughtfully consider recognizing your colleagues who embody the UNT spirit, work ethic and commitment to service. To learn more about the nomination process, including full award descriptions, visit the UNT Awards website.
For assistance in writing the perfect STAFF award nomination, UNT System Human Resources will host a writing workshop on Oct. 29. This workshop is designed to aid and support our staff populations that may not have regular access to a computer, or may not write frequently in their daily job responsibilities.
WORKSHOP: Staff Appreciation Awards Nomination Writing
All UNT faculty, staff members and students are eligible to submit nominations for staff awards. The nomination window closes Thursday, Oct. 31.