Dialog Extra for July 12, 2012

July 12th, 2012 - Filed under: Dialog Extra

Crimson Calendar

Click on http://dialog.ua.edu to view Dialog Extra on UA’s website if you have problems reading the email subscription.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ROAD AND SIDEWALK CLOSURES — The following will be closed July 13-Aug. 4:

  • Devotie Drive between University Boulevard and Fourth Street
  • Sidewalk between Russell Hall and Hackberry Lane

For more information, contact Ed Sawyer, UA superintendent, 205-504-3187; Jack Holecz, Yates superintendent, 601-238-6063; or Matt Shelby, senior project manager, 205-348-2928 or 205-767-4576.

REMINDER ABOUT RENTING OUT HOMES DURING EVENTS — UA employees who received a recent email encouraging them to rent out their homes during football games and graduation weekends should be aware that they could be in violation of the Zoning Ordinance of Tuscaloosa (Chapter 24 of the Code of Tuscaloosa) if they do rent out their homes. Such rentals could be considered a prohibited commercial or transient use of residential property in areas zoned residential. Sec. 24-5 of the ordinance defines a “dwelling” to be “any building which is arranged, designed, used, or intended to be used for residential occupancy by one or more families, not including motels and similar uses intended for the accommodation of transients.” To view the Code of Tuscaloosa, click here. For information regarding municipal regulations, contact Tuscaloosa’s Office of the City Attorney at 205-248-5140.

UA employees who take advantage of the free service mentioned in the email could also be in violation of the Alabama ethics law, specifically Section 36-25-5(a) of the Code of Alabama 1975, as amended, which makes it unlawful for public employees to use their official positions to obtain personal gain unless the gain is authorized by law.

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR MOUNDVILLE PARK — Visit http://www.livepositively.com by July 15 to vote for Moundville Archaeological Park in a national contest to determine America’s favorite park. The winner will receive a $100,000 grant.

EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT APPLICATIONS — July 23 is the deadline for UA employees to submit applications for educational benefits for the academic year beginning fall 2012. Applications should be submitted to UA’s Office of Benefits in G-69 Rose Administration. Applications received after July 23 could result in delay or cancellation of schedules. For more information, contact the Office of Benefits at 348-7732.

BENEFITS ORIENTATION FOR NEW FACULTY — Faculty who are beginning their employment at UA can click here to review a list of faculty benefits. New faculty must enroll in eligible benefits programs within 30 days of their appointment dates. Meetings to review, discuss and complete enrollment forms for benefits have been scheduled. Click here for dates and other pertinent information. Each person must present documentation substantiating eligibility in order to enroll a dependent in any of UA’s insurance plans. Click here to see the types of required documentation. Employees should also provide proof of previous medical and dental insurance coverage for themselves and dependents age 19 and over in order to waive the 6-month exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions and 12-month exclusion for pre-existing dental conditions. Click here to access the online registration site to register for a benefits orientation session. For more information, contact HR Development at 348-9700 or hrdevelopment@ua.edu.

DIRECTORY OPT-OUT AVAILABLE – Faculty and staff may opt out of receiving a print campus directory in the fall. To opt out, log in to myBama, select the Employee tab, click on the Employee Services folder, select the Campus Directory Opt Out link, check the opt-out box and then click the Submit button.

TRANSITION TO BLACKBOARD LEARN DEADLINE — The University of Alabama is moving from eLearning to Blackboard Learn this year. In order to reuse any course content from the eLearning system, instructors must request that their course materials be migrated following the steps provided at http://frc.ua.edu/blackboard-learn-transition/course-request. The deadline to request migrated content for Fall Semester 2012 is Aug. 3 at 5 p.m. Requests received after the deadline cannot be guaranteed to be ready for fall. Click here to learn more about Blackboard Learn and the transition, including creating and combining Banner-integrated Blackboard Learn courses, saving student data out of eLearning and a side-by-side comparison of the old and new systems. For more information, contact blackboard.learn@ua.edu or call 205-348-3532.

INFORMATION SESSIONS ON LEADING A STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAM — Capstone International Academic Programs will host two information sessions for UA faculty who are interested in developing and implementing an education-abroad program. Participants at each session will meet CIAP staff and learn the process for proposing a program, learn how to market a study-abroad program, and learn about a program director’s roles and responsibilities, and more. The time and location for each session are Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-noon, 360 Ferguson Center; and Aug. 30, 2-4 p.m., 360 Ferguson Center. Reservations are required by Aug. 23 and can be made with Lekeedra James at ljjames1@ua.edu. For more information, contact Holly Hudson at hhbuckner@ua.edu.

KNOW-THE-CODE PRESENTATION — The Office of Student Judicial Affairs provides a fun, proactive and interactive presentation titled “Know the Code” for UA freshmen and sophomores. The 35-minute presentation informs students of their responsibilities to the community and the consequences of making poor choices. UA faculty who would like the Office of Student Judicial Affairs to make the presentation to their classes in the fall can contact Paula Perry at 348-5655 or Pperry@sa.ua.edu.

10 TIPS FOR STAYING COOL AND HEALTHY — Extreme hot temperatures bring an increased risk of heat exhaustion, heat cramps and sunstroke. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if precautions are not taken. UA’s Office of Health Promotion and Wellness offers the following suggestions to faculty and staff on how to stay cool and healthy: drink water often, take breaks and limit time in the heat. Visit the HPW website at http://wellness.ua.edu to read “10 Ways to Prevent Heat Related Illness.” For questions, contact the office at 348-0077 or wellness@ua.edu.

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

THURSDAY, JULY 12
“Local Journeys” exhibit, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m., Sarah Moody Gallery of Art (103 Garland Hall)
“Jazz” exhibit opening reception, 5:30-7 p.m., Paul R. Jones Gallery, 2308 Sixth St., downtown Tuscaloosa
Online training for processing an introductory-period evaluation, 2-3 p.m., G-54 Rose Administration Building
Homegrown Alabama Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m., Canterbury Episcopal Chapel’s lawn

FRIDAY, JULY 13
Summer conference for the Alabama chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, Moody Music Building and Bryant Conference Center
“Local Journeys” exhibit, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sarah Moody Gallery of Art (103 Garland Hall)
VALIC individual retirement counseling, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment, 365-A Rose Administration Building
“Jazz” exhibit, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Paul R. Jones Gallery, 2308 Sixth St., downtown Tuscaloosa

SATURDAY, JULY 14
Alumni Chapter Leadership Workshop, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Bryant Conference Center
Athletic Training Student Aide Camp for students in junior and senior high school, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility
“Jazz” exhibit, noon-5 p.m., Paul R. Jones Gallery, 2308 Sixth St., downtown Tuscaloosa

MONDAY, JULY 16
Orientation for new employees, 8:30 a.m.-noon, G-54 Rose Administration Building
“Local Journeys” exhibit, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sarah Moody Gallery of Art (103 Garland Hall)
VALIC individual retirement counseling, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 365-A Rose Administration Building

UPCOMING

WellBama health screening, July 17, 7:30-11 a.m., Student Recreation Center activity room
Benefits orientation for new employees, July 17, 8:30 a.m.-noon, G-54 Rose Administration Building
TIAA-CREF individual counseling, July 17-18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment, 365-A Rose Administration Building
Purchasing Card Refresher Training: Reconciler Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts, July 17, 10-11 a.m., Gorgas Library
Management orientation, July 18, 8:30 -11 a.m., G-54 Rose Administration Building
Crucial Conversations, July 18, 20, 23 and 25, 8:30 a.m.-noon, G-54 Rose Administration Building
Saving Student Data from eLearning, July 18, 11 a.m.-noon, A-232 Gordon Palmer Hall
Tobacco Free Challenge, July 18, 12:15-1 p.m., University Medical Center conference room
Professional Development Series III: Legal Issues and Workplace Safety, July 18, 1-4:30 p.m., Rose Administration Building
Harbor Training, July 18, 2-4 p.m., Rose Administration Building
Guide to Blackboard Learn Content Migrated from eLearning, July 19, 1-2 p.m., A-232 Gordon Palmer Hall
H-1B Work Visa: UA Sponsorship, Paperwork, and Responsibilities, July 19, 1:30-3 p.m., Rose Administration Building
GO System training, July 19, 8 a.m.-noon, G-54 Rose Administration Building

WORTH QUOTING — “What has worked in the past for women has been the melodrama where something happens to her, or the princess story where she’s just looking for love. It’s so hard for women to get these rare parts where she’s not searching for love because it is very much a male-dominated industry.” Dr. Kristen Warner, UA assistant professor of telecommunication and film, as quoted in The Tuscaloosa News on the news that the movie “Brave” will debut Pixar’s first female protagonist.

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