UNT Staff Senate MastheadStaff Senate Newsletter • Dec. 4, 2020

Denton County General and Runoff Elections

For those who are registered to vote in Denton County, the General and Special Runoff Elections close on Dec. 8. You must vote in the precinct where you live. The Texas Senate District 30 Runoff Election closes on Dec. 19. Visit this website for additional voting information.

White Accountability Group: Promoting allyship, accompliceship, and anti-racism among white employees for BIPOC at UNT.New White Accountability Group

Join the new White Accountability Group, an Employee Resource Group that aims to create a more intentionally inclusive and equitable environment through our actions. This group focuses on three main areas of work:

  • Learning about and combatting racial injustice, inequity, and inequality in UNT’s programming, policies, processes, people, and practices.

  • Generating accountability measures among fellow white employees through “calling in” discussions, activities, and conversations.

  • Modeling how to do the ally, accomplice, and anti-racist work and putting that knowledge to action.

The first meeting is Dec. 10 at 11:30 a.m. on Zoom. You can find the Zoom link and learn more about the ERG on the Division of Institutional Equity & Diversity’s website.

UNT University Libraries Diving Green Eagle LogoWillis Conover Centennial Symposium

Join the UNT Libraries for the Willis Conover Centennial Symposium on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.! They are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Conover's birth with a lineup of speakers discussing his place in the intersecting histories of jazz and public diplomacy. Register now to save your seat.

Willis Conover is best known for his 41 years as host of the radio program Music USA on the Voice of America. The second hour in particular — the jazz hour — gained Conover a loyal following overseas, and facilitated cultural exchange during the Cold War.

 

WFAA Santa's Helpers LogoToy Drive

Our annual WFAA Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive will look different this year, but our commitment to the UNT spirit of giving remains the same. Visit the website to find the schedule for DFW area drive-thru locations where you can drop off new, unwrapped toys for infants through teens. You also can follow the quick and easy link to shop online from the Amazon wishlist and your donations will be shipped directly to the appropriate locations for distribution. The toy drive runs from Nov. 27 through Dec. 20.

 

 

Picture of Scrappy pointing to UNT We Mean Green signRequest for Proposals

The student-majority We Mean Green Fund Committee invites you to propose a project to advance campus environmental sustainability efforts. Submit your proposal by Jan. 11, 2021, for a chance to receive funding and lead a green legacy.

Through joint engagement and enthusiasm from students, staff, and faculty, the projects financed by the fund integrate sustainability into the culture of our university’s many operations and activities. How can the fund be used to improve the environmental efforts of your area of work or interest?

Submit a quick electronic pre-proposal today and read more about the We Mean Green Fund project proposal process. Email wemeangreenfund@unt.edu for questions or staff support.

Hands dialing 911 with ambulance in background911 Calls from Microsoft Teams

UNT is transitioning campus communications from traditional phone lines to Microsoft Teams (aka VOIP service). During this transition, 911 calls from Teams lines may not provide accurate location information to emergency services. Whether you use Teams or your cell phone to call 911, UNT recommends that you always provide your location and telephone number to emergency personnel. 

One of the numerous advantages of the new Teams service is the ability to use your phone from anywhere using any Internet-connected device that supports Microsoft Teams. This new technology is location aware, and it offers the advantage of notifying your local emergency agency of your location when you place a 911 call, whether you are on or off campus. This service is referred to as E911, or Enhanced 911, and will be available once the transition is completed. 

You will continue to receive updates regarding the transition to the new service as it continues. Currently, the system is being tested with a select group of users, but a more significant rollout is expected to begin in late January.

EAP Reminder

EAP, the Employee Assistance Program is available to all UNT staff and their spouse/partner, children/grandchildren age 26 or under, divorced spouse/partner, laid-off or terminated employees and their spouse/partner and children/grandchildren for up to six (6) months from lay-off/termination date. Learn more about the program and log into your account.

PERK UP: UNT System Perks Make Gift-giving, and Saving Money, Easy

Don't leave great discounts unused this holiday season. As a UNT World employee, you surely know that you are eligible to take advantage of terrific savings on everything from computers and electronics, home appliances, cell phone plans, clothing, rental cars and hotels, and even Ray Ban sunglasses. Oh, you forgot all about UNT System Perks? Well then, explore these money-saving perks by clicking Beneplace, PerkSpot, PerksConnection and Parking Spot.

Join Us at Our Next Meeting!

Meetings are open to all UNT staff members. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 8, 2020, from 3-3:30 p.m. 

For meeting agendas, minutes and recordings, please visit the Agendas and Minutes page. 

Contact Us!

If you have an article, announcement or suggestion relating to this newsletter, email staffsenate@unt.edu to have it included.