Staff Senate Newsletter • Oct. 23, 2020

Annual UNT Day at North Texas Fair and Rodeo

The annual UNT Day at the North Texas Fair and Rodeo is Oct. 23. The fair received approval from local government this year and is following a COVID-19 safety planthat includes face coverings and limited capacities. UNT faculty, staff and students will receive a $6 discount on a gate ticket purchase Friday with a valid UNT ID. Gates are open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Denton Blues Fest

The Denton Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Denton Blues Fest on Oct. 24. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Denton Blues Fest is pivoting to a virtual Blues Fest, featuring karaoke from community members, followed by hand-picked selections of highlights from the previous nine years of festivals!

Texas Higher Education Law Conference

The Texas Higher Education Law Conference presented annually at UNT is on Zoom this year Oct. 26-28. Registration is free for UNT faculty and staff. Learn more about the speakers and presentations, which cover civil rights, Title IX, the First Amendment, neurodiversity, cybersecurity, COVID-19 and more.

AHA: Previewing the 2020 U.S. Election

The first At Home Academy for this semester is on Oct. 28 at 1pm. UNT Professor Dr. James Meernik will preview the 2020 U.S. election, lending his global perspective and insight, and covering the following topics:

What to expect on election day
The presidential and national elections
Q & A, answering your questions

All employees are invited to attend the Staff Senate Lunch and Learn events. Please register for the webinar in advance and use your UNT email address to register.

Meernik is Regents Professor of Political Science and Director of the Castleberry Peace Institute at the University of North Texas. He has taught at the University of North Texas since 1991. He specializes in research on post conflict peace building, language endangerment and political instability and international tribunals.

$5 Candygrams for College of HPS SECC Campaign

The College of Health and Public Service is offering $5 Candygrams for this year’s SECC campaign through Oct. 31.It's your chance to send an uplifting message to a co-worker along with a candy treat (chocolate, non-chocolate or sugar-free) while supporting the Denton Community Food Center. Go ahead and buy one for yourself too — you're doing a great job!

Presidential Award Nominations

Nominations are now open for awards given by the president — the UNT Community Award and the President's Special Recognition Award, both open to students, faculty and staff members, and the Bob Rogers Service and Community Engagement Award, which goes to a faculty or staff member. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 6.

Staff Senate Spotlight

Jannet Murrill

Lead Custodian, University Union

The Masked Staffer

The Division of Finance and Administration started a new activity for staff members while searching for ways to stay connected despite social distancing. Called The Masked Staffer it’s a parody of The Masked Singer. Staff members tell stories of their time at UNT and talk about the masks they wear to help stop the spread of COVID. The division will update the site weekly with new Masked Staffers – and reveals. Check out The Masked Staffer here.

Avesta Dinner for Two Program

If you're hungry, Avesta has a new Dinner for Two option you might find tempting. The ready-to-reheat meal kits are available by 5 p.m. each weekday at the Corner Store in the Union, while supplies last.

Flu Vaccinations

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses this fall and winter is more important than ever. The Student Health and Wellness Center is offering multiple, convenient flu vaccination options for students, faculty and staff while supplies last. The vaccinations are available at the Student Health and Wellness Center on the second floor of Chestnut Hall. No appointment is necessary. Students can also request a flu vaccination while at the clinic for regular health and wellness appointments. And UNT is offering several mobile flu vaccination clinics for students, faculty and staff around campus each week.

Flu vaccinations are free for students currently enrolled in classes and $22 for faculty and staff. The SHWC accepts cash, check or credit cards, while the mobile clinics accept cash or checks. Students without COVID symptoms also can get a free COVID test at the mobile clinics. Find more information, including weekly dates, times and locations of the mobile clinics.

COVID Update

If students or campus guests are in need of a disposable face mask, you can refer them to this updated list of locations where they can pick one up on campus. These masks are intended to be a backup option to ensure all members of the UNT community follow the face covering requirements. As a reminder, UNT requires the use of face coverings by all community members inside buildings and in public settings outside, especially where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as common work spaces, meeting rooms, laboratories and classrooms.

Join Us at Our Next Meeting!

Meetings are open to all UNT staff members. The next meeting will be held on Nov 10, 2020, at 3 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.