Staff Senate Newsletter • September 25, 2020

Gallup Survey Coming

In this tumultuous year, faculty and staff feedback will be more important than ever as UNT participates in the fourth annual Gallup survey from Oct. 26 to Nov. 6. The survey measures where we stand as we work toward becoming a more engaging and supportive organization, and your responses can help improve the UNT experience for everyone. Read President Smatresk’s message about the survey.

Adjusting Occupancy Sensor Sensitivity

Automatic lighting occupancy sensors at the UNT campus help the university save money and energy by sensing when there is no movement in a room for prolonged periods of time. 
 
UNT Facilities has recently received requests to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors due to plexiglass shields blocking the sensors from viewing room occupants or due to personal preference. 
 
Facilities staff can help with requests where shields are blocking the sensors by relocating the sensors within the room. Facilities may also be able to evaluate timing on other sensors on a case-by-case basis. For these requests, please contact your building representative to forward the request to Facilities. 
 
Having a light turn off in a room can be an annoyance but Facilities staff ask for help in this important energy-saving initiative.

Continuing Your Education

Join the Toulouse Graduate School for a webinar highlighting the Master’s in Higher Education on Oct. 1 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Register for the webinar and view archived recordings of previous webinars about UNT’s Master’s in Advanced Data Analytics and MBA programs. Getting your advanced degree at UNT is a great way to use your benefit of the UNT Faculty/Staff Scholarship.

Diversity & Inclusion Training 

The Diversity & Inclusion training sessions are open to all employees under Academic Affairs/Provost Jennifer only. The virtual training includes multiple sessions of Bias Awareness and Perceptions which is a prerequisite for Microaggressions and Inclusive Languages (currently open to all UNT Denton employees). All employees under Academic Affairs have a special opportunity to receive diversity and inclusion training through UNT Bridge all throughout the rest of the month and into October. You can learn more and find out how to register on the Division of Institutional Equity & Diversity website.

HealthSelect Rewards

 If you're enrolled in HealthSelect, you can now participate in the new HealthSelectShoppERS incentive program.The program allows you to compare costs for medical services and procedures and choose lower-cost options that qualify for rewards. Earn up to $500 in your TexFlex flexible spending account each plan year. 

COVID Update

When you're cleaning surfaces for COVID-19, don't forget your car.The CDC suggests that you regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like the steering wheel, gear shift, door frames and handles, windows, radio and temperature controls, and even seatbelt buckles.

A few other things to keep in mind:

• When using parking meters or pumping gas, consider using alcohol wipes to disinfect surfaces like buttons, handles and keypads, or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol after you touch the surfaces. Then wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you get to a place that has soap and water.

• Try to limit your number of passengers to only those necessary for the trip or errand. Avoid including family members who are at higher risk for severe illness when you can.

If possible, improve the ventilation inside the vehicle by opening the windows or setting the air ventilation or air conditioning to non-recirculation mode.

Join Us at Our Next Meeting!

Meetings are open to all UNT staff members. The next meeting will be held on Oct. 13, 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.