@UTSA E-Newsletter

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) now is applying Service Pack 2 to groups of computers running the Windows XP operating system. The upgrade is critical to close vulnerabilities in Windows XP. Failure to keep an operating system updated may allow viruses and other malicious code to damage your PC and the UTSA network. The upgrade will not interrupt you while you work, but will run the next time you restart your computer. Usually, it takes 20 to 60 minutes to complete the upgrade. Do not turn off your computer during the installation process, or your computer could be damaged. During the upgrade, you cannot use your computer.

More information: Help Desk, 458-5833

Blood drive, marrow registration are Oct. 24-25

The Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity will host a blood drive and marrow registration 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 24-25 in front of the University Center, 1604 Campus. Donating blood saves lives. There is a blood shortage because of Hurricane Katrina, so now is an important time to donate. Please bring a photo ID.

More information: Alicia Cortez, 393-1827

IED hosts retirement reception for Robert Guerrero

The UTSA Institute for Economic Development (IED) will host a retirement reception and luncheon in honor of Robert Guerrero, who has served since 1983. The special event is 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3 in the Durango Building Training Classroom (2.316), Downtown Campus. Those attending must bring a covered dish. To RSVP, send an e-mail at the IED Web site.

UTSALABS domain is going away

The Windows NT domain, UTSALABS, soon will be eliminated. Information Technology has moved most of the computers and servers into the new active directory domain, UTSARR, but there are a few computers that IT cannot access administratively and therefore cannot migrate. If your computer resides in the UTSALABS domain, contact the Help Desk at 458-5538 to make arrangements for the computer to be migrated into active directory. For more information and instructions to determine the domain of your computer, go to: http://www.utsa.edu/infotech/TechSupp/ws/labsmigrate.htm.

Click, plan, save, retire

Are you new to investing and wondering how much you need to save to meet your needs at retirement? Consider attending a Fall Retirement Planning Session. To sign up, go to http://www.utsa.edu/hr/benefits/retseminar.cfm.

Best Fest is Friday, Oct. 28

The Campus Activities Board and Office of Student Activities will host Best Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28 at Sombrilla Plaza, 1604 Campus. Best Fest is a traditional festival at UTSA where student organizations set up booths to sell food and products, and provide games. During the event, the popular band Fantasma will perform. Beginning this year, amplified music at Sombrilla Plaza is banned during classes with the exceptions of Best Fest, Homecoming and FiestaUTSA.

More information: John Kaulfus, University Center and student activities executive director, or Barry McKinney, student activities associate director, 458-4160

OIR provides official UTSA statistics

The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) provides all official UTSA statistics to internal and external constituents. Because of the large number of requests, OIR has developed a process to efficiently handle requests and schedule responses. Whenever possible, place requests as far in advance as possible. To request data or assistance, visit the OIR Web site.

More information: Gerry Dizinno, 458-4706

Airline bankruptcies may affect flight plans

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. While neither airline is a primary carrier for UT institutions, both airlines are utilized. Both airlines are operating normal schedules and honoring all reservations, but changes can occur rapidly in the airline industry. If your department schedules Delta or Northwest flights, it is recommended to reconfirm flights well in advance. Read more at USA Today, MSNBC and CNN.

Go electronic: Receive earnings statements by e-mail

UTSA employees who have a high-assurance UTEID can receive earnings statement by e-mail. To sign up, visit the My Paycheck Profile Web site, where you also can change your Form W-4 withholding allowances, sign up for direct deposit, change your direct deposit information, download and print your Form W-2 from previous years -- and more.

More information: Payroll, 458-4280

1604 Campus Visitor Center offers Saturday tours

The Visitor Center at the 1604 Campus offers campus tours at 11 a.m. each Saturday. Visitor Center hours each Saturday during the fall and spring semesters are 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

More information: Visitor Center, 458-5142

Faculty and staff are invited to Monday bowling

UTSA faculty and staff are invited to participate in a UTSA bowling league at 7 p.m. each Monday. If you have a team or if you would like to bowl, contact A. D. Dillard at 458-7644.

Surplus office changes computer turn-in procedure

When turning in computers to the surplus office, it is no longer required for departments to erase the hard drives. Surplus will destroy all computer hard drive data as required by the State Comptroller's Office. Use Surplus Property Turn-In Form 100 to remove equipment from your unit code following pick-up. Because accuracy and legibility on the form are critical, information on the form must be typed, not handwritten. Download the form at the Surplus Department Web site or at Outlook Public Folders/All Public Folders/UTSA Forms/Surplus Dept.

More information: Ed Minter, 458-6272

HOP policies are updated

Updates have been made to the following policies in the UTSA Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP): 4.12 "Overtime Payments" (This policy has been re-written to reflect current procedures.) and 4.20 "Authorized Leave" (This policy has been updated to include Section XXI, Reporting and Recording.). Periodic updates to the HOP will be announced in @UTSA. View the HOP online.

More information: Legal Affairs, 458-4105

New UT Retirement Manager Web site is available

UT Retirement Manager is a new electronic retirement system available to employees. The site offers a secure way to manage UT retirement accounts at any time. Employees can select multiple retirement companies; choices are no longer limited to one company's funds. Additionally, there is financial education information for every stage of a person's career as well as a tool to help determine if financial planning is on track.

Explore the Web-based service center. First-time users must select "I'm a New User" in the top right corner. From the menu, select "UT San Antonio." Information must be entered on each line of the "First Time User Password Set-up" page. The password must contain between 8 and 12 characters, begin and end with a letter and have a number in the middle. If you do not know your UT EID, call 458-4250. Start planning your future today -- click, plan, save... and retire.

More information: Human Resources Web site

Creating a FERPA-friendly campus

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs will host a Web conference for faculty and staff, "Creating a FERPA Friendly Campus," noon-2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26 at both the John Peace Library Building Assembly Room (4.03.08), 1604 Campus, and the Frio Street Building Room 2.520, Downtown Campus.

The conference will address the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) at UTSA and will show how to protect the privacy concerns of UTSA students. The conference will provide insight into daily FERPA issues, and is for UTSA officials responsible for coordinating FERPA compliance and anyone interested in FERPA. Since seating is limited, those interested must sign up through TX Class, course SD 271.

The conference will address how to fulfill FERPA obligations while fostering positive relations with constituencies, how to implement a training program involving record keepers across campus and the role technology plays in an educational setting governed by regulations created before current technology.

More information: Jean Troncale

Aikido class time changes

The Aikido/self-defense classes now meet 2:30-3:45 p.m., Fridays. The location remains upstairs at the Convocation Center.

More information: James Clark, 458-5850

UTSA employees named UT System advisory council chairs

Cynthia Orth, director of Define administrative services and chair of the UTSA Staff Council, was named chair of the UT System Employee Advisory Council communications committee. Venetta Williams, administrative associate II in the Department of English, Classics and Philosophy and past chair of the UTSA Staff Council, was named chair of the UT System Employee Advisory Council policy committee.

FY 2005-2006 UTSA Holiday Schedule

HR Training and Development

UTSA Calendars

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