October 31, 2006

• Employees can take paid time off for voting
• UTSA community invited to strategic focus groups
• Register your group to participate in Nov. 15 Diversity Month event
• SECC runs through Nov. 3: Have you turned in your form?
• How to report an allegation of retaliation
• Enrollment Services Center relocates during construction

Employees can take paid time off for voting

Employees are encouraged to take advantage of early, extended-hour voting opportunities to avoid long lines on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. Early voting runs through Friday, Nov. 3. When it is not possible for an employee to vote before or after normal working hours, supervisors will grant employees a reasonable period of time off for voting during business hours.

Employees must be registered voters in order to qualify for the time off. Time off for voting must be requested in advance and approved by the supervisor. Employees granted time off must list the absence on their time sheets. No reduction in vacation allowance or salary will be made for the time taken to vote if supervisory approval is obtained.

For a listing of early voting locations, hours and voting districts, visit the Bexar County Elections Department Web site.

More information: Employee Relations, 458-7891

UTSA community invited to UTSA 2016 focus groups

UTSA community members are invited to attend a 90-minute focus group to learn about the new UTSA 10-year strategic plan and to provide comments and suggestions. Everyone who attends a strategic planning focus group will receive two tickets to an upcoming men's or women's basketball game, courtesy of UTSA Athletics. Through Nov. 8, five focus groups are scheduled at the 1604 Campus and three at the Downtown Campus. Participants need only go to one of them; no research or preparation is necessary in order to attend.

The first two focus groups are Wednesday, Nov. 1:

• 9-10:30 a.m., John Peace Library Building Room 4.03.08, 1604 Campus
• 2:30-4 p.m., Durango Building Room 1.124, Downtown Campus

Read more on UTSA Today.

Register your group to participate in Nov. 15 Diversity Month event

As the signature event of UTSA Diversity Month, the Office of Student Activities and the Office of Institutional Diversity will host a diversity fair, "Celebrate UTSA: All Different, All Roadrunners," from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Convocation Center west lawn, 1604 Campus. The diversity of UTSA students, faculty and staff will be celebrated in an evening of music, dance, skits, ethnic foods, displays of cultural traditions and telling of personal stories.

It's not too late to register your organization or office to present an information table or to provide talent for the showcase event. To register for an information table or to provide talent, download the registration form.

Read more about Diversity Month on UTSA Today.

SECC runs through Nov. 3: Have you turned in your form?

UTSA's State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) continues through Nov. 3. Remember to return your completed donation form to your Area Champion. Now is the time to make your donation. The UTSA goal is 100-percent participation. "Here's a chance for us to make a contribution to the community and to UTSA, to say we have heart and we care," said President Ricardo Romo.

Read testimonials and more on UTSA Today.

How to report an allegation of retaliation

The Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Services Web site has a new link with procedures on how to report an allegation of retaliation at UTSA. The site also includes information and links for reporting other types of complaints.

More information: Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Services, 458-4992

Enrollment Services Center relocates during construction

The Financial Aid and Enrollment Services Center, usually located in the John Peace Library Building first-floor lobby, has moved for approximately six months to Multidisciplinary Studies Building Room 2.02.35. The move is because of renovation of the first floor of the JPL Building. Read more on UTSA Today.

More information, Henry Cantu, 458-4859

FY 2006-2007 UTSA Holiday Schedule

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Read more at UTSA Today, the official e-news of UTSA.

Editor: Tim Brownlee, Assistant Director of Public Affairs