The Office of Public Affairs asked students before UHD's 49th Commencement at Minute Maid Park to share some thoughts about completing their degrees and their UHD experiences. The video can be viewed at UHD's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Am_Eynq14.

Additional photos from the event also are available at UHD's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/uhdowntown. A link is also available in the right column.

Police Dispatch - Best in Show

The judging is finished and Police Dispatch is the winner of Best in Show in  this year's Staff Council Office Decorations Contest. Winners in all categories are:

Best in Show - Police Dispatch

Most Creative - Social Sciences

Most Traditional - Purchasing and Budget

Best Theme - Accounts Payable

Most Humorous - English Language Institute

Best Door - CHSS

The UHD Bookstore has announced the following deadlines for students participating in UHD"s new Winter Term.

Today is the last day to place orders with the UHD Bookstore via the internet for textbooks.

On Thursday, Dec. 23, students must purchase textbooks or pick up orders placed via the internet by 5 p.m. when the University closes for Winter Break.

Jan 4 is the last day Winter Term students can return textbooks. Students must show a copy of their class schedule reflecting the dropped course in order to return textbooks.

UHD will hold its first online Winter Term from Dec. 27, 2010, to Jan. 14, 2011.

Currently enrolled UHD students will be able to take one course during the session, and today is the last day to register.
 

For more information, go here.

Here is the  list of courses list of courses for the all-online Winter Term:

Facilities Management perform semi-annual testing and maintenance of the campus fire detection /notification / suppression systems (and related elevator fire service re-call, air handler shut-downs, fire-door hold-open devices and stair pressurization controls) beginning Dec. 27 and ending Jan. 14.

All campus buildings will be addressed during this period. Due to the size of the systems, the contractors involved and the cost of the labor required to perform the work, this test must be performed during normal business hours. Please consider this an opportunity for the university community to become familiar with these fire and life safety systems and the campus emergency public address system.

An announcement will be made over the PA system prior to alarms being sounded to inform occupants of testing. Alarms and strobe lights will then be engaged briefly and certified by technicians. An announcement will be made after the conclusion of each segment of audible and visual alarm testing.

This inspection is a requirement of the National Fire Protection Association. If you have any concerns, please contact T.C. Wilson, Director of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing, at extension 8055. Thank you for your cooperation.

More than 1,300 UHD students crossed the stage Sunday at Minute Maid Park during UHD's 49th Commencement exercises and received bachelor's and master's degrees.

Family and friends occupied most of the lower and second levels of the stadium. Speakers included University of Houston System Board of Regents Chair Carroll Robertson Ray, UH System Chancellor Renu Khator and UHD President Bill Flores.

The speaker for the graduates was Karina Vasquez, a graduate of the College of Sciences and Technology and the Scholars Academy. She encouraged her classmates to view the ceremony as a beginning rather than an end for their education. The representative for the alumni was Anika Mohammed, Class of 2006.

The ceremony was UHD's first "green" Commencement, and the caps and gowns students wore are made of recycled plastic. Organizers say each cap and gown is made of 25 recycled plastic bottles - bottles that didn't get sent to a landfill. UHD students could donate their caps and gowns at the end of the ceremony to a local school.

The UHD Purchasing Department sponsored the HUB Vendor Show Friday, Dec. 17, in the Buffalo Bayou Room, featuring Historically Underutilized Businesses. Companies, many of which do business with UHD, showcased a variety of products and services ranging from beverages services to marketing materials. Vendors offered door prizes. Staff members who visited all the booths and got signatures for the vendors also were eligible for prizes.

Time is running out to file your TexFlex claims for Plan Year 2010:

• You have until Dec. 31 to file claims for reimbursement.
• Plan Year 2010 claims include eligible health or day care expenses from Sept. 1, 2009 through Nov. 15, 2010.
• TexFlex is a "use it or lose it" program. If you don't use your account money, you'll forfeit that money. Don't wait until Dec. 31 to file these claims-you might need to submit additional documentation.

Starting Jan. 1, 2011, a new federal law requires a doctor's prescription for reimbursement of certain over-the-counter medicines and drugs. Check out our new OTC rule quick facts and FAQ resource.

For more detailed information, check out the TexFlex section of the ERS website or call PayFlex at 866-353-9839.

Employment Services and Operations has recently added new vendors to the Work/Life Employee Discount Program.

With the Holiday Season in full swing, many of you may be traveling by air. If you are parking at Bush Intercontinental Airport or Houston Hobby Airport, the Parking Spot, offers UHD staff and faculty a 25 percent discount.  If you sign up for their complimentary UHD Spot Club Exec discount card by Jan. 31, you will get two free days of parking pre-loaded on it. These two days do not expire and will remain on your card until you use them. The card is also programmed with your 25 percent discount.

In the Katy area, THAI SPICE Asian Gourmet at 1420 South Mason Road offers a 10 percent discount off your food purchase. You must present your UHD ID card.

And lastly, if you are in the market for buying or selling your home, Just Home Savings at 7322 Southwest Freeway, Suite 750, offers UHD employees and their family members the following discounts:

• 20 percent cash rebate each time you buy and/or sell a home
•   20 percent discount on lender closing fees with PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital company
• Discounts on Van Line/Moving Services

(Sample rebate: $200,000 home purchase, the participating Realtor earns $6,000 (3 percent commission) x 20 percent = $1,200 cash rebate.)

For more information on these and other discounts available to UHD faculty and staff, please visit the Work/Life website or contact Bobbie Horack, Work/Life Coordinator, at horackb@uhd.edu or 713-222-5318.

Responses to UHD's Budget Discussion are now available online on the President's web pages, http://www.uhd.edu/presidentsoffice/budget/.

UHD President Bill Flores asked the UHD community to consider two questions:

Do you have a good idea about how the university can (a) cut costs, (b) generate additional revenue, or (c) become more efficient?

Have you encountered any practice or requirement in the university (at department, college or university level) that makes no sense to you or seems redundant or unnecessary?

He then asked people to send ideas and comments to suggestionbox@uhd.edu. Those suggestions are now available at http://www.uhd.edu/presidentsoffice/budget/.

IT Training for Faculty/Staff/Alumni

Register for IT training opportunities at the links below.  To schedule a one-on-one appointment or other assistance, please call 713-221-8200.

Blackboard Vista

Today

10 - 11 a.m.- Blackboard: Managing Course Content

Microsoft Excel

Thursday, Dec. 23

10 - 11:30 a.m. - Excel Basics

See all current IT training available