News on the Go #650, May 13, 2008

News on the Go is a service of the Office of Institutional Advancement, providing timely news and information to faculty, staff, fellows, residents and students on the go. Deadline: 10 a.m. Thursday before Tuesday publication. Submit all events and deadlines to the Web Calendar. Submit other items for consideration using the News on the Go submission form.

Topics at a glance: The Leader Update ... UT System Ultimate Challenge ... UT Houston Commencement ... Bike to Work Day ... IT SecuritySense ... Doctors Orchestra ... Retirement Planning ... Media Highlights ... HOOP Updates ... Houston Dynamo

The Leader Update

UT System Ultimate Challenge

University of Texas System has just launched a new active living, healthy eating campaign called America On the Move: UT System Ultimate Challenge. It’s a fun, interactive, online program that motivates you to Get On the Move by increasing your daily steps by 2000 or more over your current level as well as cutting just 100 calories from your day.

To learn more about America On the Move: UT System Ultimate Challenge, visit America On the Move 2008: UT System Ultimate Challenge Be sure to register with the America On the Move: UT System Ultimate Challenge Registration Code: RUT106260

For further assistance in reaching your personal wellness/fitness goals, please visit the Recreation Center and UT Counseling & WorkLife Services.

UT Houston Commencement Ceremonies

Hundreds of students at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will receive degrees in May during commencement ceremonies hosted by each of the university’s schools. Upcoming commencement ceremonies include:

  • 4 p.m., Thursday, May 22
    Dental Branch—Cullen Auditorium, University of Houston
    Speaker: John S. Findley, D.D.S., president-elect of the American Dental Association
  • 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 31
    Medical School—George R. Brown Convention Center Assembly Hall
    Speaker: James “Red” Duke, M.D., the John B. Holmes Professor of Clinical Sciences and professor of surgery at the UT Medical School and medical director of Life Flight at Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center

Bike to Work Day

Texas Medical Center is sponsoring Bike to Work Day Friday, May 16. Students and employees who bike to TMC are invited to meet at the John P. McGovern Commons Building for refreshments from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Representatives from local bike shops and transportation agencies will be there to answer your questions. While there fill out a short TMC Bicycle Survey to win great door prizes.

To participate in Bike Month, sign up with the City of Houston and take the bike challenge. TMC will receive credit for any day in May that cyclists ride to work or school. You can register online using the registration form at the city’s Bike Month Challenge 2008 website.

On the registration form check TMC as your team and you will be entered into the city-wide prize drawing. For more information, contact Fernando Bertrand at 713-791-6129.

IT SecuritySense

"Social Network Sites New Target for Virus Attacks” is the focus of the May 2008 issue of the SecuritySense newsletter available at SecuritySense online.

Doctors Orchestra of Houston

The Doctors Orchestra of Houston‘s closing concert of the 2007- 2008 season, will be 5 p.m., Sunday, May 18, at Wortham Center’s Cullen Hall. Tickets: $10- $20; available at http://doctorsorchestrahouston.tix.com/Schedule.asp?OrganizationNumber=851

The Doctors Orchestra consists of people who work in the health professions, including faculty, residents, students, researchers, therapists and dentists. The program will include: Verdi, Overture to La Forza del Destino; Gliere’s Concerto for French Horn and Orchestra; and Sibelius, Second Symphony. For more information, visit http://www.doctorsorchestrahouston.org/.

Retirement Planning Q&A

Close to retirement or thinking about it sometime in the next few years? Well, now’s the time to ask questions you may have and get the answers from your Benefits Office. Join one of the upcoming Pre-Retirement Planning Meetings. Bring a sack lunch; drinks provided. 

  • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 21
    Operations Center Building, Room 2.200
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Thursday, May 29
    Dental Branch, Room 132
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 4
    University Center Tower, Room 1505C
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Thursday, June 12
    UT Harris County Psychiatric Center, First floor Auditorium
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 17
    Lyndon Baines Johnson General Hospital, Room UT Annex 212

For more information, visit Benefits Upcoming Events or contact Stephanie.S.Jones@uth.tmc.edu.

UT Media Highlights

The clinical and research missions of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston made headlines recently.

HOOP Updates

The Budgetary Environment policy has been revised to serve as the university’s general budget policy. 
The Student Services policy has been revised and the Faculty Promotion policy has been updated.
For more information, visit the HOOP Web site at http://legal.hsc.uth.tmc.edu/hoop/index.html Please check out HOOP What's New? for specifics on these policy changes.

Houston Dynamo: Discount Tickets

The Houston Dynamo won back-to-back championships—winning the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007. The 2008 season is heating up; come out and support the Houston Dynamo team.

All employees and students of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston can save time and money by purchasing their Houston Dynamo tickets through the Corporate Group Manager. Just visit the Houston Dynamo online at http://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=houtx&o=516161&g=309, password uthsc.