Archive for October, 2006

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University Plaza update

Friday, October 13th, 2006

Two things I’ve heard. The first is the latest date for the University Plaza opening: Nov. 13. I’m on the third floor of the Admin Building and have a good view of the site, and the date surprises me, because it’s starting to look close to finished. The landscaping is going in, the parking attendant boxes are in place, and it actually looks like a garage (a very nice one). Second thing: the push is on to get people who currently have contract parking in the Admin Garage to shift to the new plaza facility. Until the additional clinical buildings (like the replacement hospital) start going up around University Plaza in the next few years, the Admin Garage will continue to provide the most convenient and easiest parking for patients and visitors to use. The problem today is it gets full two or three times a week. I’ll post more new parking garage info (and maybe a few images) next week.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

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A week in the life of UTMB, from a media perspective

Friday, October 13th, 2006

“Stuff.” There’s a lot of it that goes on at this place. UTMB is a big institution with a lot of people doing a lot of good work. When we’re deciding what to present to members of the campus community in places like the internal home page or Impact, space dictates that we have to make a choice, and that choice has typically favored operational items. Operational items are things you need to know: online paycheck stubs, benefits, events, and lately, those leadership changes. The other bucket of information is promotional: cool news, neat things you and your colleagues are doing, coverage (good and bad) that the university is getting. These are things most of us would find interesting, and things that I and my colleagues are going to be working to present to you more frequently. Marsha Canright, one of my partners in University Advancement, recaps UTMB’s news and media activity each week in a document that she emails. We’re going to use it as a springboard to start sharing news with more people. This week’s summary (pretty typical) is below:

MediaWeekOct.6-13.pdf

Posted in News from the Top | Comments Off

Moody Gardens freebie day set for Oct. 22

Friday, October 13th, 2006

The news about Moody Gardens free day for Galveston Island residents and workers—that pretty much covers all of us—is making the rounds. (A flyer sent home from the schools said the free admission also applied to kids of residents and workers.) If you’ve not heard the news, the info from the Moody Gardens site is below. Folks who have attended this event in years gone by advise getting there early; if there’s a good turnout, which is likely, lines can get long by the afternoon. If you’ve never been, the aquarium is probably the one thing you would not want to miss, but it’s all good family fun. Your UTMB ID would probably be the easiest thing to use as proof of employment.

Free Day For Galveston Island Residents and Employees on October 22
When was the last time you visited Moody Gardens®? If you live or work on Galveston Island, Moody Gardens® will welcome you for free on Sunday, October 22. Galveston Island residents, employees who work on the island will receive a Day Pass that entitles them to one entrance to each attraction at Moody Gardens®: IMAX® 3D theater, 4D Special FX Theater, Rainforest Pyramid, Aquarium Pyramid, Ridefilm Theater, Discovery Pyramid and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. To receive the free pass, guests must show proof of residency or employment such as a driver’s license, utility bill or check stub.

Posted in Down Time, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Lights, camera, action!

Thursday, October 12th, 2006

If you saw a production crew running around campus today, they’re filming for a PBS series being done in conjunction with UT System. System  is producing Transforming Texas, a series of 13 half-hour public television programs addressing “many of the critical issues facing Texas in the early 21st century.” The program’s being underwritten by  AT&T, Inc., and its philanthropic arm – the AT&T Foundation – and Exxon Mobil Corporation. It’ll focus on challenges Texans are currently facing and on the significant work going on at the state’s public higher education institutions to provide solutions to these challenges. Segments in this series will highlight issues such as the state’s rapidly growing population of the elderly and advancements in cancer treatments and research. I believe the UTMB segments being featured include our infectious disease program, air quality, the Yes! program, and on the lighter side, Tilly the hospital wonder dog, and more. Episodes are scheduled to start airing in the next couple of months.

Posted in Down Time | Comments Off

If he said it, it’s because he means it

Wednesday, October 11th, 2006

I don’t know Dr. Jim Goodwin very well, but from the few times I’ve met him, he’s not ever struck me as the type of person who cares much about campus politics or currying favor, as he suggests in the first lines of a guest column that ran Wednesday in the Daily News. To the contrary, I’ve seen him fire flames and direct heat at administrators that would toast a rotisserie chicken. Goodwin’s smart, has major NIH grants, significant support from important and discerning philanthropic sources, and has helped build one of the university’s star programs, focused on aging and the elderly. In short, Goodwin has no need to stroke anyone; he has nothing to gain. He shoots straight, tells you what he thinks, like it or leave it. His column I liked. Read it and see what you think. 

Posted in Hot Potato | Comments Off

Call me a sucker for clip art…

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006

…but I do really enjoy the Personal Best newsletter. The new October issue was just posted. It, like the campus Weight Watcher groups and healthier food choices in the cafeteria, are the result of the Commit to Fit campus health and fitness initiative that started two (three?) years ago. The price is right (free to us), and I always pick up a few useful tips from the newsletter. If you’ve never seen it, take a look. It’s in Adobe PDF format, and is a quick and simple read.    

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And speaking of RIFs

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006

I heard today that we have to adjust the official RIF number down by four more; the new total including faculty is 354. Four of the 358 reported at the start of September were rescinded due to other resignations.

Of the cuts, five were among my colleagues. I mentioned them in an earlier post. I’m happy to report that four of the five have landed on their feet (and the fifth may have, but I haven’t heard from him). One went to Houston, the other three found different positions on campus. One was hired on the 60th day of his notice. I wish them all the best of luck as they start new chapters in their lives.    

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Glad it wasn’t true, Tino

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006

A news item about an office move came across my desk today and we posted it to iUTMB. (I copied it below). These few sentences may serve as good an epilogue to the summer’s craziness as anything. At the peak of the maelstrom, as the “shadow of Navigant” was falling on campus like the Angel of Death in the old Ten Commandments movie (“Let my people go…”), I heard from many about how “they” were dismantling the grievance process and just as sad to me, how Tino had been “riffed.” (If you are one of the eight people on campus who doesn’t know Tino, or for that matter Yoni, they’re great people. But please don’t feel you have to launch a grievance to meet them; go grab a smoothie or a wrap at Smooth Tony’s, Tino’s brother’s place.)

So here we are, the grievance and appeals process is still in place, albeit relocated, and these fine folks are still on campus to help you and me. And no one had to part the Red Sea, or even Offats Bayou.  

Grievance and appeals team moves to new home
As part of the reorganization that took place this summer—and consistent with the practices in place at most UT institutions—the group that assists with faculty and staff grievances and appeals is now part of the Employee Relations Division of Human Resources. While the group’s location has changed, the services and process remain the same. Services are still being provided by the same staff—Yoni Benson and Tino Gonzalez—in a new office location, in 2.210 Administration Bldg. To contact the office, please call ext. 76190. Rob Ruffner, the campus ADA coordinator, is also now part of the Employee Relations group and may be reached at ext. 72342.

Posted in Rumor or Trumor?, Uncategorized | Comments Off

GCDN: “Psychiatrists go virtual in Galveston”

Monday, October 9th, 2006

Sara MacDonald writes in the Galveston County Daily News: The crises and constant worries of the teenage mothers Carla Geters works with at Ball High School overwhelm her at times. Juggling broken families, babies and bills is often more than the students can handle. “You worry that they’re not functional,” she said. “It impedes their mental abilities. When they can barely meet their survival needs, they’re not going to be successful in the classroom.” Geters, the coordinator for the school’s teen parenting program, turned to counselors and helped where she could. Sometimes the students needed more. She could go for months before learning that some of her students struggled with bipolar disorder or with bitterly divided homes.But help is on the way. Students will soon have access to mental health professionals without leaving school grounds, thanks to a grant awarded to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. The program will bring psychiatrists to the campus — virtually, at least. Read rest of article…

The printed version of the paper features a large photo of UTMB’s Oliver Black, hardware and system guru for the Electronic Health Network team. A nice article.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

North County commuters: Hwy 146 construction may be slowing you down

Monday, October 9th, 2006

A representative from TX-DOT called our office late last week to advise us that some work was planned on Hwy 146 at Hwy 3, on the overhead span near the  “Y” where the roads meet in Texas City. The work was tentatively scheduled to start on Oct. 23; it was going to take between one week and one month to complete. If I get confirmation on the work or details, I’ll post them.

Posted in Construction Update | Comments Off

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