History and Traditions: Our UTD Spirit
There are many traditions at UT Dallas from its beginning in the 1960s to today. The UT Dallas Staff Council would like to share our unique history plus provide some key links to resources that are focused on the needs of our staff.
UT Dallas Alma Mater
The music for the UT Dallas Alma Mater was created by internationally recognized composer and UTD professor Robert Rodriguez. Its lyrics were created by Bill Dunn and Neely Reynolds. You’ll often hear it performed at official university events.
UT Dallas orange and green
Founders’ visionary dream
To inflame the scholar’s heart
Lighting pathways through the dark
Reaching out from earth to space
Serving all the human race
Joined as one in unity
Alma Mater UTD
Interactive Timeline
Discover UTD’s 50-year history through an interactive timeline.
University Traditions
Check out the traditions website to learn more about university traditions and events central to the UTD experience
Strategic Plan
Read our Strategic Plan and discover the collective vision for the future of UTD.
Getting to know UTD
There are many options for getting to know the UTD campusl
Onsite tours are conducted by the university visitors center. Reservations can be made via an online form.
Explore UT Dallas at your own pace, whenever and wherever is comfortable for you via the campus virtual tour.
Get to know UTD through its episode on The College Tour TV series.
Staff Traditions
CARE Awards
The CARE Awards, (which stands for Celebrate Achievement, Reward Excellence), recognize staff who have demonstrated superior performance, offered outstanding customer service, and performed acts that have enhanced the image of the University.
The awards are presented by the Staff Council and UT Dallas president to a maximum of six staff members at a ceremony held twice yearly.
Employee Service Awards
The UT Dallas Employee Service Awards program is held every fall semester to recognize employees who reached UT Dallas service milestones of 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 years by the preceding August 31.
Corporate Challenge
This 10-weeks, Olympic-style competition brings local companies and organizations together to raise money for Special Olympics Texas and engage in friendly competition.
State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC)
Each year, UT Dallas joins forces with other institutions through the State Employee Charitable Campaign to raise funds for a number of local, national and international nonprofit organizations.
At UT Dallas, the State Employee Charitable Campaign runs throughout the month of October.
Temoc Socks
The Office of development and Alumni Relations unveils a new Temoc sock every year!
This year, Temoc socks will support the Comet Cupboard and help students experiencing hunger. Start building your collection today!
- Staff Scholarships
- Employee Advisory Council – Forum to communicate ideas and information between the employees, the Board of Regents and the Executive Officers of the UT System.
New Employees
- New Staff website for a successful onboarding experience https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/new-employees/new-staff-information/
ERGs
Retirement and Retired Employees
- Required enrollment for benefits-eligible employees, UTSaver and the Retirement Planning Resources https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/retirement-programs/
- Retirees are encouraged to remain engaged with the campus community. https://hr.utdallas.edu/retirees/
Campus Map (interactive) https://map.utdallas.edu/
Campus Parking (map) https://services.utdallas.edu/download/Parking_Map.pdf
- Main Parking Website https://services.utdallas.edu/transit/park/
Comet Calendar
Visit the Comet Calendar to find out what’s going on around campus and use the event submission form to share your events
Discount Programs
Discounted Tickets
The Comet Card office has discounted tickets available for movie theaters, the state fair, Medievil Times, the DSO and much more!
UTD Bookstore
UTD Bookstore for UTD Swag. Employees receive a 10% discounts. Technology discounts up to 85% are available on some technology purchases.
Comet Discount
The Comet Discount Program is hosted by Student Government and partners with local businesses to provide UTD students, staff, and alumni discounts on a wide variety of services.
The Golf Ranch
Located in North Dallas, The Golf Ranch is the area’s premier practice facility. UTD staff can enjoy a 40% discount when visiting.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
- Free training via LinkedIn Learning. This is an online learning platform that can help you learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. Access your account https://library.utdallas.edu/utdlynda/
- Looking for a business or industry microcredential? Visit Coursera.org and click ‘Log in with your organization’ at the bottom of the window that appears. This is the UT System industry microcredential training program that has more than 35 entry-level professional certificates available from leading companies such as Google, IBM, Microsoft and Salesforce.
- Academic and Professional Certificate programs available from UTD https://www.utdallas.edu/academics/certificates/
- Employee Tuition Assistance Plan – Eligible employees may enroll in up to six hours of regular academic credit per semester at a reduced rate.
- UT Dallas partners with DART to provide faculty and staff affordable access to public transportation as well as help reduce the number of vehicles on roads and campus parking lots.
- Employees may purchase annual DART Local Transit Passes at University-subsidized rates through the Parking and Transportation Office.
Fitness, Exercise and Wellness
- Campus Wellness Committee. Community wellness activities. https://campus-wellness.utdallas.edu/
- UT System Living Well – All UT System employees, retirees and dependents can access this program for health and wellness. Programs include: free wellness challenges, tobacco cessation resources and a 24/7 nurse phone line.
- UTD Recreational Facilities
Holiday Schedule https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/holidays/
Spirit Announcements/Promotions
- Current events for Faculty/Staff: https://calendar.utdallas.edu/calendar?event_types%5B%5D=30645182544186
(Above optional since it’s so specific and probably already on the calendar.)
Sustainability https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/
Point of contact for all sustainability questions and engagement including Recycling, Composting, Community Garden, Monarch Waystations, Tree inventory and Bee Campus USA. Check out their Sustainability Map. And training offerings as a Sustainability Steward.
Other useful resources
Faculty & Staff Resouces and Tools https://www.utdallas.edu/faculty/
Recommendations?
If you would like to share a link that would be helpful for this webpage, please email Staff Council Communications committee (provide email address)