HOW THE DEANS CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING, STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATES, LIGHT UP THE LAKE AND MORE

Categories: Niner Insider

Editor’s Note: Happy Thanksgiving week, Niner Nation! Today, the deans share their Thanksgiving traditions, we dispel a holiday myth and get you the info you need before break. This is our only edition of the week, see you Monday, Dec. 2!

Happy Thanksgiving Week Niner Nation!

How the Deans Celebrate Thanksgiving: Deans from across UNC Charlotte’s campus shared their family photos, traditions and Thanksgiving table essentials to get you into the holiday spirit.

Spice Up Your Thanksgiving Meal: Chef Calvin Seabury, SoVi executive chef, shared his recipe for a garam masala-inspired Thanksgiving turkey on WBTV. 

The Truth About Tryptophan and Thanksgiving Turkey Tiredness: There is a long-held belief that turkey and the amino acid tryptophan are to blame for making you sleepy during Thanksgiving. Christopher Smith, in the School of Nursing, discusses this phenomenon.

Niner Nation’s Favorite Side Dish: 32% of respondents said stuffing is their favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Mac and cheese drew 23% of the votes.

Holiday Safety Tips: Here are some tips to help keep you and those around you safe on campus and at home.

What You Need to Know: Faculty and Staff

  • Strategic Plan Updates: A Strategic Plan Update Working Group has been established to review and revise the University’s strategic plan, “Shaping What’s Next,” to ensure the plan remains aligned with Board of Governors policies and reflects the University’s progress and priorities. 
  • Academic Affairs Weekly Digest: Learn about the Cultural Ambassadors program, along with other important academic updates in this week’s news digest.
  • Atkins Library Dean Finalist: The public presentation for the third finalist for the dean of J. Murrey Atkins Library is 1:30 to 2:45 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2, in the Popp Martin Student Union Theater. Visit the search webpage to view the candidate’s CV; and provide feedback by 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5.
  • #GivingTuesday: Give early to this year’s #GivingTuesday campaign, Tuesday, Dec. 3, to help Niners get to the ultimate goal, graduation! The Evergreen Scholarship ensures timely progress to degrees for aspiring data scientists, AI engineers, world-class athletes, future teachers, budding scientists and tomorrow’s nurses. Gifts of any size to this fund make a huge difference for our students.

HR Updates

  • Enhancements to NinerTalent: Enhancements are being made to the position management module in NinerTalent to better align position action process workflow, enhance data accuracy and streamline the management of position descriptions. Learn more to prepare for the updates, scheduled to go live on Monday, Dec. 2.
  • Update eBenefits Information: To meet Affordable Care Act reporting requirements, the name and Social Security number for you and your covered dependents must be accurate in the online state insurance system. Please log into eBenefits to check and update your information.
  • Qualifying Life Events: Benefits-eligible employees who experience a qualifying life event can make certain changes to their insurance benefits. Changes must be entered in the benefit system(s) and required supporting documentation must be provided within the 30 days of the event.
  • Power Hour: Human resources is hosting an HR Power Hour webinar from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, to review changes to EHRA position management actions including creating, updating and modifying positions in NinerTalent.
  • FLSA Overtime Rule: Human resources has been monitoring and preparing for changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Learn more about the recent rule updates.

What you need to know: Students

  • Strategic Plan Updates: A Strategic Plan Update Working Group has been established to review and revise the University’s strategic plan, “Shaping What’s Next,” to ensure the plan remains aligned with Board of Governors policies and reflects the University’s progress and priorities. 
  • Late-night Breakfast: The last day of classes calls for a special meal. Grab some late-night breakfast food before finals week from 9 to 11 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at SoVi Dining Hall. The event is free to students with a valid student ID.
  • Real Talk Recovery: Recovery Ally training, which helps students discover resources and support to utlize for substance misuse, provides tips and ideas to create a substance-free space for everyone. The next training is from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3.
  • #GivingTuesday: Give early to this year’s #GivingTuesday campaign, Tuesday, Dec. 3, to help Niners get to the ultimate goal, graduation! The Evergreen Scholarship ensures timely progress to degrees for aspiring data scientists, AI engineers, world-class athletes, future teachers, budding scientists and tomorrow’s nurses. Gifts of any size to this fund make a huge difference for our students.

Additional news, events and annoncements: Faculty and staff

  • Concur Updates: Approval workflow changes and travel requests required for Travel Expense Reports rolled out Friday, Nov. 22. Register for the Concur User Group Forum Thursday, Dec. 19, to learn about these changes.
  • Toys for Tots: UNC Charlotte is accepting new, unwrapped toys, gifts and books in the lobby of the Police and Public Safety Building for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program through Monday, Dec. 9.
  • Faster MotorPool: Fleet services has created a step-by-step resource guide to help campus users learn more about the new Faster MotorPool reservation portal that will replace Archibus Motor Fleet reservations, beginning Monday, Dec. 2.
  • Level Up Your Tech Skills: Dive into Zoom Phone, Zoom AI Companion and Google Workspace with OneIT training sessions.
  • Upper Prospector Closure: Upper Prospector is closing Friday, Dec. 6, for major renovations, scheduled for completion in fall 2025. Students, faculty and staff are invited to say farewell at the Goodbye Upper Prospector Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4.

upcoming event

Photo: Light up the lake

Light the Lake: Join Chancellor Gaber and student involvement for the third annual Light Up the Lake at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, around Hechenbleikner Lake. 

Only at Charlotte

Photo: The Urbies

The city of Charlotte Urban Design Center and UNC Charlotte’s School of Architecture presented the city’s fourth annual Urban Design Awards, Thursday, Nov. 7. Deb Ryan, professor of architecture and urban design and one of three women who helped establish the recognition, explains its origins.

Show Us Your 49er Spirit

These Niners wish you a Happy Thanksgiving break.

Send your Niner Nation Week photos to ninerinsider@charlotte.edu.

campus resources

join the niner conversation on social media

There are a lot of ways to stay up-to-date and show your Niner pride. Make sure to follow Charlotte on FacebookInstagramLinkedInX and YouTube.

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