U Training Consortium, Collaborating for Training Success

UTC Tech Tip of the Month
How to Send a D-mail

By Mindy Tueller,
Communications Manager, OIT

Campus staff and faculty members can send directed e-mail (D-mail) to targeted groups of campus members, including all full-time employees, all currently enrolled students, all currently enrolled students with current hours, all part-time employees, and departmentally-approved lists for students enrolled in their courses.  The message must:

  • be of major importance and/or interest to the audience
  • be no more than 30 lines (including blank lines)
  • include information (phone and/or e-mail) to allow recipients to contact sender
  • not be marketing/advertising for a service

In order for your D-mail to be read and received by all recipients, the e- mail must be in plain text format, with no attachments.  (Many anti-virus programs and junk mail filters automatically reject or delete messages with attachments.)  If appropriate, it is recommended that the message include a URL referring recipients to a website where more information can be obtained.  If you have a PDF or attachment that you would like posted to a website and with a referring link in the e-mail, OIT will assist you in setting up the web space and URL. All D-mails require a VP signature by the cognizant vice president before they will be sent.

Required for your D-mail:

  • "Subject" line
  • "From" field (whom the e-mail appears to be from)
  • "Reply-to" e-mail address (may be different from the "From" field). Think carefully about your "Reply-to" e-mail address. Some departments or student organizations have a shared or generic e-mail account that can be used instead of your personal e-mail address. If a recipient replies, do you want the message to come directly to you?
  • a valid e-mail address in the "From" and "Reply-to" fields
  • text-only format, no attachments

To Request a D-mail:
Once you have composed your message according to the D-mail Guidelines and  D-mail Best Practices,and have contacted the cognizant VP of the D-mail's audience for approval to send the message, you can begin the D-mail process online at https://webapps2.utah.edu/local/dmail/.  You will need to login with your uNID and CIS password.   

Directed Email Communications are provided at no cost. This process is not recommended for confidential mailings.

UTC Kickoff Celebration

By Margo Beecher, Training Services Manager, University Health Care Education and Development

On November 15, 2007, members and friends of the U Training Consortium gathered to celebrate the kickoff of the organization’s newly completed website and the initial launch of the UTC newsletter, Training U.  The gala event held in the Dumke Conference Room at the Eccles Broadcast Center included keynote remarks by Dr. Loretta Harper, Vice President for Human Resources at the University of Utah.  Dr. Harper centered her remarks on the overall importance of training in the University community and the UTC’s vital role in that community now and in the future.

Margo BeecherMargo Beecher, the coordinator of the UTC, followed with an overview of the organization, its purpose and history, which included a multimedia presentation and comments focused on the idea of The You in the U Training Consortium.  She pointed out the widespread and important influence of training on the individuals within the University community, as well as on the larger institution itself.
Andrea BrownAndrea Brown, training manager of HR and a member of the UTC, then provided a tour of the organization’s new website, which includes a class search feature and valuable training resources for UTC members and the community they serve.  She invited everyone to take advantage of the resources on the website located at www.training.utah.edu.

Mindy TuellerMindy Tueller, Communications Manager for OIT and UTC member, next offered an overview of the Training U newsletter, a publication that will be provided by the UTC to University staff and patrons every other month.  She pointed out that the publication will provide useful information about available University campus training classes and tutorials, helpful training and technology tips, and interesting profiles of UTC organizations.

The UTC kickoff was a historic event for the organization and its members.  It celebrated the achievement of a goal set more than a year earlier to create a website that would put training resources literally at the fingertips of the University community.  The benchmark event also heralded a bright future for the organization, with potential plans for a future trainer certification program, university-wide training policies, and training conferences and events to enhance and support training throughout the institution.

Ancillary Education Council (AEC)

By Elizabeth Koyle, DPT, Clinical Staff Education

Upon applying for the position as Staff Development Educator with the department of Clinical Staff Education, I became aware that the majority of our education has been directed towards nursing staff.  I noted that there was great need for expansion into the non-nursing groups of the University.  With the background as a Physical Therapist (and the only non-nurse in our department at the time), I was given the opportunity to find a way to reach out to the other clinical and non-clinical employees.

Birth of AEC

October 29, 2007 marked the birth of a new education-focused group, the Ancillary Education Council (AEC).  Modeled after the successful group of nurse educators, Clinical Education Council (CEC), the AEC has taken form to include the non-nursing groups and departments of the University.  We have dedicated and enthusiastic educators and trainers of many departments including Respiratory, Pharmacy, Environmental Services, Nutrition, Human Resources, Finance, Radiology, Facilities and Engineering, Employee Services, Emergency Management, Quality and Patient Safety, Support Services, Cardiology, Information Technology, Physical Medicine and Rehab, Safety, and Admission Planning to name a few.  Our first meeting had approximately 27 in attendance and continues to grow.

Areas of interest include new employee orientation, employee education files and the Joint Commission standards.  We are working together to define the educational needs of our employees and to decrease the amount of redundancy occurring within departmental orientation and other classes.  Our council mission centers around strength in numbers.  By combining our efforts and areas of expertise, we can reach the educational needs of all of our employees effectively and efficiently.  We can support each other in many ways and provide access to other trainers and educators (such as the department of Clinical Staff Education) for facilitation and assistance with education. 

for more information

If this sounds interesting, check with your department to see if you have a trainer or representative attending these meetings and ask how you can help.  If you would like to be a representative from your department/group or have educational needs you would like to be addressed, please don’t hesitate to contact me at Elizabeth.Koyle@hsc.utah.edu 581-6361 or my co-chair, Connie Becerril, who is the Manager of Environmental Services at Connie.Becerril@hsc.utah.edu.  Also, our meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month in the HSEB from 12:00-2:00pm.  For room numbers and more information, give me a call!

New Nonprofit Academy for Excellence Launched

By Anne E. O’Brien, Professional Education, Continuing Education

Did you know the University of Utah is home to the new Nonprofit Academy for Excellence? Perhaps you heard about it in one of President Young’s addresses. This exciting new program, launched in fall of 2007, seeks to inspire excellence in nonprofit management and governance. This unique certificate-based program, customized for managers, staff, and trustees of Utah’s nonprofit community, promotes enhanced organizational capacity and effectiveness to professionals seeking training and development in nonprofit management. In addition to high-quality, affordable courses, the Academy offers a meeting place for nonprofit professionals to share ideas and strategies and build relationships that last beyond the classroom.

academy information

The launch was met with an overwhelming response of more than 70 applications for only 30 spots in fall. However… now we’re looking at spring 2008 semester and have space for an additional 30 participants. If you work in advancement or fund development or have friends and family who are nonprofit professionals, volunteers, or board members, let them know about the U’s new Nonprofit Academy.

Here are some details on the program:

  • 5 different tracks: Fund Development, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Leadership and Management, and the Self-Directed Certificate where participants can select classes across the tracks
  • 7 Course requirement: complete 7 courses ranging from a half day to a full day
  • Conveniently scheduled courses across summer, fall, and spring semesters
  • Two years to complete the program
  • Receive a University of Utah Certificate listed on the participant’s official transcriptt
  • Taught by experts in their topic areas
  • Network with other nonprofit and fund development/advancement professionals
  • 50% Tuition Reduction for University of Utah benefits-eligible employees and their spouses


Apply Now! The application deadline for the public is January 11, 2008; however, University of Utah employees may matriculate into the program after the deadline.

For more information, visit: http://continue.utah.edu/proed/nonprofit/index.php or call us at (801) 585-1780.

Note: Courses may be taken individually without acceptance to the Academy.

Presenting the University of Utah on iTunes U

By Tony Sams, Marriott Library

iTunes U is a free service for higher education from Apple that provides a means for managing, delivering, and accessing university-related content to all interested people.

With The University of Utah on iTunes U, you can use iTunes to get course and non-course materials, lectures, seminars, and all kinds of valuable information related to your studies. Log on to The University of Utah on iTunes U with your uNID and password, download your selections to your iPod, and study anywhere.

Download faculty lectures, interviews, seminars, and non-course materials.
Play audio and video on your iPod, Mac, or PC, or burn a CD.
Stay connected anytime, anywhere.
Experience The University of Utah on iTunes U and continue learning.
Click. Sync. Learn.

“I can tell that the iTunes U experience is a “sleeping giant” on campus. iTunes U will elevate and expand our talent and knowledge beyond the traditional boundaries of the academic environment.”

Scott D. Wright, Ph.D. Director, Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program Center on Aging.

You can view Dr. Wright's podcasts on iTunes U at the following address: https://deimos.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/BrowsePrivately/utah.edu.1405820423

iTunes U Website

The Marriott Library’s student computing labs are pleased to offer information and training on setting up an iTunes U account. Currently we offer online tutorials on setting up an iTunes U account, Podcasting 101, and how to create Simple Podcasts. To access the U on iTunes U go to:  http://itunesu.utah.edu.

On the website you will find an online form to fill out to give you access to iTunes U. Also, the website offers basic information on hardware and software needed. If you need more information you will find a support form to fill out to better help you.