5 things you need to know this week

A weekly series designed to highlight events, benefits, perks, and items of interest for University of Miami faculty and staff.

Parking color zones reinstated 
Starting Monday, Jan. 13
Permit holders on the Coral Gables campus should park their vehicles in the designated color zone to avoid fines, towing, and possible disciplinary action. As per the policy, all vehicles on campus must be registered with the department of parking and transportation and have a current and valid parking permit linked to the tag number. Additionally, the University Hurry 'Canes shuttles continue their normal schedule this week. For questions, contact Parking and Transportation at 305-284-3096, option 2. Learn more.

Mindfulness at the U
Multiple dates
The new year is a great time to make some new intentions. Why not try relaxing and unwinding with mindfulness practice? Every week find opportunities to join in on a free session hosted at either the Lowe Art Museum or Richter Library on the Gables campus. Co-presented by the UM School of Law, Mindfulness at Richter takes place every Wednesday at 4 p.m. this spring semester. Every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., the Lowe offers either the Art of Mindfulness or Mindful Looking sessions, depending on the week.

Thinking of buying your first home?
Tuesday, Jan. 28–Thursday, Jan. 30
Take advantage of an upcoming seminar to learn from Eric Johnson, housing division training and relationships coordinator for Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust, about government programs, grants, and funds available for low to moderate income first-time home buyers in Miami-Dade County. Get an overview of how home buyers may qualify and shop for a mortgage, and receive valuable materials and website information to simplify the process. University employees can register to attend a session, which is facilitated by a Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) consultant. Employees enrolled in UM’s Well ’Canes program can earn points by attending this session. Learn more about FSAP by reading the latest newsletter

The U Creates
Available online
The University of Miami has launched a new website dedicated to arts and humanities at the University, called The U Creates. The site showcases the work of talented faculty and students who are driving innovation and exploring different modes of expression. On the site, you’ll find listed an alluring array of music, theatre, film, and visual arts at the University of Miami. Classical performances and cutting-edge premieres, as well as thought-provoking lectures, exhibits, and films, are among the more than 500 events each year that reflect the University’s youthful spirit and multicultural vibrancy. Learn more.

Start the year with all the software you want and need—for free
24/7
The University of Miami provides various types of software to active faculty, staff, and students at no additional cost. The list of software includes: Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office 365, and SAS, which is used for statistical analysis and data visualization. The latest addition includes NVivo, a qualitative data analysis tool that helps you organize, analyze, and visualize data. Visit miami.edu/software to view a complete list of available software.