UT Southwestern school gets a new name: The UT Southwestern School of Allied Health Sciences has a new name – UT Southwestern School of Health Professions – that better encompasses its mission: to educate health professionals. The UT System Board of Regents approved the change Thursday.

SMU appoints new VP: Lisa Webb has been appointed Southern Methodist University's associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students. She comes to SMU from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., where she served as associate dean of students and director of multicultural affairs.

University of Dallas receives grant: The University of Dallas was awarded a $75,000 Scanlan Foundation grant to provide scholarships for students. It's the second consecutive year the university has received funding from the foundation.

Space talk planned at UTD: Anousheh Ansari, the first woman to embark on a privately funded voyage into space, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Founders North building at UT Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road in Richardson. Call 972-883-2111.

UTA plans fundraiser: Researchers from a coral reef biology lab at the University of Texas at Arlington will host a fundraiser for coral reef research and conservation from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Rahr Brewery, 701 Galveston Ave. in Fort Worth. The benefit for the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary will feature live music, beer and a raffle. Entry is $15.

UTD performance planned: The Austin Dance India troupe and Bob Livingston's Cowboys & Indians band will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday in the University Theatre at the University of Texas at Dallas. Tickets are free for UTD students, faculty and staff; they are $25 for the general public and $15 for students from other schools. Call 214-336-3459.

Collin College open house set: Collin College will host an open house for people interested in computer and technology courses from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Courtyard Center for Professional and Economic Development, 4800 Preston Park Blvd. in Plano. Call 972-985-3753 or visit www.ccccd.edu.

Health and art fair scheduled: Thriving Minds will sponsor a "Back 2 School Weekend Bash Health and Art Fair" from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Harold Wendell Lang Sr. Middle School, 1678 Chenault St. The event will offer free haircuts, immunizations, school supplies and other activities for 5- to 15-year-olds. The bash continues from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Harry Stone Recreation Center, 2403 Millmar Drive. Call Tom Edwards at 972-502-4100, Tony Stephenson at 469-363-6258 or Brenda Sanders at 214-670-0949 or e-mail brenda.sanders@ dallascityhall.com.

Orientation for former Spruce students: An orientation session for students who attended Spruce High School and plan to finish their 12th-grade year there will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the high school, 9733 Old Seagoville Road.

DISD to launch parent hotline: DISD will have a parent hotline to address school-related concerns beginning Aug. 25, the first day of school. Parents can call 972-925-5437 for questions about enrollment, bus routes, reduced-price lunch applications, immunization requirements, school locations, hours and other school-related concerns. The hotline will operate in English and Spanish from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 and 26 and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 27 to 29.

IMPORTANT DISD DATES:

• Aug. 25 – School starts.