TrailBlazer 2015 Archive » TrailBlazer — Tuesday, February 3, 2015

What's for dinner?: Daily displays of food options in the Connection Café are among improvements made to dining services based on student feedback to the Food Services Task Force Committee.

New services enhance student dining experience

A wider variety of dining choices and payment options are available for students grabbing a bite on campus.

The changes are a direct result of feedback from student surveys collected last semester and recommendations from the Food Services Task Force Committee, comprised of students, administrators, and representatives from Aramark, which manages dining services on campus.

“Pricing structure was a common theme in discussion while the task force met,” Loan Ho, Student Congress president, says. “It is great that we were able to get to a consensus about mid-meal pricing in the Connection Café, and I think most students will be happy about that.”

Mid-morning and mid-day pricing has been added at the Connection Café. Mid-morning meals are 9:31-10:45 a.m. at $4.84, $1 less than the breakfast price. Mid-day meals are 2-5 p.m. at $7, which is $1.53 less than the lunch price and $1.96 less than dinner. Savings are even more when using a meal plan.

An all-day dining pass for $12.50 is good for three meals per day at the Connection Café. Purchase the pass through Friday, Feb. 13, and use the pass any time during the semester.

A board with menu items and their nutritional and allergen information is at the entrance to the Connection Café.

At the POD Market, more hot food options are available, including five items under $5.

“The work of the task force isn't over,” says Tim Quinnan, vice president for student affairs. “Now we have to generate ideas on the future of campus dining facilities from the student's point of view and preference."

Other issues being researched by the task force include weekend hours, food service in residence halls, and meal plan improvements.

Posters about the improvements are in campus dining locations and on digital screens in residence halls. 

Aramark also welcomes feedback from your campus dining experience. Visit campusdiningvoice.com to let Aramark know how it is doing. You can follow Dining Services on Instagram.

UT Arlington partners with Zipcar to offer new car-sharing program on campus

The Office of Sustainability rolls out a new car-sharing program Wednesday, Feb. 4, as part of its commitment to creating a more sustainable campus for students, faculty, and staff.

Zipcar, the world's leading car-sharing network, is open to those over 18 years of age and who have been licensed for at least one year.

Students, faculty, or staff may join the membership program for $25, then pay $7.50 per hour or $69 a day to reserve one of four vehicles parked on campus. The cost includes gas, insurance, 24-hour roadside assistance, wireless technology, and other features.

Zipcar replaces the Hertz car-sharing program. Visit zipcar.com/uta for more information.

Read more about the car-sharing program.

All tickets claimed for Michio Kaku

A few standby tickets will be available at the box office to see theoretical physicist Michio Kaku on the night of the show only. All tickets have been claimed for the Maverick Speakers Series event at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Texas Hall.

Dr. Kaku will discuss "Physics of the Future" and sign autographs after the lecture. He is one of the most widely renowned contemporary figures in science. His particular area of specialty is Einstein’s unified field theory, which Kaku is attempting to complete. He is also known for his work in predicting trends that affect business, commerce, and finance

Standby ticket holders will be seated, space permitting, 10 minutes before the show starts. Accommodation is anticipated but not guaranteed.

Lynne Waters

UTA welcomes new vice president for University Communications

Lynne Waters, associate vice president for external affairs and university relations for the University of Hawai’i System, has been named vice president for University Communications. Her first day will be Feb. 27. 

Waters, a native Texan, is a former television news anchor and reporter who owned a comprehensive communications consulting firm. She has directed strategic communications planning, community relations, creative services and marketing, and brand management for the UH System, including its 10 campuses and some 59,000 students.

At UT Arlington, Waters will work closely with President Vistasp Karbhari and the senior leadership team to direct the University’s global marketing and communications efforts, institutional marketing and brand positioning, internal communications, media relations, and community relations initiatives.

“UT Arlington is positioned to become an even greater catalyst for positive economic change and a hub for intellectual pursuits as the Dallas-Fort Worth region continues its trajectory toward becoming one of our nation’s great megacities,” President Karbhari says. “Lynne Waters shares that vision and brings tremendous depth of experience in strategic communications, community engagement, and brand management.”

Read more about Waters' appointment. 

Beware of latest phone scam asking for money

A recent phone scam involves the caller claiming to be a police officer collecting debts, according to the UT Arlington Police Department.

The caller tells people they owe money for unpaid "Homeland Security" taxes and other debts. He threatens the individual with arrest and solicits immediate payment for the alleged debts. The telephone number used has been cloned from a legitimate agency.

The scam is similar to one used last fall claiming to be a UTA official collecting unpaid tuition and other school debts.

University officials, law enforcement, and government officials will not contact you in this manner or threaten arrest for non-payment of debts.

If you encounter this or similar scams or have information about them, contact the UTA Police at 817-272-3381.

Good counsel Cindy Manzano, outreach coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services, shares program details with Mila Nguyen, nursing freshman, and Lissette Barraza, aerospace engineering freshman, at the spring Activity Fair. Last Wednesday's fair, which promotes campus programs and organizations, was at the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Meet Your Senator event brings Student Congress to constituents

Meet your Student Congress senators and share tasty desserts and friendly conversation starting at 6 p.m. today, Tuesday, Feb. 3, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Bring your UTA concerns and opinions to share with your Student Congress senator in a relaxed, fun event.

Alternative Breaks has openings for spring trip

The Alternative Breaks Program is taking applications for its spring trip to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. The trip is March 8-13. Spots are open to help in homelessness and poverty as well as early childhood education programs.

Alternative Break trips offer opportunities for students to engage in hands-on, meaningful community service and educational activities.

For details, visit the Alternative Breaks website.

ACES abstract deadline Friday

Abstracts are now being accepted for the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES), a University-wide symposium highlighting the best in student research and creativity. Submission deadline is Friday, Feb. 6.

To be featured at ACES, undergraduate and graduate students work with faculty mentors in their disciplines to write and submit abstracts for the competition. ACES 2015 is Wednesday, March 25, in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Email questions to aces@uta.edu.

Vote daily to help UTA win grant

UT Arlington has been nominated for the Stanley Security Together for Safer Schools grant. The top two schools in each category receive funding for security.

UTA is in the Tier 3 category for schools with more than 20,000 students. The grand prize is $200,000 with a runner-up prize of $75,000.

As of Monday afternoon, UT Arlington was in third place.

Vote every day, but only one vote per email address, phone number, or Twitter account. Vote from all your email addresses and cellphone numbers. Ask family, friends, and UTA fans to vote, too.

Go online to vote at stanleysaferschools.com, text utaedu to 334455, or tweet using hashtags ‪#‎stanleysecurity and ‪#‎utaedu.

Voting ends at midnight Friday, Feb. 13. See official rules at stanleysaferschools.com for details.

Next MavAlert is Wednesday

The next monthly test of the MavAlert Emergency Notification System is at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The MavAlert system rapidly notifies faculty, staff, and students in the event of a campus emergency via registered email addresses and text message devices.

Faculty, staff, and students should update their personal contact information through MyMav. You must enter a mobile phone number in your online MyMav record and label it "Mobile" to enable MavAlert emergency notifications via text message.

Students invited to Institutional Review Board conference

Students can learn the basics of regulations and more at the Institutional Review Board Mini-Conference 9:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, in Room 215 of the Center for Innovation, 202 E. Border St.

Sessions include the IRB review process, how to prepare a protocol for submission, a mock IRB board meeting, and a panel discussion. One session can earn you credit for human subject training requirements.

See the conference schedule. RSVP to marycolette.lybrand@uta.edu.

Regulatory Services and Research Administration sponsor the conference.

And it's in Martin McZeal, communication junior, lands a ringer in yard pong on The Green at College Park. The game was part of tailgating event before last Thursday's women's and men's basketball games against Georgia State.

Friendship program seeks to partner international faculty, students with community members

International students and faculty members can link up with Arlington community members through The Link International Friendship Program, sponsored by the Office of International Education.

The Link program fosters an appreciation for how others live and view the world by matching international students and scholars with families and individuals from the Arlington community. Ideally, friendship partners will meet at least once a month for a year. Common activities include conversations over coffee or tea, preparing dishes from each other's cultures, celebrating a birthday or holiday, visiting a local park, or attending a local festival, museum, or film.

Apply online to be a community friend or if you are an international faculty member. For questions, contact Josh Garcia at joshg@uta.edu.

Still need housing? Apply online now, move into a residence hall today

Space is available in the residence halls to move into immediately. Log into the University Housing portal using your NetID and password. Complete the “AY 2014-2015 Spring Only” application. After you’ve applied, check your UTA email for a contract offer.

Residence halls are fully furnished and all-utilities paid, including electricity, water, unlimited laundry, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connection, and cable TV. Click here to find the rates and amenities of UTA's six unique on-campus residence halls.

A $150 deposit is required. For questions, call University Housing at 817-272-2791.

Sprucing up for spring Preparation work for new landscaping and lighting are in the works on the mall from the Central Library to West Street. The improvements follow the replacement of a collapsed sewer line. Hector Contreras, center, adds new pavers outside the Chemistry and Physics Building while Don Madison, construction coordinator, looks on.

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Notification

UT Arlington seeks to provide its faculty, staff, and students with a drug-free environment. In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the University is required to notify faculty, staff, and students each semester about:

Health risks associated with drug and alcohol abuse

• Alcohol and Drug Awareness

• Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Abuse (Brochures are at UT Arlington Police Department and Health Services)

University policies related to the illegal possession, use, or distribution of drugs or alcohol

• Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy

• Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace Policy

• Drug-Free University Community and Workplace Policy

• Drugs and Alcohol Policy

Availability of treatment for drug or alcohol problems

Employees — Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is provided through UT Arlington’s Office of Human Resources at 1-800-343-3822 or visit alliancewp.com.

Students — Drug and alcohol counseling and referral services are available through UT Arlington Health Services at 817-272-2771 or visit uta.edu/healthservices.

Internal sanctions and federal, state, and local legal penalties that may result from the illegal sale, possession, consumption, or distribution of drugs or alcohol

• Disciplinary Penalties

• Student Conduct and Discipline

• Standards of Conduct Guide

• Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Abuse (Brochures are at UTA Police Department and Health Services.)

For more information, contact UT Arlington's Health Services at 817-272-2771 or visit uta.edu/healthservices.

Add, swap, drop, or withdraw from spring classes

To withdraw from classes once the term has begun, undergraduate students must meet with an academic adviser in their major department.

If you drop or withdraw on or before the Census Date, Wednesday, Feb. 4, no grade will be recorded on your transcript to reflect the drop. Courses dropped by the Census Date also will not be counted toward the six-course drop limit that affects students who entered a Texas public college or university in fall 2007 or later or the excessive hours tuition law that affects students who have more than 45 hours in excess of the hours required for a degree plan. Read more about this state law for its implementation at UT Arlington.

Deadline to apply for graduation for spring candidates

The priority deadline to apply for graduation has passed, but students can still apply for the spring 2015 term.

Candidates for graduation can apply through Monday, March 2, with an additional $60 late fee. The filing fee is $40 and is non-refundable and non-transferable. Students should apply to graduate in MyMav. Read the graduation application instructions. 

Before students apply to graduate, they should verify with their academic adviser that they are eligible to graduate at the end of the graduation application term. The fee is not refundable or transferable to a future term if a student applies and is then found to be ineligible to graduate.

Read more about graduation requirements.

Freshman progress reports on MyMav

Progress reports are being posted for freshmen through Sunday, Feb. 22. The faculty deadline is Feb. 20, but instructors can report progress report grades at any time before then, and you can view your progress reports as soon as the grades are entered. See your grades in the MyMav Student Center. See your academic adviser with questions or concerns. A list of advising offices is online.

PDF transcripts now available

UT Arlington now offers transcripts in PDF format. Students can send PDF transcripts by email to another university, a potential employer, or themselves. Read more about ordering transcripts.

Grammy nominees perform at Spring Concert Grammy nominees Jessie J and Luke James will perform for the Spring Concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Texas Hall, two days after the prestigious music awards ceremony. Jessie J was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Bang, Bang with Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. She also will perform with Tom Jones (It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat?) for the awards ceremony, televised at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, on CBS. She was nominated for two 2015 People’s Choice Awards—Favorite Pop Artist and Favorite Song (Bang, Bang). In 2012, her Price Tag won the MTV Video Play Award for highest video play counts on all MTV channels. James is up for Best R&B Song for Options (Wolfjames Version) with Rick Ross. He is a singer/songwriter who truly embodies the honesty and fresh, organic soulfulness that’s been in relatively short supply of late. The New Orleans native has penned songs for Justin Bieber (That Should Be Me) and Britney Spears (Kill the Lights). Tickets are $15 with student ID, $20 faculty and staff, $25 general admission.  EXCEL Campus Activities sponsors the event.

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Tail Waggin' Wednesday Paws with Partners will bring registered therapy dogs to campus for some doggy de-stressing. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., second floor, Central Library. Also Wednesdays, March 4 and April 1. UT Arlington Libraries.

Bassoon Week Recitals Bassoon students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Also, Thursday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 7. Music.

Friday, Feb. 6

UT Arlington Wind Symphony Concert Conductor Douglas Stotter leads a concert of band classics from around the world. Tickets $6 with student ID, seniors; $9 adults. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Flight 12 Improv! An evening of funny and oh-no-you-didn't moments presented by 12 members of the Maverick Theatre Company. Free. 8 p.m., Studio Theatre, Fine Arts Building. Also, Saturday, Feb. 7. Theatre Arts.

Saturday, Feb. 7

Men's Basketball on ESPN Mavericks vs. Louisiana-Lafayette game televised from the Cajundome in Lafayette, La. 1 p.m., ESPN2. Athletics.

Ongoing

Special Collections: The Price of Manifest Destiny Discover how maps and war interlocked in the 19th century. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Sixth floor, Central Library. Through Feb. 7. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

The Gallery at UTA: Gyorgy Beck and Sylvia Plachy Two Hungarian-born artists share space in both the literal and metaphysical sense. Through Feb. 14. The Gallery at UTA.

Visual Resource Commons and Gallery The African Art Collection is a multi-dimensional collection of 11th-20th century art and artifacts. Free. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Suite 2109, Fine Arts Building. Art and Art History.

Planetarium The spring schedule features Black Holes, Dynamic Earth, Pink Floyd, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. Planetarium.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

Wednesday, Feb. 4	A Quick Look at Engineering Student and Faculty Achievements Two examples of achievements by student teams and faculty members: an award-winning real-time monitoring system that enables better vehicular flow and a project to solve water-related challenges some cities face due to urban population growth and climate fluctuations. Light breakfast provided. RSVP. Free. 7-8 a.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Arlington Technology Association. Women Go Red Learn about heart disease and how it affects women. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Health Services. Study Abroad Fair Learn about the more than 500 study abroad programs in 62 countries where Mavericks can earn credit toward their degrees. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Study Abroad. The New Black: Examining Racial Identity from a Contemporary Perspective Jason Shelton, associate professor of sociology, and Danté Bryant, social work doctoral student, detail racial identity from a contemporary perspective. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Carlisle Suite, E.H. Hereford University Center. Center for African American Studies.
Ongoing	Career Development Job search assistance, including resume reviews and interview and networking tips; employer events, such as information sessions and on-campus interviews; and career development assistance are provided. Upcoming events are on the website. Call 817-272-2932 for an appointment. Career Development Center. Center for Students in Recovery Celebrate Recovery 12-step meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Room 107, Social Work Building; and student-led, open Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, noon, Wednesdays, Room 314, Central Library. Center for Students in Recovery.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

Mighty Mavs: Freshman Rebekah Van Dijk, top, recorded her 10th double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds in Saturday's 70-67 victory over Troy.  Middle, junior infielder Darien McLemore was named a member of the 2015 Preseason All-Sun Belt Baseball Team. Bottom, freshman Daniel Velasquez was named to the USA National Junior Team and invited to compete at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation World Games on July 2-8. Velasquez, who has cerebral palsy, also will represent UT Arlington at the World Games.

Maverick women top Troy, Georgia State

The women’s basketball team shot a season-best 52.1 percent to defeat Troy 70-67 Saturday at College Park Center. Freshman Rebekah Van Dijk recorded her 10th double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

UTA downed Georgia State 57-45 Thursday to reach 10 victories for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Van Dijk led the way with a game-high 16 points.

The Mavericks are 11-9 overall and 5-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. They face Louisiana-Lafayette on the road Saturday, Feb. 7.

Men's basketball loses two at home

The Mavericks failed to hold a second-half lead for the second consecutive game, falling to Troy 55-54 Saturday night at College Park Center. Senior Greg Gainey came off the bench to score 15 points.

UTA lost 88-74 Thursday to Georgia State despite holding an 11-point lead in the second half. Freshman Kevin Hervey scored a season-high 21 points.

The Mavericks are 12-9 on the season and 6-5 in conference play. Next up is a road game at Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, Feb. 7. Catch the action on ESPN2 beginning at 1 p.m.

Indoor track teams excel at Adidas meet

The men and women’s track teams turned in some outstanding individual performances Saturday afternoon at Nebraska’s Adidas Classic.

For the men, Quentin Butler won the 200 meters and the long jump, while Tobi Fawehinmi placed first in the triple jump. In women’s action, Ashley Wright won the 800 meters, and Katelyn Howard was first in the mile.

The Mavericks return to action Saturday, Feb. 14, at Wichita State’s Varsity Apartments Invitational. It’s the final event prior to the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 23-24, in Birmingham, Ala. 

Tennis teams victorious

The men and women's tennis teams defeated Midwestern State University on Friday afternoon at the UTA Tennis Center. The women came up with another 7-0 sweep, while the men regained momentum winning 5-2.

The men face Rice in Houston on Friday, Feb. 6. The women are home Saturday, Feb. 7, for a doubleheader against Dallas Baptist and Seminole State.

Mavs tabbed fourth in SBC preseason baseball poll

UT Arlington was picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Mavericks also had junior infielder Darien McLemore honored as a member of the 2015 Preseason All-Sun Belt Baseball Team. 

The Mavericks open the 2015 season Friday, Feb. 13, when they travel to Nacogdoches to face Missouri State in the Stephen F. Austin Tournament. UT Arlington's home opener is Friday, Feb. 20, when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana in the UTA Hilton Invitational. 

Season tickets are $75 for the 24-game baseball schedule at Clay Gould Ballpark. The schedule includes all 15 Sun Belt Conference home games and one tournament. All seating is general admission. 

Season tickets do not include UTA's home game at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Tuesday, March 17, against Texas. Information on tickets for the Mavericks' matchup with the Longhorns will be released at a later date. 

Season and single-game tickets are available at utatickets.com or by calling 817-272-9595. 

UTA picked to finish 8th in SBC preseason softball poll

The UT Arlington softball team was picked to finish eighth in the team's second season in the Sun Belt Conference as released by the league's 2015 Preseason Poll voted on by the SBC coaches. 

UTA begins its season Friday, Feb. 6, at the Tangi Tourism Lion Classic in Hammond, La. The Mavericks will open the newly reconstructed Allan Saxe Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, to begin the Maverick Invitational when they host Incarnate Word, Buffalo, Ohio State, and Sam Houston State. Next are games against Texas Tech and Missouri-Kansas City in the UT Arlington Invitational beginning Friday, Feb. 20.

Intramural deadlines include basketball

Upcoming entry deadlines for intramural sports include pre-season basketball, Tuesday, Feb. 3; basketball, Wednesday, Feb. 4; rock climbing, Tuesday, Feb. 10; and racquetball, Friday, Feb. 13.

See the intramural sports schedule. Pick up entry forms at the Services and Information Desk of the Maverick Activities Center. For questions, call 817-272-3277 or email imsports@uta.edu.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, uta.edu/movinmavs, or uta.edu/campusrec.)