University of Texas Arlington

Conference questions

CBS Sports, CBSDFW.com, College Sports Info.com and several other media organizations reported that UT Arlington is expected to move to the Sun Belt Conference in 2013. The Mavericks are already scheduled to move into the Western Athletic Conference this fall. The change to the Sunbelt Conference comes as the University of North Texas moves to Conference USA in 2013, replacing SMU, who is off to the Big East.

Benson reacts

Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson would neither confirm, nor deny, reports that UT Arlington is Sun Belt Conference-bound, the San Antonio Express-News blog, The Local Scene reported. But he did add that it is “premature” to discuss the candidacy of UT Arlington, a non-football playing school.

Southland Conference

Yahoo! Sports reported that UT Arlington is set to join the Western Athletic Conference in 2013. But if the league starts to crumble, UT Arlington could probably go back to the Southland Conference, the item said.

Perchlorate and breast milk research

The EDGE, the e-newsletter for Phys.org, reported that a team led by Purnendu “Sandy” Dasgupta, Jenkins Garrett Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UT Arlington, has found evidence that breast-fed babies can metabolize the environmental contaminant perchlorate, decreasing their risks of detrimental developmental effects from exposure. The research suggests a link between this characteristic and bifidobacteria, bacteria that is plentiful in the digestive systems of breast-fed babies.

Architecture students recognized

ASLA.org, the website for the American Society of Landscape Architects, noted that students with the UT Arlington Landscape Architecture program were recognized in an unprecedented number of awards last month by the Texas chapter of ASLA. The group distributed its 2012 student competition awards at its annual state meeting in Grapevine.

Sociology professor on "9 Things Never to Say to Working Moms"

Shine from Yahoo! quoted Beth Anne Shelton, UT Arlington sociology professor, in the article, “9 Things Never to Say to Working Moms.” Most women (and men) work because they need the earnings and/or health benefits, Shelton said. But a family’s financial situation isn’t anyone else’s business. And even if someone’s sure a family can survive on one parent’s paychecks alone, they might use the second income for “luxuries” like saving for their children’s future college education, she explained.

Center for African American Studies and Oral History Project

San Antonio's KSAT.com and Urban Orlando News reported on UT Arlington’s new Center for African American Studies and an oral history project focused on black alumni, the center’s first major undertaking. The center is a collaboration between the School of Social Work and the College of Liberal Arts.

Collaborations and partnership opportunities

Arlington city and school district leaders will hold a rare joint session Wednesday to discuss current collaborations and partnership opportunities between the city and the school district, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Existing partnerships, such as the Libraries in Schools program, fire and water intern programs, and the rejuvenation of the old Girls Inc. building will be discussed. Potential collaborations such as the Canon Print Center, which the city already shares with The University of Texas at Arlington, and shared fleet repair services will also be outlined, along with future opportunities.