March 2008 Newsletter
A message from Dr. Lamas
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Students,
It’s hard to believe that finals and spring commencement ceremonies will soon be upon us. This is a time when we begin to direct attention to summer planning, programming and preparing for New Maverick Orientation. Despite this, Student Affairs is charging forward with some of our biggest programs and events right around the corner.
In this latest edition of our newsletter, you’ll get a glimpse of some very exciting things to come. The long-awaited Grand Opening of the MAC takes place at the end of this month, and I hope that you will come out to the ceremony on the 28th. The very next day another hit music performer, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, will come to campus for the annual Springfest concert. Also, I’d like to pay tribute to our Freshmen Leaders on Campus who are bringing community-wide attention to the tragedies unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. Scroll down and you’ll see more of our upcoming events.
Lastly, I’m pleased to announce that the division’s newest department, Apartment & Residence Life, has launched a brand new website, www.uta.edu/livingoncampus, so make sure to take a look and explore how they “live it up on campus!”
As always, I would like to wish all of our students the best of luck in all of their academic pursuits, best wishes for success on final exams and congratulations to those who will soon be graduating.
Sincerely,
Frank Lamas
Vice President for Student Affairs
Calendar of events
Please see our full calendar of events Web page.
Select upcoming events: Women’s History Month March 1-31 Grand Opening of the MAC March 28 Springfest 2008 March 29 Semana de Cultura April 7-11 10 Ways to Relieve Stress March 26 The Big Event April 12 Asian Awareness Week April 14-18 The Importance of Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle April 23 Leadership Recognition Ceremony April 29 New Maverick Orientation (session dates) May, June-July
Focus on Darfur in March
Freshman Leaders on Campus have created a month-long series of events to alert people to the crisis in Darfur.
A panel discussion April 3 on the crisis will include a refugee from the war torn section of Africa as well as a human rights activist who has worked with refugees and Africa Program director Dr. Alusine Jalloh. The program, which takes place at 7 p.m. in 100 Nedderman Hall, will be moderated by Dr. Rick Halperin, who heads the Human Rights Department at SMU. As a precursor to the discussion, a 90-minute documentary on Darfur titled The Devil Came on Horseback was shown March 3.
The month also will include a series of service projects, like the Tents of Hope, where students paint a tent they hope will be placed among others from around America in the National Mall in Washington this October. Also, the University Center Gallery will feature until March 14 an exhibit that includes photos of refugee camps, letters and drawings from children from the region, and other works. FLOC thanks all who support this endeavor.
Spring Fest comes March 29
Spring Fest, a music festival on campus which began last year, is back again Sat., March 29. The free festival will be highlighted with an appearance by the group The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and also a performance by the band, Ok Go.
The festival takes place on the west lawn of the Maverick Activities Center, otherwise known as the “back of the MAC.” Food, games and other activities will also be part of the festival. Gates open at 5 p.m.
MAC Grand Opening March 28
Celebrate the completion and Grand Opening of the Maverick Activities Center on Friday, March 28. The grand tour will include the new indoor soccer courts, a climbing wall opening this summer, racquetball courts, a 16-lap indoor track, a badminton court, a game room, outdoor sand volleyball courts, outdoor basketball courts and multi-purpose rooms.
The ceremony takes place outside the MAC on the new outdoor basketball courts at 3 p.m. See you at the MAC!
New staff
Eric Neilson joined the Apartment and Residence Life team Feb. 21 as the area coordinator of apartment life. Eric comes from New Mexico State and Kansas State, where he completed his graduate degree.
Toni Alvarez
Student Profile: In each issue of the newsletter, a student in one of the departments in Student Affairs will be highlighted to show the contribution students make in the division.
Toni Alvarez is one of 16 Maverick Orientation Leaders, or Mav OLs. She is in her second year as a Mav OL and doing a wonderful job. Even though Toni is only a sophomore, she has quickly become a leader on campus through New Maverick Orientation, UTA Ambassadors, Alpha Chi Omega sorority and other student organizations.
As a second-year Mav OL, Toni can use the skills she learned last summer to help new Mav OLs in their training, development, and work throughout the New Maverick Orientation sessions. All Mav OLs must be personable and approachable as well as know the campus and resources available to new freshmen, and possess public speaking skills, the ability to lead small group discussions, a willingness to work with parents and guests, flexibility and professionalism. Toni does a great job of modeling these qualities, not only for the other Mav OLs, but also for the incoming freshman class.
It will be exciting to see Toni grow even more as she completes another summer working as a Maverick Orientation Leader.
Multicultural Affairs
Department Profile: In each issue of the newsletter, a different department within Student Affairs will be highlighted to show what it does and how it’s helping build better students.
The mission of Multicultural Affairs is to encourage, foster and support an academic, social and cultural atmosphere conducive to the needs of all students.
While advocating cultural diversity and diversity of opinion, Multicultural Affairs embraces individuals from all backgrounds. We provide cultural programming, diversity training, recruitment initiatives and retention strategies. Our goal is to create an environment of academic success and cultural awareness, empowering students with the skills necessary to establish a solid foundation as they prepare to leave the University.
Our motto is “Empower the Leader, Strengthen the Community!”
Multicultural Affairs is composed of two complementary units: Multicultural Affairs and Multicultural Outreach. Our four areas of focus are recruitment, retention, diversity training and cultural programming. The University community is invited to the variety of programs sponsored by our office. Be sure to enjoy:
Women in Leadership Diversity Lecture Series Multicultural Affairs Retreat Hispanic Heritage Month Asian Awareness Month Native American Week Black History Month Semana de Cultura Women’s History Month Diversity Week Maversity! Diversity leadership training Providing Academic Support Services freshman retention program (P.A.S.S.)
For more information and our calendar, visit www.uta.edu/multicultural.
Department news
Student Governance & Organizations
Student elections are April 21-22. Positions available include Student Congress president, vice president and senators, Student Service Fee Advisory Committee members, Mr. and Ms. UTA, and constituency council presidents. Filing is March 5-28 in the department office.
Sign up for spring and summer University Center display cases, hub banners and campus lamppost banners on March 31. Come to the office as early as 8 a.m. to get your number. Sign-ups begin at 1:30 p.m. in numerical order.
The UTA-HOSTS! peer mentoring program is recruiting mentors for 2008-09. Mentors help new students adjust to UT Arlington. For those needing assistance, the service is invaluable. Please let your students know – contact Molly Alfers or Jennifer Lopez at 817-272-2293.
Campus Recreation
MAC Madness is a way to slam dunk your way to fitness this month. Throughout March, all Campus Recreation members can earn points for working out and participating in wellness activities. For rules, stop by the MAC today or call 817.272.3277.
The department will host one of eight regional basketball tournaments of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association in the MAC March 28-30. Dozens of the best intramural basketball teams from colleges in Texas and surrounding states will compete. The winning team goes to the national tournament at Ohio State. This year, UT Arlington hopes to hold up to the expectations of the region and host an excellent event.
Walk Across Texas is a semester-long pilot program in which Student Affairs participants receive a pedometer to track their daily mileage. All participants figuratively start in El Paso and are working their way to Texarkana with various exercises. There are 6 milestones throughout the walk where prizes are given out.
Student Publications
So far this spring, The Shorthorn has produced three special sections, covered a presidential primary debate, and added a steady string of videos to its Web site.
And that’s just in the first six weeks.
As well as producing special sections previewing Homecoming events and helping job-seekers before the University’s Employer Showcase, The Shorthorn produced its first Bridal Guide in January that came with an accompanying bridal fair and fashion show. Shorthorn staffers in the newsroom and in advertising modeled tuxedos and gowns as they strutted down the runway.
Reporter Julie Sanchez and photographer Dominic Bracco also covered the Feb. 21 debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in Austin, and other staffers have covered other recent campaign events, including Chelsea Clinton’s appearance on campus.
In the future, look out for more special sections, including a housing guide and our traditional semester-end Graduation Edition.
New Maverick Orientation
New Maverick Orientation is gearing up for the summer 2008 orientation season. The two-day schedule is almost set, and it will focus even more on University history and tradition.
Freshmen will have more chances to meet with Maverick orientation leaders in a small group setting. The schedule also allows for freshmen and their guests to spend time in other campus buildings, such as the MAC. We are confident these changes will enhance the experience of everyone involved and leave the freshmen prepared to be successful UT Arlington students.
For more information and summer 2008 New Maverick Orientation dates, visit our Web site: www.uta.edu/orientation.
Relationship Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is meant to increase the public’s understanding about sexual violence in our society and to help communities support rape and sexual assault survivors, victims, and their friends and families.
One way to make a statement is on Denim Day April 16, when people are encouraged to wear denim to communicate the message that there is “no excuse and never an invitation to rape.” The Denim Day campaign began in 1999 as part of an international protest of an Italian high court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans.
Denim Day activities will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 in the UC Palo Duro Lounge, where food, giveaways and resources will be provided. Please call Lisa Andrews at 817.272.0260 or e-mail at landrews@uta.edu to request additional information.
Movin’ Mavs
The Movin’ Mavs have concluded regular season play with a sweep of the Southern Region’s final tournament, beating Alabama on its home court, dominating Missouri, then avenging an earlier loss to Arizona. The Movin’ Mavs dominated the Southern Region in conference play with a 9-1 record and a 15-5 record in the intercollegiate division.
The team has the No. 3 seed in the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at Oklahoma State University March 13-17. The Movin’ Mavs will play their first game at 6 p.m. March 13 against Edinboro (Pa.) University. Edinboro was runner-up to last year’s champion, Wisconsin, so the team expects a real challenge.
Be there as the Movin’ Mavs begin their journey against the nation’s best.
Multicultural Affairs
The office has established Maversity, a new diversity leadership training program that empowers students to be leaders in a diverse community. Nine workshops will be held this spring, and space is limited to 25 students. For a complete schedule and details, visit www.uta.edu/multicultural.
Women’s History Month will be celebrated in March with more than 30 events planned. Featured events include the Diversity Lecture Series, the Dancing in the Mirror play March 4, and the first Women of Excellence Award Gala. See the Web site for a complete schedule of events.
Where there’s a W.I.L., there’s a way. Women in Leadership is a new mentoring program matching 20 female student leaders from across campus. Students applied for admission into the program, which includes a leadership retreat co-sponsored with Counseling Center, Leadership Center and the RVSP office. Members also participate in career and self-esteem workshops during the month as well as volunteer activities.
Office for Students with Disabilities
The office is thrilled to announce the launching of a new cooperative program with Career Services. “Entry Point!” is a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science offering students with disabilities outstanding internship opportunities in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science and some business fields.
On Feb. 12, Dr. Dianne Hengst presented to the UTA Advising Association on the topic “What Every Advisor Needs to Know about Advising Students with Disabilities.” She also presented at Southlake Carroll High School Feb. 19 for students and parents on the topic “Transitioning from High School to College: Tips for Students with Disabilities.”
Office of Student Judicial Affairs
To address a rise in alleged Code of Conduct violations, a campaign is underway to educate students about University policies, rules and regulations. If you would like to create a catchy slogan and/or poster to promote awareness of the campaign to students, please contact Andrea Barefield at barefield@uta.edu.
Apartment & Residence Life
The department launched its new Web site this month so check it out at www.uta.edu/livingoncampus.
We also had a record number of students participate in this year’s Homecoming events. Brazos House won the hall decorating contest while Arlington Hall won the overall residence hall Homecoming spirit competition.
Kalpana Chawla Hall’s 4th annual Black History Program, this year titled “BH4,” took place Feb. 18 in the UC Rosebud Theater. It was open to the entire UT Arlington community and paired nicely with other Black History Month events sponsored by the division. The program’s purpose was to enlighten the audience of the proud heritage of African Americans through song, poem, dance and a variety of other talents. The team that coordinated this year’s program included KC Hall resident assistants, office assistants, Hall Council members, students, full-time staff and neighboring businesses.
Welcome to the Division of Student Affairs newsletter for staff members. This newsletter is published periodically throughout the year to keep people informed about what’s happening throughout the division. Enjoy.
Staff: Chris Whitley, Lisa Nagy, John Hillas, Tom Gormley