Parent Newsletter January 2008
Dr. Dawn Remmers, Director, University Advising, Student Success and Testing Services, University of Texas at Arlington
Welcome to a new year and along with it, a new tuition payment policy. Be sure to read this month’s “Did You Know?” for important information on when your student’s tuition is due.
Is your student having trouble registering for classes? Be sure they have visited with their major advisor. Are there academic issues your student needs to confront this term? While University faculty and staff members give students academic advice and assistance, each graduate and undergraduate student is expected to take responsibility for his or her education and personal development. Read more about academic responsibility here.
Looking for a way to save some money? The Alumni Association’s Tuition Raffle may put money back in your pocket. Read more in this month’s “Topic of the Month.”
This year, the Parent e-Newsletter will once again touch on articles that we hope will inform, educate and enlighten. Some of the topics we hope to present this year include alcohol awareness, judicial affairs and campus growth and development.
Be sure to check your email each month for this newsletter and Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!
by Christina Million, Executive Director, UT Arlington Alumni Association
UT Arlington Alumni Association
The University of Texas at Arlington Alumni Association engages in establishing and promoting a lasting, supportive relationship among students, alumni, parents, the University and the community.
The Alumni organization began in 1920 when Elmer Holmgreen recognized the benefits of an organized body of former students. It was then that the tradition of the organization was conceived. During the early 1940’s, volunteers ran the Alumni organization and alumni records were maintained on index cards. At this time one of those volunteers, Lloyd Clark, started the first alumni publication, The ExPress.
The organization changed its name in 1968, and in 1974 it became a 501c3 non-profit organization. Paul Kautz Jr., Frank Knight, Wayne Coble, Bobby Lane and James Cribbs submitted a charter to the State of Texas to officially recognize the Alumni Association as an organization. In the late 1970’s, the association was reorganized with a single goal in mind – to create a connection between alumni and the University, providing additional support to current students and enhancing their academic experience. Today, the Alumni Association keeps alumni in touch with each other and with their university and assists them in supporting UTA.
To succeed in its mission, The University of Texas at Arlington Alumni Association strives to be the most influential force in creating strong advocates and a lasting legacy for UT Arlington. The association is governed by a 30-member board of directors that serve as the governing body and supported by a staff of six university employees. The Alumni Association moved into a new home for its operations in the summer of 2005. For the first time in the history of the Association, the organization has its own office space. After spending over ten years in the College Center, the Association now resides at 841 West Mitchell St, which increased the working area by 49%.
The Association is able to offer a number of programs, including various student scholarships, membership for all constituent groups, special events, chapter programs, and the Student Alumni Association.
Some key achievements of the Association over the past three years are a 186% increase in scholarship dollars awarded to deserving students bringing the 2007 total to over $103,000, quadrupled membership numbers to over 8,000 Association members, the addition of 13 new events, and a 59% increase in Student Alumni Association members to 43.
Another successful program that is very valuable to parents is the Tuition Raffle. 1st place: full year of tuition (up to 12 hours per semester), 2nd place: one semester’s tuition, 3rd place: $500. The Tuition Raffle drawing is during Homecoming, so tickets go on sale January 21, 2008. The tickets can be purchased from Student Alumni Association members or through the Alumni Association website. Thank you for all your support, and please contact the Alumni Association with any questions or comments, regarding its programs or ways to get involved. GO MAVERICKS!!
by Lynne Von Roeder, M.Ed., Academic Advisor, University of Texas at Arlington
Is Your Student Unsure of Their Career Direction?
Recommend a Career Exploration class!
In this 1 credit-hour course, students will do career assessments that target their interests, strengths, values, learning styles, skills and personality style. Speakers from campus colleges will attend class for question and answer sessions and they will also bring plenty of good information to give to each interested student.
Students will learn to access legitimate web resources for topics such as job forecasts, salary information, additional training needed for advancement and skills needed for certain jobs. Students will build a portfolio of all the above information to keep for future efforts.
While I can’t promise my students that they will know exactly what to major in at the end of the class, results show that most students will have narrowed the search down to two majors. Plus, they have a wealth of tools in their “toolbox” to aid them in their continued search. Students can get advice from me on classes that would allow them to explore further in those majors.
If you have an interested student, there are still open seats. Please have your student contact me at lvonroeder@uta.edu or call 817-272-3140.
by Liz Hannabas, Coordinator of Advisor Outreach, University of Texas at Arlington
Cynthia Bing, M.A., L.P.C., N.C.C.
UT Arlington offers counseling services which can help students with many concerns regarding academic, career, and personal problems. The goal of the Counseling Services Office is to provide confidential services that help students to succeed academically, in their careers, and in their personal lives. The office is focused on working with students who can benefit from a short-term counseling model.
The dedicated staff members who serve these students is led by Director, Cynthia Bing. Cynthia has worked at UT Arlington for 14 years and says she is responsible for the coordination and supervision of personal, academic and career counseling services. She was named Director in October, 2006.
Cynthia believes an ideal Maverick is a person who works hard to accomplish their goals – “An ideal Maverick is someone willing to establish goals that are unique to their individual strengths and then work hard to accomplish these goals”. Cynthia has been successful in meeting many of her goals as well.
In her years of service, Cynthia was named UT Arlington Outstanding Employee of the Year (1999-2000), Outstanding Counselor of the year from the Texas College Counseling Association (2002-2003), and also received the American College Counseling Association Meritorious Service Award in 2003.
The counseling office can be an incredible resource for students who may need help in transitioning from high school to college and can also assist students as they progress in their academic career. Cynthia says her office has expanded its services to address developmental needs and concerns of students. “Counselors are involved in a wide range of activities outside of the Counseling office. Some of these activities include the annual leadership retreat, freshman interest groups, the Gateway program, PASS classes, depression screenings and suicide prevention training programs for residence life staff”.
Providing support at all levels and encouraging healthy student behavior is what makes UT Arlington a great campus for all students and that’s why we chose Cynthia Bing as the University Advising Center’s Maverick of the Month – Congratulations!
by Casey Gonzales, Assistant Dean of Students/Director Parent & Family Center
Tips for Parents and Families
• Encourage your student to take a look at new classes and classmates as opportunities for new connections and improved academic performance.
• Review the events of the first semester with your student and identify problem areas and those that were successful.
• Evaluate changes that may be needed for responsible money management.
NEW EARLY TUITION PAYMENT POLICY GOES INTO EFFECT FOR SPRING SEMESTER
University of Texas at Arlington students need to be aware of the early tuition payment policy effective this spring. Students will need to get at least one-third of their tuition paid by January 9.
If payment, or partial payment, is not made by January 9, registration will be cancelled and re-registration will be subject to seat availability. Additionally, students may need to get clearance from their advisors in order to reregister. Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ronald L. Elsenbaumer cautions that this could be a time-consuming exercise at a time when advisors may not be on campus, since it is the week before classes start. Spring classes start one week earlier this year, as well.
For classes added after January 9, payment is due by 11:59 p.m. on the day of registration. If payment is not received, classes will be cancelled that evening.
Loans are available to students who are unable to make the initial payment toward their registration fees. For more information, call Bursar Services at (817) 272-2172.
Important Dates to Remember
January 14 First Day of Class for Spring Session
January 30 Census Date for Spring Session
March 28 Last Day to Drop with Automatic “W” for Spring Session
View the complete Spring academic calendar here.
Is your student looking for some fun activities? Campus Recreation keeps its calendar busy with events all semester long. Click here to view all upcoming events.
Academic Calendar | Featured Events | Full Calendar
To view archived copies of this newsletter visit www.uta.edu/studentsuccess-home and click on the Parent E-Newsletter link at the bottom of the page.