Parent Newsletter March 2008
Dr. Dawn Remmers, Director, University Advising, Student Success and Testing Services, University of Texas at Arlington
Mid-term progress reports eliminate surprises and are the easiest and most efficient way for a student (and parent) to stay aware of academic development.
This spring, progress reports will be available on March 11th. Students will receive reminder emails and notices regarding low performance (D or F in one or more classes) via their UT Arlington MavMail email account.
Read more about progress reports in our “Topic of the Month” section.
If it turns out your student is still struggling in a class, tutorial services are available and you can read all about these resources in this month’s newsletter, as well.
This month also means a break for your student. Spring break begins March 17th and students will return to classes the 24th. Check out a Spring Break Alternative for your student.
Finally, there’s a lot of change happening at UT Arlington. Be sure to visit the webcam available to watch progress on the College of Engineering – details are available in this month’s “Did You Know” section.
by Liz Hannabas, Coordinator of Advisor Outreach, University of Texas at Arlington
“Who’s Advising Your Student? The Survey Says…”
Results of a survey taken earlier this term indicate that students who were failing at mid term (last fall) and sought help from their advisor or professor recovered well, and went on to complete and pass a challenging class. However, when asked why some students stayed in a class, although failing at mid term, 13% stated they stayed in the class because a parent, or family member, advised them to.
The survey was given to freshman students currently enrolled in Education 1131 – PASS – a class mandated for all freshman students who ended the fall term with a grade point average (gpa) below 2.0. Students were asked what factors impacted their decision to stay in classes that they were not performing well in. Students could choose from a list of multiple factors and from this collected data, the University Advising Center determined 58% of students indicated they thought that if they studied harder, they would be able to bring up their grade; and, 41% indicated they did not realize how hard it would be to raise their grade.
Students also expressed concern in losing financial aid, if they dropped a class. This may be true; however, W’s and F’s may have a similar impact. At least with a W, the student’s gpa can be salvaged. Students should always contact the Financial Aid Office regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress in regards to any financial aid they may be receiving.
Ideally, advising your student to contact his or her academic advisor is optimum when your student has questions about classes, dropping, withdrawing, or financial aid. Your student can also get valuable and pertinent information about whether a class is even required for their major.
Too often students rely on their peers or family members for this type of advice and sometimes students can be given the wrong information. In this same survey, students were asked if they contacted faculty members, academic advisors or sought resources to help after viewing their mid-term grades; 63%, 65%, and 63%, respectively, said NO! Although students must be cautious about dropping classes, carefully chosen drops for poor academic performance can save a gpa and give the student time to improve their performance the next term having learned a hard lesson.
Many majors at UT Arlington require a 2.25 gpa or higher to be admitted to a major or other higher gpa requirements to graduate; therefore, mid term reports are given to students with less than a 2.25 gpa to provide some feedback. Students and parents should realize though, depending on where grades may fall within the term, a student may or may not be able to bring up their grade at mid point. Students should be encouraged to speak with their faculty member so it can be determined whether a student should drop.
This spring term, mid-term grades will be available March 11th and can be viewed through the student’s MyMav Student Center. Students will also receive a reminder email notice (via their UT Arlington MavMail email account) regarding their low performance (D or F in one or more classes). More than 68-hundred students will receive mid-term grades this term.
SOAR Learning Services
by Kathryn Head, Director, SOAR TRIO Programs
There are many, many resources for academic assistance at UT Arlington. SOAR (Students Obtaining Academic Readiness), begun in 1976, was the first organized program of academic support here and offers appointment based tutoring through two different programs, Student Support Services (free to qualifying students) and Cost-Share Tutorial ($6.50 per hour). In addition, SOAR Supplemental Instruction provides free study groups attached to challenging courses. SOAR McNair Scholars offers graduate school preparation for qualified students.
Students who are having difficulty in one or more of their classes, or students who are interested simply in maintaining a good GPA, are encouraged to come by the SOAR offices, 1st Floor Hammond Hall, or visit our website at www.uta.edu/soar to learn more about our services.
SOAR is also one of the largest employers of student employees on campus. SOAR hires students who have excellent grades (3.0 or better) and are recommended by faculty for tutor or SI Leader positions paying from 7.84 to 10.00 per hour.
Cost-Share Tutorial offers individual tutoring in a large number of courses in the Colleges of Business, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Science to ANY UT Arlington student. Students set up appointments online and are billed through their student account. Tutors meet with students on campus between 7:00am and 10:00pm any day. (Cost-Share Tutoring is funded through Student Service Fee Advisory Services)
Online Tutoring by e-mail is free. Students go to www.uta.edu/soar, access the quick link to online tutoring and sign on with their net ID and password. (Online Tutoring is funded through Student Success Programs)
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is free and consists of structured study sessions offered for specific sections of difficult courses. SI sessions are led by SI leaders—specially trained students who have taken the class, performed well and attend class a second time. SI Leaders provide handouts and facilitate group activities to help students understand lecture material, develop study strategies and prepare for exams. (Supplemental Instruction is funded through the Provost’s Office)
SOAR University Tutorial
130 Hammond Hall, 817.272.2617
Robin Melton, Director
TRIO programs are federally funded and require that students must qualify for free services.
Student Support Services offers comprehensive academic support to qualified students 1) small group tutoring conducted by trained and qualified tutors, 2) academic, personal and financial counseling/advising, 3) seminars related to academic success, 4) computer lab and experienced lab assistant, 5) opportunities to attend cultural events in the Metroplex free of charge, 6) grant aid available to selected participants who are Pell recipients.
Qualifications: Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and meet two of the following requirements: neither parent attained a 4-year college degree, has a documented physical disability, and meets a required low income level.
McNair Scholars Program prepares qualifying undergraduates for graduate study culminating in the PhD. Participants are selected by a committee and participate in the following: 1) one summer of faculty-mentored research, 2) seminars on academic improvement, research, funding, etc. 3) McNair Research Institute, 4) GRE preparation, 5) opportunities to present one’s research at regional/national conferences, 6) travel to visit graduate programs, 7) assistance with the graduate school application process.
Qualifications: First-generation/low-income and or underrepresented (in graduate school) status, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, 2.9 minimum cumulative GPA, sophomore, junior or senior rank upon program entry in the spring.
SOAR TRIO Programs
132 Hammond Hall, 817.272.3684
Kathryn Head, Director
SOAR Learning Services prides itself on providing the academic assistance UT Arlington students feel they need—whether it is in-depth learning or quick and easy review. Come check us out!
by Lynne Von Roeder, M.Ed., Academic Advisor, University of Texas at Arlington
Find a Mentor, Be a Mentor – Helping the “Whole” Student Succeed
Remember the person who helped you see things differently, opened a door to a new job or idea, taught you something, and helped you navigate your way?
What kind of value do we receive when we also do the same for others? The roots of mentorship are lost in antiquity. The word “mentor” was inspired by the character of Mentor in Homer’s Odyssey.
Though the actual Mentor in the story is a somewhat ineffective old man, the goddess Athena takes on his appearance in order to guide young Telemachus in his time of difficulty. I believe that any one of us that have flourished in one or more areas of our lives can attribute that to one or more close relationships or a mentor.
During their university career, it is very important, if not life-changing, for your student to experience being a mentor and/or a mentee.
Generally, good mentors are—
• known for their kindness and concern;
• willing and able to make a significant, regular, time commitment;
• knowledgeable in a particular field of study and willing to share;
• experienced in some type of volunteer services
The qualification for being mentored are the same but also adds a willingness to learn. At UT Arlington, you can find a mentor or be a mentor in the following programs:
UTA-HOSTS! (Helping Other Students To Succeed) is a peer mentor program sponsored by the Office of Student Governance and Organizations to help new students achieve success their first year on campus. UTA-HOSTS! matches first-year students with upper level students with a similar major. The upper level students, or mentors, will help students new to UT Arlington gain insight into campus opportunities and resources including important dates and deadlines, academic services.
Freshmen Leaders On Campus (FLOC) is a select organization created to promote freshmen involvement at UT Arlington. Students who were high school leaders have the opportunity to further develop their skills. Students, who are becoming interested in leadership, can become involved at UT Arlington as a member of FLOC and continue on as a mentor after their freshman year. FLOC provides a great way for freshmen to get involved, learn more about UT Arlington and have fun!
Learning Communities are open to everyone; not just freshmen. Every student who lives in Kalpana Chawla Hall will be in one of the following Learning Communities.
Arts & Society
Business Incorporated
Designing the 21st Century
Engineering Your Future
Healthy Lifestyles
Honors Great Thinkers
Science and Discovery
Between hall programming and living side by side, what a great way to meet a mentor or be one!
Freshmen Interest Groups (FIGs) are more specific than general Learning Communities and have a tendency to be reserved for freshmen only. FIGs generally consist of 15-22 students who share an academic major or interest and are required to enroll in the same core courses geared toward that major or interest. There are three types of FIGs: Classic, Fusion and Residential. Upper level Peer Counselors teach, coach and mentor each FIG and it students.
Last but not least are our faculty and staff. I know one of my mentors was my pre-law advisor and professor at TCU. That relationship has lasted 30 years.
So encourage your student to investigate these roles. They will only be better for doing so.
by Liz Hannabas, Coordinator of Advisor Outreach, University of Texas at Arlington
Lisa Berry, Coordinator, Cost-Share/Supplement Instruction/Online Tutoring
As Coordinator for SOAR University Tutorial, Lisa Berry has had the opportunity to work with approximately 75 tutors, 30 Supplemental Instruction (SI) leaders and four student office assistants each long semester. Tutors and SI leaders work with students individually and in small review sessions to assist them in challenging courses.
The work can mean long hours but Lisa says it’s all worth it; “I enjoy helping students navigate their academic roadblocks and watching both student and tutor grow academically from the peer learning experience.”
Making the office user friendly began two years ago. Lisa explains how a scheduling program accomplished that task – “two years ago our office implemented the use of TutorTrac. TutorTrac, a web-based appointment scheduling program, allows students to make tutoring appointments with just a few clicks of a mouse.” Lisa says the program also makes it easier for her to track her most requested courses and plan tutoring needs more accurately.
Lisa has been at UT Arlington for more than three years and enjoys working with students. “I have had the pleasure of teaching EDUC 1302, College Learning. I enjoy working closely with students in the Gateway Program as they adapt to the challenges of college.” Her interaction with the student body has also allowed her to see UT Arlington students show their Maverick pride – “students who recognize the importance of a college experience, not simply earning a college degree. Mavericks succeed in their academic and their personal lives.”
It’s Lisa’s importance in the lives of many UT Arlington students which makes her our choice for this month’s Maverick of the Month. Congratulations, from the University Advising Center!
Webcams Show Engineering Work in Progress
Visual evidence of the expansion of College of Engineering facilities can be seen via two Web cams documenting the construction of the Civil Engineering Lab Building on the west side of the campus and the demolition of the Border Trail Apartments north of Nedderman Hall. Links to the webcams can be found by clicking here.
You Can Shop On-line for UT Arlington Gear!
Show off your Maverick pride at the new, one-stop shop to hundreds of UT Arlington T-shirts, hats, accessories and other merchandise at the Bookstore, the Alumni Association and the Athletics Department. Start shopping by clicking here.
Public Forum Dates Set for Provost Finalists
The University of Texas at Arlington has released dates for a series of public forums on campus for its four finalists for the provost and vice president for academic affairs position.
All forums will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in room 245 of the College of Business Administration building, 701 S. West St., on the following dates: March 3: Ron Elsenbaumer, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs for The University of Texas at Arlington. March 5: Donald Bobbitt, dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. March 7: Barbara Romzek, associate dean for social sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas; and March 10: Jeremy Haefner, associate vice chancellor for research and innovation, dean of the Graduate School, and dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. For more information on the search, visit www.uta.edu/provostsearch.
Health Fair for Students
Health Services, Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), and the School of Nursing are sponsoring a health fair for students on March 5, 2008 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the University Center Palo Duro Lounge.
Student Health Fair ’08 will offer health screenings on vision, blood pressure, diabetes, dental care, chiropractic, cervical cancer, mammography, and nutrition, as well as education to students on a variety of health issues.
There will be hourly prize drawings, free samples of health products, door prizes and other give-away items for students to enjoy while browsing the vendor tables. Participants include Cooks Children, Tarrant County Public Health, Harris Methodist Hospital, South Texas Dental, UT Arlington MAC, NAACP, Susan G. Komen, and The Family Place among others.
Important Dates to Remember
March 17-21 Spring Break
March 28 Last Day to Drop with Automatic “W” for Spring Session
April 7 Summer and Fall 2008 Registration Begins
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.