Parent Newsletter May 2008
Dr. Dawn Remmers, Director, University Advising, Student Success and Testing Services, University of Texas at Arlington
The end of the school year means the graduation of hundreds of students from UT Arlington. Congratulations, if your student is participating in commencement ceremonies this month!
It’s also that time of year for the Parent e-Newsletter to take a break for the summer months of June and July.
Read on though, as this final issue highlights the growth and diversity of UT Arlington. Read more from a report issued by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in this month’s “Topic of the Month” section.
UT Arlington stays up to date on issues of diversity on campus. Read more about the Multicultural Affairs office in the “Did You Know” portion of the newsletter.
At the bottom of this newsletter you’ll find links to the fall schedule of classes and links to housing and financial aid. And, be sure to be watching for the August edition of the Parent e-Newsletter highlighting the benefits of Freshman Interest Groups and Learning Communities.
Have a safe summer and continue to encourage your students to “Be a Maverick!”
by Jim Patterson, Publications Editor, Office of University Publications, University of Texas at Arlington
UT Arlington Among Top Universities for Hispanics
Luis Robles came to UT Arlington looking for organizations he could identify with, ones that would help him be productive.
According to a study released in October by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, he found the right place.
The AASCU Hispanic Student Success Study examined why some state-supported four-year colleges and universities graduate Hispanic students at much higher rates than others. UT Arlington was one of 11 universities selected to participate based on its high graduation rates.
Robles credits the University’s Center for Mexican American Studies with providing Hispanic students a place to work on projects or homework or simply share ideas.
“I met many new people who are now great friends,” he said. “CMAS gave me the opportunity to get involved in community service, and I’ve enjoyed that.”
The AASCU report noted that Hispanic students at UT Arlington do not need to have their own groups to feel like part of the campus.
“The University of Texas at Arlington has an institutional culture that affirms diversity, promotes student success and enables Latino/Hispanic students to maintain a sense of identity with their ethnic heritage while achieving a sense of belonging with the larger campus community,” the report says.
It commends CMAS, noting that such organizations foster campus leaders.
“I’m tremendously proud of the praise and the recognition that the report confers upon our University in general,” CMAS Director Susan Gonzalez Baker said. “I’m also pleased that the report identifies concrete practices-things that we do right-that can be implemented at other universities.”
Casey Gonzales, director of Multicultural Outreach at UT Arlington, reminds that Hispanic success on campus has a long history.
“I think much of what we do goes back to the Association of Mexican American Students, which started in 1970 and has been the umbrella organization of most of the Hispanic organizations that we now have on campus,” he said. “Hispanic students have found their voice, their culture and pride at UT Arlington, and this helps the students excel and ultimately graduate.”
Luis Robles is a mechanical engineering major who plans to graduate this spring. He has been offered a full-time position at Meza Engineering, a consulting firm in Dallas, where he’s working as an intern.
by Lynne Von Roeder, M.Ed., Academic Advisor, University of Texas at Arlington
The Importance of Going Global
After looking at hundreds of college student resumes and interacting with faculty and employers, I cannot stress how important traveling abroad has become. Even 27 years ago, I spent one summer of my college career studying in England and it was so eye-opening. I came back with a true sense of the importance of history and culture in understanding our world. That sense of understanding and respect is immensely important in these critical times, as well as being very important to employers.
Many students also study abroad in an effort to expand their opportunities beyond those their home university offers.
Strategically, study abroad offers many exciting benefits; from high school students hoping to get into a prestigious university, to college learners pursuing reputable post graduate schools or professions. These opportunities may lead to scholarships, grants, or careers!
President of IIE (Institute for International Education) Allan E. Goodman recently stated; “Many U.S. campuses now include international education as part of their core educational mission, recognizing that increasing the global competence among the next generation is a national priority and an academic responsibility. U.S. students learn to strengthen their language and intercultural skills, as well as their ability to collaborate across borders and business leaders demonstrate the economic value of study abroad by rewarding international experience in their hiring and advancement practices.”
Study abroad in non-traditional destinations is also expanding rapidly, especially to countries where American students see potential career opportunities. Of particular note are large increases in the number of Americans studying in China and India, two countries of growing economic importance to the United States.
The United Kingdom continues to be the leading destination for U.S. students followed by Italy. The remaining “top ten” host destinations are Spain, France, Australia, Mexico, Germany, Ireland and Costa Rica.
While traditionally, study abroad is stressed in the junior and senior year, a recent article in US News and World Report, states this may be changing. “Perhaps following a grand British tradition, Princeton University hopes to offer a “bridge year” (otherwise known as a “gap year”) to all incoming freshmen, allowing them to defer enrollment for a year so that they can go abroad”, the Daily Princetonian reports. The proposed bridge program would go beyond the traditional study-abroad format—typically employed by upperclassmen—and encourage new students to spend time doing community service in a foreign country. “The purpose of the bridge program would not be ‘study abroad’ but ‘service abroad,’ ” said one of the officials involved with the project. “Students would be expected to engage in public service during their year abroad.”
As an institution, UT Arlington has an office devoted to study abroad. With 80 programs in 40 countries, students can find an opportunity that will likely suit their interests and academic needs.
For a general overview of the benefits of studying abroad, visit Studyabroad.com and UT Arlington’s International website here.
Help your student become a global citizen and it will stay with them for a lifetime.
by Liz Hannabas, Coordinator of Advisor Outreach, University of Texas at Arlington
A major emphasis of the Biology program is to encourage critical thinking and an active engagement in the biological sciences. Having a strong academic advisor to encourage students to use critical thinking as they pursue a career in the sciences can be ‘critical’ as well.
Jane Pugh, an Academic Advisor III at UT Arlington is just the person to keep students thinking. Having worked on campus 13 years, Jane is a clear asset to the Biology Department according to Assistant Dean of Science, Ed Morton, “I first met Jane when she began working as the academic advisor for the Biology Department in 1995. She immediately impressed me with her dedication to her students, knowledge of departmental and university policies, and commitment to professionalism in every aspect of her work.”
In a department where the mission is to advance the understanding and appreciation of biology within the State of Texas and more globally, Jane helps hundreds of students in an advising capacity. She has other responsibilities as well, “I also assist in setting up the schedule of classes for the Biology Department each term; I sit on the departmental Awards Selection Committee and the departmental Curriculum Committee, and act as the first line approver for the grade exclusions for biology majors.”
Jane also helps with degree plans through a process of substitutions and waivers to help students complete their degree requirements. Ed Morton says Jane is “on top of her game in order to constantly provide her students with timely and accurate information.” He calls it “a distinct privilege” to work with Jane as a colleague.
In an office that emphasizes research, teaching and service, Jane also exudes excellence as a recipient of UT Arlington’s Outstanding Academic Advisor Award (staff) for 1997-1998 and 2002-2003. She also received Honorable Mention for the same award for 1996-1997 and received a certificate of merit from NACADA (National Academic Advisors Association) at the San Diego conference in 1998.
Jane describes her ideal Maverick as “Someone with an excellent attitude—someone who strives to be the best—- ideally someone above reproach.”
To the staff in the University Advising Center that “someone” is Jane Pugh – Congratulations!
by Leticia C. Martinez, Director, Multicultural Affairs
Cultural Awareness at UT Arlington
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 of Texas at Arlington. 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 UTA community is invited to the variety of programs sponsored by our office.
First year students are strongly urged to take advantage of our P.A.S.S. program*.
Providing Academic Student Services is a program offered by Multicultural Affairs directed to incoming freshmen. P.A.S.S. helps ease the transition to college by providing peer tutoring and mentoring for participants. The program encourages students to reach their highest academic potential. P.A.S.S. participants receive 30 hours of free tutoring per semester. Students receive one-on-one informal counseling to identify or address academic or personal concerns. In addition, participants are connected with student organizations, enjoy group events, and attend cultural programs.
Be sure to enjoy all of the programs offered through the office of Multicultural Affairs, including Maversity! P.A.S.S. Providing Academic Support Services freshman retention program Hispanic Heritage Month; Asian Awareness Month; Native American Week; Black History Month; Semana de Cultura; Women’s History Month; Diversity Week; Women in Leadership and Multicultural Affairs Retreat
For more information and our calendar, visit www.uta.edu/multicultural.
*PASS is also the acronym for Potential for Academic Success Seminar. EDUC 1131-PASS class is developed for students on academic probation but is open to all students who want to improve their academic skills.
Commencement
The special guest speaker at this year’s commencement ceremony will be CBS Washington correspondent and Face The Nation host Bob Schieffer.
The farewell send off to the graduating class of 2008 will also include a salute from the Carlisle Cannons, a performance by the UT Arlington Festival Band, and remarks from UT Arlington students and administrators.
After party will follow featuring food, drinks, and a concert by the Eli Young Band. For more information, click here.
Jason Marsalis, Adonis Rose Perform with Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra at Texas Hall
Jason Marsalis was born into what has been called “the first family of jazz.” But at The University of Texas at Arlington, the drummer has another claim to fame. He went to high school in New Orleans with Adonis Rose, founder of the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra (FWJO) and jazz artist-in-residence in UT Arlington’s noteworthy jazz studies program.
The two are performing this month! For more information click here.
Important Dates to Remember
May 3-9 Spring Finals
August 25 First day of Fall Classes 2008 classes
September 10 Fall Census Date
October 31 Last day to drop with automatic “W”
Important Dates Beyond the Fall term
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.
UT Arlington Housing – UT Arlington Housing
UT Arlington Financial Aid – UT Arlington Financial Aid and College Board provides an overview of paying for college – click here for more information.
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