Parent Newsletter October 2007
Dr. Dawn Remmers, Director, University Advising, Student Success and Testing Services, University of Texas at Arlington
It’s a new beginning at UT Arlington as a new mascot graces campus and the new Maverick Activities Center holds its ribbon cutting ceremony.
Also new to the newsletter this month is “Message from the Parent Center”. Information will be provided by the Student Affairs office and I hope it will provide yet another important resource for you.
This month’s e-newsletter also highlights the Office for Students with Disabilities. Read below and discover what resources are available if your student has a disability.
Finally, it’s hard to believe that mid-term is right around the corner. October 19th marks the half way point for this fall term. Has your student visited with an academic advisor? Be sure they see an advisor in their major to be cleared for Spring registration.
by Dr. Dianne P. Hengst, Director/Assistant Dean of Students
Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)
What You Need to Know About Disability and Postsecondary Education
Did you know that October is National Disability Awareness Month? Did you know that one in five people in the United States has some type of disability (United States Census, 2000)? The population of students at The University of Texas at Arlington is no exception. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) at UT Arlington works as a liaison between the University community and students needing academic accommodations. OSD helps students by addressing current and emerging issues with respect to disability, education, and accessibility to achieve universal access in the classroom and throughout campus.
Today, more and more high school students with disabilities plan to continue their education in postsecondary schools. As the result of federal legislation (The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act), students with disabilities are protected from discrimination in postsecondary education. So, it is important for students with disabilities to stay informed about their rights and responsibilities. In contrast to services for students with disabilities in K-12, students in postsecondary education are not sought out and “identified” as needing accommodations. As young adults, students must “self-identify” as having a disability and provide our office with supporting documentation. Another difference between K-12 and postsecondary education is that the student is responsible for obtaining the appropriate documentation. This documentation must not only include a diagnosis, but must include “functional limitations,” those being the ways in which a student is impacted by their disability in an academic environment. Disability services in higher education are based upon equal access rather than a menu of choices tailored to help the student succeed as was the case in high school.
You can help your student with a disability by reminding them that they MUST initiate any accommodations with Disability Services. Also, we encourage students to develop a plan of support by asking them to “do their research” and by reading about disability services on our website. Students should weigh their choices carefully and they need to be realistic and think about college as a job! The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights provides extensive information for individuals needing information about disability and education and can be located on their website.
The Office for Students with Disabilities strives to be not only a support for students, but a resource for the community, families, faculty and staff. We invite you to contact our office should you need any information by calling 817-272-3364 or by visiting our website at www.uta.edu/disability. We look forward to hearing from you!
by Lynne Von Roeder, M.Ed., Academic Advisor, University of Texas at Arlington
Helping Careers
“Helping Careers” are termed as those directly impacting the educational, social, psychological, and physical welfare of others. There are truly never enough people to fill all the positions that are open. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), “the youth population, aged 16 to 24, will grow 2.9 percent between 2004 and 2014. As the baby boomers continue to age, the group aged 55 to 64 will increase by 36 percent or 10.4 million persons, more than any other group. The group aged 35 to 44 will decrease in size, indicating a decrease in the birth rate following the baby boom generation. Minorities and immigrants will constitute a larger share of the U.S. population in 2014. The number of Hispanics is projected to continue to grow much faster than those of all other racial and ethnic groups.”
These figures indicate there is an ever-widening population that will need teachers, social workers, doctors, nurses and counselors, just to name a few. While many associate “helping careers” with child protective services, that is hardly the case. The BLS figures on education and health services say “that this industry super sector is projected to grow faster, (30.6 percent), and add more jobs than any other industry super sector. About 3 out of every 10 new jobs created in the U.S. economy will be in either the healthcare and social assistance, or private educational services sectors.”
In addition, “Healthcare and social assistance—including private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and individual and family services—will grow by 30.3 percent and add 4.3 million new jobs. Employment growth will be driven by increasing demand for healthcare and social assistance because of an aging population and longer life expectancies. Also, as more women enter the labor force, demand for childcare services is expected to grow. Private educational services will grow by 32.5 percent and add 898,000 new jobs through 2014. Rising student enrollment at all levels of education will create demand for educational services.”
While pay can be low in certain areas, with more experience, the salaries are higher. Therefore, if your student loves to help others, is empathetic, and communicates well, don’t discourage them from looking at these careers. I believe you need to feed your body but also your soul.
When I am teaching my Major Exploration class I share my life’s experiences. I graduated with a major in political science and a minor in business. Through internships, I found that law school was too much about paper and not enough about people. So I ended up in the business world for 17 years. During this time I realized that for me, it was the people that mattered more than the profit and loss statement. When a life change necessitated a career change, I looked to teaching. After teaching all levels at a private school and helping with college advising, I realized that advising and counseling are my passion. I went back to school at 42 and received my Masters of Education in Counseling a year ago. While I enjoyed teaching middle and secondary classes, through my graduate internship in a local college career counseling office – I knew that postsecondary was my destiny.
I have come to believe that whatever major a student chooses, it is up to us as parents and advisors to let them explore their passions. I wish I had known that long ago. I might have gotten to feed my soul much sooner.
Websites for more information:
www.bls.gov – The Bureau of Labor and Statistics
www.hscareers.com – Human Services Careers
www.medicalcareerinfo.com/ – Information on any medical career
www.counseling.org/ – Information about various counseling careers
www.ed.gov/teachers/ – Resources and information regarding teaching.
by Liz Hannabas, Coordinator of Advisor Outreach, University of Texas at Arlington
Wyl Parker
Longevity and commitment are two words which come to mind when thinking about this month’s chosen Maverick.
Recognized by President Spaniolo for 35 years of service last year, Wylvan Parker has seen a lot of change on this campus – “I changed a housing policy thirty years ago to change Brazos Hall from all male to a coed hall – one of the first coed halls in Texas.”
Parker is Assistant Vice President of Management Services. His responsibilities range from Dining Services to University Housing Operations.
Previously, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Residence Hall Programs and Director of Housing, Parker was instrumental in expanding housing on campus. “I have been involved in presenting a program to Housing and Urban Development to build new housing in 1978. I have been involved in the design and development of our two new residence halls (Arlington Hall and Kalpana Chawla Hall), our newest apartment communities and Connection Cafe.”
Parker has been the recipient of the Southwest Association of College and University Distinguished Service Award and his definition of an ideal Maverick – “one who is concerned about the present and future of UT Arlington” says a lot about his commitment to the university.
He’s also been President of the Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers and was involved in a three week program of the Governor’s Executive Development Program. Congratulations, Wyl, for being October’s Maverick of the Month!
Is your student considering on-campus housing? Please click here to get general information. If your student is currently living in the residence hall and you need payment information, please click here
A Letter from the President
Dear Maverick Parent:
I’m proud that your son or daughter has chosen to attend The University of Texas at Arlington. Their relationship with our great University is one they’ll value for the rest of their lives. UT Arlington is a transformative place, not only because of the distinctive classroom experience but because excellence is demanded and achieved across the campus.
We know your student’s University experience is important to you, too, and we hope you’ll be personally involved and connected. That’s why I’m inviting you to join us for one of the most important events on campus, our annual Parents Weekend, October 26-28.
Parents Weekend gives you the opportunity to experience first-hand the academic, social, and residential life of our University, and visit the places and meet the people who make up Maverick Country. You will be immersed in UT Arlington, just like your son or daughter is everyday. You’ll discover why we’re all proud to be a Maverick—and why you will be, too.
I encourage you to visit our web site to learn more at UT Arlington and register for Parents Weekend activities. And I hope to see you there and meet you personally.
Sincerely,
James D. Spaniolo
President
UT Arlington has a NEW mascot!
UT Arlington welcomed its newest mascot, a white steed in profile, which joins only a handful of former mascots.
Students voted last spring to replace Sam and Samantha Maverick, whose cowboy personas had become outdated over the years. The horse prevailed by almost 3-to-1 in student-organized and student-led elections last April.
Currently, there is a campus-wide initiative for students to name the horse. Watch the newsletter for updates!
Is your student looking for some fun activities? Campus Recreation has posted its intramural sports calendar for the fall. Click here to view all upcoming events.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs will host several events this month to honor different cultures and countries of Hispanic students.
It’s already that time – Spring term registration begins the end of this month for current and former students.
Haven’t received your student’s tuition bill? Statements are no longer mailed. Click here for billing dates.
Want to find it all in one spot? Click on the full calendar link and you’ll find both the academic and featured events combined.