Parent Newsletter September 2007
Dr. Dawn Remmers, Director, University Advising, Student Success and Testing Services, University of Texas at Arlington
By now, students have completed one full week of class and are once again (or, for the first time) adjusting to campus life.
As this term gets started, encourage your student to seek out available resources on campus such as the English Writing Center, the Nursing Learning and Resource Center, the Physics Clinic and many other valuable academic learning assistance centers on campus. Also, have your student look into Academic Excellence Programs such as the Honors College and McNair Scholars.
If your student mentioned construction on campus last year, it’s almost complete! The newly renovated Maverick Activities Building will be celebrating it’s Phase 1 construction ribbon-cutting ceremony this month! Read more about what the newly renovated center has to offer by clicking here.
Finally, parent input always provides us with valuable information, and we appreciate your time and thoughts. If there is a topic you’d like to know more about or if you’re looking for more information, please email Liz Hannabas in the University Advising Center with your comments or questions.
First Stop on Campus for Your Student’s Health Care Needs
by Dr. Robert Blum, Director, UT Arlington Health Center
Attending class, studying, enjoying activities with fellow students, and taking advantage of the many opportunities available through the university are all difficult when someone does not feel well. Having an off day is one thing but, feeling sick is usually more serious, often requiring immediate attention from an outside source.
So, what should your son or daughter do when they feel sick? Rather than call home and ask for Mom or Dad for advice or, look at the strong medical infrastructure and the number of choices your student has in the Arlington community, refer your student to an excellent option available right here on the UT Arlington campus (your tuition dollars go toward funding it).
The UT Arlington Health Center, located at 605 S. West Street, between the Business School and the University Center, is an outpatient facility offering a complete range of acute health care services. These services focus on general medicine, mental health and women’s health. In addition, the Health Center offers x-ray, laboratory, pharmacy, and wellness education to its patients. The advantages of using the Health Center are convenience, accessibility, and cost. Students do not have to travel into Arlington in search of care. With its close proximity to the University Center, many students walk by the Health Center on a daily basis.
It’s easy to get care at the Health Center. The medical clinic is normally staffed by three nurse practitioners and a physician generating approximately 100 medical appointments daily. All your student has to do is call the Health Center for an appointment; the majority of students are seen the same day.
Emergency care and conditions beyond the scope of services offered at the Health Center are referred to a local provider. The facility is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday during fall and spring semesters only.
Your tuition dollars allow us to offer unlimited free visits to the medical clinic. If your student requires lab work, x-rays, or medications, prices are generally lower than in the community. There is a charge for women’s clinic and mental health visits, but again prices are below community charges. The Health Center can also bill UT Arlington student insurance. If your son or daughter is covered by other insurance, he or she will receive a receipt at the end of the visit and you can file a claim. The Health Center accepts cash, checks, credit cards, or charges are submitted to the Bursar for payment.
The goal of the UT Arlington Health Center is to be the first stop on campus for student health care needs. So, when your son or daughter calls because they feel sick, remember the Health Center is an excellent option for convenient, easily accessible and highly reasonable health care services. If you’d like more information, call 817-272-2771.
Parent’s Weekend Calendar of Events Now Available!
The University of Texas at Arlington would like to invite Parents, Guardians, and Families to catch the excitement of Parents Weekend the 26th – 27th of October. For additional information and a complete schedule click here.
You can also contact Casey Gonzales at 817-272-2128, or email parentsweekend@uta.edu.
by Lynne Von Roeder, M.Ed., Academic Advisor, University of Texas at Arlington
Parent’s Weekend Questions
What is “Safe” to Ask Your Student When You Visit Campus?
Freshman – You can ask them how classes are going but they probably have not had their first test yet so reality has not sunk in.
If they are undeclared, don’t ask them if they have figured out their major yet. Instead spend time focusing on what they are enjoying in class, whether they have joined at least one on-campus organization, and how they’re getting along with their roommate, if they have one.
Sophomores and Juniors – Now you can ask if they have chosen a major yet!
UT Arlington mandates that all students must be in a major by 75 hours. If they are not, their continued enrollment may be jeopardized. If this happens, they come to see me. I will work with your student to investigate possibilities. I also teach a major exploration class each semester (the course is 8 weeks and students earn one credit hour). Students take assessments for interests, strengths and personality styles and have faculty visitors who talk about their programs.
Seniors – A recent Wall Street Journal article spotlighted the newest trend among graduating students that still don’t know what they want to do. It is service programs. Yes indeed, we are talking about the Peace Corps and Teach for America. These venerable programs are experiencing a boom among young college graduates. The sponsors say that many new grads struggle to determine their career paths. These students can explore varied interests while in the programs and they may find their true passions tapped. The article also states, “In 2006, U.S. undergraduates ranked the Peace Corps and Teach for America among their top 10 ideal employers, ahead of the likes of Nike, Inc, General Electric Co., and Merrill Lynch & Co.”
Employers are supportive of these programs. They view these students as curious, hard-working and comfortable at taking risks. In addition, they can see the benefits of increased maturity and communication skills. Some companies, like Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, allow new hires to defer their starting dates by two years in order to participate in such opportunities. While it is true that salaries will take a hit, you have to wonder if the personal growth and exploration while serving others is not worth more than money.
Note for high school students – A Harvard-Smithsonian survey of 8,474 students found that students that took more math classes in high school did better in all types of science once they got to college. The survey suggests that students also look for science teachers that include a great deal of math in their classes. This study was supported by the National Science Foundation and important to note, especially if your student wants to be a science or engineering major.
by Liz Hannabas, Coordinator of Advisor Outreach, University of Texas at Arlington
Michael Moore
Have you ever wondered about the inner-workings of Higher Education? Or, have you ever thought about the structure of a University? This month’s Maverick of the Month provides some insight as to what goes on “at the top”.
On a day-to-day basis, Senior Vice Provost Michael Moore deals with a variety of academic issues. He says these issues touch on all areas of the University – “Much of my work involves student related academic matters and supervising units that provide the critical academic support services of our students. One of the real joys of my job is overseeing the impressive and hard-working people who work day-to-day with our students.”
Moore is hard-working with students himself; he’s an Associate Professor of Political Science. Students say Moore is “a helpful professor, available to students and supportive of their opinions.” (Source: ratemyprofessor.com)
Having worked at UT Arlington since 1992, Moore has seen many changes over the years. Lately, his involvement has been in the reaffirmation process for the University with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. “Re-accreditation of the University is very important for our reputation and for our ability to receive federal financial aid.”
Academically, Moore has been supportive of a new program started last year for students who have experienced academic difficulty in their first year, “known as the PASS class, this required course for students on academic probation after the first semester provides the critical academic support, mentoring, and study skills to help at-risk students succeed.”
With Moore’s involvement “at the top” and his dedication and understanding of UT Arlington students, this campus will be full of students who will achieve academic success. And, that’s exactly what he believes a Maverick is – “a student who sets their mind to achieving academic success and achieves that goal, despite having to clear many obstacles along the way. So many of our students work, are engaged in extra-curricular activities, take care of family members, or are first-generation college students that staying focused on college is sometimes a challenge. I honestly believe that UT Arlington not only provides a wonderful education, but changes the lives of its students, their families, and the community.”
It’s this type of commitment and focus to our students that made this month’s choice of Maverick of the Month very easy…Congratulations!
To view UT Arlington’s organizational chart click here. To learn more about Senior Vice Provost Michael Moore, click here.
UT Arlington Mid-Term Grades Available for Students
The University of Texas at Arlington provides mid-semester progress reports for freshmen, undeclared students and students whose UTA GPA is 2.25 or lower. Progress reports are an excellent means by which students can get realistic feedback from their instructors at the mid-point in the term.
UT Arlington instructors report letter grades—A, B, C, D, F, or I—based upon students’ performance up to that point in the semester, and students can access these midterm grades through their MyMav student center (www.uta.edu/mymav). A reminder mailing to check the progress report grades will be mailed to your student’s permanent address in mid-October.
UT Arlington’s intent is to send midterm grade information in a timely manner so your student can make an informed decision and make any needed change in their strategy for success.
In some cases, the instructor has not given a test or quiz, required any homework assignments to be turned in, or required any other means to establish a grade, and cannot report a grade prior to the eighth week of the semester. In these circumstances, a blank field indicating that no grade has been submitted by the instructor will be assigned. Should your student receive a blank grade, they should contact the instructor for that class to learn how they are progressing in the course.
New State Legislation
The Texas State Legislature passed, and Governor Rick Perry signed, SB1231 which limits the number of W’s a student may have to six courses (remedial courses do not count toward this total) over the course of their entire undergraduate academic career (including a second baccalaureate).
This policy is effective for students entering higher education for the first time Fall 2007. Dropped courses accumulated at any other Texas public higher education institution will also count toward the six course total.
If your student has questions about this new policy, please send them to the Academic Advisor in which they major. If your student is undeclared, they can see an Advisor in the University Advising Center.
Get ready for a series of brown bag luncheons, a film series and featured speakers for this year’s OneBook Program. Get a listing of this year’s events by clicking here.
For Winter Session and Spring and Summer 2008 schedules click here
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.