Parent Newsletter September 2008
Dr. Dawn Remmers, Director, University Advising, Student Success and Testing Services, University of Texas at Arlington
This fall, the freshman class is reading “History of Love” by Nicole Krauss. The University will have many events this fall in support of this year’s OneBook selection.
The theme for this year’s book is Connections. The “Connections” being those things that do not appear to be connected until you look at them at a deeper level. Go on line and visit our OneBook Blog.
What connections will you make with your student this semester?
If your student is interested in graduating with honors, be sure to read about the new Dean in the Honors College – Dr. Karl Petruso; Dr. Petruso is new to the Honors College and takes great pride in the study abroad program. Read more about Dr. Petruso in the “Maverick of the Month” section.
Finally, as the month of September begins, remind your student of available resources like the Writing Center, located in the Central Library and the Math Clinic, located in Pickard Hall. Be sure your student visits with their advisor if they need help finding additional campus resources.
by Misty Underwood, M.Ed., Academic Advisor, University of Texas at Arlington
To Declare or Not to Declare?
“What is your major?” This simple inquiry can quickly become a dreaded question for any freshman college student. The pressure escalates for those who have not yet declared as well as those who have but are still ambivalent. The truth is, however, undecided or undeclared students are rapidly increasing in numbers and are frequently the largest freshman population at many universities. One university even named it “the most popular major ever!” This article’s intention is to dispel myths and respond to the specific concerns of parents.
An estimated 50-75% of students change their major and many multiple times. The Undeclared major is a facilitative way to address the natural psychosocial developmental process of exploring majors. Although some may view an undeclared student as indecisive, we believe that the choice to become undeclared represents the student’s interest and openness to genuinely learn more about themselves while exploring multiple options.
Here at the University of Texas at Arlington, we recognize the search for a major is a dynamic process that is fully realized by understanding each student holistically by helping them determine their innate strengths, interests, values, personal attributes, academic skills, as well as knowledge about majors and occupations. A process like this, as you can tell, is not easily accomplished in a 30-minute appointment with an advisor.
As concerned parents, you may be wondering what impact being undeclared for the first semester or two will have on your student. For example, you may be asking if your student will fall behind and ultimately graduate later as a result. To attend to this, I think it is salient to look at the common misconception that a Bachelor’s degree on average takes only 4 years. The national average varies depending on the source, but is predominately cited as approximately 35% of students graduate in 4 years. Many consider the four-year benchmark archaic, placing undue anxiety and pressure on students and parents.
At the University Advising Center we focus students on the Core Curriculum by integrating exploratory major interests with core requirements. For example, the Social/Cultural Studies or Liberal Arts Elective requirements are commonly applied, as just the Liberal Arts Elective requirement alone encompasses 31 disciplines. This results in limiting excessive hours which also help students stay on track in the overall sense, although they may not know what they want to major in.
A second frequent question parents have is what does the University do to support my undeclared student and guide them towards a major? The University Advising Center is the academic home for undeclared majors where your student will find support and guidance from a team of professional Academic Advisors who specialize in working with undeclared students.
Additionally, there is a diversity of avenues available to initiate the journey of major exploration. Several examples include: EDUC 1131: the Exploring Majors Course; meeting with a Major Exploration Specialist in the University Advising Center, or attending Career Exploration Workshops and/or meeting with a Counselor in Counseling Services. These opportunities are flexible and are designed to be utilized by undeclared students as well as those in a major. For example, major/career exploration can be tremendously beneficial even if your student has narrowed their major down to a specific college, i.e. College of Science.
The final most frequent question regarding undeclared students from parents is what can I do to help my student? If your student has already made the decision to become undeclared, it is important to recognize her/his open-mindedness and interest in exploring options. Research shows that most freshman college students have limited knowledge of majors and careers fields in general and encouraging your student to access all the available campus resources, as well as doing independent research on their own, will be a crucial stepping stone.
A student’s first year in college is exciting, challenging and represents a new and monumental point in life. Understanding that it is normal to be ambivalent about choosing a major will release a sometimes overwhelming amount of pressure and duress for you and your student. In fact, deciding to be undeclared can be an advantageous first step towards finding the right path.
by Liz Hannabas, Coordinator of Advisor Outreach, University of Texas at Arlington
Dr. Karl Petruso, Dean, University of Texas at Arlington Honors College
“The Honors College at UT Arlington is a special community of faculty and student scholars within the larger university community.” The new Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Karl Petruso, and this month’s Maverick, also says “the College stresses academics, research, service and individual development; our mission is to lead students to academic and professional success as well as personal fulfillment.”
Dr. Petruso’s idea of a UT Arlington Maverick -”(a student) passionate about his or her work; a self-starter; respectful of authority but not a blind follower; quick to explore new places and unfamiliar situations; and generous with others. He or she is quick to laugh and has a well-honed appreciation of irony.”
This passion for work is seen in the achievements and honors Karl Petruso has worked hard for and earned in his eighteen years at UT Arlington. “I am Dean of the Honors College, where I oversee all programs for our students. I am also an archaeologist and Professor of Anthropology. My special research interests focus on the cultures of the late prehistoric eastern Mediterranean, where I have conducted archaeological excavations and other research (in Greece, Egypt, Cyprus and Albania) since my undergraduate days. I have published extensively on the trading relationships among the various peoples of the Bronze Age (ca. 3000-1000 BCE).”
He is most proud of his work in the Honors College’s summer study abroad program. “I have always considered travel a parallel education; it can fundamentally transform the student who approaches it with careful preparation and a healthy openness to new experiences. My interest in the history and nature of exploration and travel as human phenomena has greatly influenced my efforts in developing study abroad programs in six European and Middle Eastern countries over the course of my career.”
Dr. Petruso has received numerous research grants from federal agencies and private foundations; a Distinguished Alumnus Award, Villanova University; a Fulbright Grant Recipient; National Fellow of the Explorers Club; and named an endowed lecturer of the Archaeological Institute of America three times.
The University Advising Center and Student Success congratulate Dr. Petruso on his new position and appreciate his focus and dedication to all students!
by Angel Taylor, Associate Director, Student Success Programs
Peer Counselor Recruitment is Underway
Has your student successfully maneuvered his or her freshman year at UT Arlington? Do you think other students could learn from his or her experience? If your student is interested in gaining valuable leadership experience while earning some extra money, why not encourage your student to apply to become a Maverick Scholars Peer Counselor (PC).
Peer Counselors (PCs) serve as academic peer mentors to first-time, first-year students who join our Maverick Scholars Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs). A FIG is an eleven-year tradition at UT Arlington that has assisted thousands of students with an easier transition from high school to college. FIGs cluster 20-25 freshman students together according to their academic major or interest. These students enroll in the same partially-built class schedule and enjoy personalized attention from a Faculty Mentor, Academic Advisor, and the Peer Counselor. PCs have various responsibilities that include: instructing the University’s freshman seminar, developing various co-curricular programming, serving as a leader and mentor to freshmen, and recruiting potential new UT Arlington students into the FIG program.
We are currently recruiting for the 2009-2010 academic year. To qualify for an interview, candidates must meet the following conditions:
• Undergraduate status as a sophomore, junior, or senior by August 2009
• Previous enrollment in a freshman seminar or similar course
• Good academic and judicial standing at UT Arlington
• Past leadership experience
• 2.5 grade point average
The benefits of becoming a Peer Counselor include:
• $8.00 per hour
• Housing scholarship for KC Hall (for live-in PCs only)
• Valuable leadership and instructional experience
• Networking opportunities with faculty and advisors in the PC’s major department
Students interested in applying for the position can find the employment application online at www.uta.edu/lc/pcapp. Deadline to apply is Friday, October 24, 2008 at 5:00 pm.
• PC interviews will take place on Friday, November 7, 2008.
• Employment notifications will be sent to the student’s MavMail email address prior to November 21, 2008.
• All students offered the PC job are required to:
o Enroll in EDUC 3335: Peer Counselor Training during the spring of 2009
o Attend the PC Training Retreat in February 2009
o Attend the PC August Work Day in August 2009
If you or your student has questions about the position, please call Student Success Programs at (817) 272-6107 or email us at studentsuccess@uta.edu.
Author Nicole Krauss (History of Love) will be visiting our campus on April 2, 2009.
Krauss’ fiction has been published in The New Yorker, Harper’s, Esquire, and Best American Short Stories, and in 2007 she was selected as one of Granta’s Best Young American Novelists.
Engineering E-News Gets A Facelift
UT Arlington’s College of Engineering has created a new HTML newsletter that features all of our exciting news and events. To subscribe, click here.
According to a 2005 federal report, college students shelled out, on average, $900 a semester for textbooks.
A recent Wall Street Journal article discussed other options for students rather than buying books, including electronic books, renting textbooks, using price-comparison websites when purchasing textbooks and looking for subsidized and open-source textbooks. (source; WSJ, August 6, 2008)
Important Dates to Remember
September 10 Fall Census Date
October 6th Pre-Registration advising begins for Spring 2009 classes
October 31 Last day to drop a class 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
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