University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 08-18-2011

Excellence in teaching: English Professor Stacy Alaimo is one of eight UT Arlington faculty members to receive the Outstanding Teaching Award from the UT System Board of Regents.

UT System honors eight top faculty for teaching success

Four members of the Department of English are among eight UT Arlington faculty members who have been honored by the UT System Board of Regents with Outstanding Teaching Awards.

Professors Stacy Alaimo and Kenneth Roemer and senior lecturers Laura Kopchick and Peggy Kulesz are English faculty receiving the honor.

Also receiving the award are Bill Corley, professor of industrial engineering; Don Granvold, professor of social work; Douglas Grisaffe, professor of marketing; and Lee Ann Frederick, professor of biology.

In its third year, the program rewards faculty members who deliver the highest quality of undergraduate instruction through a demonstrated commitment to teaching. Awardees also are recognized for showing a promising future of excellence in all aspects of instruction.

President James D. Spaniolo nominated the honorees based on recommendations from department chairs, deans, and a committee established by Provost Donald Bobbitt.

"UT Arlington appreciates the Regents' investment in recognizing faculty committed to actively engaging students and making the University a place of exciting intellectual exploration," Dr. Bobbitt says.

For more information, see teaching excellence.

Finishing touches: Workers prepare a sidewalk ramp beside the College Park parking garage. Faculty, staff, and students can park in the north garage starting Monday, Aug. 22.

Parking permits available online, new garage opens Monday

Order your parking permit for the 2011-12 academic year no later than Thursday, Aug. 25, the first day of fall classes.

All faculty and staff parking on campus must have a permit. Order from the MyMav page by clicking on the blue P at Order Permits Now for Fall 2011. Print the confirmation page of your order and place it on the dashboard of your vehicle until you receive your permit in the mail.

A new garage on the east side of campus and a reduced-priced remote site on the west side provide options to park this fall.

There are 1,100 spaces are available in the new College Park garage at UTA Boulevard between Pecan and Center streets. A free electric vehicle charging station is part of the new garage, which opens Monday, Aug. 22.

Remote parking is available at Maverick Stadium with University shuttles providing transportation to all parts of the campus.

Reserved space permits and permit upgrades are available at the Parking Office in the Wetsel Service Center, 1225 W. Mitchell. Reserved permits are not offered online.

For more information, call the Parking Office at 2-3907.

Surrounded: Orange moving crates surround Susann Asebedo, an administrative assistant for Fraternity and Sorority Life in the Division of Student Affairs, as she settles into renovated digs in the lower level of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Her area received new carpet and paint.

Summer renovations range from paint to high-tech classroom equipment

The big reveal for this summer's makeover is under way at buildings, offices, and classrooms across campus.

Improvements to Room 108 in University Hall changes the lecture hall into a high-tech classroom. Equipped with advanced audio-visual tools, the 250-seat room will be a model of lecture halls for the future here, says Bryan Sims, director of institutional construction.

Hammond Hall and Trimble Hall join the University's Green Roof Project with certified green roofs replacing their old tops. A "green roof" is one that uses "green" technology, such as those that use solar thermal collectors or roofs where plants are cultivated.

Top-to-bottom face lifts greet new visitors to the Central Library’s second floor and the POD Market on the lower level of the E.H. Hereford University Center. New ceilings, lights, flooring, and paint have spruced up those areas.

New carpet is being installed in three classrooms in Trimble Hall and all three floors of Social Work Building A.

For more information on construction, upgrades, and renovations, see the Blazing Construction blog.

Welcome to campus The new Gateway Tower at the north entrance to campus will shine its blue light for the first time at dusk Monday, Aug. 22. The brick and cast stone tower, located at the corner of UTA Boulevard and Cooper Street, welcomes visitors to campus and incorporates materials and architectural themes reflected in the College Park District.

Faculty, staff reception to follow MavsMeet Convocation

A reception for faculty and staff follows the MavsMeet Convocation at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, in the University Club. Refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, and door prizes will be available.

The MavsMeet Convocation starts at 4 p.m. in Texas Hall. This year's guest faculty speaker is art Assistant Professor Ya'Ke Smith. Other speakers include Provost Donald Bobbitt, Vice President for Student Affairs Frank Lamas, and Student Congress President Jennifer Fox. College of Science Dean Pamela Jansma serves as emcee.

The kickoff ceremony also includes a spirited performance by the UT Arlington Marching Band and a musical offering from the 440 Alliance, a strings ensemble of UT Arlington alumni.

For more information, call Student Affairs at 2-6080.

Library closed Saturday, Sunday; outage planned at Pickard Hall

The Central Library will be closed Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 20-21, for electrical repairs. The library will reopen at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22.

There will also be a 15-minute outage in Pickard Hall around 9 a.m. Sunday as transformers are switched. Building users are reminded to turn off computers, printers, and any other equipment to ensure that computer equipment or servers aren’t damaged with this outage.

Maverick Stampede begins Monday

See what’s new on campus during the Maverick Stampede, Monday, Aug. 22-Saturday, Sept. 10.

The lineup includes campus traditions such as the Residence Hall Move-in Event; MavsMeet Convocation; Maverick Cookout and Activities Day Fair; Welcome Back Splash; Wings, Wieners, and Water; and more. Check maverickstampede.com for a schedule of all events.

University's redesigned website being launched this weekend

University Communications will roll out the University's redesigned website beginning tomorrow and continuing through the weekend. The new site includes significant changes to navigation, site architecture, and features for several hundred central administration pages, including the home page. No interruption in service or loss of functionality is anticipated.

The University Communications team will work through the launch to address any issues related to page redirects or broken links. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Andrew Leverenz, director of online communication, at leverenz@uta.edu.

Maverick ancestor An early design of UT Arlington's Maverick mascot was discovered behind a wall during renovations in the Student Congress chambers. The lower level of the E.H. Hereford University Center received new carpet, paint, and other upgrades this summer.

Move-in Event needs more volunteers

Volunteers are still needed for the Residence Hall Move-in Event 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22. The Move-in Event is a campus-wide initiative to assist more than 1,500 residence hall students who will be living on campus this fall.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Mari Duncan, director of Residence Life, at mari@uta.edu. The event is sponsored by Apartment and Residence Life in the Division of Student Affairs.

Renew your Campus Rec membership

Faculty and staff can renew or sign up for new Campus Recreation memberships for the 2011-12 academic year using payroll deduction.

Current payroll deduction memberships expire Wednesday, Aug. 31. Visit the Services and Information Desk at the Maverick Activities Center to sign up.

For more information, contact Blair Schuyler at blair@uta.edu or see uta.edu/campusrec.

Exchange ProCards at downtown office

There's still time to exchange your JP Morgan Chase ProCard for the new CitiBank card.

To receive your CitiBank ProCard, go to the Finance and Administration Annex, 219 W. Main St., in downtown Arlington. Cardholders must bring their Chase cards for the exchange.

For more information, call the Office of Procurement Services at 2-2194.

Make all parking payments to bursar in 2012

Payments now made at the Parking Services Office will be moved to the Bursar’s Office beginning Jan. 2, 2012.

Currently, both offices take payments for parking permits, citations, and other parking-related charges.

For more information, contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar_help@uta.edu or 2-2172.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Register for one or all three. Modern Dance, 10-11 a.m.; African Dance, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; Jazz Dance, 12:30-1:30 p.m. $50 per class, faculty/staff. Call 2-2581 for faculty/staff discount. Saturdays, Aug. 20-Oct. 8, Maverick Activities Center. See the Continuing Education fall catalog.

Writing Effective Email

Participants learn the keys to effective emails as well as proper cyber manners and how to avoid email overload. Free. 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. See a complete list of HR training classes.

LEED Green Associate Exam Prep

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate (GA) Certification Exam Prep course is designed for anyone interested in a career in fields in the green building industry, but who does not want to work in design and construction. The accreditation is a prerequisite for other LEED specialty exams. Call 2-2581 for faculty/staff discount fee of $297.50. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Aug. 24-25. Continuing Education and Workforce Development Center, 140 W. Mitchell St. Division for Enterprise Development, Continuing Education.

Mindful Moments

Take a break from stress with Mindful Moments. Free. 12:15-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Room 150, Business Building. Health Services, Marie Bannister, 2-2771.

Employment Information

Check out employment opportunities at uta.edu/jobs. Have questions? Call Human Resources/Employment Services at 2-3461 or TDD 2-8139, or email employment@uta.edu. The University of Texas at Arlington is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Dig this: Alicia Shaffer, left, and Amanda Aguilera are among five seniors on the volleyball team this year.

Two Mavs named to volleyball first team

Seniors Alicia Shaffer and Amanda Aguilera were named to the preseason All-Southland Conference volleyball first team last week as the Mavericks were picked to finish fifth in a poll of conference coaches and fourth by league sports information directors.

Coach Diane Seymour's team gives fans a preview with their annual Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at Texas Hall. Admission is free.

The season opener is Friday, Aug. 26, at the El Paso Sports Commission Volleyball Tournament. First home matches are in the UT Arlington Invitational Sept. 16-17.

Men's basketball touring Canada

Coach Scott Cross is getting an early preview of what the men’s basketball team will look like this season as the Mavericks began a five-game tour of Canada this week.

The Mavericks are one of a handful of teams that the NCAA has approved for tours this summer against teams from Canadian colleges.

"This trip will be an great opportunity for our team to grow and have a chance to play against quality competition," Cross says.

Games began Wednesday, with the final game on the tour set for Monday, Aug. 22. See more on men’s basketball.

Tracksters earn academic honors

Lionel Mungwari and Ivan Storic were named 2011 Division I Track and Field All-Academic honorees by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Both athletes qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Preliminaries. Mungwari advanced in the long jump and three running events. Storic advanced through the preliminaries in the javelin to compete in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He finished 19th in the nation in the event.

Both juniors, Mungwari compiled a 3.46 GPA, and Storic earned a 3.25.

Garner to speak at international conference

Movin’ Mavs Coach Doug Garner will present sessions on coaching wheelchair basketball at the 11th Annual BlazeSports International Conference on Paralympic Sport and Physical Activity Sept 15-18 in Atlanta.

Garner also will talk on goal setting and behavioral influences in athlete development.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, uta.edu/movinmavs, or uta.edu/campusrec.)

Friday, Aug. 19

$2 Movie: Mars Needs Moms A young boy gains a deeper appreciation for his mom after Martians take her away. Rated PG. 5:30 p.m. Also 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Planetarium, 2-1183.

Sunday, Aug. 21

Volleyball Annual intrasquad pre-season Blue/White scrimmage. Free. 2 p.m., Texas Hall. Athletics, 2-2261.

Wednesday, Aug. 24

MavsMeet Convocation Celebrate the start of the new academic year. Guest faculty speaker art Assistant Professor Ya'Ke Smith, right, is joined by Provost Donald Bobbitt, Vice President for Student Affairs Frank Lamas, and Student Congress President Jennifer Fox. College of Science Dean Pamela Jansma serves as emcee. The kickoff ceremony also includes a spirited performance by the UT Arlington Marching Band and a musical offering from the 440 Alliance, a strings ensemble of UT Arlington alumni. Free. 4 p.m., Texas Hall. MavsMeet Convocation.

MavsMeet Faculty/Staff Reception Join faculty and staff for a reception with refreshments and music after the convocation. Free. 5 p.m., University Club.

$2 Movie: Source Code A soldier wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he's part of a mission to find a commuter train bomber. Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. Planetarium, 2-1183.

Ongoing

Influence Exhibit Three members of the Department of Art and Art History faculty—Marilyn Jolly, Sedrick Huckaby, and Carlos Donjuan—have combined their talents for this painting exhibit. 3-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays. Free. Through Sept. 9. Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 223 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas.

Texas Rangers Baseball Get tickets for faculty, staff, students, alumni, family, and friends. Access texasrangers.com/uta and use the password rangers for designated games through Sept. 14.

Broken Sugar An exhibition of 22 mixed-media sculptures and two-dimensional works by Melba Northum. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays; 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays. Through Sept. 30. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Life and Death in the Northern Passage Photojournalist Dominic Bracco II ('08 BA) provides a view of drug violence in Ciudad Juarez. Free. Through Jan. 14. Sixth floor parlor, Central Library.

Planetarium Summer schedule continues through Aug. 28. Fall schedule begins Aug. 30. Planetarium, 2-1183.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)