University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 12-01-2011

Tuition Review Committee endorses no-increase plan

UT Arlington’s student-led Tuition Review Committee has unanimously approved the University’s proposal to hold the line on tuition and fees for the 2012-13 academic year while preserving the option of a minimal increase the following year.

The proposal will be forwarded to the UT System Board of Regents this month for consideration. Under the plan, UT Arlington also will avoid rate increases for University-owned residence halls, apartments, and dining plans.

“We are on track and resolved to maintain our momentum,” says Ronald L. Elsenbaumer, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It is significant that our students have examined the tuition proposal, debated it, and voiced their support for the plan. It is a strong endorsement of the University's commitment to include students in the tuition review process.”

Read more about the Tuition Review Committee recommendations.

Dr. Alusine Jalloh

Social Work program helps Sierra Leone

Fourah Bay College, part of the University of Sierra Leone System, began offering a Bachelor of Science degree in social work this year through its new Department of Social Work.

UT Arlington’s Africa Program and School of Social Work helped develop the program, with faculty members contributing to the curriculum and providing textbooks for students and faculty.

“There are pressing social challenges and needs in Sierra Leone,” says Alusine Jalloh, an associate professor of history and director of the Africa Program. “Until now there has been no academic training for social workers.”

Scott Ryan, dean of the School of Social Work and Jenkins Garrett Professor of Social Work, says the involvement of faculty members demonstrates their “strong commitment to the needs of our international neighbors.”

Read more about the Sierra Leone degree program.

Pest control: The spider mite, shown in this image from insectimages.com, is one of agriculture’s most resilient and detrimental pests.

Biology professor provides sex-determination expertise for research of spider mite

Andre Pires da Silva, assistant professor of biology and an evolutionary biologist, is one of five principal investigators mapping the genome of the two-spotted spider mite, or Tetranychus urticae. Their research was published in the Nov. 23 issue of the weekly journal Nature.

The U.S. Department of Energy-funded research helps to combat the spider mite and other pests. Chemical pest control of spider mites is estimated at more than $500 million worldwide.

“Spider mites are a huge problem for agriculture because they are very difficult to get rid of,” Dr. Pires da Silva says. “They’re very small, they reproduce in huge numbers, and they become very easily resistant to chemicals used to try to control them.”

Read more about the spider mite research.

Remind students to participate in online feedback surveys

Beginning this semester, end-of-term Student Feedback Surveys are conducted online for all organized sections designated as lecture, seminar, or lab in MyMav.

Faculty members are asked to contribute to the success of the SFS process by informing and reminding students of the online survey and encouraging them to participate in the process.

Students should have received an email message inviting them to complete an online survey for each course in which they are enrolled.

See frequently asked questions about the survey.

Dr. Harvey Graff

Author dispels 'Dallas myth' in SUPA series

Harvey Graff, author of The Dallas Myth: The Making and Unmaking of an American City, will be on campus Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 5-6, as part of the School of Urban and Public Affairs speakers series.

Dr. Graff, the Ohio Eminent Scholar in Literacy Studies and professor of English and history at The Ohio State University, makes his presentation of The Dallas Myth 5:30-7 p.m. Monday in Room 204 of the Architecture Building. He leads a roundtable discussion 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday in Room 601 of Nedderman Hall. No reservations are needed. The events are open to the public.

The Dallas Myth demystifies “Big D” and much of the city’s extravagant branding aimed at capturing the American imagination. By exposing both the “positives and negatives, attractions and repulsions” and the social and environmental costs of Dallas’ urban development, the book offers a historical account that connects the physical development of the city with the governance ideologies that have shaped it.

New center announced Dr. Marvin Dulaney, left, chair of the History Department and past president of the African American Faculty and Staff Association, greets Chris Irvin, psychology senior, Tuesday in the University Club at the AAFSA reception, where it was announced that a Center for African American Studies will be established at UT Arlington. President James D. Spaniolo says the center will be a modern model for the study of issues of race and cultural diversity. Dulaney noted that the program will provide faculty and students enhanced opportunities for community engagement. The University will conduct a national search for the director of the center with a goal of launching the program in August 2012. The center is a collaboration of the School of Social Work and the College of Liberal Arts.

Holiday online shopping safety tips offered today by security office

Planning to shop online this holiday season? Millions of Americans are, and one in five smartphone users will do so from their phones.

Join the Information Security Office for informative tips on safe online and mobile shopping 3-4 p.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Carlisle Suite of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Complimentary cookies, cocoa, coffee, and more will be served.

Library seeks feedback on mobile site

Mobile device users can tell how they access the Library’s mobile website and traditional web-based services via a short survey. The goal of the survey is to better identify the needs of the Library’s mobile users.

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and is available until Friday, Dec. 16.

TRiO seeking school supplies

Faculty and staff are invited to donate school supplies to assist low-income youth in grades 7-12 as part of the TRiO pre-college programs.

The federally funded educational programs help students in their pursuit of a college education. Many participants cannot afford the school supplies necessary each semester.

Notebook paper, pencils, pens, spiral notebooks, note cards, backpacks, calculators, and three-ring binders are items that could benefit students.

Donations will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 22, at the TRiO office in Room 706 of Carlisle Hall.

For more information about the TRiO pre-college programs, visit the websites at uta.edu/upward, uta.edu/ubmathsci, and uta.edu/ts.

Gifts for angels Checking out the Angel Tree at the Leadership Center are, from left, Cody Paul, psychology senior; Esperanza Trujillo, management junior; and Dakota Keyser, interdisciplinary studies junior. All of the angels have been adopted this year, but faculty and staff can still bring gifts through Friday, Dec. 2, for "forgotten angels." Bring gifts to the Leadership Center, Room B160 in the E.H. Hereford University Center, or contact Susann Asebedo at susann@uta.edu.

Friday is deadline to submit community service information

Faculty members should submit data for the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by Friday, Dec. 2.

Community service data should be from projects completed between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011. Submit projects via the Community Engagement section in each faculty member’s Research Online Profile.

For more information, contact Shirley Theriot, director of the Center for Community Service Learning, at 2-2124 or theriot@uta.edu.

Plenty of volunteer opportunities available Friday and Saturday

If you like gardening, reading, or just helping with an event, there is a volunteer opportunity for you this week.

Volunteers are needed for a work day in the Community Garden 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. To volunteer, contact Becky Valentich in the Sustainability Office at becky@uta.edu.

You can help Arlington elementary and middle school students experience the wonder of stepping onto a college campus at Reading with Mavericks 8-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Register at uta.edu/leadership.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the First Lego League qualifying event, sponsored by the College of Engineering, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Nedderman Hall atrium. Contact Carter Tiernan at tiernan@uta.edu.

MavPacks available through Friday

The deadline for ordering MavPacks has been extended to Friday, Dec. 2.

The packs include school supplies, spirit items, and study tips and are $25. Order them at utaalumni.org/mavpack for your favorite students, and give them a boost prior to final exams.

Spirit of giving Nursing junior Ify Okonkwo, left, and marketing junior Kelsey Lemons load up a box during the canned food drive coordinated by the Staff Advisory Council and Golden Key International Honour Society. The donations help the Tarrant Area Food Bank and Mission Arlington. The Staff Advisory Council also sponsors the SAC of Joy toy and clothing drive Dec. 1-16 to benefit Arlington Charities, Arlington Life Shelter, and Friends of the Family Women's Shelter. Bring children's toys and books, packaged children's socks and underwear, new/lightly used winter clothing, new/lightly used pillows, blankets, and twin sheets to drop-off locations in Davis Hall, the Central Library, E.H. Hereford University Center, and other locations around campus.

Looking for perfect gift for a grad

Take part in one of UT Arlington’s traditions by giving a graduate a flower bouquet or lei during Commencement Dec. 15-18.

Flowers and leis are available for pre-order through Friday, Dec. 9, and can be purchased at the tents outside Texas Hall before and after each ceremony. Pre-order and your gift will be waiting for you at the ceremony. Proceeds benefit the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.

For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 2-2594.

Enjoy the monthly buffet special today at the University Club

Enjoy the monthly University Club lunch buffet special today, Thursday, Dec. 1. The University Club is on the ground floor in Davis Hall.

The special first Thursday lunch includes Waldorf salad, cinnamon-roasted pork loin with grilled shallot dijon sauce, lasagna roll stuffed with seared squash and bean, sautéed Brussels sprouts with almond butter, spaghetti squash with peppers, seasoned wild rice, and Christmas cake.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is $8 per person plus tax. The regular menu will not be available.

Email maintenance set for Dec. 9-10

The University email system for faculty and staff will undergo routine maintenance by the Office of Information Technology from 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, to 4 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.

The email system will be unavailable during these times. Emails received during the maintenance period will be stored and delivered immediately after the email system is returned to service.

If you have questions or if your email is unavailable for more than 24 hours, contact the OIT Help Desk at 2-2208 or helpdesk@uta.edu.

Discovering Purpose

Having a clear purpose helps guide your decisions and empowers you to act in a clear and focused manner. This class offers participants the tools for discovering purpose and keys to putting the purpose into your every action and response. Free. Register. 9-11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center.

Rape Aggression Defense System

Learn the 10 basic principles of self-defense, risk avoidance, and more. Free for female students, faculty, and staff. Free. Register. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, Room 135, Maverick Activities Center. UTA Police, Officer Randy Reynolds, reynolds@uta.edu.

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.

Movin' Mavs travel to Missouri this weekend

The Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team travels to the University of Missouri for a tournament Friday-Saturday, Dec. 2-3.

Coach Doug Garner’s squad faces Southwest Minnesota State at 1 p.m. and Wisconsin-Whitewater at 7 p.m. Friday before meeting Illinois at 10:30 a.m. and Missouri at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. All games will be livestreamed at stickam.com/movinmavstv.

The Movin’ Mavs are 2-1 against collegiate competition this season.

Men's basketball at UT Austin on Tuesday

Off to a 4-2 start, the men's basketball team travels to UT Austin for a 7 p.m. game Tuesday, Dec. 6. Follow the action on KVCE 1160 AM.

Junior Kevin Butler scored 21 points as the Mavericks halted a two-game losing skid by downing UT Pan American 92-60 Monday night at Texas Hall.

The men started last week with a 97-64 romp past North Texas, but then lost 75-65 at Baylor before falling 71-69 at home Saturday against Samford.

Texas Tech next for women's basketball

A trip to Lubbock is next for the women's basketball team as they face Texas Tech at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7.

The Mavericks downed McMurry 52-41 last week at Texas Hall before losing 77-60 at Memphis on Sunday and now stand 1-4 for the season.

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

Thursday, Dec. 1

World AIDS Day Outreach group AIDS Arms and Health Services provide information on facts and myths surrounding HIV and AIDS. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Health Services, 2-2771.

Holiday S.O.S. (Shopping Online Safely) Learn informative tips on safe online and mobile shopping. Complimentary cookies, cocoa, coffee, and more. Free. 3-4 p.m., Carlisle Suite, E.H. Hereford University Center. Information Security Office, security@uta.edu, 2-5487.

North Pole Follies Benefits Department of Theatre Arts scholarships. Suggested donation $5 adults, $1 children. 7 p.m.; also 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2; Mainstage Theatre, Fine Arts Building. Theatre Arts.

UTA Symphony Orchestra Concert Conducted by Clifton Evans, assistant professor of music. Features music by Bach, Dvorak, and Brahms with solo by baritone David Grogan, assistant professor of voice. Tickets $5. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Friday, Dec. 2

$2 Movie: Shrek the Halls The Shrek characters put their own spin on holiday traditions. 5:30 p.m.; also 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Planetarium, 2-1183.

Friends of the Library Folk singer Jed Marum performs. His album Cross Over The River: A Confederate Collection won the Traditional/Folk Album of the Year Award in 2009. CD signing and reception will follow. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Tommie Wingfield, 2-2658.

Saturday, Dec. 3

Holiday Lights Parade Watch the holiday pageantry that ends with the lighting of the tree at City Hall. Look for the UT Arlington entries in the parade. Take a photo with Santa and enjoy caroling after the parade at the Levitt Pavilion in Founders Plaza, 100 W. Abram St. 6 p.m., Downtown Arlington. Arlington Holiday Lights Parade.

UTA Wind Symphony Concert Features a new work, "Lost Vegas," which is a musical homage to Las Vegas' bygone days. Conducted by Douglas Stotter, director of bands. Also includes two guest conductors, Matthew Luttrell, associate director of bands, and Christopher Sample, master's candidate in wind conducting. Tickets $5. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Sunday, Dec. 4

UTA Choirs in Concert A festive processional, contemporary carols, and spirituals provided by the University Singers and A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Karen Kenaston-French, associate professor of music. Tickets $5. 3 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Ongoing

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

Impressions of the West: Works of Art from Special Collections The American West comes alive in more than 30 paintings, sculptures, and prints. Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Through Jan. 14. Special Collections, sixth floor, Central Library, 2-3393.

Planetarium Holiday Music Magic features a variety of holiday songs from Mannheim Steamroller and Burl Ives to Brenda Lee and Kurt Bestor. 6 p.m. Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. Sundays. Planetarium, 2-1183.

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