TrailBlazer - Department of University Communications - The University of Texas at Arlington

For Students of The University of Texas at Arlington

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Campus police step up patrols, offer safety advice

UT Arlington police are stepping up foot and bicycle patrols in and near campus housing communities in response to recent reports of cell phone robberies on and near campus. A special police task force has been assigned to monitor areas where the incidents have occurred.

In each of the incidents, pedestrians have been hailed or approached by a stranger who asks for the victim's cell phone. In several cases, the victim has been assaulted as the suspect takes the victim's cell phone.

"We are doing everything we can to stop these individuals from committing more crimes on campus," says Ricardo Gomez, UT Arlington assistant police chief. "We are supplementing our regular patrol with extra foot and bicycle officers. And we are trying to educate our community and provide tips that can lessen the chance that someone will become a crime victim."

Gomez urged students, faculty and staff to be alert to their surroundings when outdoors and to avoid walking alone at night.

In addition, police say:

Do not approach a vehicle if a stranger calls out to you.
Walk in the opposite direction that the vehicle is traveling or create distance between yourself and any stranger on foot.
Note a description of the vehicle, particularly a license plate number.
Call campus police as soon as possible at 817-272-3381 (main) or 817-272-3003 (emergency). Campus police maintain the network of blue and white emergency assistance call boxes across campus that directly connect the user with police and pinpoint the caller's location.
Students, faculty and staff may request a personal security escort 24 hours a day by calling 817-272-3381.

Anyone with information about the incidents should call campus police at 817-272-3381.

Collision course: UT Arlington professors have played a key part in getting the Large Hadron Collider operational.

Protons finally collide with help from physics professors, students

The world's largest scientific experiment is finally operational with an assist from UT Arlington physics professors and graduate students. Protons collided last week for the first time in the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, outside Geneva, Switzerland.

Portions of ATLAS, a giant microscope for particle detection, were built at UT Arlington.

"That was exciting. It has been over two years now that we have been waiting for the machine to become operational," physics Professor Kaushik De says. "We finished assembling the final pieces of ATLAS three years ago, and we have been waiting ever since."

Read more about UT Arlington's work with CERN.

Campus lights up for holidays Wednesday

Deck the Mall—actually two of them—to welcome the holidays before finals kick into high gear. The party is 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, starting at the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center and spreading to the Central Library mall.

Adam Levine and James Valentine of Maroon 5

Maroon 5 at Texas Hall

Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine and guitarist James Valentine played for a packed house Nov. 20 at Texas Hall. Check out photos from the Grammy-winning band's Back to School tour.

Decorate stockings, wreaths and ornaments at 6:30 p.m. in the Palo Duro Lounge, then join in on singing carols and a tree lighting.

Head over to the library mall at 7:30 p.m. when Professor Allan Saxe lights the 26,000 holiday lights along the mall.

Cookies, pie, cider and hot cocoa are part of the festivities.

Prepare for finals with study night, breakfast and volleyball

As the semester winds down and students prepare for final exams, mark the calendar for some special on‑campus activities meant for studying and study breaks.

If you ordered a MavPack Finals Kit, pick it up starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the booth by Smoothie Hut, E.H. Hereford University Center. Unfortunately, it's too late to order a kit, offered by the Student Alumni Association.

Study Night, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha service fraternity, offers a change of scenery for preparing for exams at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Late Night Breakfast provides students with a study break 9:30-11 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 7-8. A full breakfast menu is offered at the Connection Café for only $2.75, and cash, credit, MavMoney, Dining Dollars or the meal plan are accepted. Also find discounts at Bowling and Billiards and a movie in the Rosebud Theatre.

Blow off a little steam at the open volleyball games sponsored by two fraternities. Alpha Tau Omega leadership fraternity hosts games starting at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 2 and 9, at the Maverick Activities Center. Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity opens its volleyball court for all day play Thursday, Dec. 3, at 1100 Greek Row Drive.

Tickets available for commencement exercises

Guest tickets for this month's commencement exercises are available for graduating students to claim online.

Blaze's Mini-Me

Bioengineering graduate student Sweta Narvenkar checks out miniature versions of Maverick mascot Blaze at the UT Arlington Bookstore. For $16, the tiny steed makes a great stocking stuffer.

An allotment of guest tickets has been reserved for each graduating student, in quantities set by your school or college. Print those tickets now through the ticketing system. Each guest to commencement must have a ticket in order to be seated. Print only the number of tickets you intend to use.

Unused tickets can be donated for a general ticket pool, which becomes available to fellow graduates who need more guest tickets.

Specific information about the commencement schedule, honors reception, appropriate attire, family and guest tickets, arrival times, formalities, parking, photography and special accommodations are online at the UT Arlington Commencement Web site at www.uta.edu/commencement.

Try these tobacco-free pointers
during finals, holidays

Final exams, graduation, holidays and family visits can be stressful, especially if you're trying to give up tobacco. Nekima Booker, substance abuse specialist with Health Services, offers these tips for staying with your tobacco cessation plans.

Be aware of and prepare for potential triggers, such as visiting family members, alcohol consumption, shopping at busy times or social environments where tobacco and celebration go hand in hand.
Remove tobacco paraphernalia from your home, such as ashtrays or lighters.
Clean your teeth, car, and carpets, curtains and linens if you smoke at home.
Remove your car's ashtray or put change in it.
Tell the people closest to you that you are trying to quit and you need their support, even those who still smoke.

Consider attending these Fresh Start from Tobacco classes.

"Steps to Quitting" and "Understanding Addiction," Tuesdays, Dec. 1 and 15, 11:30 a.m., Room 200, Preston Hall; 3 p.m., Pecos Room, E.H. Hereford University Center.
"How to Cope" and "There Is Help," Wednesdays, Dec. 2 and 16, 10:30 a.m., Room 200, Preston Hall; 3 p.m., Pecos Room, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Contact Nekima Booker at 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu for more information.

H1N1 vaccinations offered to all Tarrant County residents

Beginning today, Tuesday, Dec. 1, Tarrant County Public Health will be offering free H1N1 vaccine to all Tarrant County residents.

You betcha!

Students put on their best poker faces for an intramural, no-limit, Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament sponsored by Campus Recreation. The card sharks started out with 5,000 chips each. Peter Dao won the championship with Donald Carter in second place.

Since early October, TCPH has followed the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offering the vaccine only to specific target groups. However, TCPH has determined that the vaccine is now widely available in both the public and private sectors.

For more information on H1N1 influenza, contact:

Orientation leaders needed
to help new students

The New Maverick Orientation office is recruiting for 2010 Maverick Orientation Leaders, who assist incoming students and their families in their transition to college life. Eligible applicants are full-time undergraduate students in the spring 2010 and fall 2010 semesters, a minimum of a 2.25 GPA, a positive attitude, and an enthusiasm and passion for UT Arlington. Applications are due by Jan. 28, 2010.

Learn more about the New Maverick Orientation program online or visit the NMO office in Room B160 of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Friday, Dec. 4	Last day of classes
Dec. 5-11	Final exams
Dec. 10-14	Commencement ceremonies
Sunday, Dec. 13	Registration ends for Winter Intersession and Spring Term
Monday, Dec. 14	First day of classes for Winter Intersession Late registration for Winter Intersession
Tuesday, Dec. 15	Census date for Winter Intersession

Last day of class and final exams begin

Last day of class is Friday, Dec. 4. Final exams for the fall semester are Dec. 5-11. Check the final exam schedule.

Fall 2009 Commencement Ceremonies

Fall 2009 commencement ceremonies are Dec. 10-14. Commencement information can be found at www.uta.edu/commencement.

Preorder Final Transcript

Students can preorder transcripts online. Mark requests to hold for grades or degree information if you are graduating. The last date to order transcripts to be mailed by U.S. Postal Service or express service before the holidays is noon Monday, Dec. 21.

Graduate school forums begin

Make reservations for this week's Graduate Forums, information sessions for anyone considering graduate school. Forums are:

School of Urban and Public Affairs, 5:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2, Room 521, University Hall. Linda Slaughter, 817-272-3071.
College of Engineering, 9:45 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Dec. 5, Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Amber DeGelia, 817-272-2571, adegelia@uta.edu.
College of Business Administration, 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Dec. 5, Business Building, 817-272-3005. RSVP online.

Exhibition showcases graduating seniors' work

Works by 41 emerging artists are on display through Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Gallery at UTA in the Fine Arts Building. The Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition is a showcase for recent work created by the graduating seniors of Art and Art History.

The 2009 exhibition features work in a wide variety of concentrations, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, glass, printmaking, video, visual communication, photography and digital imaging.

An opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. The reception and exhibit are free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-5 p.m. Saturday.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

Student Alumni T-Shirt Day The Prize Patrol will hand out gifts to those caught wearing their Student Alumni Association T-shirt. Valentina Anyaehie, 817-272-2594, saa@uta.edu.

$2 Movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu, www.utaplanetarium.com.

Through Thursday, Dec. 3

Growing with Tradition The Native American Student Association and area tribal leaders host an exposé of ethnographical influence on modern American society. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., University Center Gallery, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Thursday, Dec. 3

Global Grounds International Coffee Hour Enjoy free coffee, masala chai, and snacks while getting to know the international community. Free. 4 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. 817-272-2355, international@uta.edu.

Friday, Dec. 4

Downtown Arlington Farmers Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 215 E. Front St. 817-303-2800, info@downtownarlington.org.

International Spouses Club Connect with other spouses of international students/scholars/faculty and practice English. Free. 1:30 p.m., Swift Center. 817-272-2355, international@uta.edu.

$2 Movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu, www.utaplanetarium.com.

Friends of the UT Arlington Library This holiday program features the Upscale Quartet, a barbershop quartet. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor atrium, Central Library. Betty Wood, 817-272-7421, bwood@uta.edu.

Wednesday, Dec. 9

$2 Movie: Polar Express 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu, www.utaplanetarium.com.

Friday, Dec. 11

$2 Movie: Polar Express 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu, www.utaplanetarium.com.

Saturday, Dec. 12

$2 Movie: Polar Express 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu, www.utaplanetarium.com.

Through Dec. 22

Selected 2D Works Five accomplished artists from the Fort Worth area share their works. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays; 2-6 p.m., Wednesdays, Fridays. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Through Dec. 31

UT Arlington Planetarium programs Check the Planetarium Web site for the schedule, which includes Season of Light and Holiday Music Magic. 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu, www.utaplanetarium.com.

Through Jan. 9

Everything Is Interrelated Special Collections' fall exhibit features "Alexander von Humboldt and Our Nineteenth-Century German Connections." Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. See Special Collections.

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