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UT Arlington to go tobacco-free by 2011

President James D. Spaniolo announced Friday that UT Arlington will be a tobacco-free campus beginning Aug. 1, 2011. In a letter to the University community, Spaniolo said UT Arlington will be more vigilant in enforcing the current prohibition on smoking within 50 feet of any campus building or air intake in the months leading up to implementation of the new policy.

"Many of us remember a time when smoking used to be commonplace in offices, malls, airplanes, public buildings, sports arenas and even hospitals," President Spaniolo says. "But times have changed, and it is time for UT Arlington to take the next step forward in protecting the health of our campus community."

Read the full text of the president's letter.

Students who would like assistance in stopping their use of tobacco products are urged to call 817-272-2771 to enroll in free classes offered by Health Services or see information on the University's Web site.

Campus police offer safety advice

In response to recent reports of cell phone robberies on or near campus, UT Arlington police urge students, faculty and staff to use caution if they are hailed by a passing motorist.

Police offer the following tips:

• Do not approach a vehicle If someone calls out to you.

• Walk in the opposite direction that the vehicle is traveling.

• Note a description of the vehicle, particularly a license plate number.

• Call police as soon as possible at 817-272-3381 (main) or 817-272-3003 (emergency).

Students, faculty and staff may request a personal security escort 24 hours a day by calling 817-272-3381.

Project lets students exchange volunteer work for interview attire

Project Success, a new student organization, helps students and alumni who need proper business attire for job interviews. Students or alums earn the clothing by volunteering 10 hours with Mission Arlington, where the clothes will be stored.

Donations are needed to help students by the spring semester, said Cheri Butler, the group's adviser and associate director of Career Services. Donations should be appropriate for a professional job interview, not casual attire. All sizes for both men and women are needed.

To donate, contact Butler at 817-272-2942 or cherib@uta.edu.

H1N1 flu vaccination available today in Arlington

Tarrant County Public Health will hold a one-day H1N1 influenza vaccination event 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today, Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way.

The H1N1 vaccine is being made available to target groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The groups include:

• pregnant women

• household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months old

• health-care and emergency medical services personnel

• anyone age 6 months to 24 years old

• anyone age 25 to 64 with health conditions associated with a higher risk of medical complications from influenza

For more information, call 2-1-1 or contact:

Landscape architecture ranked among nation's top 20 programs

For the first time, UT Arlington's landscape architecture program is ranked among the nation's top 20, according to Design Intelligence, a national architecture journal. The program is listed at No. 15.

Do clothes make the horse? Sharp-dressed steed Blaze donned formal attire for his birthday party last week on the Central Library mall. The Maverick mascot turned 2 on Wednesday.

The survey, conducted in mid-2009, tapped professional practice leaders who have had direct experience in hiring and evaluating the performance of recent architecture and design graduates.

"This is another indication of the rising reputation and influence of the School of Architecture and our graduates," Dean Donald Gatzke says. "Increasingly, it's taking on the very difficult challenges of regional development and environmental rehabilitation."

New commencement gowns
good for environment

The UT Arlington Bookstore offers Jostens' new environmentally friendly commencement gowns that feature more "oomph" than previous regalia.

"It's a richer, shinier, deeper black. The old gowns don't compare," says Cindy Medlen, general merchandise manager at the Bookstore. "They're nicer across the back yoke and shoulder."

The gowns are the only ones sold at the Bookstore, she said. Gown, cap and tassel package for a bachelor's candidate is $39.95. For a master's candidate, the price is $71.95 and includes the hood. A doctoral candidate package is $89.95.

The fabric used in Jostens Elements Collection fiber is made from wood exclusively from renewable, managed forests and was developed using 100-percent acetate material. Based on scientific research, the fabric is proven to decompose in soil in one year. In addition, the Eco-Zip coil zipper tape and teeth are made from 100 percent recycled plastics, or PET. Earth-friendly packaging contains ECM BioFilms material that facilitates the decomposition of the cap and gown bag.

Streetwise morning Omar Rosales, Mr. UTA, greets the morning from his sleeping bag and cardboard bed after spending Wednesday night on the Central Library mall. He and other students took part in the annual Night without a Home for Homelessness Awareness Week.

The Student Give Back Program provides an additional way to support the environment. When students go online to redeem the hang tag code from their gown, Jostens will contribute $1 to support environmental sustainability.

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 with a minimum 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.

Emerging artists show work

Works by 41 emerging artists are on display Nov. 30 through 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.

Big bout Sumo wrestler padding and gear protect and disguise Jose Delacruz, left, and Tai Tran for their match in the Most Awesome Extreme Challenge during Asian Heritage Month. That contest and other silly competitions were similar to the TV program "I Survived a Japanese Game Show."

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.

Deadline extended for ordering
MavPack finals kits

MavPack finals kits are packed with office and school supplies, spirit items, snacks, study tips and a T-shirt. The Student Alumni Association offers the kits, which can be sent to a favorite student with a personalized message.

Order online by Monday, Nov. 30. Contact Jasmine Stewart at 817-272-2594 or jasmine@uta.edu for more information.

Your UT Arlington story
could be worth $100

Your personal story could be included in a textbook for the new freshman seminar that gives students a unique perspective of UT Arlington. Nine students will be highlighted in each of the book's chapters. Those selected will receive a $100 gift certificate to the UT Arlington Bookstore.

Deadline is Monday, Nov. 30. More details are online at www.uta.edu/fye-contest or contact 817-272-3277 or lexi@uta.edu.

Holiday schedules, closings include libraries, Planetarium, UC, MAC

Tuesday, Nov. 24

Opera Workshop Performance Students perform songs and scenes from various operas and plays. Free. 2 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272‑3471, music@uta.edu.

Women's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Missouri-Kansas City. Free with student ID. 4 p.m., Texas Hall. www.utamavs.com.

Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. UT Permian Basin. Free with student ID. 7 p.m., Texas Hall. www.utamavs.com.

Clavier Series Piano Recital Piano students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-3471, music@uta.edu.

Wednesday, Nov. 25

$2 Movie: Monsters, Inc. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium, 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu.

Through Friday, Nov. 27

The Getty Sketchbooks Internationally acclaimed architects' sketchbooks for the Getty Villa/Museum renovations. Free. Architecture Gallery, Architecture Building.

Saturday, Nov. 28

$2 Movie: Monsters, Inc. 2:30 p.m., Planetarium, 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu.

Monday, Nov. 30

Spa Retreat Join the Student Health Advisory Council for a day of relaxation. The Palo Duro Lounge will be set up as a spa, and professional technicians will help you relax. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Health Services, 817-272-2619, dnsmith@uta.edu.

An Evening with Garrison Keillor Sold out. Part of the Star-Telegram author series. 7 p.m., Texas Hall.

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.

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.

Friday, Dec. 4

Opening Reception: Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition Free. 5 p.m., The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. Patricia Healy, 817-272-5658, phealy@uta.edu.

Friends of the UT Arlington Library The Upscale Quartet sings, followed by a reception. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor atrium, Central Library. Betty Wood, 817-272-7421, bwood@uta.edu.

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 700 Planetarium Place. 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)

On the rebound: Freshman Donna Dike grabbed 18 rebounds against Houston.

Women host UMKC in late afternoon game today

The women's basketball team takes on the University of Missouri-Kansas City with tipoff set for 4 p.m. today, Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Texas Hall.

The Mavericks are 1-1, opening with a win over Rice before losing to Houston last week. Junior Tamara Simmons leads the Maverick scoring with a 17.5 average while freshman Donna Dike tops the rebounding with 13.5 per game.

Men return to action against UT Permian Basin

Trying to get back on the winning track, the men's basketball team hosts UT Permian Basin at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Texas Hall.

The Mavericks opened with a win over Dallas Baptist, but then dropped a pair of close decisions to North Texas and Eastern Washington last week. Senior Marquez Haynes leads the team scoring with 30.3 points per game while senior Tommy Moffitt is the top rebounder with a 10.7 average.

Volleyballers end season with loss in tournament

A loss to Lamar in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament brought the volleyball season to an end Friday in San Antonio.

A young Mavericks squad loses only one senior from this year's team, which finished with a 12-17 record.

Editors: Jim Patterson, Teresa Newton Web Developer: James Barberousse Photographers: Beth McHenry, Robert Crosby Executive Director for University Publications: Mark Permenter Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing: David Johnson Vice President for Communications: Jerry Lewis Published by University Communications © 2009 The University of Texas at Arlington	TrailBlazer is published by the Department of University Communications on Tuesdays. To submit items for possible inclusion in TrailBlazer, e-mail trailblazer@uta.edu. Items must be received three working days before distribution. Inclusion of events and activities in TrailBlazer does not necessarily constitute an endorsement by the University. Read the TrailBlazer Guidelines.