University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 08-17-2010

Park and shuttle: Shuttles accommodate students needing a lift from parking lots to buildings or from one side of campus to another. A new interactive map shows parking lots, shuttle routes, and information kiosks to help students navigate the campus.

Parking permits, shuttle routes provide options

UT Arlington is undergoing unprecedented growth in enrollment and the physical makeup of the campus. Enrollment is expected to reach 30,000 students this fall, a 20 percent increase over the past three years. Construction projects totaling more than $300 million are reshaping the campus, adding academic, event, residential, and retail space.

"Our University is in the midst of a major transformation, including several critically important construction projects," says James D. Spaniolo, president of UT Arlington. "We are doing everything possible to minimize temporary inconveniences, such as parking, as we develop exciting new dimensions to our campus."

The University has gained more than 300 parking spaces as of this fall by adding new lots and maximizing the capacity of others. UT Arlington has streamlined the parking permit system and updated campus shuttle routes to help faculty, staff, and students navigate the 420-acre campus.

Students should be aware of several important changes that affect parking and campus transportation:

• You must order your parking permit online at uta.edu/mymav. Decals will be mailed directly from the printing company, not UT Arlington Parking Services. Students must have a parking permit or display a receipt from their online permit purchase by the start of classes on Thursday, Aug. 26.

• Remote decals are less than half the price. Student permits allowing access to all student lots are $112.50 for the fall and spring semesters. Students who choose to park in Lot 26 at Maverick Stadium may purchase an "R" remote lot permit for $45.

• UT Arlington has increased capacity of some existing lots and added new lots since spring.

     • Students may park in the new Lot 38, south of the UTA Bookstore at South Oak and West First streets.

     • Overflow parking is available at the new Lot 45, near St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. Enter from West Mitchell Street, east of South Davis Drive.

     • Ample spaces are typically available even at peak times in Lots 49, 50, and 51, south of West Mitchell Street and east of South Cooper Street.

• New shuttle routes will serve stops across campus every 10 minutes. The free service runs 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning with the fall semester. Patrons should arrive on campus early enough to allow for wait times. Routes and schedules are available at uta.edu/shuttle.

• Maverick Ride escort service is available from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. UT Arlington police encourage faculty, staff, and students to avoid walking alone after dark. To request a security escort, call 817-272-3381.

For the most current information about parking, parking permits, and campus shuttle service, visit uta.edu/parking and uta.edu/shuttle.

Princeton Review names UT Arlington as one of its 'Best in the West' colleges

The University of Texas at Arlington was named one of the best colleges in the West by The Princeton Review, a nationally known educational services company.

UT Arlington is one of 120 institutions The Princeton Review recommends in its "Best in the West" section of its website feature, "2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region," which was posted last week on PrincetonReview.com.

The review listed biology, general business, management, and nursing as popular degrees at UT Arlington. The colleges chosen for the "Best in the West" list are located in 15 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Collectively, the 623 colleges named among the four regional best areas constitute about 25 percent of the nation's 2,500 four-year colleges.

For this project, The Princeton Review asks students attending the schools to rate their own schools on several issues—from the accessibility of their professors to quality of the campus food—and answer questions about themselves, their fellow students, and campus life.

MavsMeet Convocation, AfterParty welcome students to campus

Incoming freshmen and transfer students receive an official welcome to campus at the MavsMeet Convocation, a time-honored tradition at UT Arlington. The convocation is 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, at Texas Hall.

The event kicks off the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year with remarks from President James D. Spaniolo, Provost Donald R. Bobbitt, Vice President for Student Affairs Frank R. Lamas, physics Professor Kaushik De, and Student Congress President Aaron Resendez.

Afterwards, all students can break in the new school year with live music, activities, games, and food at the MavsMeet AfterParty. The celebration is 5-9 p.m. on the Central Library mall.

Read more about MavsMeet Convocation and the Maverick Stampede activities online.

UT System honors seven outstanding faculty for teaching success

Seven UT Arlington faculty members were honored with Outstanding Teaching Awards by the UT System Board of Regents on Wednesday.

Receiving the awards were James Epperson, Theresa Jorgensen, and Barbara Shipman from mathematics; Anand Puppala, civil engineering; Lauri Jensen-Campbell, psychology; Joanna Webb Johnson, English; and Jane Himarios, economics.

In its second year, the program rewards faculty 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 R. 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 said.

Read more about the UT Regents' Outstanding Teaching Awards online.

University launches sustainability website

The University launched the new sustainability website last Tuesday, providing a link to all news, events, initiatives, research, and academics related to environmental efforts across campus.

Produced by University Communications, working in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, the site is the place to go for one-stop news concerning innovative real‑world solutions to address how we use, conserve, and renew resources.

"The website is a gateway to sustainability resources for faculty, staff, students, and outside community," says Meghna Tare, director of sustainability.

The site includes multimedia and videos from faculty, staff, and students explaining how sustainability affects the campus and how each of us can help.

MAC closed one morning next week

The Maverick Activities Center will be closed the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 24, for student staff training. The MAC will re-open at 1 p.m.

Freshman find Lyna Nguyen, an incoming freshman from Richardson, checks out information on student activities at freshman orientation last week at the E.H. Hereford University Center. Nguyen is considering pre-med and nursing as majors.

Parking lot entrances get makeovers

The south entrance to Lot 39 is closed this week for gate installations, which should be completed by Friday. During construction, the north entrance at the Bookstore should be used.

Once the gates are operational, the north entrance to Lot 39 will be closed permanently to improve lot security and to address traffic control issues along Pecan Street.

Lot 39 is for students who live in University housing.

'Fort Worth Abstract' is newest exhibition at Gallery 76102

"Fort Worth Abstract" runs through Sept. 30 at Gallery 76102 at the UT Arlington/Fort Worth Center, 1401 Jones St., in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth artists Jane Helslander, Winter Rusiloski, and Cecil Touchon create their abstracts with various media, including paint, collage, photographs, and found images.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

Super Bowl volunteers needed, register online

If you have not registered yet as a Super Bowl volunteer, don't miss your chance. Volunteers will be the faces of North Texas during the weeks leading up to Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

All volunteers will be issued a limited edition and official volunteer uniform and will be invited to a volunteer appreciation event in the weeks following Super Bowl XLV.

The North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee is looking to recruit and train volunteers who will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to North Texas to enjoy the Super Bowl experience. Volunteers will staff numerous activities and venues throughout the region, including the area's airports, major hotels, and the NFL Experience.

Volunteers registered by Tuesday, Aug. 31, are automatically entered to win a pair of tickets to the XLV Countdown Live From Cowboys Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10. Five XLV volunteers will win a pair of tickets to the countdown event.

Register to be a Super Bowl XLV volunteer, or visit northtexassuperbowl.com.

Construction cam Bookmark the special events center web cam and keep up with the construction progress. Also, follow the final stages of the Engineering Research Building construction at the College of Engineering web cam.

Arlington Reads needs volunteers

Volunteers are needed for Arlington Reads, a literacy program offered by the Arlington public library. Opportunities include after-school homework help, English conversation partners for adults, one-on-one or small group tutoring for adults, early childhood literacy, GED preparation, and computer classes.

Volunteer orientations are 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, and noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18.

Learn more about Arlington Reads at arlingtonreads.org or call 817-275-3321.

Volunteer to welcome, help students at annual Residence Hall Move-in Event

There's still time to show your Maverick pride and volunteer for the 11th annual Residence Hall Move-in Event 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23. Move-in will continue until 4 p.m. for Arlington and Kalpana Chawla halls.

The Move-in Event is a campus-wide initiative to help residence hall students move into their new homes. Student, faculty, and staff volunteers are on hand throughout the day to welcome students and parents.

The event is sponsored by Apartment and Residence Life and is part of Maverick Stampede Welcome Week.

See the latest Environmental Health and Safety Office newsletter

Meet the new director of the Environmental Health and Safety Office in the office's Summer 2010 newsletter. Other articles include information about campus participation in the state fire marshal's "Have An Exit Strategy" program, biological safety, and workers' compensation procedures.

Dr. Sandy Dasgupta

Chemistry professor's life-saving work praised by National Science Foundation committee

Purnendu "Sandy" Dasgupta's work with arsenic detection is an outstanding representation of research that furthers knowledge, discovery, and learning, according to a committee of experts appointed by the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Dasgupta, a Jenkins Garrett Professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Science, used NSF funds to develop an analyzer for arsenic in drinking water that could help the millions of people at risk of exposure from naturally occurring arsenic contamination in South and East Asia. The instrument is less expensive and more effective and environmentally friendly than current methods.

Dasgupta's "A Green Fieldable Analyzer for Arsenic" was one of 29 chemistry research projects designated as "high impact" by the National Science Foundation's 2010 Chemistry Committee of Visitors. That body considered several hundred projects that received funding between 2007 and 2009. The group is comprised of professors and other experts throughout the United States.

Read more about Dasgupta's research.

Blood work: Dr. Jian Yang, left, and Dr. Liping Tang and their team of researchers developed a tissue regeneration method that can repair small blood vessels.

Bioengineering research team developing technique for repairing small blood vessels

Huge improvements have been made in using stents to repair damaged veins and arteries, but little progress has been made to repair damaged small blood vessels. However, biomedical engineering researchers at UT Arlington believe they have found a way to help the body regenerate small diameter vascular grafts and have secured a two-year grant from the American Heart Association to refine their process.

Bioengineering Professor Liping Tang, Assistant Professor Jian Yang, and their team of post-doctoral and graduate researchers recently developed a novel tissue regeneration method called an orchestrated stem cell regeneration (OSCER) technique.

OSCER triggers specific tissue regeneration by programming self-donated stem cells using growth factors released from tissue-engineered scaffolds. The proposed work is aimed at making small diameter vascular grafts using the OSCER technique.

Read more about the small blood vessel repair research.

Summer grades to be posted by Friday

Grades for summer II five-week and summer 11-week terms are expected to be available by Friday, Aug. 20.

Grades will be available in the MyMav Student Center when they are official. Some grades are viewable before they are announced as official. However, UT Arlington does not consider grades official until the Office of Records announces them as such, and they are subject to change until that time.

Enrollment loans available

Enrollment loans for the fall 2010 term are now available at the Bursar's Office. More information on enrollment loans is online.

Registration for fall 2010 continues

Registration for the fall semester continues. Check the registration timetables online.

To determine if you need adviser clearance, check your portal page at www.uta.edu/mymav and click on Student Center. You will see a section on the right titled Holds. Click the details link for specific hold information. If your academic department requires advising, you will see an academic department service indicator (hold). A list of advising offices is online.

Students who want to register for fall must have their summer and fall academic department service indicators released by their adviser.

The undergraduate catalog and graduate catalog for fall are online.

Slide into campus life with Maverick Stampede Maverick Stampede, a UT Arlington tradition, welcomes students to the new academic year and life on campus. Student organizations, campus services, and academic departments serve up everything from waffles to waterslides. Check out the list of events in the Going Out section below and at the Maverick Stampede website.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

$2 Movie: Where the Wild Things Are Max and friends get really wild. Rated PG. 5:30 p.m.; also 5:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Friday, Aug. 20

Movin' Mavs Dallas Mavericks wheelchair team, exhibition game. 8 p.m., Physical Education Building. Movin' Mavs, dgarner@uta.edu.

Saturday, Aug. 21

Summer Recognition Ceremony The College of Engineering conducts this ceremony to honor and recognize the accomplishments of its students graduating at the end of summer. 11 a.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. College of Engineering, Amber Wiederhold, awiederhold@uta.edu, 817-272-0074.

Monday-Wednesday, Aug. 23-25

Second Life Open House Don't want to drive to campus to meet your study group? Get your group to meet online in Second Life instead. Sign up and get an avatar. 1-3 p.m., Room B29, Digital Media Studio, Central Library. uta.edu/secondlife, sjones@uta.edu.

Tuesday, Aug. 24

'Dude, Where's My Class?' This tour of campus helps locate your classes. Free. 2-4 p.m., Ransom Hall. Matt Hendricks, hendricks@uta.edu, 817-272-6107.

University College Open House Take a tour of the new University College, participate in activities, and enter the drawing for a new laptop computer. Free. 2-4 p.m., Ransom Hall. University College, Matt Hendricks, hendricks@uta.edu, 817-272-6107.

Waffleopolis Enjoy free waffles with a huge topping bar along with music. 8-10 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center mall, by Brazos House. Free. Apartment and Residence Life, 817-272-2926.

Death of a Dancing Queen: Disco Never Dies Until Tonight Can you solve this disco-themed murder mystery with music, games, contests and light refreshments? Free. 9-11 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. UT Arlington Library, Kevin Schuck, 817-272-3313.

Wednesday, Aug. 25

MavsMeet After Party All students are invited to the MavsMeet AfterParty, which includes a variety of activities and games, live music, and plenty of free food. Free. 5-7 p.m., Central Library mall.

$2 Movie: Alice in Wonderland Go ask Alice what the dormouse said. Rated PG. 5:30 p.m.; also 5:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Planetarium. 817-272-1183.

Thursday, Aug. 26

New International Student Orientation: Late Arrivals 8 a.m.-noon, Swift Center. Office of International Education, Lauren Cutcher, 817-272-2355.

School of Social Work Welcome Week Free. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Building A, School of Social Work, Building A. Penny Acrey, pacrey@uta.edu, 817-272-2087.

Welcome Back Splash Free. 5:30-8:30 p.m., outdoor pool, P.E. Building. Campus Recreation, 817-272-3277.

EXCEL Welcome Back Movie: Iron Man 2 Rated PG-13. Free. 8:30 p.m., west lawn, Maverick Activities Center. EXCEL Campus Activities, excel-entertainment@uta.edu.

Friday, Aug. 27

Welcome Back BBQ Share a meal with old and new friends. Free. 6-8 p.m., Greek Row in front of University Village Apartments. Greek Life and University Events, 817-272-9234.

IFC Fraternity Experience Weekend Find details at Greek Life and University Events, 817-272-9234.

Saturday, Aug. 28

Wings, Wieners, and Water The name says it all on this campus get-together. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center mall. Student Governance and Organizations, 817-272-2293.

Movin' Mavs Alumni Game Watch UT Arlington's wheelchair basketball athletes, past and present. Free. 1 p.m., Texas Hall. Movin' Mavs, coach Doug Garner, 817-272-3410.

Big Howdy Party Free. 6-9 p.m., Rio Grande and Red River rooms, E.H. Hereford University Center. Office of International Education, Lauren Cutcher, 817-272-2355.

Pajama Jam Enjoy a late night zombie-theme party with black light bowling, a DJ, late night movie, food and fun. Free. 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, Rosebud Theatre, and Bowling and Billiards, E.H. Hereford University Center. University Center and Dining Services, 817-272-2929.

Monday, Aug. 30

Carter BloodCare Blood Drive 9 a.m., Central Library mall, E.H. Hereford University Center mall, Maverick Activities Center. UTA Volunteers. 817-272-2963.

College of Liberal Arts Snack Attack 11 a.m.-2 p.m., University Hall. College of Liberal Arts, 817-272-3291.

Intramural Sports Open House Find out what Intramural Sports has to offer. 7-9 p.m., game lounge, Maverick Activities Center. Campus Recreation.

Tuesday, Aug. 31

Carter BloodCare Blood Drive 9 a.m., Central Library mall. UTA Volunteers. 817-272-2963.

Carnival Knowledge: UT Arlington's Library Fun House 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Central Library mall. UT Arlington Library, Kevin Schuck, 817-272-3313.

Intramural: Madden NFL '10 Tournament Entries due by 5 p.m. at Maverick Activities Center Services and Information Desk. Intramural Sports, 817-272-3277.

UTA HOSTS! Welcome Back Mixer 7-9 p.m., Bowling and Billiards, E.H. Hereford University Center. UTA HOSTS!, Molly Alfers, 817-272-2293.

Alumni Association Scholarship Dinner More than 40 Mavericks will receive more than $50,000 in scholarships. 6 p.m., Carlisle Suite, E.H. Hereford University Center. UT Arlington Alumni Association, 817-272-2594.

Through Aug. 31

MFA Exhibition The third annual summer exhibition by 16 Master of Fine Arts students represents the Department of Art and Art History graduate program in intermedia studio, glass, visual communication, and film and video. Free. Summer hours 1:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-2891.

Ongoing

Texas Rangers baseball The Texas Rangers offer discounted tickets to selected games for faculty, staff, students, alumni, family, and friends. Access texasrangers.com/uta and use the password rangers to purchase tickets for designated games through Oct. 3.

Downtown Farmers Market Arlington's downtown farmers market features locally grown produce and locally made baked goods, arts, and crafts. Co-sponsored by UT Arlington Dining Services. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays, 215 E. Front St.

Planetarium programs See shows on the big screen Tuesday through Sunday. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

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

Seasoned leader: Diane Seymour begins her seventh season as head volleyball coach for the Mavericks.

Volleyball prepares for season opener with scrimmage

Coach Diane Seymour's volleyball team will hold its annual intrasquad Blue/White scrimmage at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, in Texas Hall. The scrimmage will begin with an hour warm-up prior to the game. Admission is free.

Fans can catch their first glimpse of this year's team as they continue preparation for their season opening tournament Friday-Saturday, Aug. 27-28, in the Sooner Legends/Nike Invitational at Norman, Okla. Tournament opponents are Miami, Oklahoma, and Wichita State.

The Mavericks open their home season Friday-Saturday, Sept. 3-4, in the UT Arlington Maverick Classic as Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech, UT-Pan American, and Arkansas-Little Rock round out the field.

Sports shorts

• Former UT Arlington baseball player Michael Choice has been named co-winner of the 2010 Howard Green Metroplex Collegiate Player of the Year Award presented by the DFW Hall-Ruggles Chapter for Society of American Baseball Research. Choice shares the award with TCU pitcher Matt Purke.

• Megan Turner and Brittany Culbertson were selected to the 2010 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Track and Field Team. The UT Arlington women's track program earned USTFCCCA Division I All-Academic team status. More than 20 student-athletes on the women's team registered a GPA above 3.0, while the team combined for a 3.16 overall GPA.

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