University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 08-24-2010

Movin' on up: About 300 volunteers helped residents settle into their homes for the fall semester during Monday's Move-In Event. Click above to watch the video or see the slide show.

Stamp starts with welcome events, MavsMeet, start of classes

The Maverick Stampede has begun.

Welcome Week started Monday as approximately 300 volunteers assisted students with their belongings and helped them find their rooms for the 11th annual Residence Hall Move-in Event. President James D. Spaniolo, Vice President of Student Affairs Frank Lamas and Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck joined in as they visited several residence halls.

Students new to UT Arlington will receive a formal Maverick welcome at the MavsMeet Convocation at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, in Texas Hall. This year's guest faculty speaker is physics Professor Kaushik De. Other speakers include President Spaniolo, Provost Donald R. Bobbitt, Vice President Lamas, and Student Congress President Aaron Resendez. The kickoff ceremony also includes a spirited performance by the UT Arlington Marching Band and a musical offering by the UT Arlington Jazz Ensemble featuring Tim Ishii.

Don't miss the AfterParty from 5-7 p.m. on the Central Library mall, which is for all students. The party features free food, games, music, and prizes.

Classes begin Thursday, Aug. 26, and with freshman applications up 28 percent this year, enrollment could be the largest ever.

More Maverick Stampede activities continue into early September, giving students a chance to get to know one another as well as faculty and staff. Look for a list of events in the Going Out section of TrailBlazer or go online to the Welcome Week events.

Park and ride: 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 required by first day of class; shuttle routes provide convenience

Students must have a parking permit or display a receipt from their online permit purchase by the start of classes on Thursday, Aug. 26.

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

• 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.

30-second spot puts UTARadio.com as finalist in national competition

UTARadio.com has been named a finalist in the category of Best Public Service Announcement by College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI).

The entry "Be Safe Texting" was produced by sophomore broadcast major Perry Kemp for his radio production class last year.

"The piece was exactly what you want in radio," says faculty adviser Lance Liguez. "Probably the hardest part was recording the sound of texting so it would be instantly recognizable. Perry pulled it off."

The 30-second PSA follows a person texting a friend while driving, with disastrous results. The entry is one of four finalists in CBI's National Student Production Awards Best PSA category.

College Broadcasters, Inc. is a national organization that seeks to ensure a commitment to education and the student pursuit of excellence through active involvement in electronic media. Category winners will be announced in October at CBI's National Student Media Convention in Louisville, Ky.

A look to the future These renderings show how Center Street Green, College Park, and the special events center will blend together on the east side of the campus. The renderings were provided by Schrickel, Rollins and Associates, Inc. in Arlington.

Free financial counseling available

University College now has a financial counselor available to faculty, staff, alumni, and students. Lori Gunn, a certified consumer credit counselor from Money Management International, will be available starting Thursday, Aug. 26, to help individuals analyze their financial situations and provide them with multiple options to better manage their finances.

Gunn will provide financial counseling on debt and budget, pre-filing bankruptcy, reverse mortgage, first-time homebuyer issues, understanding and building credit, loans, and credit cards.

The sessions will be in Room 206H in Ransom Hall. Gunn will be available for appointments 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays. To schedule an appointment, call 2-3684 or visit Suite 206 in Ransom Hall.

Direct Deposit is simple, safe, green

Save yourself some time, have peace of mind, and help the campus in its sustainability efforts by using Direct Deposit.

According to the PayItGreen Calculator, the number of printed checks and earning statements that UT Arlington issues for one year uses 840 pounds of paper and amounts to 171 trees.

Direct Deposit is secure, convenient, and fast. Students who work for UT Arlington can create a Direct Deposit account online or at the payroll office in the Wetsel Service Center.

Library seeks feedback on website redesign

The Library is redesigning its website and wants your feedback. Take a look at the beta website and complete a short survey.

The goal is to make the site easier for students to search and find information as well as complete other tasks such as renewing books and booking group study rooms.

The current library site is still the place to go for the latest library information and services. For more information, see technical assistance or website comments.

Hike and bike open house set for Sept. 1

Students are invited to attend a public open house concerning the Arlington Hike and Bike System Master Plan from 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center St. in Vandergriff Park. See the latest draft of the proposed hike and bike network maps.

Arlington Reads needs volunteers for various programs

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.

Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney

History professors helps FWISD teachers enhance lessons

UT Arlington history professors will share their expertise to improve the teaching of American history as part of a three-year, $1 million federal grant to the Fort Worth Independent School District.

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that $115.3 million in Teaching American History grants have been awarded to 124 school districts this year. The program enhances teachers' understanding of history by providing money for professional development, including trips to historical sites and meetings with historians and university experts. The overall aim is to increase student achievement.

As part of Fort Worth's program, professors from the History Department will give a series of full-day seminars on topics covered in fifth, eighth and 11th grade American history classes. Topics range from American colonization to the Civil War and contemporary America. The professors also will participate in a four-day Summer Institute.

W. Marvin Dulaney, associate professor of history, says the Teaching American History grant allows UT Arlington scholars to share their areas of in-depth study. That way, teachers can quickly get a sense of the up-to-date research and interpretations of events.

"We give them a lot of good content in terms of facts and detailed ways to approach different topics in American history," Dr. Dulaney says. "We're hoping that what we teach the teachers they will then teach the students in high schools and middle schools."

Dr. Ramon Lopez

Professor to receive 2010 Distinguished Scientist Award

Ramon Lopez, professor of physics, will receive the 2010 Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. Dr. Lopez was one of five honorees in the country recognized for their exemplary scientific achievement, teaching, and mentorship of underrepresented minority students.

Lopez leads a research group in the College of Science that focuses on both space physics and science education. He has long worked to draw more students into science and technology fields, with a particular connection to Hispanic American youth.

"That community is underrepresented in science for a whole host of reasons," Lopez says. "If the United States as a  country is going to maintain a strong technology-based society, we are going to have to, in the future, draw from groups that have not traditionally gone on to science careers."

Among his many activities, Lopez is co-principal investigator for Arlington Undergraduate Research-based Achievement (AURA) for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). That program, which is funded by nearly $2 million from the National Science Foundation, has teamed faculty from the colleges of Engineering and Science to address retention rates for first- and second-year students.

Summer grades to be posted by Friday

Grades for summer II five-week and summer 11-week terms 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.

Preorder official transcripts

You can order transcripts online and request to hold for grades or, if you are graduating this summer, request to hold for degree posting.

Print your own enrollment verification

If you are currently enrolled as a student at UT Arlington, you may print your own enrollment verification. Log into MyMav and click on Request Enrollment Verification in the Academics section of your Student Center to access the National Student Loan Clearinghouse (NSLC) website.

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 fall academic department service indicators released by their adviser.

The undergraduate catalog and graduate catalog for summer II and fall are online.

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, have your "passport" ready, participate in activities, and maybe you'll win 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.

Tuesday-Wednesday, Aug. 24-25

Second Life Open House See what is happening with higher education in virtual worlds and find out how the Second Life program can benefit your students. Sign up and get an avatar. Free. 1-3 p.m., Room B29, Digital Media Studio, Central Library. Sarah Jones, sjones@uta.edu.

Wednesday, Aug. 25

MavsMeet AfterParty 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 Tony Stark is asked to give up his Iron Man suit. 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 Blue/White Game Watch UT Arlington's wheelchair basketball athletes in an intrasquad game, coached by alumni. 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.

Intramurals: 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. Closing reception and new student welcome 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-2891.

Wednesday, Sept. 1

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

Maverick Cookout and Activities Fair Day Learn about student activities and organizations while munching on a free burger. Free. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. E.H. Hereford University Center mall. Office of Student Affairs, 817-272-6080.

College of Science Welcome Back Ice Cream Social Enjoy a sweet treat with fellow scientists. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Life Science Building. College of Science, Lori Norris, 817-272-3491.

Intramurals: Tennis Singles and doubles. Entries due by 5 p.m. at Maverick Activities Center Services and Information Desk. Intramural Sports, 817-272-3277.

Thursday, Sept. 2

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

College of Nursing Floats n' Quotes Cool off with fellow nursing students. 2:45-4 p.m., Room 549, Pickard Hall. College of Nursing, Mary Jane Ashe, 817-272-2776.

Honors College Game Night New Honors College students can meet fellow students, faculty and staff and enjoy pizza, bowling, billiards, and more. 5-8 p.m., Bowling and Billiards, E.H. Hereford University Center. Honors College, Cathy Pritchett, 817-272-7215.

Study Abroad Fall Fiesta Welcome globetrottin' Mavs who are returning from studying abroad and new exchange students. Free. 5 p.m., Swift Center lawn. Office of International Education, studyabroad@uta.edu, 817-272-1120.

Multicultural Mavericks Kick-Off Social Learn how you can be part of change in the world. 7-8 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Multicultural Affairs, Leticia Martinez, 817-272-2099.

Friday, Sept. 3

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

Intramurals: Bowling, Fantasy Football, College Football Pick 'Em Entries due by 5 p.m. at Maverick Activities Center Services and Information Desk. Intramural Sports, 817-272-3277.

Friday-Saturday, Sept. 3-4

Volleyball: UT Arlington Maverick Classic Arkansas-Little Rock, 1 p.m. Friday; Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Friday; UT-Pan American, noon Saturday; Mississippi State, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Free with student ID. Texas Hall. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Ongoing

Texas Rangers baseball The Texas Rangers offer discounted tickets to select 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.)

Friday, Aug. 27	NASA's Approach to Aeronautics and Space Technology Challenges Damodar Ambur, director of the Ground Facilities and Testing Directorate at the NASA Langley Research Center, reviews some of NASA's exploration programs and discusses challenges in achieving NASA's mission. Free. 1:30-2:30 p.m., Room 105, Nedderman Hall. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Debi Barton, dbarton@uta.edu, 817-272-2500.
Wednesday, Sept. 1	Petroleum Refining 101: Processing Crude Oil into Everyday Products Anthony Nagy, a retired chemical engineer, answers what processes change petroleum products into usable materials. Light breakfast provided. Free for students and first-time guests; $5 others. Register online. 7-8 a.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. College of Engineering and the Arlington Technology Association. 817-272-368.
Friday, Sept. 3	Whose Story Is It Anyway? Peggy Kulesz, professor of English, provides an overview of how to think about this year's OneBook selection, A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor by Dana Canedy. Dr. Kulesz's talk frames the book with the history and the contemporary expressions of life narrative. Free. Noon, Rosebud Theater. OneBook, Leigh Young, leiyoung@uta.edu, 817-272-0777.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

Seasoned starters: Six starters return for the 2010-11 Maverick volleyball team, which starts play this weekend at the Nike Invitational at the University of Oklahoma.

Volleyball Mavs open season this weekend

All six starters return this year as UT Arlington opens the volleyball season Friday in the Nike Invitational at the University of Oklahoma.

The Mavericks will face Miami at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, and on Saturday, Aug. 28, coach Diane Seymour's squad will face Oklahoma at noon, followed by Wichita State at 5 p.m. All matches will be played at McCasland Field House on the OU campus.

First home action for the Mavericks will be Friday-Saturday, Sept. 3-4, when they host the UT Arlington Maverick Classic at Texas Hall.

Three Mavericks were selected to the All-Southland Conference pre-season volleyball team. Tara Frantz and Emily Shearin earned spots on the first team, and Bianca Sauls made the second team.

Movin' Mavs alumni game Saturday

David Wilkes and James Patin are the top returning scorers for the Movin' Mavs, who will hold their annual Blue/White intrasquad wheelchair basketball game at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, in Texas Hall. Admission is free.

Alumni from previous teams will do the coaching. Jay Helms will coach the Blue team while Aaron Gouge and Tyler Garner will coach the White team.

Madden NFL 11 Tournament kicks off intramural season

The Fall 2010 Madden NFL 11 Tournament is set for 8 pm. Tuesday, Aug. 31, in the Maverick Activities Center game lounge. On-site registration begins at 7 p.m.

Games will be played on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The event is free, and tournament format (single or double elimination) will depend on the number of participants.

Entries open Thursday, Aug. 26, for bowling, flag football, and a pre-season flag football tournament.

See Campus Recreation for the intramural sports fall calendar.

Hall of Honor class includes three individuals, tennis team

Former basketball forward Tracy Burr-Lemonia (1985-88), tennis standout Christian Jaeger (1995-99), football defensive back Jim Marcum (1967-69), and the 1998-2001 men's tennis championship teams will be inducted into the UT Arlington Department of Athletics Hall of Honor, on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Arlington Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom.

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