University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 01-19-2010

Computer Store, labs open in University Center

The UT Arlington Computer Store has moved and reopened in the former art gallery space in the E.H. Hereford University Center. The store offers a variety of hardware and software.

The phone number remains 817-272-5505. E-mail store staff at computerstore@uta.edu.

Ransom Hall, the store's previous location, closed over the winter break for renovation and will reopen in fall 2010 as the home of University College, a full-service center for academic advising, tutoring, counseling and other student support services.

In addition:

• A new, open computer lounge with 36 desktop PCs opens this week on the second level of the University Center. Printers are available for student, faculty and staff use.

• A PC lab with 10 desktops has opened in the Web Connection space behind the University Center's Food Court.

• A new Mac lab with 21 desktop units has opened in Room 411 of the Fine Arts Building. An existing Mac lab with 24 units has been upgraded in Room 404, Fine Arts Building. Printers are available in both labs.

The Office of Information Technology has made it easy to find other computer labs on campus through a new, interactive map.

Accelerated bachelor's degree program to attract former students

The University will launch a new online program in fall 2010 to provide former college students with an accelerated path to a bachelor's degree.

The Bachelor's Accelerated Completion program will target students who have completed roughly 60 semester credit hours or more. UT TeleCampus will administer the program.

Courses will be six to seven weeks long. The course offerings have not been announced, but students in and outside of Texas will be eligible for admission. After successful completion, students will be awarded a bachelor's degree in UT Arlington's University Studies program.

Michael Moore, senior vice provost at UT Arlington, said the online program targets students who have started college but could not complete their coursework due to work constraints or changes in their personal life.

"Not everybody can be 18, leave high school and go to college for four years and graduate," Dr. Moore says. "We believe that offering this degree will dramatically increase the options for these students."

See more on the BAC program.

Free H1N1 flu vaccinations

The Health Services Center offers the H1N1 flu vaccine free to students, faculty and staff at the campus clinic, 605 S. West St.

The immunization clinic hours are 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. weekdays. No appointment is needed.

Tarrant and Dallas county health officials also have free H1N1 vaccinations available at area public health clinics. The Arlington Public Health Center, 536 W. Randol Mill Road, near North Cooper Street, is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. A storefront clinic at 5415 S. Cooper St., Suite 125, south of campus, is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

For other locations, call 2-1-1 or go online to Tarrant County Public Health, Dallas County Public Health or the Texas Department of Health.

More information is available at www.uta.edu/flu.

Free fitness Jeff Raines, a graduate student in kinesiology, walks a few miles on an elliptical machine at the Maverick Activities Center last week. The MAC offers free group exercise classes during the first week of the semester. See the schedule for details.

Ribbon sale to benefit Haitian earthquake victims

The African Student Organization is raising money this week to benefit victims of the Jan. 10 earthquake in Haiti. Blue ribbons, which symbolize pro-activeness and justice, will be sold for $1 each 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday on the Central Library and the E.H. Hereford University Center malls. Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

Greek delayed recruitment ready for fall's freshmen

The Greek community on campus is gearing up for new members in its first year of delayed recruitment.

Students must have accumulated nine credit hours at UT Arlington before they could join a Greek organization. That meant incoming freshmen in the fall semester could not pledge a social sorority or fraternity at that time.

To participate in Greek recruitment, students also must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average.

UT Arlington has 32 Greek chapters on campus through four councils, including the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Panhellenic Council.

This year's recruitment period starts with a new tradition: a "Bond" fire. A campfire, rather than a large bonfire, is the focal point for what aims to help Greeks and those interested in Greek organizations to bond during this social event.

Recruitment schedules are:

• "Bond" fire, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, west lawn, Maverick Activities Center.

• PHC Formal Recruitment, Thursday, Jan. 21-Saturday, Jan. 30.

• IFC Formal Recruitment, Monday-Saturday, Feb. 1‑6.

• MGC Meet and Greet, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center.

• NPHC Meet the Greeks, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center.

For more information, visit www.utagreeks.com or e-mail greeklife@uta.edu.

Queen of green: Meghna Tare will oversee UT Arlington's green future as its first director of sustainability.

Environmental expert named sustainability director

Meghna Tare has been named the first director of sustainability for UT Arlington. Her appointment began Jan. 4.

Tare holds a master's degree in environmental studies from San Jose State University and a master's degree in chemistry from the University of San Francisco. She was an environmental manager with the City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality for the past three years and has taught environmental studies at California State University at Hayward. She also worked at Stanford University with the Institute of Environmental Science and Policy.

"Tare has a very broad range of knowledge, experience and success in leading and implementing sustainability programs and initiatives," says John Hall, vice president for administration and campus operations.

UT Arlington is committed to environmental stewardship, addressing energy and water conservation, construction, transportation and recycling, Hall said. It was the first educational entity to partner with Air North Texas, a regional clean air campaign initiated by the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

See more about the new sustainability director.

Four face charges in connection with cell phone robberies

UT Arlington police arrested a fourth area teen last month in connection with a series of November cell phone robberies in which students were approached, asked for their cell phones and then assaulted.

The robberies and thefts occurred between Nov. 5 and Nov. 25. No similar incidents have been reported since.

See more about the arrests.

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 must be full-time undergraduate students in the spring 2010 and fall 2010 semesters with a minimum of a 2.25 GPA, a positive attitude, and an enthusiasm and passion for UT Arlington. Applications are due by Thursday, Jan. 28.

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

Chemist wins prestigious Eli Lilly award

Kevin Schug, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Science, has been named the lone recipient of the 2010 Eli Lilly Young Analytical Scientist award. The national honor comes with an unrestricted $50,000, the opportunity to renew the grant for a second year and a lifetime opportunity to collaborate with the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company.

There are no nominations for this highly selective award. The judges independently review available literature and select a pool of about a dozen candidates. The award recognizes a young researcher who is doing work of relevance to the pharmaceutical industry.

Read more about Dr. Schug and the award.

Making waves: Dr. Haiying Huang has developed an unpowered wireless ultrasound sensing system.

University receives significant share of UT System commercialization grant

UT Arlington will share a $394,000 grant to commercialize technologies developed by university researchers. The award represents the fifth round of commercialization grants from The University of Texas System.

The award comes from a $2 million Texas Ignition fund created by the UT System Board of Regents in 2007 to speed the commercialization of discoveries made at the UT System campus laboratories and move them into the marketplace. Grants awarded in the latest round ranged from $44,000 to $50,000 at eight UT System institutions.

Haiying Huang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering, developed a wireless sensor system that transmits ultrasonic waves using unpowered microwave components. The sensor could replace existing wired ultrasound sensors used in the aerospace industry, chemical plants and manufacturing facilities for monitoring and inspection purposes. The grant will help move that technology into production.

Project Success featured on local cable program

The new Project Success, which provides business attire for seniors and graduates, is featured on Time Warner Cable's Community Connection program, shown in Arlington. The local segment is available on Video-On-Demand through Feb. 11 on Time Warner Cable only.

Project Success is seeking donations of business clothing for students and graduates to wear for job interviews. Money is needed also for dry cleaning. Students earn the clothing by working 10 hours for Mission Arlington, which will house the Project Success closet.

To donate to Project Success, contact Cheri Butler, associate director of Career Services, at cherib@uta.edu.

City seeks input for hike-and-bike plan

Put in your two-cents for the City of Arlington's Hike and Bike System Master Plan. A public open house is set for 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram St.

Grade exclusion request site reopens for spring 2010

The grade exclusion request site will be available through last drop date on April 2. For a grade to be excluded, students must be registered at UT Arlington on the census date for the term in which their grade exclusion request is processed.

Spring 2010 important dates

Jan. 19 — First day of classes

Feb. 3  — Census date

March 15-19 — Spring Break

April 2 — Last day to drop

May 7 — Last day of classes

May 8-14 — Final exams

May 13-17 — Commencement ceremonies

Winter Intersession final grades

Winter Intersession grades are available at www.uta.edu/mymav. Log-in, click on Student Center, then click on the drop-down box under Other Academic. Grades are the sixth item in the drop-down list.

Free admission for "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea" Performances of playwright John Patrick Shanley's "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea" are free this weekend. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23 and 24, on Stage 143 in the north section of the Fine Arts Building. "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea," Shanley's first drama, deals with two dysfunctional young people who meet by chance in an extremely rough bar in the Bronx in New York City. Shanley won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Doubt" and directed the film version starring Meryl Streep. He also wrote the Oscar Award-winning screenplay for "Moonstruck." Theatre arts seniors Stephen Tyler Howell and Tonya Free play the lead characters. Natalie Gaupp, senior lecturer in theater arts, directs with theatre arts senior Casey Hines as stage manager. Admission is free, and reservations are not accepted. "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea" is for adult audiences because of adult language and content.

Tuesday, Jan. 19

UT Arlington Planetarium programs The spring schedule of shows begins Tuesday. Witness the forces that hold the universe together and occasionally try to rip it apart in "Violent Universe." 5:30 p.m., Planetarium 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu, www.utaplanetarium.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 20

$2 movie: Angels and Demons 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. Also 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23.

Women's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Stephen F. Austin. Free. 7 p.m., Texas Hall.

Guest Recital with Nathaniel Bartlett The nationally recognized composer/performer presents a concert that combines a five-octave acoustic marimba with electronics, computer and an eight-channel cube of loudspeakers. Free. 7:30 p.m., Room 115, north section, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-3471, music@uta.edu.

Thursday-Friday, Jan. 21-22

Beyond the Wall poster sale Find posters from Picasso to rock legends for decorating dorm and apartment walls. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Central Library mall.

Thursday, Jan. 21

Jazz Recital Assistant Professor Dan Cavanagh on the piano and Dave Hagedorn, artist in residence at St. Olaf College, on the vibraphone perform jazz music. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-3471, music@uta.edu.

Friday, Jan. 22

Friday Night Movie: Zombieland Free. 5 and 8 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center.

Friends of the UT Arlington Library Library Dean Gerald Saxon and local businessman Jack W. Graves Jr., co-authors of "Historic Texas from the Air," are featured speakers. Copies of the book will be sold at the meeting, and the authors will be available for autographs. Open to the public. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor, Central Library. For questions or to RSVP, contact Betty Wood, 817-272-7421 or bwood@uta.edu.

Saturday, Jan. 23

Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Sam Houston State. Free. 7 p.m., Texas Hall.

Monday-Thursday, Jan. 25-28

Blood drive 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Central Library mall and E.H. Hereford University Center mall. Also Monday, Jan. 25, at Maverick Activities Center.

Monday, Jan. 25

Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Houston Baptist. Free. 7 p.m., Texas Hall.

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

Logical choice: Michael Choice is the all-time career batting leader (.396) for the Mavericks entering the 2010 season.

Maverick outfielder rated 13th among nation's top players

Center fielder Michael Choice was selected as the No. 13 player in the country by the College Baseball Blog on its projected Top 100 Players list.

Choice, a junior from Arlington, has been named to three pre-season All-American teams, including second team by Collegiate Baseball and Ping, and third team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

After helping lead Team USA to the World Baseball Challenge championship last summer, Choice and his UT Arlington teammates will begin practice Feb. 1 in preparation for the season opener against Dallas Baptist on Feb. 19 at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Volleyball places three on All-Academic Team

The volleyball program was well represented on the Southland Conference All-Academic Team as sophomore Tara Frantz was selected to the first team while sophomore Christy Driscoll and junior Bianca Sauls were named to the second team.

Student-athletes must possess a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average, have completed one full academic year at the nominating institution and participated in at least 50 percent of the team's competition to qualify for the All-Academic squad.

Three basketball games coming up at Texas Hall

The women's basketball team will host Stephen F. Austin Wednesday, Jan. 20, while the men's basketball team has home games with Sam Houston State Saturday, Jan. 23, and Houston Baptist Monday, Jan. 25. All games start at 7 p.m. at Texas Hall.

The Movin' Mavs wheelchair basketball team will compete in a tournament at the University of Missouri this weekend.

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