University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 03-02-2010

Diversity Week challenges attitudes, stereotypes with lectures, games, obstacle course, workshop

Students can learn more about diversity through lectures, physical challenges and a little 3-on-3 basketball during Diversity Week on campus.

"Maversity: Why GI Joe Enlisted Barbie" is a workshop for students at 12:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 2, in the San Saba Room of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

MavFest starts at noon Wednesday, March 3, on the University Center mall and features the Movin' Mavs wheelchair basketball team obstacle course and cultural games. International lecturer Maura Cullen reveals "Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say" at 7 p.m. at the Rosebud Theatre of the UC.

Thursday events include Safe Zone Ally Training and the 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball tournament, with the week's activities winding up Friday with the Maversity workshop "Disability Is Part of Diversity."

Check the complete schedule for Diversity Week, which is sponsored by Multicultural Affairs, the Office for Students with Disabilities, and the Division of Student Affairs.

Protect your property: GPS units like this have been targets for vehicle burglaries on campus.

Campus police advise caution after recent vehicle burglaries

University police are asking students who park vehicles on campus to take valuables with them, put them in the trunk or locked glove compartment, or simply leave them at home after several daytime vehicle burglaries in parking lots east of Pecan Street.

Windshield-mounted GPS units have recently been stolen between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

"Simply throwing a coat over an item is not enough to deter thieves," Assistant Chief Rick Gomez of the UT Arlington Police Department says.

Also, SUVs and pickups don't have a trunk to hold valuables, so thieves check unlocked glove compartments, behind seats and under seats.

Chief Gomez offers these tips:

• Close all vehicle doors and windows.

• Lock doors.

• Remove valuables or place them in the trunk.

• Don't leave any sign of hidden valuables, such as docking stations or connector cables. Even loose coins or a CD can be attractive to a thief.

• Remove pull-out style radio face plates.

• Use a car alarm.

• Even if a car is locked and alarmed, a thief may target your vehicle because valuables are in sight.

• Dark tinted windows will not hide valuables. Thieves often use flashlights to see through tint.

• Don't use hide-a-key boxes. Thieves know all the hiding places.

If you are a victim of a vehicle burglary—Do not touch or adjust anything in, on or around the car. Do not confront anyone. Call the police to report the incident as soon as possible.

Assistance call boxes—More than 60 outdoor assistance call boxes around campus provide a direct connection with the UTA Police Department and automatically pinpoint the caller's location.

Report suspicious activity—Contact the UTA Police Department for suspicious activities such as:

• people walking up and down aisles of parking lots looking into cars or trying door handles;

• vehicles cruising parking lots at very slow speeds for extended periods while observing parked cars. While this is not unusual as students, faculty and staff hunt for parking spaces, there should be other indicators of apparent ill intent;

• people making any kind of mark or placing anything on parked vehicles;

• people sitting in running parked cars for protracted periods;

• and vehicles dropping one person off while continuing to cruise the same area.

Report a crime in progress—Call 817-272-3003 or 911.

Non-emergency reports—Call 817-272-3381. Add this number to your cell phone contact list.

Special Events Center begins with groundbreaking ceremony Friday

Groundbreaking for the Special Events Center is set for Friday, March 5, on the eastern edge of the campus. A reception is at 2 p.m. with the groundbreaking program at 2:30 p.m.

The final design for the center emphasizes energy efficiency, natural light and materials, and flexible seating in a new venue for convocations, concerts and athletics. The center is expected to open by December 2011.

The center will open onto a new pedestrian mall on what is now Second Street between Center and Pecan streets. A four-story, mixed-use residence hall and parking garage will be built immediately north of the events center. UT Arlington is partnering with the city of Arlington to develop a pedestrian trail along Center Street and a green space on the building's south side.

Collectively, the projects will reframe what is rapidly becoming known as "East Campus," the University's growing corridor east of Cooper Street. The multi-purpose venue will contribute significantly to the goal of making downtown Arlington a college town.

Intersections, parking lot closings planned for SEC groundbreaking

In preparation for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Special Events Center, some intersections and parking lots will be closed.

On Friday, March 5, the intersections of Pecan Street at UTA Boulevard and Third Street will be closed 12:30-5 p.m. Traffic will be diverted to Center Street.

Students may use Lot 40 instead of lots 42 and 43 from 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, through 5 p.m. Friday, March 5.

Women's History Month boasts top lecturers, conferences, fashion show

Women's History Month on campus includes lectures on contemporary issues, healthy lifestyle choices, leadership training, fashion and even karaoke.

The 24th Annual Women's History Month Lecture Series, sponsored by the Women's Studies Program, features three speakers, all at noon in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library. The free lectures are:

• "Women's Rights, Family Values, and the Polarization of American Politics" by Marjorie J. Spruill. Wednesday, March 3.

• "Doing Business with Beauty: Black Women, Hair Salons, and the Racial Enclave Economy" by Aida Harvey Wingfield. Wednesday, March 24.

• "Barbara Jordan and the Paradox of Female Ambition" Mary Ellen Curtin. Wednesday, March 31.

Other Women's History Month events include:

Campaign College This American Association of University Women's program prepares female students for campus leadership roles. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, March 6, Carlisle Suites, E.H. Hereford University Center. Applications have closed.

Living a Healthy Lifestyle Conquer the challenge of living a healthy lifestyle with practical tips from guest presenters. Free refreshments and door prizes. Free. 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, Bluebonnet Ballroom, University Center. multicultural_affairs@uta.edu, 817-272-2099.

‘Women Behaving Badly' Karaoke Night Open karaoke adds a "Women Behaving Badly" Karaoke Contest for student organizations. Free. 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 11, Bowling & Billiards, University Center. multicultural_affairs@uta.edu, 817-272-2099.

Success: A Woman's Leadership Conference  This conference is dedicated to working women and the enhancement of their leadership skills. $95. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday, March 11, Sheraton Fort Worth, 701 Commerce St., Fort Worth. Megan Topham, 817-272-5988.

RAD- Self Defense Course  Female students, faculty and staff can learn self defense. Registration required; go to www.uta.edu/police and scroll down to crime prevention. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, March 13, Maverick Activities Center. Ron Cook, rwcook@uta.edu, 817-272-3902.

Women of Excellence Fashion Show  Female student leaders model in this business fashion show. Free. 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 23, Rio Grande Room, University Center. multicultural_affairs@uta.edu, 817-272-2099.

Third Annual Women in Leadership Retreat Participants learn personal leadership style and discuss critical issues facing female leaders today. Admission limited. Free. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, March 27, Carlisle Suites, University Center. multicultural_affairs@uta.edu, 817-272-2099.

Holding court Management senior Travis Boren, left, and political science junior Eleanor Khonje wave to the crowd after being named Homecoming King and Queen at halftime of Saturday's women's basketball game. See a slide show and video of homecoming activities from the past week.

Mind/Emotion Wellness Day offers relaxation tips, health screenings

Mav Talk: Mind/Emotion Wellness Day lets students take part in activities to support their emotional health and wellness. The free event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 2, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Participate in a relaxation exercise, create your own stress ball and learn about campus and community resources. Complete anonymous screenings for stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, alcohol, relationship concerns, and eating and sleeping problems.

Counseling Services and Mental Health Services host the event.

Fun in the Sun Health Fair has free screenings, massages, information

Jam-packed with activities, the Fun in the Sun Health Fair will feature more than 30 health care providers, health care experts and businesses as well as fun activities, door prizes and giveaways. The fair runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Free health screenings and education will be offered on vision, blood pressure, diabetes, dental, chiropractic, nutrition and more. Free massages, manicures, pedicures and temporary tattoos are planned, along with free hot dogs and cotton candy. The first 100 attendees receive a free bag filled with gift cards, coupons and discounts to area restaurants and businesses.

For more information, call Health Services, 817-272-2771.

Census race Nursing junior Caitlin Wright tries her hand at filling out a practice census form during a five-hour awareness program Wednesday. The event, sponsored by Public Relations Student Society of America, was designed to raise awareness of the federal census, as well as test participants' speed in completing the paperwork. Forms are in the mail and should be returned by April 1.

Social today gives volunteers more info on The Big Event service day

The Big Event Spring Fever Social, 3-4 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 2, invites students to learn how they can be part of one of the largest one-day community improvement and outreach efforts in the history of North Texas. The informational event is the Concho Room of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

The Big Event partners student volunteers with service projects for area non-profit organizations. UT Arlington joins with the Arlington Alliance For Youth on Saturday, April 24, for Global Youth Services Day. UTA Volunteers hosts The Big Event.

Other projects this month sponsored by the UTA Volunteers include lending a hand to the Boys & Girls Club on Thursday, March 4, and the Arlington Native Plant Life Preserve (or The Wildscape) and Mission Arlington on Saturday, March 6.

Lose that long hair at Locks of Love on Wednesday, March 10. Late March events include an animal shelter visit and a blood drive.

For more details, go to the UTA Volunteers Web site or contact Tiffany Kaminski at 817-272-2963 or tiffany.kaminski@mavs.uta.edu.

More restaurants accepting Mav Money

Several local restaurants and two CVS Pharmacy locations near campus now accept Mav Money, a debit card offered through the Mav Express in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Learn more at the Mav Express or go online to www.uta.edu/mavexpress.

OneBook author discusses 'Deep Economy'

Bill McKibben, the author of this year's OneBook selection, will discuss his book at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, in the Rosebud Theatre at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and Our Durable Future asserts that what we eat, what we drive, where we live and what we feel are all related to how we use or misuse the earth's resources. He shows how our globalized economy has become addicted to the ideas of limitless economic growth and endless consumption of goods.

The lecture is sponsored by the UT Arlington OneBook program, a common reading experience for incoming freshmen.

McKibben, an environmental activist, led two of the largest protests against global warming in 2006 and 2007. He also founded www.Stepitup07.org, a Web site designed to pressure the U.S. government toward more sustainable policies on carbon emissions.

Advising open for summer and fall registration

Advising for summer and fall terms has begun. The home page for the MyMav portal is your gateway to the Schedule of Classes and the Registration Timetable as you make your registration plans for the summer and fall terms. Priority registration opens Monday, April 5.

Check to see if you will need to see your academic adviser before you register. If your academic department requires that you be advised, you will see a service indicator ("DEP" hold) under the "Holds" section of your Student Center in MyMav.

Progress report grades available

Through Friday, March 12, instructors are entering progress report grades for many students. Check your UT Arlington e-mail account to see if you are in the group to receive progress reports. Unlike final grades, you can see your progress report grades as soon as they are entered. Check your MyMav Student Center regularly for the next few weeks to see how you are doing in each course.

Loni Love at next One Mic Stand Comedy Variety and Comedy Central named Loni Love among the Top 10 Comics to Watch, and students can do just that at One Mic Stand Comedy at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 8, in the Rosebud Theatre of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Love has appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,"  "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn," "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" and "Comics Unleashed." She has a recurring role on the Nickelodeon show, "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide." Love is a regular panelist on E!'s "Chelsea Lately" and TruTV's "The Smoking Gun Presents: The World's Dumbest." Her first one-hour special for Comedy Central, "America's Sister," is set to premiere later this year. One Mic Stand Comedy is sponsored by EXCEL Campus Activities.

Tuesday, March 2

Percussion Ensemble Recital UT Arlington Percussion Ensemble performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. music@uta.edu, 817-272‑3471.

Wednesday, March 3

Fun in the Sun Health Fair Health Services is sponsoring a day of fun, food, prizes and education on the effects of the sun on our skin. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center mall, Central Library mall. 817-272‑2716.

$2 Movie: Casablanca Bogie, Bergman and the Resistance. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272‑1183. Also showing at 5:30 p.m., Friday, March 5.

Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Nicholls State. Senior night. Track team recognized at halftime, while the UT Arlington Dance Team and Hooters' halfcourt shot will be featured. Free with student ID. 7 p.m., Texas Hall. 817-272‑2261.

Thursday, March 4

Baseball UT Arlington vs. Brigham Young. Free with student ID. 6:30 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. 817-272-2261.

Symphony Orchestra Concert The UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra performs. $5 adults, $3 students and seniors. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-3471.

Thursday-Sunday, March 4-7

Dead Man Walking A play based on Sister Helen Prejean's novel is part of the national Death Penalty Play Project and a collaboration of the departments of criminology and criminal justice, political science, art and art history, communication and theatre arts. An after-show talk follows the March 5 performance. $7 with student ID. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Mainstage Theatre, Fine Arts Building.

Friday, March 5

Faculty Flute Recital Featuring Sarah Frisof of the UT Arlington music faculty. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-3471.

Baseball UT Arlington vs. Brigham Young. Free with student ID. 6:30 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. 817-272-2261.

Friday Night Movie: The Princess and the Frog A modern twist on a classic tale set in the mystical bayous of Louisiana. Rated G. Free. 8 p.m. Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center.

Saturday, March 6

Women's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Senior day. Volleyball team recognized at halftime. UT Arlington Dance Team will perform. Free with student ID. 1 p.m., Texas Hall. 817-272-2261.

Baseball UT Arlington vs. Brigham Young. Free with student ID. 1 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. 817-272-2261.

Softball UT Arlington vs. Southeastern Louisiana. Free with student ID. 2 and 4 p.m., Allan Saxe Field. 817-272-2261.

Through March 6

Prime Perception Visual communication professors and active designers and artists Robert Grame and Robert Hower exhibit their work. Free. 10 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday. The Gallery at UTA, Room 169, Fine Arts Building. 817-272‑5658.

Saturday, March 7

Softball UT Arlington vs. Southeastern Louisiana. Free with student ID. Noon, Allan Saxe Field. 817-272-2261.

Monday, March 8

Downtown Arlington Music Mondays A 30-minute lunchtime concert featuring Music Department faculty and students is followed by a free lunch. Free. 12:15 p.m., First Baptist Church Sanctuary, 300 S. Center St. Martha Walvoord, walvoord@uta.edu, 817-272-2439.

Vocal Division Recital A recital with UTA vocal students. Free. 4:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. music@uta.edu, 817- 272-3471.

Faculty Cello Recital Elizabeth Morrow of the music faculty performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. music@uta.edu, 817-272-3471.

Tuesday, March 9

Baseball UT Arlington vs. TCU. Free with student ID. 6:30 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. 817-272-2261.

Wednesday, March 10

Baseball UT Arlington vs. Creighton. Free with student ID. 3 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. 817-272-2261.

$2 Movie: Little Shop of Horrors A dentist and his plant have a complicated relationship. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272-1183. Also showing 5:30 p.m., Friday, March 12, and 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 13.

Open Mic Coffeehouse Night Free. 7 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. excel-entertainment@uta.edu, 817-272-2963.

Through March 31

The Mexican Revolution and Beyond A collection of 52 works by renowned photographer Agustin Vicente Casasola, on loan from the Mexican government, provides a unique and compelling visual chronicle of Mexican life in the early decades of the 20th century. Sixth floor parlor, Central Library. 817-272-3997.

Creativity Test Artists Marilyn Jolly and Maraya Lopez bring a new perspective to paint-by-the-numbers. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center. 817-272‑5988.

Ongoing

UT Arlington Planetarium programs See the complete Planetarium schedule. $2 with student ID. 817-272‑1183, planetarium@uta.edu.

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

Tuesday, March 2	Copyright & Publishing Learn about your copyright and available options before signing a contract to publish. Register online. 4 p.m., Room 315A, Central Library.
Wednesday, March 3	Long-life, Self-recharging Batteries Larry Gadeken, president of BetaBatt, producer of the BetaBattery, a porous-silicon diode that converts low levels of beta radiation into electricity, discusses the development of the BetaBatt and its potential uses. Arlington Technology Association members, students, first-time guests free; others $5. Light breakfast provided. Reservations required. 7 a.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. 817-272-3682. Calibration in Mobile Sensor Networks Chao Wang of the University of Wisconsin-Madison describes the need to know the relationship between measurements and true measured values for each sensor device and how to achieve them. 11 a.m., Room 515, Nedderman Hall. 817-272-1339. Developing Solar Energy Systems: Beyond Thin Film Solar Cells Lun Tsuei, former senior engineering manager for Applied Materials, describes how to balance the gas flow and plasma distribution within a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition chamber to improve center-to-corner solar cell performance. Free. 11 a.m., Room 313, Woolf Hall. Debi Barton, dbarton@uta.edu, 817-272-2500. Designing a Robust Microprocessor Xin Fu, an innovation fellow in computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, examines several failure mechanisms and describes three processor vulnerability-mitigation methodologies. 11:30 a.m., Room 202, Nedderman Hall. 817-272-3627. The Interplay of Orality and Literacy in the Exeter Book of Riddles Thomas Tutt of the Department of English lectures on "Eating Our Words and Having Them Too: The Interplay of Orality and Literacy in the Exeter Book Riddles." Noon, Room 211, Preston Hall. 817-272-1329.
Thursday, March 4	Safe Zone Ally Training Learn about heterosexual privilege, campus and community resources, and how to be supportive to members of the LGBT community. Participants have the option to display a Safe Zone symbol as a signal to the campus community, and especially LGBT individuals, that they maintain a safe and affirming environment. Reservations required. 1-3:30 p.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Adria Villarreal, adriav@uta.edu, 817-272-3671. Biology Colloquium Series Sophia Passy, associate professor of biology, explores the origins of species richness. Free. 4 p.m., Room 124, Life Science Building. Ellen Pritham, pritham@uta.edu, 817-272-2872.
Friday, March 5	Risk-adjusted Performance Monitoring in Complex Systems Li Zeng of the University of Wisconsin-Madison presents methodologies for risk-adjusted performance monitoring in health care delivery systems and complex manufacturing systems. 1:30 p.m., Room 404, Woolf Hall. 817-272-5787. RefWorks I: Save Time, Avoid Plagiarism Free but registration required. 3 p.m., Room 136, Business Building.
Monday, March 8	Engineering Lecture: John A. White John A. White, chancellor emeritus and distinguished professor of industrial engineering at the University of Arkansas, discusses how the globalization of science and engineering and the worldwide economic crisis are presenting engineering educators with new opportunities. Reservations required. Free. 6 p.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Amber DeGelia, adegelia@uta.edu, 817-272-0074.
Tuesday, March 9	Fresh Start from Tobacco: Understanding Addiction 11:30 a.m., Pecos Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu. Fresh Start from Tobacco: Steps to Quitting 3 p.m., Pecos Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu. Financial Aid Night Hear about financial aid requirements, the financial aid application process and the award process from representatives from the UT Arlington Financial Aid Office. Presentations at 6:15 and 7:45 p.m. Register online. Free. E.H. Hereford University Center.
Wednesday, March 10	Fresh Start from Tobacco: How to Cope 10:30 a.m., Blanco Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu. Fresh Start from Tobacco: There Is Help 3 p.m., Blanco Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

Repeat winner: Jasmine Walls won two events last weekend at the SLC Indoor Track and Field Championships for the second year in a row.

Women finish second in conference indoor track

Jasmine Walls won the 60-meter and 200-meter events for the second straight year at the Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Saturday in Norman, Okla., as the UT Arlington women's team finished second behind Stephen F. Austin. Antonia Hopkins was also an individual winner for the women, winning the 400-meter event.

The men's team finished fourth and had three individual champions: Adolphus Jones in the heptathlon, Wade Hayes in the pole vault and Dwight Robinson in the 800-meter run.

UT Arlington will host the Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 14-16 at Maverick Stadium.

Basketball teams play final home games this week

The men's basketball team will play its final home game at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, against Nicholls State while the women close out the home season at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Both games will be played at Texas Hall.

The Movin' Mavs wheelchair basketball team will close out its home season Saturday, March 6, with games against the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks at noon and URO Sport Texas at 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. All games will be played in the Physical Education Building.

Both men's and women's teams have clinched a berth in the Southland Conference Tournament, which begins next week in Katy, Texas. The Movin' Mavs will play in the national intercollegiate tournament March 19-20 at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Intramural entries due for softball, table tennis

Entries for intramural softball are due Wednesday, March 3, at the Maverick Activities Center service and information desk. Play begins Monday, March 8.

Table tennis entries for both individual and dual competition are due Thursday, March 4. Entries for table tennis, wheelchair division, are due Friday, March 5. For more information, see intramural sports and utamovinmavs.com.

Sports shorts

Cara Hulme pitched a perfect game against Prairie View A&M in the UTA Invitational Saturday, but the softball team lost three out of five as their record slipped to 9-6. ... Jason Mitchell struck out a school- and Southland Conference-record 18 batters Friday night, and the baseball team went on to take two out of three from Missouri State over the weekend. The Mavericks will host Brigham Young for a three-game series starting Thursday. ... The women's tennis team opened SLC play with wins over Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls State over the weekend. The men's tennis team will host UT Dallas at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at the Tennis Center.

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